WO2009150638A2

WO2009150638A2 - Multipurpose diathermy apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2009150638A2
Application number: PCT/IB2009/053480
Authority: WO
Inventors: Pulathis Siriwardana
Original assignee: Pulathis Siriwardana
Priority date: 2008-06-12
Filing date: 2009-08-07
Publication date: 2009-12-17
Also published as: WO2009150638A3

Abstract

Described is an invention which includes an electrosurgical (Diathermy) scalpel, suction devise for evacuation of smoke as well as fluid in different settings, a diathermy tip cleaner, a surgical illuminator, a surgical field irrigator and a suction tube cleaner. All these are incorporated into a disposable plastic sleeve. The electrosurgical scalpel is exposed only when it is in use, by electrical retraction of the sleeve. As the sleeve is electrically protruded forward the diathermy tip is cleaned mechanically by the diathermy tip cleaner. A light source / intermediate light source interlocks with the sleeve / illuminator rod to transmit light to the surgical field. A water channel is inserted to the suction tube to irrigate the surgical field and the suction tube cleaning channel helps dislodge debris lodged in this common channel. A main control unit combines and controls all the above functions

Description

DESCRIPTION

Figures 1 and 2 show the diagrammatic representation of the overall outline of the invention, which has a

1. Sleeve

2. Handle - Section (a)

^■ Solenoid mechanism

^■ Interlock

^■ Intermediate light source Section (b) -

• Irrigation channel

• Surgical field irrigator valve

• Suction tube cleaner valve

3. Diathermy control unit

Sleeve (Figs 1, 2, 3 and 6)

The sleeve is the part of the diathermy which extends beyond the handle. It is made out of clear plastic so that the surgical field is least obscured. This unit is disposable.

It contains the

1. Diathermy tip (1) (Figs 1, 2, 3, 4, 6)

2. Diathermy tip cleaner (2) (Fig 4)

3. Suction nozzle (3) (Figs 1-3)

4. Surgical field irrigator (4) (Figs 4, 10)

5. Illuminator rod (5) (Figs 1, 2, 3, 5, 6)

The sleeve is attached to the Solenoid mechanism (6) which is situated in the handle by an interlock (7). When the Solenoid mechanism (6) is activated, the sleeve is retracted proximally towards the handle. The sleeve has spaces to accommodate the diathermy tip and the Illuminator rod. The Diathermy tip (1) and the Illuminator rod (5) are held by the respective units of the handle without any attachment to the solenoid mechanism (6). Therefore when the sleeve is retracted, the diathermy tip (1) and the Illuminator rod end (4.3) (Fig 1) are exposed beyond the distal end of the sleeve when it is retracted.

Diathermy tip (1)

The current arch to the base plate is completed when the Diathermy Tip makes contact with patient. Due to the high temperature at the diathermy tip, tissues are incised or coagulated. Most diathermy machines have only this unit.

Diathermy tip cleaner (2) (Fig 4)

Shown in the diagram is the cross section seen as from above. The diathermy tip cleaner is incorporated to the sleeve. This is cleaned when the sleeve is pushed forwards over the diathermy tip (1). The diathermy tip cleaner (2) comprises of two sharp blades (2.1) on either side of the diathermy tip (1). The blades do not reach the distal surface of the sleeve. This is a safety feature preventing accidental injury due to the blades. These are made in such a way to have a spring action towards the diathermy tip (1) as shown in the diagram. This ensures good contact with the diathermy tip (1), which enables efficient cleaning and stability of the diathermy tip (1). The movement for the spring action to take place is facilitated by the notch (2.2) and two spaces on either side of the notch. A gap is maintained at all times between the blades and the sleeve to minimize damage due to heat of the diathermy tip. A heat resistant alloy lines the distal part of the space for the diathermy tip (2.3).

Suction Nozzle (3) (Fig 1, 2, 3, 10)

This is the part of the sleeve, which evacuates smoke and fluid from the surgical field. It is flattened horizontally to ensure a better visibility of the surgical field. The anterior end of the nozzle is protrudes beyond the rest of the sleeve and is convex for effective suction of fluid. Openings on the top of the nozzle; suction openings (3.1) (figs 3, 10) help evacuate scattered smoke as well as control the suction exerted on tissues. Within the Suction Nozzle is the surgical field irrigator (4).

Surgical field irrigator (4) (Fig 3, 7, 9, 10)

This is situated within the inner, lower surface of the retracting suction nozzle as shown in figure 3. This continues with the irrigating channel of the handle. In order to minimize leakage of fluid in to the suction nozzle, the proximal end of the surgical field irrigator nozzle encloses the irrigator channel at the connection (4.1) but ensures free retraction of the sleeve

Illuminator (5) (Fig 1, 2, 3, 5, 6,)

The sleeve has a space for the illuminator rod (5.1). This is a light transmittable, clear, plastic rod, covered by a reflecting surface (5.2). This ensures transmission of light along the rod with no scatter. It is fixed to the intermediate light source (5.5) by a screw mechanism. But it could also be fitted by any other locking mechanism. As the sleeve is retracted while the diathermy is switched on, the distal end which is not covered with the reflective surface (5.3) is exposed and illuminates the surgical field. A group of non coherent optic fibers (5.4) which wraps around the main tubing transmits light from the primary light source (5.6) to the intermediate light source (5.5).

Handle

Section (a) This contains

1. Solenoid mechanism (6) (Fig 6)

2. Interlock (7) (Fig 6)

3. Intermediate light source (5.5) (Figs 5, 6)

Solenoid Mechanism (6) Fig 6

The sleeve is attached to the Piston (6.1). The suggested solenoid has a dual coil system. A dual coil system allows a hollow piston which is necessary for the sleeve and all its contents to traverse the solenoid mechanism. In addition the proposed dual coil system gives better torque for the small size of the diathermy. The coils are named as the Piston coil (6.2) and Outer coil (6.3). The Outer coil (6.2) has a bidirectional power supply. The current of the Piston coil (6.2) is constantly in the P-^Q direction. When the current of the outer coil is in the X-^Y direction the solenoid is locked in "push" position and when it is in the X<-Y direction it is locked in "pull" position. As the solenoid pulls and pushes the piston (6.1) the sleeve is retracted and protruded over the diathermy tip (1) as well as the tip of the illuminator rod (5). The X<-Y direction of the current flow in the outer coil (6.3), hence the "pull" position of the solenoid mechanism (6), is coupled with activation of the diathermy. This mechanism minimizes the chances of accidental diathermy injuries as well as accidental stabs to the patient due to inadvertent activation of the diathermy, because the diathermy tip is not protruded but only the sleeve is retracted.

Interlock (7) Fig 6

Whole cross section of the sleeve is attached to the solenoid by the interlock. This gives stability and effective mobility to the sleeve.

Intermediate Light Source (5.5) Fig 5

The light generated by the Primary light source (5.6) is transmitted to the diathermy handle via Non coherent optic fibres (5.4) to the Intermediate light source (5.5). The Illuminator rod (5.1) is attached to the Intermediate Light Source. Light is transferred from this to the illuminator rod (5.1).

Section b

This contains the

1. Irrigation channel (8) (Fig 7, 8, 9, 10) i. Surgical field irrigator channel (8.1) ii. Suction tube irrigator channel (8.2)

2. Irrigator control Mechanism (9) (Fig 7, 8, 9, 10) i. Surgical field irrigation valve (9.1) ii. Suction tube cleaner valve (9.2)

Irrigation channel (8)

The Irrigation channel (8) is wrapped around the suction tube so that minimum extra space is taken for this, reducing the bulk of the tubing. The irrigation channel is divided into two. The smaller channel (8.1) supplies irrigating fluid to the Surgical field irrigator. The larger channel (8.2) supplies cleaning fluid to clean the blocked sucker. The Irrigation channel is made out of flexible, firm plastic throughout its length.

Irrigation control (9)

This has two parts i. Surgical field irrigator valve (9.1) ii. Sucker tube cleaner valve (9.2)

Surgical field irrigator valve (9.1)

As the lever is pushed forward the channel within the knob is aligned along the surgical field irrigator channel and the continuity of the channel is created. This opens the channel for the irrigator fluid to flow towards the surgical field irrigator.

Sucker tube cleaner valve (9.2)

This has a similar mechanism to the surgical field irrigator. However, the sucker channel is usually kept open whist the sucker tube cleaner channel is closed. When cleaning of the sucker channel is needed the lever is pushed forwards. This creates continuity of the Sucker tube cleaner channel and also disrupts the continuity of the sucker channel. This mechanism ensures free flow of sucker tube cleaning fluid without being extracted in to the sucker.

Diathermy Control Unit

This is shown in form of a block diagram. It is the main unit which incorporates the

1. Diathermy apparatus

2. Solenoid control unit

3. Sucker

4. Light source

5. Pump

The diathermy apparatus has a safety mechanism where the diathermy switch has to be pressed twice within a short period of time which is adjustable (eg. two seconds) when the diathermy is in the foot controlled mode, to activate the diathermy current. The delay could be shortened or lengthened according to the need of the operator and has the option of switching off this safety mechanism. This prevents inadvertent diathermy burns due to accidental activation of the foot switch.

As the diathermy switch is activated the solenoid control unit changes the direction of the current in the outer coil to X^-Y direction. This pulls the piston which retracts the attached sleeve exposing the diathermy tip (1) and the Illuminator rod (5.1).

The pump has two supplies. One for the Surgical field irrigator which is a low pressure system. Suction tube cleaner is connected to a high pressure system. For the two pressure modes, there are separate irrigating fluid chambers which could be refilled.

The sucker has two modes. These are the continuous mode and the intermittent mode. The continuous mode is used for evacuation of smoke whilst the diathermy is functional and for evacuation of fluid in between sessions of diathermy. Intermittent mode is used for evacuation of smoke whilst the diathermy is operational. A predetermined delay is present in switching off the sucker when the diathermy is inactivated to ensure complete evacuation of smoke.

Claims

1. A Surgical diathermy which combines a a. Suction apparatus for smoke as well as fluid which evacuates smoke while the diathermy is functioning and evacuates fluid, when the diathermy non functional. b. A disposable Sleeve which encloses the diathermy tip and incorporates Diathermy tip cleaner, Suction nozzle and the Illuminator. c. Diathermy tip cleaner which cleans the tip between each session of diathermy. d. Illuminator of the surgical field which is improved by the use of an intermediate light source / light source and which is disposable. e. Surgical field irrigator f. Suction tube irrigator g. A solenoid mechanism to retract and push the sleeve described in (1.b). h. A main control unit which combines the diathermy current generator coupled with power supply to the solenoid and the control mechanism to the outer coil, light source, suction pump, water / saline pump.

(The final product may have all the above components or less depending on the options required by the user.)

2. The sleeve described in 1.b which has a suction nozzle. a. The shape of the suction nozzle, where the proximal part of the common channel is circular and becomes flattened horizontally towards the convex distal end which protrudes beyond the distal end of the sleeve. b. with openings in the upper portion of the suction nozzle. c. which is retractable and exposes the diathermy tip when the function of the diathermy is needed.

3. Diathermy tip cleaner described in 1.c a. which cleans the diathermy tip automatically each time the diathermy is deactivated. b. which has two blades on either side, directed towards the diathermy tip with a spring action. c. which has a gap between the distal part of cleaning blades and the sleeve. d. which has heat resistant alloy lining the distal part of the space for the diathermy tip.

4. Solenoid mechanism described in 1.g a. and use of the solenoid to retract the sleeve b. which uses a double coil where one coil is in the piston and the other in the casing giving space for conduits and mechanisms to be in the center. The claim is extended to the dual supply of the outer coil and continuous current supply to both coils for the purpose of stabilizing the piston in both push and pull positions.

5. Illuminator described in 1.d a. which is a clear, light transmitting plastic rod coated with a reflecting surface to transmit light. b. which is a stationary light rod which is exposed as the sleeve is retracted when the diathermy is switched on. Surgical field Irrigator described in 1.e a. Having a tubing system which wraps around the suction tube. b. Which has a finger operated control mechanism. c. Which has a valve mechanism described in figure 9.1. Suction tube irrigator described in 1.f a. having a tubing system which wraps around the suction tube. b. Which is finger operated c. Which has a valve mechanism described in figure 9.2. d. Which automatically cuts off the suction channel to ensure effective irrigation of the suction tube.

Main control described in 1.h a. which changes the direction of flow of current in the outer coil with activation and deactivation of the diathermy. b. which has a suction apparatus with a continuous mode for smoke and fluid, and an intermittent mode for smoke. c. which has a delay in switching off of the sucker after the diathermy current is discontinued.