U.S. patent application number 12/716966 was filed with the patent office on 2010-06-24 for manifold for gas enhanced surgical instruments.
This patent application is currently assigned to Covidien AG. Invention is credited to Ronald J. Podhajsky, Arlan J. Reschke.
Application Number | 20100154904 12/716966 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38005867 |
Filed Date | 2010-06-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100154904 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Podhajsky; Ronald J. ; et
al. |
June 24, 2010 |
Manifold For Gas Enhanced Surgical Instruments
Abstract
There is disclosed a fluid supply manifold for use with various
surgical instruments, such as, electrosurgical instruments. The
fluid supply manifold includes two or more connection ports for
receipt of sources of fluid supply by either bulk sources or
sources contained within canisters. The manifold may include a
mixing chamber for mixing the various sources of fluids within the
manifold or may include flow tubes for providing the sources of
fluid directly to the surgical instrument to be mixed within the
surgical instrument. Control valves are associated with each of the
connection ports to control the flow of fluids through the
manifold. The manifold may also include a gas inlet to facilitate
drawing the fluids out of the various sources as well as mixing the
fluids within the manifold.
Inventors: |
Podhajsky; Ronald J.;
(Boulder, CO) ; Reschke; Arlan J.; (Longmont,
CO) |
Correspondence
Address: |
TYCO Healthcare Group LP;Attn: IP Legal
5920 Longbow Drive, Mail Stop A36
Boulder
CO
80301-3299
US
|
Assignee: |
Covidien AG
|
Family ID: |
38005867 |
Appl. No.: |
12/716966 |
Filed: |
March 3, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
11367724 |
Mar 3, 2006 |
7691102 |
|
|
12716966 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
137/561A |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 2018/122 20130101;
A61B 18/042 20130101; A61M 39/12 20130101; A61B 18/14 20130101;
A61M 39/223 20130101; A61B 2018/00178 20130101; A61B 2018/00595
20130101; Y10T 137/85938 20150401 |
Class at
Publication: |
137/561.A |
International
Class: |
F16L 41/00 20060101
F16L041/00 |
Claims
1. A fluid supply manifold for use with a surgical instrument, the
fluid supply manifold comprising: a housing; at least two
connection ports for receipt of sources of fluid supply; and an
individual flow port provided on each of the at least two
connection ports.
2. The fluid supply manifold as recited in claim 1, wherein the
housing defines a mixing chamber in fluid communication with each
of the individual flow ports.
3. The fluid supply manifold as recited in claim 2, wherein at
least one of the at least two connection ports includes a control
valve to regulate the flow of fluid through the housing.
4. The fluid supply manifold as recited in claim 3, wherein the
control valve is operated by an actuator associated with a surgical
instrument assembly.
5. The fluid supply manifold as recited in claim 2, wherein the
housing includes a gas inlet port defined therein, the gas inlet
port being in fluid communication with the mixing chamber.
6. The fluid supply manifold as recited in claim 1, wherein at
least one of the connection ports includes a needle defining a
fluid flow path into the housing, the needle configured to pierce a
septum of an associated fluid supply canister.
7. The fluid supply manifold as recited in claim 6, wherein each
connection port includes an O-ring seated therein dimensioned to
provide a fluid-tight seal with an external fluid supply
source.
8. The fluid supply manifold as recited in claim 6, wherein the
connection ports are threaded to receive a corresponding thread on
a fluid supply source.
9. The fluid supply manifold as recited in claim 6, wherein the
external fluid supply source is affixed within the connection port
by a press fit such that the needle is forced through a septum of
the external fluid supply source.
10. The fluid supply manifold as recited in claim 2, wherein the
housing includes a discharge tube in fluid communication with the
mixing chamber.
11. The fluid supply manifold as recited in claim 1, wherein each
connection port includes a flow tube passing through the
housing.
12. The fluid supply manifold as recited in claim 11, further
comprising a control valve position intermediate the flow port and
the flow tube.
13. The fluid supply manifold as recited in claim 11, wherein the
housing includes a neck for connection with an associated flow tube
port on a surgical instrument.
14. A fluid supply manifold for use with a surgical instrument, the
manifold comprising: a housing configured to operably couple the
surgical instrument to at least a first source of pressurized gas;
at least two connection ports configured to receive fluid from a
fluid supply; and an individual flow port provided on each of the
at least two connection ports, wherein the manifold is configured
such that release of pressurized gas from the at least first source
of pressurized gas draws fluid from the fluid supply.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application is a divisional of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 11/367,724, filed Mar. 3, 2006, the disclosure
of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Technical Field
[0003] The present disclosure relates generally to gas enhanced
electrosurgical instruments. More particularly, the present
disclosure relates to a supply manifold for use with a gas enhanced
electrosurgical instrument having multiple material supply
cylinders.
[0004] 2. Background Of Related Art
[0005] Various surgical instruments are known for treating tissue.
For example, surgical instruments used for tissue division,
dissection, ablation, or for arresting blood loss and coagulation
are well-known. In a particular application, for example in a
coagulation instrument, an electrode is used in conjunction with a
heated probe to arrest bleeding.
[0006] Some prior art devices include a tube-like coagulation
instrument in which an ionizable gas is supplied to the instrument
and ionized by the electrode. The provision of an atmosphere of
ionized gases is beneficial because it helps focus the energy
adjacent the electrode and it displaces oxygen from the area and
reduces oxidative stress of the tissue. The gas is propelled from
the instrument toward the tissue.
[0007] Many surgical procedures are enhanced by the use of wound
mediating substances to assist in the healing of tissue. The
substances may include blood clotting factors, wound closing
adhesives, growth factors, interleukins, cytokines, inflammatory
mediating factors, chemokines, meta-metalloproteinase or other
biochemicals known to mediate wound healing.
[0008] In certain surgeries it may be advantageous to provide other
fluids, such as, for example, saline, various dyes, etc. to the
surgical instrument for application to tissue. In some instances,
it may be advisable to provide one or more of these fluids to the
tissue at the same time.
SUMMARY
[0009] The present disclosure relates to a fluid supply manifold
for use with a surgical instrument to provide various fluids from
balk or canister fluid supply sources to the surgical instrument.
The fluid supply manifold generally includes a housing having at
least two connection ports for receipt of sources of fluid supply.
A flow port is provided on each of the connection ports to pass the
fluid through the housing. In one embodiment, the housing defines a
mixing chamber that is in fluid communication with each of the flow
ports so as to mix the fluids supplied through the connection
ports. The housing also includes a discharge tube that is in fluid
communication with the mixing chamber. Control valves are
associated with the connection ports to regulate the flow of fluid
into the housing. The control valves are operated by an actuator
associated with a surgical instrument assembly. The housing may
also include a gas inlet port that is in fluid communication with
the mixing chamber.
[0010] Needles, defining fluid flow paths, are associated with the
connection ports for piercing a septum associated with various
fluid supply sources. The fluid supply sources may include bulk
sources or individual fluid supply canisters. The connection ports
include O-rings for sealing engagement with the fluid supply
sources. In one embodiment, the connection ports are threaded to
receive a corresponding thread on a fluid supply source. In an
alternative embodiment, the external fluid supply source is affixed
within the connection port in a press fit fashion such that the
needle is forced through a septum of the fluid supply source.
[0011] In an alternative embodiment of the manifold, each
connection port includes a flow tube passing through the housing.
Control valves are positioned between a flow port of the connection
port and the flow tubes. The flow tubes exit the housing through a
neck, which is also used to connect the manifold to a surgical
instrument or an actuator assembly.
[0012] The present disclosure also relates to a fluid supply
manifold for use with a surgical instrument. The manifold includes
a housing configured to operably couple the surgical instrument to
at least a first source of pressurized gas, at least two connection
ports configured to receive fluid from a fluid supply, and an
individual flow port provided on each of the at least two
connection ports. In one embodiment, the manifold is configured
such that release of pressurized gas from the at least first source
of pressurized gas draws fluid from the fluid supply.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] Various embodiments of the presently disclosed supply
manifold for use with a gas enhanced electrosurgical instrument are
disclosed herein with reference to the drawings, wherein:
[0014] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a gas enhanced electrosurgical
instrument system;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an actuator for use with a
gas enhanced electrosurgical instrument;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a supply manifold for use
with a gas enhanced electrosurgical instrument;
[0017] FIG. 4 is a top view, shown in section, of the supply
manifold;
[0018] FIG. 5 is a side sectional view of one embodiment of a
method of attaching a supply cylinder to the supply manifold;
[0019] FIG. 6 is a side sectional view of an alternate embodiment
of a method of attaching a supply cylinder to the supply
manifold;
[0020] FIG. 7 is a side sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 6
with the supply cylinder connected to the supply manifold;
[0021] FIG. 8 is a side partial sectional view of one embodiment of
a gas enhanced electrosurgical instrument with a supply manifold
mounted thereon;
[0022] FIG. 9 is a side view, partially shown in section, of an
alternate embodiment of a gas enhanced electrosurgical instrument
with a supply manifold mounted thereon;
[0023] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an actuator and supply
manifold prior to attachment;
[0024] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 10
with the supply manifold attached to the actuator;
[0025] FIG. 12 is a top view, shown in section, of an alternate
embodiment of a supply manifold;
[0026] FIG. 13 is a side view, partially shown in section, of one
embodiment of a gas enhanced electrosurgical instrument with the
supply manifold of FIG. 12 mounted thereon;
[0027] FIG. 14 is a side view, partially shown in section, of an
alternate embodiment of a gas enhanced electrosurgical instrument
with the supply manifold of FIG. 12 mounted thereon; and
[0028] FIG. 15 is a side view, partially shown in section, of a
further embodiment of a gas enhanced electrosurgical instrument
with the supply manifold of FIG. 12 mounted thereon.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0029] Embodiments of the presently disclosed manifolds for use
with gas enhanced instruments will now be described in detail with
reference to the drawings wherein like numerals designate identical
or corresponding elements in each of the several views. As is
common in the art, the term "proximal" refers to that part or
component closer to the user or operator, i.e. surgeon or
physician, while the term "distal" refers to that part or component
further away from the user.
[0030] Referring initially to FIG. 1, there is disclosed a gas
enhanced electrosurgical instrument assembly or instrument assembly
10 of the type disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No.
11/229,779 entitled "GAS-ENHANCED SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH PRESSURE
SAFETY FEATURE" the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by
reference herein. Instrument assembly 10 is used to cut or
coagulate tissue during various surgical procedures. Instrument
assembly 10 generally includes an electrosurgical instrument 12, an
energy generator 14 and an actuator 16. Energy generator 14
provides a source of energy for electrosurgical instrument 12 and
actuator assembly 16 controls the flow of energy to electrosurgical
instrument 12 as well as controls the flow of a gas, such as, for
example, argon gas through electrosurgical instrument 12 to
facilitate application of the energy provided by energy generator
14 to a wound W in a tissue T.
[0031] Electrosurgical instrument 12 generally includes a housing
18 having an opening 20 at a distal end 22 thereof. The energy
provided by energy generator 14 ionizes the gas supplied by
actuator assembly 16 such that the ionized gas is propelled out of
opening 20 to form an energy stream ES as electrosurgical
instrument 12 is used to apply energy to tissue. A flow tube 24
extends between actuator 16 and distal end 22 of housing 18 to
conduct the flow of fluids between actuator assembly 16 and
electrosurgical instrument 12. Flow tube 24 has a fluid discharge
port 26 at a distal end 28 of flow tube 24 which is positioned
adjacent opening 20 electrosurgical instrument 12. While not
specifically shown, an electrode is provided within electrosurgical
instrument adjacent opening 20 so as to ionize the gas flowing
through opening 20 and facilitate application of energy to tissue
T. Flow tube 24 extends through a proximal end 30 electrosurgical
instrument 12 such that a proximal end 32 of flow tube 24 is
connected to actuator assembly 16. In this disclosed embodiment,
the source of gas may be entirely contained within actuator
assembly 16 or may be provided by an external source routed through
actuator assembly 16. Additionally, the source of gas may be
provided from a manifold associated with actuator assembly 16 or
directly with electrosurgical instrument 12 in a manner described
in more detail hereinbelow.
[0032] Generator 14 is of the type used to provide sources of
energy, such as RF energy, to various electrosurgical instruments
for use in cutting or coagulating tissue. Particularly useful
generators 14 are the types available from ValleyLab--a division of
Tyco Healthcare Group LP. Generator 14 is connected to
electrosurgical instrument 12 by an energy cable 34. An energy
return path 36 extends between generator 14 and a return pad 38. In
use, return pad 38 is typically affixed to a portion of a patient
to provide a complete flow of energy from generator 14 through
electrosurgical instrument 12 to cut or coagulate tissue at a wound
W, passed through underlying tissue T and into return pad 38 and
thus back through return path 36 to generator 14. A control wire 40
extends between actuator 16 and generator 14 such that the energy
provided by generator 14 to electrosurgical instrument 12 is
controlled by actuator assembly 16. In some applications, a
pressure relief valve 42 may be provided on electrosurgical
instrument 10 to purge any built up fluid pressure within flow tube
24 prior to or during surgery.
[0033] Referring now to FIG. 2, a particular embodiment of actuator
assembly 16 may be provided in the form of a foot-operated actuator
44. Actuator 44 generally includes a housing 46 having a foot
switch 48 for controlling the flow of energy from generator 14, as
well as, the flow of gas from actuator assembly 16. Foot switch 48
may be divided into several different control pedals, such as, for
example, control pedals 48a and 48b. While actuator 44 is
illustrated with only two control pedals 48a and 48b, depending
upon the number of operations, or substances to be controlled, more
than two control pedals may be provided on actuator 44.
[0034] Referring now to FIG. 3, there is disclosed a novel fluid
supply manifold 50 for use with electrosurgical instrument assembly
10. Manifold 50 provides multiple ports or docking stations for
receipt of various supply canisters or sources and to meter the
materials contained therein into the gas stream of electrosurgical
instrument assembly 10. Manifold 50 generally includes a manifold
housing 52 having one or more docking stations or connection ports,
such as, for example connection ports 54, 56, 58 and 60 for receipt
of various fluid supply sources. Some of the fluid supply sources
that may be provided to manifold 50 include wound mediating
substances, saline, and other tissue treating materials.
Additionally, the source of propellant gas, such as for example,
argon gas, may be provided in a pressurized canister inserted into
one or more of the connection ports. Alternatively, a gas supply
source may be in the form of a hose connected to one of the
connection ports and supplied by a bulk supply system associated
with the operating room. A discharge tube 62 is provided on
manifold 50 to connect manifold 50 to electrosurgical instrument
assembly 10. Discharge tube 62 provides a fluid flow conduit
between manifold 50 and electrosurgical instrument assembly 10.
[0035] As best shown in FIG. 4, manifold 50 defines a mixing
chamber 64 to allow the fluids contained within the various fluid
supply sources to be combined and to be passed into the gas stream
associated with electrosurgical instrument assembly 10. Each of
connection ports 54, 56, 58 and 60 are provided with respective
flow ports 66, 68, 70 and 72, respectively, which are in fluid flow
communication with mixing chamber 64. Control valves 74, 76, 78 and
80 are provided at each of flow ports 66, 68, 70 and 72,
respectively, to control or meter the flow of fluids from the fluid
supply sources into mixing chamber 64. Individual control wires 82,
84, 86 in 88 are associated with control valves 74, 76, 78 and 80,
respectively, and are connected to actuator 44 (FIG. 2). As noted
hereinabove, actuator 44 may be provided with one or more control
pedals 48a, 48b to operate the various control valves of manifold
50.
[0036] In one particular embodiment, manifold 50 is provided with a
gas inlet 90 for receipt of a pressurized source of gas. Gas
flowing through gas inlet 90 will assist in atomizing any liquid
supplied by the various supply sources affixed to connection ports
54, 56, 58 and 60. As shown, by orienting gas inlet 90 at a
substantially 90.degree. angle to flow ports 66, 68, 70 and 72, the
flow of pressurized gas through gas inlet 90 creates a Venturi
effect to assist in drawing the fluids out of various
non-pressurized supply sources and atomize the fluids within the
gas stream.
[0037] Referring to FIG. 5, there is disclosed one method of
connecting a supply canister, such as, for example supply canister
92 to a connection port in manifold 50. Supply canister 92
generally includes a canister body 94 defining a fluid chamber 96
therein. As noted hereinabove, supply canister 92 is provided to
contain various treatment fluids such as gasses and/or pressurized
or unpressurized liquids. Supply canister 92 further includes a
neck 98 extending from body 94. In this particular embodiment, neck
98 has a threaded outer surface 100 to mate with a similar threaded
surface of connection port in manifold 50. A septum 102 is provided
on neck 98 to contain the fluids in supply canister 92 until septum
102 is pierced by a needle, or other method, associated with a
connection port in manifold 50.
[0038] In this particular embodiment, the connection port by the
manifold 50 is in the form of a connection port body 104, which may
be integral with manifold 50 or may be a separate part that is
threaded or otherwise attached to manifold 50. Connection port body
104 includes a threaded bore 106 that is configured to mate with
threaded surface 100 of supply canister 92. Connection port body
104 further includes a needle 108 for piercing septum 102 on supply
canister 92. A fluid flow path 110 is provided through connection
port body 104 and needle 108 to allow fluids to flow from fluid
chamber 96 after septum 102 has been pierced. As noted hereinabove,
various control valves are provided on manifold 50 in order to
control the flow of fluids out of supply canister 92 and through
fluid flow path 110. An O-ring may be provided within connection
port body 104 in order to seal septum 102 within connection port
body 104.
[0039] In use, neck 98 of supply canister 92 is inserted toward
connector port body 104 and supply canister 92 is rotated such that
threaded surface 100 matingly engages with threaded bore 106 of
connector port body 104. Supply canister 92 is continued to be
rotated until needle 108 pierces septum 102 and septum 102 engages
O-ring 112 to seal supply canister 92 within connection port 104.
In this manner, a supply canister 92 is inserted into manifold 50
such that the fluids contained within fluid chamber 96 are
available for supply into manifold 50 through the various control
valves and thus into electrosurgical instrument 10.
[0040] Referring now to FIG. 6, there is disclosed an alternate
method of attaching a supply canister to a connection port, such as
connection port 114, in manifold 50. In this embodiment, a supply
canister 116 includes a supply body 118 defining a fluid chamber
120 similar to that disclosed hereinabove with respect to supply
canister 92. However, in this embodiment, neck 122 is smooth and
not threaded. Neck 122 also includes a septum 124 to retain the
fluids contained within fluid chamber 120 until pierced by a needle
associated with connection port 114. One method of attaching supply
canister 116 to connection port 114 includes providing a generally
C shaped connection port body 126 for receipt of supply canister
116. Connection port body 126 may include a ribbed connector 128 at
distal end 130 of connection port body for connection to a
corresponding part in manifold 50. Alternatively, ribbed connector
128 may be omitted and connection port 114 may be formed integrally
with manifold 50.
[0041] Similar to connection port 104 disclosed hereinabove,
connection port 114 also includes a needle 132 defining a fluid
flow path 134 to transfer fluids contained within supply canister
116 to manifold 50. An O-ring 136 is provided about needle 132 to
seal against septum 124 of supply canister 116. An L-shaped
proximal end 138 of connection port 114 supports a driver 144
engagement with supply canister 116 in order to move supply
canister 116 into engagement with needle 132. A cam bar 142 is
connected to driver 140 at a pivot point 144. An opposed end of cam
bar 142 from pivot point 144 defines a handle 146. In order to move
cam bar 142, and thus drive driver 140 against supply canister 116,
connection port 114 also includes a link 148 affixed the proximal
end 138 at a pivot point 150. An opposed end of link 148 is
connected to cam bar 142 at a second pivot point 152.
[0042] Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7, and initially to FIG. 6, in
use, supply canister 116 is initially inserted in C-shaped body 126
of connection port 114. Handle 146 of cam bar 142 is moved in the
direction of arrow A to move pivot point 150 to the left and over
center of second pivot point 152 and thus initially engage driver
140 with body 118 of supply canister 116.
[0043] Referring now to FIG. 7, the direction of handle 146 is
reversed such that handle 146 moves in the direction of arrow B to
cam driver 140 in the direction of arrow C. As driver 140, and thus
supply canister 116, moves in the direction of arrow C driver 140
forces neck 122 of supply canister 116 over needle 132 of
connection port 114. This causes needle 132 to pierce septum 124.
This motion of supply canister 116 in the direction of arrow C
continues until septum 124 sealingly engages O-ring 136. At this
point supply canister 116 is fully inserted within connection port
114 thereby making the fluids available within supply canister 116
to electrosurgical instrument assembly 10. While not specifically
shown, in a contemplated embodiment, handle 146 of cam bar 142 can
continue to be moved in the direction of arrow B such that cam bar
142 locks over link 148 in an over center fashion thereby
preventing supply canister 116 from moving out of connecting port
114 due to any pressurized fluids contained within supply canister
116 or within mixing chamber 64 of manifold 50.
[0044] Referring now to FIGS. 8 and 9, the attachment of manifold
50 directly to electrosurgical instrument 10 will now be described.
With initial reference to FIG. 8, in one embodiment, manifold 50
may be connected directly to proximal end 30 of electrosurgical
instrument 12. This may be accomplished by inserting discharge tube
62 directly into or about flow tube 24. The propellant gas source
may be connected directly to one of connection ports 54, 56, 58 or
60 as a line from a bulk source or may be provided in a supply
canister as described hereinabove. Here the propellant gas will
enter electrosurgical instrument 12 through mixing chamber 64 of
manifold 50 and into flow tube 24 for discharge out of fluid
discharge port 26. As an alternative, the propellant gas source may
be connected to flow tube 24 at any point along flow tube 24 and
independent of manifold 50.
[0045] Referring to FIG. 9, there is disclosed an alternative
method of attaching manifold 50 to electrosurgical instrument 12.
In this embodiment flow tube 24 is split in half resulting in a
first flow tube half 154 having a distal end 156 adjacent fluid
discharge port 26. A second flow tube half 158 has a proximal end
160 adjacent proximal end 30 electrosurgical instrument 12.
Proximal end 160 may be connected to the propellant gas source. A
second mixing chamber 162 is provided intermediate first flow tube
half 154 and second flow tube half 158. Specifically, a distal end
164 of second flow tube half 158 enters second mixing chamber 162
while a proximal end 166 of first flow tube half 154 also enters
mixing chamber 162. Mixing chamber 162 further includes an entry
port 168 for receipt of discharge tube 62 of manifold 50.
[0046] In this embodiment, fluids provided by various supply
canisters attached to connection ports 54, 56, 58, and 60 are
initially mixed within mixing chamber 64 of manifold 50. As the
propellant gas is forced through flow tube 24, the propellant gas
moves and mixes with the combination of fluids mixed within mixing
chamber 64, as they pass through discharge tube 62 and into second
mixing chamber 162.
[0047] Referring now to FIGS. 10 and 11, there is disclosed a
method of attaching manifold 50 directly to actuator assembly 16.
This may be useful where it is desirable to premix the various
fluids provided by the various supply canisters with the gas
propellant source prior to the entry of the gas propellant source
into electrosurgical instrument 12. Referring initially to FIG. 10,
as noted above, actuator assembly 16 includes foot operated
actuator 44 having a foot switch 48 which may include one or more
control pedals, such as, pedals 48a and 48b. In this embodiment,
housing 46 of foot operated actuator 44 includes an actuator side
port 170 for receipt of discharge tube 62 of manifold 50.
[0048] Referring now to FIGS. 10 and 11, in use, discharge tube 62
of manifold 50 is inserted into and secured within actuator side
port 170 of foot operated actuator 44. As shown in FIG. 11, once
manifold 50 has been connected to foot operated actuator 44, pedals
48a and 48b may be manipulated to initiate the flow of the gas
propellant source to electrosurgical instrument 12. Manipulation of
pedals 48a and 48b also controls the flow of liquids contained
within the various supply canisters, by means of the control valves
74, 76, 78 and 80 (FIG. 4) associated with connection ports 54, 56,
58 and 60 as described hereinabove, to electrosurgical instrument
12. Various supply canisters may be connected to manifold 50 prior
to or after connection of manifold 50 with foot operated actuator
44. Additionally, the gas propellant source may be attached
directly to foot operated actuator 44 or may be routed through one
of connection ports 54, 56, 58 or 60.
[0049] Referring now to FIG. 12, there is disclosed an alternative
embodiment of a supply manifold for use with a gas enhanced
surgical instrument. Unlike manifold 50 described hereinabove
manifold 172 does not include a mixing chamber, but rather provides
individual flow lines from the various connection ports directly
into the electrosurgical instrument for mixing within a fluid flow
line or separate mixing chamber associated with the electrosurgical
instrument. Manifold 172 generally includes a housing 174 having
connection ports 176, 178, 180 and 182 for receipt of various fluid
supply sources. As with manifold 50, connection ports 176, 178, 180
and 182 include respective flow ports 184, 186, 188 and 190.
Control valves 192, 194, 196 and 198 are provided to control the
flow of fluids from various supply canisters to the electrosurgical
instrument.
[0050] Housing 174 of manifold 172 includes a tapered neck 200 to
channel individual supply tubes 202, 204, 206 and 208, from
respective control valves 192, 194, 196 and 198, through neck 200
to an electrosurgical instrument. As shown, neck 200 is configured
to mate with an electrosurgical instrument assembly port 210 of an
associated electrosurgical instrument assembly.
[0051] Referring now to FIGS. 13-15, various methods of affixing
manifold 172 to an electrosurgical instrument, such as
electrosurgical instrument 12 will now be described. Referring
initially to FIG. 13, manifold 172 is affixed to a proximal end 30
of electrosurgical instrument 12. This is accomplished by inserting
tapered neck 200 of housing 174 into electrosurgical instrument
assembly port 210 located at proximal end 30 electrosurgical
instrument 12 such that the various supply tubes are in fluid
communication with proximal end 32 of flow tube 24. Alternatively,
tapered neck 200 may be positioned over electrosurgical instrument
assembly port 210. In this configuration, an independent source of
gas propellant is not provided directly to electrosurgical
instrument 12. Rather, however, one of connection ports 176, 178,
180 or 182 is used to connect to an external source of propellant
gas, such as, for example, argon gas provided either in bulk or in
a fluid supply canister. The remaining connection ports, as with
prior embodiments, are unavailable for receipt of fluid canisters
containing various tissue treatment fluids, such as, for example,
wounded mediating substances.
[0052] Electrosurgical instrument 12 is used in known fashion to
cauterize or otherwise treat tissue in known fashion. The various
fluids provided by various supply canisters are mixed with the
propellant gas within flow tube 24. The propellant gas also serves
as an ionizing agent as well as a propellant for fluids provided
through the remaining connection ports.
[0053] Referring now to FIG. 14, there is disclosed an alternate
method of affixing manifold 172 to electrosurgical instrument 12.
In this embodiment, a mixing chamber 212 is provided at a proximal
end 32 of flow tube 24. Proximal end 32 enters a flow tube port 214
of mixing chamber 212 to allow mixing chamber 212 to be in fluid
communication with flow tube 24. Mixing chamber 212 includes
electrosurgical instrument port 210 for receipt of tapered neck 200
of manifold 172. In this embodiment, fluids provided by the various
supply canisters enter into mixing chamber 212 and are combined
therein with the propellant fluid gas. Electrosurgical instrument
12 is then used in known fashion to cauterize or otherwise treat
tissue.
[0054] Referring now to FIG. 15, there is disclosed a further
alternate method of affixing manifold 172 to electrosurgical
instrument 12. This embodiment is substantially similar to that
disclosed in FIG. 14, however, mixing chamber 212 is positioned
more distally within electrosurgical instrument 12 to position
mixing chamber 212 closer to discharge port 26. This may be
advisable in some instances where the various substances do not
remain in mixed suspension for relatively long periods of time.
[0055] Various modifications may be made to the embodiments
disclosed herein. For example, more or less than the disclose
connection ports may be provided for receipt of various fluid
supply canisters. Further, the disclose manifolds may be affixed to
the electrosurgical instrument assembly at locations other than the
actuator or electrosurgical instrument itself. Additionally, the
disclose manifolds may be utilized with other surgical instruments
other than the disclosed electrosurgical instrument to provide a
combination of fluid medicines to tissue during the surgical
operations. Therefore, the above description should not be
construed as limiting, but merely as exemplifications of particular
embodiments. Those skilled in the art will envision other
modifications within the scope and spirit of the claims appended
hereto.
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