Temperature indicating electrosurgical apparatus and methods
AssigneeArthroCare Corporation
InventorsJean Woloszko, Robert Dahla, Michael Baker, James Pacek
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Systems, apparatus, and methods for monitoring temperature at a region near a surgical site during a procedure. A temperature-indicating element of an electrosurgical device comprises an indicator composition adapted to undergo a change in appearance in response to a pre-defined temperature range. The change in appearance of the temperature-indicating element indicates to the operator of the device a temperature condition at the working end of the device.
Claims9
A method of monitoring a temperature at a surgical site during a procedure comprising:
- providing an electrosurgical device at a surgical site during a procedure, comprising:
- a shaft having a shaft distal end portion and a shaft proximal end portion;
- an electrode assembly comprising at least one active electrode disposed near the shaft distal end portion and adapted to be electrically coupled to a first pole of the power supply;
- a connector fixedly engaged to the shaft proximal end portion adapted to couple the device to the power supply;
- at least one temperature-indicating element disposed on an exterior of the shaft to be responsive to temperature changes adjacent to the device, wherein the temperature-indicating element undergoes a change in chromatic appearance over a pre-determined temperature range;
- and
- visually observing the chromatic appearance of the temperature-indicating element, wherein the appearance of the temperature-indicating element is indicative of a temperature condition at region adjacent a portion of the shaft.
An electrosurgical instrument for applying electrical energy to tissue at a target site, the instrument comprising:
- a shaft, a proximal end and a distal end;
- a non-electrically conducting support disposed at the distal end, said support having an annular configuration and a tissue-contacting surface having an annular recess therein;
- a temperature indicator positioned on said support;
- an active electrode positioned within the annular recess;
- and
- a return electrode positioned about an outer surface of said support
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.