Suction cautery dissector

Abstract

The present invention pertains to a cautery dissector. The cautery dissector is comprised of a cautery blade and a handle member having a sheath portion and a device for adjustably retracting the cautery blade into the sheath portion. The cautery dissector also comprises a device for conducting electrical current to the tissues of the patient. Heat is generated within the tissue by communication between the cautery blade and the electrical dissecting unit. Preferably, the cautery dissector includes a suction system having a suction opening disposed adjacent to the cautery blade. Preferably, the cautery blade retracts into the sheath portion through a sheath opening which scrapes accumulated material from the cautery blade such that when the cautery blade is retracted into the sheath portion, the suction opening is unobstructed for suction. Preferably, a scraper member is disposed within the sheath member to assist in scraping accumulated material from the cautery blade. The present invention is also a method of cautery dissecting. The method includes the steps of performing surgery on a patient with a cautery dissector and retracting a blade of the cautery dissector through a scraping member of the cautery dissector to remove accumulated matter from the blade. Preferably, during the performing step, there is the step of maintaining suction through a suction opening of the cautery dissector which is disposed adjacent to the blade to remove smoke and debris.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.