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US 9,173,697 B2Granted
Surgical cannula for dissipating electric charge
AssigneeIntuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
InventorsTyler J. Morrissette, Joseph P. Orban, III
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A cannula subject to receiving electric charge via capacitive coupling is configured to provide an easily connectable path to remove the charge. The cannula is further configured with a flared distal end to prevent scraping contact with a surgical instrument shaft. Embodiments of the cannula may be used in surgical procedures in which the cannula does not contact the patient.
Claims23
A cannula comprising:
- a plug section configured to receive an electrically conductive connector;
- and
- a tube section electrically coupled to at least a part of the plug section that contacts the electrically conductive connector;
- wherein the tube section is rigid and comprises a material capable of receiving an electric charge via capacitive coupling;
- and
- wherein the tube section comprises in series a proximal main portion, an intermediate tapered portion, and a distal end flared portion, the main portion having an inner diameter that is substantially constant, the tapered portion having an inner diameter that decreases from the inner diameter of at the main portion a proximal end of the tapered portion to a minimum inner diameter at a distal end of the tapered portion, and the flared portion having an inner diameter that increases from the minimum inner diameter of the tapered portion to a distal end of the tube section.
3 more elements
An apparatus comprising:
- an electrosurgical energy generator unit;
- an electrosurgical instrument, wherein the electrosurgical instrument is coupled to receive electrosurgical energy from the generator unit;
- a cannula, wherein the cannula comprises an electrically conductive plug section and a tube section, wherein the tube section comprises a material capable of receiving an electric charge via capacitive coupling, and wherein the tube section is rigid and comprises in series a proximal main portion, an intermediate tapered portion, and a distal end flared portion, the main portion having an inner diameter that is substantially constant, the tapered portion having an inner diameter that decreases from the inner diameter of at the main portion a proximal end of the tapered portion to a minimum inner diameter at a distal end of the tapered portion, and the flared portion having an inner diameter that increases from the minimum inner diameter of the tapered portion to a distal end of the tube section;
- and
- an electrically conductive path between the plug section of the cannula and the generator unit, wherein the electrically conductive path comprises a plug configured to mate with at least a portion of the plug section of the cannula.
2 more elements
An assembly comprising:
- a cannula having a rigid tube section;
- and
- a surgical instrument having a substantially rigid shaft;
- the tube section comprising in series a proximal main portion, an intermediate tapered portion, a distal end flared portion, and a distal end;
- the main portion having a constant inner diameter along a length of the main portion;
- the tapered portion having an inner diameter that decreases from the inner diameter of the main portion at a proximal end of the tapered portion to a minimum inner diameter at a distal end of the tapered portion;
- the flared portion having an inner diameter that increases along the length of the flared portion from the minimum inner diameter of the tapered portion to the distal end of the tube section;
- and
- the shaft of the surgical instrument extending through the tube section, the shaft of the surgical instrument contacting the tube section only at the minimum inner diameter of the tapered portion.
6 more elements
A method comprising:
- positioning a cannula to guide a shaft of a minimally invasive electrosurgical instrument into a patient without the cannula contacting the patient, wherein the cannula comprises an electrically conductive plug section and a tube section, wherein the tube section comprises a material capable of receiving an electric charge via capacitive coupling, and wherein the tube section is rigid and comprises in series a proximal main portion, an intermediate tapered portion, and a distal end flared portion, the main portion having an inner diameter that is substantially constant, the tapered portion having an inner diameter that decreases from the inner diameter of at the main portion a proximal end of the tapered portion to a minimum inner diameter at a distal end of the tapered portion, and the flared portion having an inner diameter that increases from the minimum inner diameter of the tapered portion to a distal end of the tube section;
- inserting the shaft of the electrosurgical instrument through the cannula so that a distal end of the electrosurgical instrument extends into the patient;
- coupling the electrosurgical instrument to receive electrosurgical energy from an electrosurgical generator unit;
- and
- establishing an electrically conductive path between the cannula and the generator unit.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.