US5599348A — Electrosurgical trocar assembly

Claim 1

Independent Claim 138 words

A trocar assembly comprising a first trocar comprising a first elongate trocar shaft, of a first outer diameter, including a first tapered surface at the distal end and an electrosurgical cutting element comprising a central conductive rod extending along the longitudinal axis of the first shaft, said rod terminating in a distal end extending beyond said first tapered surface and being adapted to be connected to an electrosurgical generator; and a second trocar comprising a second elongate hollow trocar shaft of a second, larger outer diameter, having a distal end comprising a second tapered surface, and including a longitudinal bore in which, in use, the first trocar shaft of the first trocar is received in nested relation; and a cannula including a longitudinal bore in which, in use, both the first and second trocar shafts can be received.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 138 words

A trocar assembly comprising a first trocar comprising a first elongate trocar shaft, of a first outer diameter, including a first tapered surface at the distal end and an electrosurgical cutting element comprising a central conductive rod extending along the longitudinal axis of the first shaft, said rod terminating in a distal end extending beyond said first tapered surface and being adapted to be connected to an electrosurgical generator; and a second trocar comprising a second elongate hollow trocar shaft of a second, larger outer diameter, having a distal end comprising a second tapered surface, and including a longitudinal bore in which, in use, the first trocar shaft of the first trocar is received in nested relation; and a cannula including a longitudinal bore in which, in use, both the first and second trocar shafts can be received.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 72 words

A trocar assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first trocar includes a first head portion at the proximal end of said first trocar shaft, said second trocar includes a second head portion at the proximal end of said second trocar shaft, and said first and second head portions include means for detachably connecting said head portions together so as to detachably affix said first and second trocars to one another.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 39 words

A trocar assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said cannula further comprises means, comprising an elongate slide member having openings of different diameters along the length thereof, for providing sealing between the cannula and trocars of different diameters.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 103 words

A trocar system comprising a trocar device including an electrosurgical cutting element having a distal end, a cannula surrounding said trocar device, means for connecting said cutting element of said trocar device to an electrosurgical generator for supplying power to said cutting element, and sensing means for sensing an electrical parameter which varies in response to penetration of at least a part of said cutting element through the wall of a body cavity of a patient undergoing electrosurgery and for, responsive to a variation in said parameter indicative of said penetration, interrupting the power supplied to the cutting element by the electrosurgical generator.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 103 words

A trocar system comprising a trocar device including an electrosurgical cutting element having a distal end, a cannula surrounding said trocar device, means for connecting said cutting element of said trocar device to an electrosurgical generator for supplying power to said cutting element, and sensing means for sensing an electrical parameter which varies in response to penetration of at least a part of said cutting element through the wall of a body cavity of a patient undergoing electrosurgery and for, responsive to a variation in said parameter indicative of said penetration, interrupting the power supplied to the cutting element by the electrosurgical generator.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 27 words

A trocar assembly as claimed in claim 4 wherein said sensing means comprises a sensor for sensing a change in load impedance in response to said penetration.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 56 words

A trocar assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein said sensor comprises a current sensor for sensing the current flow from the electrosurgical generator to the cutting element of the trocar device and for interrupting the power supplied to the cutting element by the electrosurgical generator responsive to the sensed current falling below a preset level.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 96 words

A trocar assembly comprising a trocar device including an electrosurgical cutting element adapted to be connected to an electrosurgical generator, a control switch for, in a first position thereof, providing completion of a connection between the electrosurgical generator and the electrosurgical cutting element and for, in a second position thereof, providing interruption of said connection, and circuit means for, responsive to interruption of said power by said control switch, preventing power from being supplied to said electrosurgical cutting element during a predetermined time period independently of whether said control switch is in the first position thereof.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 96 words

A trocar assembly comprising a trocar device including an electrosurgical cutting element adapted to be connected to an electrosurgical generator, a control switch for, in a first position thereof, providing completion of a connection between the electrosurgical generator and the electrosurgical cutting element and for, in a second position thereof, providing interruption of said connection, and circuit means for, responsive to interruption of said power by said control switch, preventing power from being supplied to said electrosurgical cutting element during a predetermined time period independently of whether said control switch is in the first position thereof.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 149 words

A trocar assembly comprising: an elongate trocar device and a cannula surrounding said trocar device, said trocar device comprising an electrosurgical cutting element comprising a central conductive rod extending longitudinally of said trocar device and terminating in a distal end and being adapted to be connected to an electrosurgical generator, a first insulating trocar shaft secured to said rod and having a longitudinal bore therein in which said rod is received so that the distal end of said rod is exposed, the end of said first trocar shaft adjacent to said distal end being tapered, and a further, separate trocar shaft received within said cannula and having a bore therein in which the first trocar shaft is received, said further trocar shaft having a tapered end and the tapered end of said further trocar shaft and the tapered end of the first trocar shaft forming a substantially continuous taper.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 149 words

A trocar assembly comprising: an elongate trocar device and a cannula surrounding said trocar device, said trocar device comprising an electrosurgical cutting element comprising a central conductive rod extending longitudinally of said trocar device and terminating in a distal end and being adapted to be connected to an electrosurgical generator, a first insulating trocar shaft secured to said rod and having a longitudinal bore therein in which said rod is received so that the distal end of said rod is exposed, the end of said first trocar shaft adjacent to said distal end being tapered, and a further, separate trocar shaft received within said cannula and having a bore therein in which the first trocar shaft is received, said further trocar shaft having a tapered end and the tapered end of said further trocar shaft and the tapered end of the first trocar shaft forming a substantially continuous taper.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 155 words

A trocar assembly comprising: an elongate trocar device and a cannula surrounding said trocar device, said trocar device comprising an electrosurgical cutting element comprising a central conductive rod extending longitudinally of said trocar device and terminating in a distal end and being adapted to be connected to an electrosurgical generator, a first insulating trocar shaft secured to said rod and having a longitudinal bore therein in which said rod is received so that the distal end of said rod is exposed, the end of said first trocar shaft adjacent to said distal end being tapered, and a further, separate trocar shaft received within said cannula and having a bore therein in which the first trocar shaft is received, said trocar device further comprising a first head portion connected to said first trocar shaft and a further head portion connected to said further trocar shaft, and said first and further head portions being detachably connected together.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 155 words

A trocar assembly comprising: an elongate trocar device and a cannula surrounding said trocar device, said trocar device comprising an electrosurgical cutting element comprising a central conductive rod extending longitudinally of said trocar device and terminating in a distal end and being adapted to be connected to an electrosurgical generator, a first insulating trocar shaft secured to said rod and having a longitudinal bore therein in which said rod is received so that the distal end of said rod is exposed, the end of said first trocar shaft adjacent to said distal end being tapered, and a further, separate trocar shaft received within said cannula and having a bore therein in which the first trocar shaft is received, said trocar device further comprising a first head portion connected to said first trocar shaft and a further head portion connected to said further trocar shaft, and said first and further head portions being detachably connected together.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 102 words

A trocar assembly as claimed in claim 9 wherein said trocar assembly further comprises means for connecting said cutting element of said trocar device to an electrosurgical generator for supplying power to said cutting element, sensing means for sensing an electrical parameter associated with the operation of the electrosurgical generator, and control means, connected to said sensing means, for interrupting the power supplied to the cutting element by the electrosurgical generator when the sensed parameter varies from a preset level in response to a portion of the distal end of the cutting element entering a body cavity of a patient undergoing electrosurgery.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 126 words

A trocar assembly comprising an elongate trocar device and a cannula surrounding said trocar device, said trocar device comprising an electrosurgical cutting element comprising a rod terminating in a blunt distal end, said cutting element being adapted to be connected to an electrosurgical generator, and said trocar assembly further comprising a control switch for, in a first position thereof, providing completion of a connection between the electrosurgical generator and the electrosurgical cutting element and for, in a second position thereof, providing interruption of said connection, and circuit means for, responsive to interruption of said power by said control means, preventing power from being supplied to said electrosurgical cutting element during a predetermined time period independently of whether said control switch is in the first position thereof.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 126 words

A trocar assembly comprising an elongate trocar device and a cannula surrounding said trocar device, said trocar device comprising an electrosurgical cutting element comprising a rod terminating in a blunt distal end, said cutting element being adapted to be connected to an electrosurgical generator, and said trocar assembly further comprising a control switch for, in a first position thereof, providing completion of a connection between the electrosurgical generator and the electrosurgical cutting element and for, in a second position thereof, providing interruption of said connection, and circuit means for, responsive to interruption of said power by said control means, preventing power from being supplied to said electrosurgical cutting element during a predetermined time period independently of whether said control switch is in the first position thereof.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 35 words

A trocar assembly as claimed in claim 11 further comprising indicator means for producing a first indication when power is supplied to said electrosurgical cutting element and a second indication during said predetermined time period.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 36 words

A trocar assembly as claimed in claim 11 wherein said circuit means includes a delay counter circuit for timing out said predetermined time period responsive to said control switch being switched to the second state thereof.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 89 words

A trocar assembly as claimed in claim 11 wherein said circuit means comprises a reset delay counter actuated responsive to said control switch being switched to said second state thereof so as to time out said predetermined time period and a latching circuit, which is set responsive to said sensing means and which is reset responsive to said reset delay counter after said predetermined time period, for, when reset, enabling power to be supplied to said cutting element when said control switch is switched to said first state thereof.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 54 words

A trocar assembly as claimed in claim 14 wherein said sensing means includes a current transformer for sensing said current level and for producing an output in accordance therewith and a control relay, responsive to the output of said current transformer and to said latching circuit, for turning said electrosurgical generator on and off.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 66 words

A trocar assembly as claimed in claim 15 wherein said reset delay counter includes an intermediate stage and said trocar assembly further comprises a light emitting diode connected to said control relay and to said intermediate stage of said counter for producing a continuous light signal when said control relay turns said generator off and for producing a blinking light signal during said predetermined time period.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 53 words

A trocar assembly as claimed in claim 11 further comprising means responsive to initial switching of said control switch to the first state thereof for providing that said power is supplied to said cutting element from said electrosurgical generator during a further predetermined time period independently of the output of said sensing means.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 118 words

An electrosurgical trocar assembly comprising a cannula and a trocar device disposed within said cannula, said trocar device comprising a central, longitudinally extending, cylindrical conductive rod of a first diameter terminating in a blunt distal end of gradually decreasing diameter from said first diameter, an insulating trocar shaft surrounding said rod and providing a surface of a tapered profile; means for connecting said rod to a source of radio frequency power so that said rod can be used to perform electrosurgery; and control means for interrupting the supply of said radio frequency power from said source to said rod in response to puncturing of a wall of a cavity of a patient upon whom electrosurgery is being performed.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 118 words

An electrosurgical trocar assembly comprising a cannula and a trocar device disposed within said cannula, said trocar device comprising a central, longitudinally extending, cylindrical conductive rod of a first diameter terminating in a blunt distal end of gradually decreasing diameter from said first diameter, an insulating trocar shaft surrounding said rod and providing a surface of a tapered profile; means for connecting said rod to a source of radio frequency power so that said rod can be used to perform electrosurgery; and control means for interrupting the supply of said radio frequency power from said source to said rod in response to puncturing of a wall of a cavity of a patient upon whom electrosurgery is being performed.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 54 words

A trocar assembly as claimed in claim 18 further comprising circuit means for preventing an operator from resuming electrosurgery after interruption of said power by said control means until a control switch for controlling the supply of said power by said source is opened and permitted to remain open for a predetermined delay period.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 99 words

A trocar assembly as claimed in claim 18 wherein said trocar assembly further comprises means for connecting said cutting element of said trocar device to an electrosurgical generator for supplying power to said cutting element, and sensing means for sensing an electrical parameter which varies in response to penetration of at least a part of the distal end of the cutting element through the wall of a body cavity of a patient undergoing electrosurgery and for, responsive to a variation in said parameter indicative of said penetration, interrupting the power supplied to the cutting element by the electrosurgical generator.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 27 words

A trocar assembly as claimed in claim 20 wherein said sensing means comprises a sensor for sensing a change in load impedance in response to said penetration.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 56 words

A trocar assembly as claimed in claim 21, wherein said sensor comprises a current sensor for sensing the current flow from the electrosurgical generator to the cutting element of the trocar device and for interrupting the power supplied to the cutting element by the electrosurgical generator responsive to the sensed current falling below a preset level.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 28 words

A trocar assembly as claimed in claim 20 further comprising an indicator means for indicating when power is being supplied to said cutting element by said electrosurgical generator.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 34 words

A trocar assembly as claimed in claim 23 wherein said indicator means comprises a light indicator device for producing a light output when power is supplied to said cutting element by said electrosurgical generator.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2000-02-04	2000-08-05	2001-02-04	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2004-02-04	2004-08-05	2005-02-04	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2008-02-04	2008-08-05	2009-02-04	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Electrosurgical trocar assembly

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