GB2390030A - Electro-surgical device having a diathermy loop electrode mounted on a ball and socket joint - Google Patents

Abstract

An electro-surgical device, such as a electro-surgical pencil suitable for performing biopsy of the cervix comprises a device handle 4 having a switch 5 for controlling current supplied to a loop electrode 1 having an insulated crossbar 2 and shaft 3. The loop electrode assembly 1, 2, 3 is slotted into a ball 8 in socket 9 which are attached at the distal end of the device. Button 10 is operated laterally by the operator's finger so as to control the angle of the ball 8 and thus move the diathermy loop electrode 1 to a desired angle.

Description

ELECTROSURGICAL PENCIL WITH BALL-SOCKET

The invention relates to, (within a socket), a ball bearing, whose movements are controlled by a button near the distal, operating end of an electrosurgical pencil; the other end of which is connected to a diathermy generator.

Traditionally, a non-reusable diathermy loop is fitted directly to the distal, operating end of the electrosurgical pencil, which, when connected to the diathermy generator, uses a low volume, high frequency electric current. In the cutting mode, the loop produces a clean cut through the cervix (neck of the womb); effecting an excision biopsy in cases of abnormal cervical smears and/or abnormal cervical appearance on colposcopy, a gynaecological procedure. The biopsy contains an abnormal area of cervical tissue for laboratory examination.

Because the diathermy loop and the electrosurgical pencil are straight structures, the loop- pencil combination becomes a linear instrument. To describe the path of the loop through the cervix, the fulcrum of the arc of movement is at the wrist of the operator, a disadvantage by the laws of:, ' mechanics. Secondly, the limited range of diathermy loop movement causes, À À: i , .. . _ ' '. -,:!,

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at times, incomplete excision and less fuller biopsy of the cervix than clinically indicated.

The object of the invention is to provide a ball in a socket, the latter attached to the distal, operating end of the electrosurgical pencil; a ball, into which the diathermy loop can be slotted secure. Placed laterally at the distal, operating end of the electrosurgical pencil, a finger-operated button would move the ball in a single vertical axis within the socket; and hence alter the angulation between the diathermy loop and the electrosurgical pencil.

This change in fulcrum, together with a range of movement in a single vertical axis would lead to a greater precision of hand movement. Secondly, by altering the angulation midway through the biopsy, the sinking of the loop in the cervix could be secured from diametrically opposite ends of the visible lesion, leading to a fuller biopsy.

Preferably, the ball is made of an electrical current-conducting, lowfriction metal or plastic, or combinations thereof, resting within the socket of a similar material.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which, FIGURE 1 shows a side view of the diathermy loop-electrosurgical pencil diathermy generator in traditional use in colposcopy clinics today.

FIGURE 2 shows a side-view of the distal, operating end of the electro surgical pencil with the ball-socket adaption, the button controlling the movement of the ball within the socket in a single vertical axis.

FIGURE 3 shows an end-on appearance of the ball, where the diathermy loop will slot in.

FIGURE 4 shows a side view of the diathermy loop- ball socket electrosurgical pencil combination, at the start of the excision biopsy of the cervix from the upper/ anterior aspect.

FIGURE 5 shows a side-view of the diathermy loop- ball socket- electro surgical pencil combination midway through the excision, and starting from the lower! posterior aspect of the cervix, to complete the biopsy.

As shown in FIGURE 1, the diathermy loop A comprises of the wire loop 1 ( that cuts through cervical tissue as electro-surgical current flows through it); the insulated crossbar 2 and shaft electrode 3. The handle 4 conducting the current and the rockerswitch 5 controlling the flow of current together make up the electrosurgical pencil B. The power cable and plug 6 together with the electrosurgical generator 7 make up the diathermy generator C. The combined apparatus A-B-C is in general use today.

FIGURE 2 shows a side view of the ball 8 and socket 97 the latter attached to the distal, operating end of the electrosurgical pencil B. A finger-operated button 10 laterally on the handle 4 controls the movement of the ball 8 within the socket 9 in a single vertical axis.

FIGURE 3 shows the end-on appearance of the ball 8 with a slot 11, into which the shaft electrode 3 of diathermy loop A can be fitted securely.

FIGURE 4 shows diathermy loop A- ball 8 in socket 9- electrosurgical pencil B combination prior to the biopsy at the upper/ anterior aspect of the cervix; where finger-operated button 10 has angulated the diathermy loop A ball 8 combination from the horizontal to an angle desired by the operator.

FIGURE 5 shows how, midway through the biopsy, button 10 on electrosurgical pencil B has changed the angulation of the diathermy loop A- ball 8 combination, so that, by operating rockerswitch 5, the loop can cut from the lower/ posterior aspect of the cervix, to meet in the middle, and so complete the excision of the abnormal area.

Claims (6)

I CLAIMS

1. An adaptation to the electrosurgical pencil to enable the diathermy loop attached to the adaptation to be moved within a range in a vertical axis while performing loop biopsy of the cervix.

2. An adaptation as claimed in Claim I where a ball and socket is attached to

the operating end of the electrosurgical pencil.

3. An adaptation as claimed in Claim for Claim 2, where a finger-operated button at the lateral end of the electrosurgical pencil causes the ball to move within the socket in a vertical axis.

4. An clectrosurgical pencil with the adaptation as claimed in any preceding claim, where the shaft electrode of the diathermy loop can be slotted in the ball; and when so fitted, the loop describes an arc in a vertical axis when moved so by the ball operated by the button.

5. An electrosurgical pencil with the adaptation as claimed in any preceding claim, the ball and the socket being made from an electric current conducting, low-friction metal or plastic, or a combination of these materials.

6. An electrosurgical pencil with ball and socket substantially as herein described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.