FR2746293A1 - CIRCUIT AND METHOD FOR TRIGGERING THE ARRIVAL OF AN INERATED GAS IN AN ELECTROSURGERY PENCIL - Google Patents

Abstract

Circuit (10) for joint actuation of a gas flow control valve mounted in a surgical unit (26) and an electrosurgery generator (11) upon actuation by the surgeon of a pressure button. energy request located on the pencil (13). A power source (14) is connected to the rod (13) for supplying power to the circuit (10) so as to simultaneously produce the flow of electrosurgical energy from the generator (11) and the flow of electrosurgical energy. inert gas generated by opening the valve in the surgical unit (26). Application in particular to electrosurgical pencils receiving cutting waves and coagulation waves upon actuation of corresponding buttons located on this pencil.

Description

The invention relates to a circuit and a method.

  of argon distribution when an electro-

  surgery is plugged in. The circuit is more particularly connected to a surgical gas distribution group which is connected to a conventional electrosurgical pencil for jointly delivering gas and electrosurgical energy when the cutting button is closed.

  or the coagulation button on the pencil.

  Inert gas such as argon delivered together with radio frequency energy sent by an electrosurgical generator forms an ionized path for energy flow from an electrode located at the distal end of the pencil to the patient. Gas electrosurgery pencils available on the market are specially made to control the flow of argon and energy. These pencils include two switches that start and stop the flow of argon, as described

  in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,217,457, 5,244,462 and 5,088,997.

  The switch for directing a flow of argon is mounted on the pencil. An argon pipe and two coagulation or cutting wave switches sent by the generator are located on the pencil. This pencil includes an electric cable, the wires of which are intended to be connected directly to the surgical group in order to trigger the flow of argon when the electrosurgical energy is requested by the surgeon. The gas flow control is located on the pencil and controls the delivery of gas by separate connection and cut-off buttons and wires connecting the circuits to the surgical unit. In addition to the three wires connected between the argon electrosurgery pencil and the surgery group, there is another wire to transmit energy from the generator. Cutting and coagulation waves are controlled by buttons

  provided for this purpose on the gas surgery pencil.

  A conventional electrosurgical pencil having no arrival of argon or any additional wire is produced with a large volume and a price which is approximately the

  half that of an electrosurgical pencil under argon.

  The adaptation of a conventional pencil to put into service the surgical group is of a low price for the practitioners who have never used argon in electrosurgery and for those who use electrosurgery under argon infrequently because of the supplement of

fresh.

  US Pat. No. 4,781,175 describes an argon electrosurgical pencil having a detection hole for determining the correct functioning of the pencil by returning gas to the distribution apparatus, so as to verify that the connection and the flow rate of the gases at the nozzle location are correct. Therefore,

  the gas distributor responds accordingly.

  U.S. Patent 5,324,283 includes a switch placed on an endoscope. The switch cuts a light path passing through optical fibers to control

  external accessories put into service and cut off remotely.

  U.S. Patent 4,209,018 relates to a tissue coagulation apparatus equipped with indicator means placed in the circuit and comprising active and return wires leading to an electrode. An output signal from the indicating means gives information to a command from the electrosurgery generator. The specific indicating means can respond to various physical values showing the presence and the strength of an electric arc bursting between the distal ends of bipolar electrodes. The device controls the strength of the arc so that the heat produced during electrosurgery is minimized to prevent rupture of tissue cells and / or burning of albumin. The control function provided by the indicating means controls the internal circuit of the generator by means of wiring arriving directly in the latter. There is no mention that the indicating means controls any system located outside the generator, for example the flow of argon from the surgical group. The indicator means electrically connected (by hardware wires) is simply an external control sensor and has no external output intended for another device such as a gas surgery pencil. Many internal induction sensors have been proposed and used for the control of RF leaks. US Patent 5,152,762 describes an induction sensor and references to earlier patents which use a coil placed on a common magnetic core around which the active and return wires are also wound. When there is an imbalance between the current flows passing through the active and return wires, an electromotive force is generated in the auxiliary winding. This electromotive force is used to control the RF leakage and maintain a balanced flow of energy in the active and return wires. Induction coils for leaks are located inside the electrosurgical generator and as such precede the output connections placed outside the generator. They are sensitive to differences in induction in the active and return wires, but do not produce any

  external signal intended to be used for an accessory.

  U.S. Patent 5,160,334 relates to an electrosurgical generator and a suction apparatus comprising a switching circuit connected to a manual switch or a foot switch for remotely actuating the electrosurgical generator. The switching circuit activates a control of a vacuum producing motor which is connected by a conduit to evacuate the smoke which is produced at the site of electrosurgery. Obviously, the remote actuation of the switching circuit for the smoke evacuator by a manual or foot switch is wired, i.e. is carried out by wires located inside the group d electrosurgery. This method as well as those described have drawbacks for the numerous existing generators of electrosurgery which are currently in service in hospitals around the world. Internal wiring for automatic suction or similar accessory commissioning is required in the electrosurgery generator. It is desirable to be able to have an automatic commissioning which easily starts and stops the flow of argon and which is outside the electrosurgery generator, group

  and the classic electrosurgical pencil.

  U.S. Patent 5,108,389 describes an automatic circuit for commissioning a smoke evacuator used with a laser. A foot switch cuts off a laser beam and sends signals to activate the smoke evacuator. There is no physical association, direct electrical connection or fixation between the laser and the smoke evacuator. In other words, when the laser beam is transmitted and received and the foot switch interrupts the laser beam, the control signal from

  the foot switch does not reach the laser.

  U.S. Patent 5,041,110 describes a cart for supporting an electrosurgical generator, a gas supply comprising automatic valves, and a logic control panel. This cart adapts the many different existing electrosurgical generators for their use with argon. While the term "electrosurgical pencil" is frequently cited in the

  patent mentioned above, the description given is

  refers only to a special gas electrosurgery pencil. A gas inlet tube is connected in particular to the pencil to send the inert argon into a passage located in the manual part formed by the pencil

  and around a wire carrying the energy of electro-

  surgery. There is no switch control on the pencil and no suggestion on how a conventional pencil could be used. In addition, the commissioning of the combination of the gas tube and the pencil

  special is simply done by a foot switch.

  The logic control panel is electrically connected to the set of gas flow control valves and to the electrosurgery generator for controlling the

  gas and energy flow through the foot switch.

  There is still a demand to adapt the conventional inexpensive electrosurgical pencil to trigger the flow of argon from a surgical group delivering gas. Easily available, inexpensive and large volume electrosurgical pencils can be used to start and stop the flow of argon during electrosurgery. The circuit described responds to the surgeon's request for electrosurgery made by the cutting or coagulation buttons located on the pencil. The circuit jointly sends argon to a special gas electrode located at

  the distal end of a conventional electro- pencil

  surgery. The special gas flow electrode makes

  the subject of another United States patent application.

  A circuit according to the invention for the joint commissioning of a gas flow control valve forming part of a surgical group and of an electrosurgical generator by the actuation by the surgeon of a request button d the energy placed on the pencil will be described. The circuit preferably includes an energy source connected to the pencil for sending energy into the circuit to produce a simultaneous flow of energy from the generator and a flow of inert gas from the surgical group and controlled by the valve. The flow of current from the energy source responds directly to the actuation of the button by the surgeon. An automatic switch connected to the power source receives the flow of current when the button is operated by the surgeon. The automatic switch opens or closes when the energy demand button is opened or closed by the surgeon. The automatic switch connected to the gas flow control valve found in the surgical group actuates the latter to send inert gas to the electrosurgical pencil. The automatic switch connected to the generator activates the latter and

  selectively sends energy to the pencil

  surgery. o0 The circuit responds if the surgeon uses the energy request button placed on the pencil to obtain a cutting wave or a coagulation wave produced by the generator. The automatic switch of an advantageous embodiment comprises a relay placed in the circuit for opening and closing the flow control valve located in the surgery group as well as the energy produced by the electrosurgery generator. The energy source is very advantageously a battery for actuating the relay by electromagnetic means. The automatic switch of an advantageous circuit includes a first relay intended to operate when the energy demand button is used by the surgeon to obtain a cutting wave. The automatic switch includes a second relay intended to be actuated when the energy request button is used by the surgeon to obtain a coagulation wave. The first relay must be connected in series with the cutting energy request button and the second relay can be in series

  with the coagulation energy request button.

  The battery operates only per channel

  electromagnetic either the first relay or the second.

  The switch relays may include a winding and normally open switching contacts intended to be actuated by the winding. The switch contacts are connected to the surgical group flow control valve and to the generator so that when current flows through the circuit from the power source to the winding, the normally open switch contacts close by magnetic path so that inert gas electrosurgery energy flows to the pencil. Normally open contacts are connected, preferably electrically, to the terminal of the foot switch of the electrosurgery generator. The circuit may include a diode in series with the battery to protect the polarity. The circuit very advantageously comprises a capacitor in parallel with the winding to filter the electrosurgical energy. The circuit may include a resistor in series with the battery to prevent uncontrolled current flow if the relay drops. The automatic switch may include a third relay intended to be actuated when the energy demand button is used by the surgeon to actuate an accessory in conjunction with electrosurgery and the gas flow control valve of the surgical group, the third relay being in series

  with the energy request button.

  A method of jointly commissioning the valve for controlling the flow of argon coming from the surgical group when the surgeon actuates the generator by the energy request button preferably comprises several steps. The connection of the energy source by the automatic switch to supply energy to the latter for its opening and closing in synchronism with the actuation by the surgeon of the energy request button is a step of the process which is advantageous. Another advantageous process step can consist in actuating the gas flow control valve by the automatic switch. The step of actuating the electrosurgery generator by the automatic switch for its joint actuation is advantageous. Sending electrosurgical energy from the pencil generator is another advantageous step in the process. The step of connecting the energy source to the automatic switch for the energy supply may comprise the actuation of the button for cutting or coagulation energy located on the pencil. The step of actuating the gas flow control valve, which is in the surgical group, by the automatic switch can include the generation of an electromagnetic field in the winding of the relay by the source

  of energy. The step of actuating the electro- generator

  surgery by the automatic switch for its joint actuation can include the connection of the surgical group to the terminal of the foot switch which

  controls the electrosurgery generator.

  The invention will be described in more detail by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a system comprising a valve for controlling a flow of gas forming part of a surgical group as well as an electrosurgery generator put into service jointly during the actuation by the surgeon of an energy request button which is on a pencil of electrosurgery, FIG. 2 is a diagram of the circuit of an advantageous embodiment intended to be used with coagulation and cutting energy demand buttons which

are on the pencil.

  A circuit 10 of the system for jointly commissioning a valve for controlling the flow of gas by a surgical group and a generator 11 when the surgeon actuates a button 12 for requesting energy which is located on the pencil 13 is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The circuit 10 comprises an energy source 14 connected to the electrosurgical pencil 13 and intended to supply energy to the circuit 10 to simultaneously produce a flow of energy produced by the generator 11 and a flow of inert gas produced by the valve 15 for controlling the gas flow located in the surgical group, as shown in FIG. 1. The current flow from the energy source 14 responds directly to the actuation of the

button 12 by the surgeon.

  An automatic switch 16 mounted in series with the energy source 14 receives, as shown in FIG. 2, the current flow when the button 12 is actuated. The automatic switch 16 opens or closes when the button 12 is open or closed by the surgeon. The automatic switch 16 connected to the valve 15 for controlling the gas flow located in the surgical group actuates the latter so that it sends inert gas to the pencil 13 for electrosurgery. The automatic switch 16 connected to the generator 11 operates this

  last and selectively sends energy from electro-

pencil surgery 13.

  Circuit 10 responds if the surgeon uses the energy demand button 12 which is placed on the pencil 13 to obtain a cutting wave or a coagulation wave produced by the generator 11. Conventional electrosurgical pencils include two separate buttons 17 and 18 of a switch, one for cutting and the other for coagulation, as shown diagrammatically in FIG. 2. The automatic switch 16 of an advantageous embodiment comprises a relay, as well shown in FIG. 2, which is in the circuit 10, for opening and closing the valve 15 for controlling the gas flow rate and for jointly connecting the generator 11 of energy transmitted to the pencil 13. The energy source 14 is very advantageously a battery and in particular a nine-volt lithium battery fitted with snaps constituting male and female terminals. The battery is used to electromagnetically activate the relays 19, one for cutting and the other for coagulation. The preferred embodiment comprises two identical relays 19 mounted in the circuit 10. Thus, the automatic switch 16 of an advantageous circuit 10 comprises a first relay 20 intended to be put into service when the button 17 for energy demand is used by the surgeon to obtain a cutting wave, as shown in FIG. 2. The automatic switch 16 includes a second relay 21 intended to be actuated when the button 18 is used by the surgeon to obtain a coagulation wave, as shown in the Figure 2. The first relay 20 is in series with the button 17 for cutting energy request and the second relay 21 can be in series with the button 18 for cutting energy request

  coagulation, as shown in Figure 2.

  The battery 14 electromagnetically actuates either the first relay 20 or the second relay 21 when

  the associated button 17 or 18 is actuated by the surgeon.

  Each relay 20 or 21 of the automatic switch comprises a winding and two-pole contacts with two positions which are normally open and intended to be actuated by the winding. The contacts of the switch are connected in particular to the valve 15 for controlling the gas flow and to the electrosurgery generator 11. During the flow of current in the circuit 10 between the battery 14 and one of the windings, the normally open contacts of the switch are able to close magnetically so that the inert gas and the electrosurgical energy

flow to the pencil 13.

  The normally open contacts are electrically connected to terminal 22 of the foot switch of the generator 11, as shown in FIG. 2. The circuit 10 includes a diode 23 in series with the battery to ensure the polarity, ie the correct direction of flow of the direct current in the circuit 10. The circuit 10 of the preferred embodiment comprises a capacitor 24 in parallel with the winding of each relay 19 in order to filter the electrosurgical energy. The circuit 10 may include a resistor 25 in series with the battery 14 to prevent an uncontrolled flow of current if the relay 19 falls. Although the advantageous batteries include a built-in resistor, the resistor 25 is included for the case of using a battery without internal resistance. The automatic switch 16 may include a third relay (not shown, but which is mounted in the circuit 10 in the same manner as the other relays 20 and 21) intended to be actuated when one or other of the buttons 17 and 18 of energy demand is used by the surgeon. The third relay 17 is intended to actuate an accessory

  together with electrosurgery.

  The third relay could thus be in series with the button 12 for energy demand in the same way as the first two relays shown in FIG. 2. It is possible to add other relays for handling auxiliary external devices, if desired,

  simply in the same manner as that described above.

  The gas flow control valve 15 located in the surgical group of this embodiment is shown in Figure 1. In Figure 2, the relays 20 and 21 are connected to the surgical group 26. The three connections shown in the figure 2 actuate the gas flow control valve either for cutting or for coagulation. With regard to this, the connections pass through the surgical group 26 and are connected by terminal 22 of the foot switch to the generator 11. The valve 15 for controlling the gas flow is shown diagrammatically in FIG. 1. Those skilled in the art understand that these valves are electrically actuated and consist, for example, of solenoid valves intended to start and stop the flow of gas. Figure 2 includes a broken line surrounding the circuit 10. A convenient form of the circuit 10 is therefore shown in Figure 1 in the form of a box. The components of figure 2 and in particular those located inside the line

  broken are placed in this box.

  A method of jointly commissioning the valve 15 for controlling the flow of argon during actuation by the surgeon of the electrosurgery generator 11 by the button 12 placed on the pencil 13 preferably comprises several steps. The coupling of the energy source 14 to the automatic switch 16 for supplying energy by opening and closing the latter in synchronism with the actuation of the button 12 for energy demand forms a step in the process. Another step is the actuation of the valve 15 for controlling the gas flow by the automatic switch 16. The step of actuating the generator 11 by the automatic switch 16 for its joint actuation is carried out simultaneously. Sending electrosurgical energy from generator 11 to pencil 13 is a

another step in the process.

  The step of coupling the energy source 14 to the switch 16 for the power supply comprises the actuation of one or other of the buttons 17 and 18 used for cutting or coagulation and located on the pencil 13 for electrosurgery. The step of actuation of the valve 15 for controlling the flow of gas by the automatic switch 16 comprises the generation of an electromagnetic field in the winding of the relay by the energy source 14. The step of joint actuation of the generator 11 of electrosurgery by the automatic switch 16 comprises the step of connecting the surgical group 26 to the terminal 22 for controlling the foot switch of the

generator 11.

  The system and method of the invention have been described with the aid of a particular example, but it is understood that various modifications may be made to them.

  made without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (10)

  1. Circuit (10) for jointly commissioning a valve (15) for controlling the flow of gas located in a surgical group (26) and a generator (11) for electrosurgery during actuation by the surgeon of an energy request button (12) placed on an electrosurgical pencil (13), characterized in that it comprises an energy source (14) connected to the electrosurgical pencil (13) for the power supply to the circuit (10) in order to simultaneously trigger the circulation of energy by the electrosurgical generator (11) and the flow of inert gas by the valve (15) controlling the flow of this gas, the source d energy (14) which outputs the current responding directly to the actuation of the energy request button by the surgeon, as well as an automatic switch (16) connected to the energy supply to receive the current flow thereof of the actuation of the energy request button by the surgeon, this commutate ur automatic (16) opening or closing when the button is opened or closed by the surgeon, the automatic switch (16) being connected to the gas flow control valve (15) located in the surgical group (26) so as to actuate it in order to control the supply of inert gas to the electrosurgery pencil (13), the automatic switch (16) being connected to the electrosurgery generator (11) so as to actuate it and to send selectively of   energy with an electrosurgical pencil (13).   2. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the actuation of the energy request button (12) placed on the electrosurgical pencil (13) controls the circuit (10) so as to produce either a cutting wave, or a coagulation wave, from the electrosurgery generator (11). 3. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the automatic switch (16) comprises a relay mounted in the circuit (10) for opening and closing the valve (15) for controlling the gas flow and the generator (11) of electrosurgical energy.   4. System according to claim 3, characterized in that the energy source (14) is a battery for actuating the relay by electromagnetic means. 5. System according to claim 2, characterized in that the automatic switch (16) comprises a first relay (20) intended to be actuated when the button (12) for energy demand is used by the surgeon to obtain a wave of cut and the automatic switch (16) includes a second relay (21) intended to be actuated when the button (12) for energy demand is used by the surgeon to obtain a coagulation wave, the first relay (20) being mounted in series with a cutting energy request button and the second relay (21) being connected in series with a coagulation energy request button. 6. System according to claim 5, characterized in that the energy source (14) is a battery mounted in the circuit (10) for actuating exclusively by electromagnetic means either the first relay (20), or the second relay (21).   7. System according to claim 2, characterized in that the automatic switch (16) comprises a relay comprising a winding and normally open contacts intended to be actuated by the winding, the contacts of the switch being connected to the valve (15) of control of the gas flow rate mounted in the surgical group (26) and in the electrosurgical generator (11) so that when current arrives from the energy source (14) and circulates in the circuit (10) to reach the winding, the normally open contacts of the switch close magnetically so that inert gas and energy   of electrosurgery arrive with a pencil (13).   8. System according to claim 7, characterized in that the energy source (14) is a battery   actuation of the relay by electromagnetic means.   9. System according to claim 8, characterized in that the relay comprises a winding which is switched on by magnetic means by the energy request button and the circuit (10) comprises a capacitor (24) mounted in parallel with   the winding to filter the electrosurgical energy.   10. System according to claim 5, characterized in that the automatic switch (16) comprises a third relay intended to be actuated when the button (12) for energy demand is used by the surgeon to actuate an accessory jointly with the electrosurgery as well as the gas flow control valve (15), mounted in the surgical unit (26), the third relay being mounted in series with the button energy demand.