Cautery device for sealing the pleural layer

Abstract

A cautery device includes a handpiece configured to be grasped by a user. The handpiece includes a housing, a thermal control circuit, and a control switch. A cannula has a cannula lumen, a cannula sidewall surrounding the cannula lumen, a cannula proximal portion, and a cannula distal end. The cannula proximal portion is coupled to the housing of the handpiece. A stylet has a shaft portion and a distal heat conductor. The distal heat conductor is electrically coupled to the thermal control circuit. The distal heat conductor has a first end and a tapered portion distally terminating at a second end. The shaft portion is at least partially located within the cannula lumen. An insulating member is configured to thermally isolate the cannula distal end from the distal heat conductor of the stylet.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] none. Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates to devices for assisting pulmonary access surgery, and more particularly, the present invention relates to cautery devices for sealing the pleural layer. Background Art

[0004] Pneumothorax is a problematic complication of lung biopsy surgery, in which air or fluid is allowed to enter the pleural space due to puncture of the parietal and visceral pleura. Pneumothorax (and more importantly, pneumothorax requiring chest tube placement) is a significant problem for clinicians performing percutaneous lung biopsy and for patients undergoing percutaneous lung biopsy. The incidence of pneumothorax in patients undergoing percutaneous lung biopsy is reported to be 9-54%, with an average of approximately 15%. On average, 6.6% of percutaneous lung biopsies result in pneumothorax requiring chest tube placement, which results in an average hospital stay of 2.7 days.

[0005] Factors that increase the risk of pneumothorax include increasing patient age, obstructive lung disease, increased lesion depth, multiple pleural passes, increased time for the access needle to traverse the pleura, and crossing a fissure. Pneumothorax may develop during or immediately after the procedure, which is why a CT scan of the area is usually performed after needle removal. Other less common complications of percutaneous lung biopsy include hemoptysis (coughing up blood), hemothorax (a pleural effusion in which blood accumulates within the pleural space), infection, and air embolism.

[0006] There is a need in the art for a cautery device for sealing the pleural layer. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The present invention provides a cautery device for sealing the pleural layer to help reduce the occurrence of pneumothorax associated with lung access surgery.

[0008] In one form, the present invention relates to a cauterization device comprising a handpiece, a cannula, and a stylet. The handpiece is configured to be grasped by a user. The handpiece includes a housing, a thermal control circuit, and a control switch. The control switch is configured to selectively actuate the thermal control circuit. The cannula has a cannula lumen, a cannula sidewall surrounding the cannula lumen, a cannula proximal portion, and a cannula distal end. The cannula proximal portion is coupled to the housing of the handpiece. The stylet has a shaft portion and a distal heat conductor. The distal heat conductor is electrically coupled to the thermal control circuit. The distal heat conductor has a first end and a second end and has a tapered portion terminating distally at the second end. The shaft portion is at least partially located within the cannula lumen without contacting the cannula sidewall. An insulating member is configured to thermally isolate the cannula distal end from the distal heat conductor of the stylet.

[0009] In another form, the present invention relates to an electrocautery probe comprising a seat, a cannula, a stylet, and an insulating member. The cannula has a cannula lumen, a cannula sidewall surrounding the cannula lumen, a cannula proximal portion, and a cannula distal end. The cannula proximal portion is coupled to the seat. The stylet has a shaft portion and a distal heat conductor. The shaft portion is coupled to the seat. The distal heat conductor has a first end and a second end and has a tapered portion that terminates distally at the second end. The shaft portion is at least partially located in the cannula lumen without contacting the cannula sidewall. The insulating member is interposed between the cannula distal end and the first end of the distal heat conductor of the stylet and attached to the cannula distal end and the first end of the distal heat conductor of the stylet. The insulating member is configured to thermally isolate the cannula distal end from the distal heat conductor of the stylet.

[0010] One advantage of the present invention is that the configuration of the cautery device reduces the chance of patient injury associated with inadvertent heating along the insertion / access pathway.

[0011] Another advantage is that during pulmonary access surgery, the distal heat conductor of the electrocautery probe's stylet effectively induces pleurodesis, wherein the thermal effect generated by the distal heat conductor engaging the pleural layers at a cautery temperature bonds the two pleural layers and artificially occludes the pleural cavity, thereby reducing or eliminating the risk of pneumothorax during pulmonary access surgery (e.g., lung biopsy). BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The above and other features and advantages of the present invention and the manner in which they are achieved will become more apparent, and the present invention will be better understood, by referring to the following description of the embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0013] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a cautery device including an electrocautery probe according to an aspect of the present invention;

[0014] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 An electrical block diagram of the thermal control circuit and distal heat conductor of the cautery device;

[0015] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 An enlarged side view of an electrocautery probe with a cross section cut away;

[0016] Figure 4 It is along Figure 3 A further enlarged cross-sectional view of the electrocautery probe taken along line 4-4;

[0017] Figure 5 It is along Figure 1 an enlarged cross-sectional view of the distal portion of the electrocautery probe taken along plane 5-5-5-5 and illustrating the heating element and thermocouple in schematic form; and

[0018] Figure 6 yes Figure 1 、 3 and an enlarged end view of the insulating member of the electrocautery probe depicted in 5 .

[0019] Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views.The examples set out herein illustrate at least one embodiment of the invention and these examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any way. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to Figure 1 , shows a cautery device 10 , which generally includes a handpiece 12 and an electrocautery probe 14 .

[0021] The handpiece 12 is configured (e.g., sized and shaped) to be grasped by a user. The handpiece 12 is mechanically coupled to the electrocautery probe 14. For example, in one embodiment, the electrocautery probe 14 can be detachably coupled to the handpiece 12, such that the handpiece 12 can be reused, while the electrocautery probe 14 can be disposable. As used herein, the term disposable device is intended to be used on a single patient and to be discarded in an environmentally safe manner after use. Alternatively, the electrocautery probe 14 can be permanently coupled to the handpiece 12, such that the handpiece 12 and electrocautery probe 14 can be disposed of as a unit after use.

[0022] Also refer to Figure 2 , the handpiece 12 includes a housing 16, a thermal control circuit 18, and a control switch 20. The control switch 20 can be, for example, a push button switch that is configured to selectively actuate (e.g., turn on and off) the thermal control circuit 18. The thermal control circuit 18 can be, for example, a DC or AC power supply that can include a battery 18-1 and a current regulator circuit 18-2 and can optionally include a thermostat circuit 18-3. The thermal control circuit 18 is electrically coupled to the electrocautery probe 14 to provide current to the electrocautery probe 14 through the current regulator circuit 18-2 to cause electrical heating (e.g., resistive heating) of a heating element of the electrocautery probe 14, as will be described below.

[0023] Optionally, it is contemplated that the thermal control circuit 18 can be adjusted to control the heating time, maximum temperature, and overall lifespan of the electrocautery probe 14. Furthermore, the thermal control circuit 18 can include a capacitor to store current and allow the battery 18-1 to operate at a lower current and fit into a smaller footprint, while still generating the same amount of heating current, and thus heat, in a shorter period of time. The capacitor can also be used to more quickly heat the heating element of the electrocautery probe 14 by providing a current spike at the start of heating the electrocautery probe 14.

[0024] Also refer to Figure 3The electrocautery probe 14 includes a base 22 , a cannula 24 , a stylet 26 , and an insulating member 28 .

[0025] The socket 22 serves as a connector base for the cannula 24 and the stylet 26 and is configured to be coupled to the housing 16 of the handpiece 12 (e.g., via a bayonet mount), wherein the socket 22 is removably connected to the handpiece 12. Alternatively, the socket 22 can be permanently connected to the handpiece 12. To prevent heat from being transferred from the stylet 26 to the cannula 24, the socket 22 is thermally insulated from at least one of the cannula 24 and the stylet 26. In this embodiment, the socket 22 can be made of a thermally insulating material, such as a heat-resistant plastic (e.g., a non-melting or heat-deforming polymer) or a ceramic.

[0026] Reference Figure 3-5 , the cannula 24 includes a cannula lumen 24-1, a cannula sidewall 24-2, a cannula proximal portion 24-3, a cannula distal end 24-4, and a cannula outer surface 24-5. The cannula proximal portion 24-3 is coupled to the seat 22 (e.g., by an adhesive or press-fit attachment connection) and, therefore, is coupled to the housing 16 of the handpiece 12 via the seat 22. The cannula sidewall 24-2 surrounds the cannula lumen 24-1. The cannula 24 can be made of a biocompatible material, such as a biocompatible metal (e.g., stainless steel, nitinol, titanium, etc.). Optionally, the cannula 24 can be made of a biocompatible metal having a thermally insulating coating or tubular covering, such as a ceramic coating that forms the cannula outer surface 24-5 of the cannula 24. As a further alternative, it is contemplated that the cannula 24 can be made of a thermally insulating material (e.g., plastic or ceramic).

[0027] Reference Figure 3-5 , the stylet 26 includes a shaft portion 30 and a distal heat conductor 32. In the present embodiment, the shaft portion 30 and the distal heat conductor 32 of the stylet 26 are formed as an integral structure, which may be a one-piece structure or a multi-piece structure. The stylet 26 may be made of a biocompatible metal (e.g., stainless steel, nitinol, titanium, etc.). The shaft portion 30 is coupled to the seat 22 (e.g., by an adhesive or press-fit attachment connection), and is therefore coupled to the housing 16 of the handpiece 12 through the seat 22. The shaft portion 30 includes a proximal shaft portion 30-1, a distal shaft end 30-2, and an outer shaft surface 30-3. As Figure 3 As shown, when the electrocautery probe 14 is attached to the handpiece 12 of the cautery device 10, at least a portion of the proximal shaft portion 30-1 of the shaft portion 30 can extend proximally from the seat 22 to serve as a mechanical cantilever mounting support and / or facilitate electrical connection to the thermal control circuit 18 in the handpiece 12.

[0028] In this embodiment, referring to Figure 4 and Figure 5As shown, the shaft portion 30 is at least partially located within the cannula lumen 24-1, and no portion of the shaft portion 30 contacts the cannula sidewall 24-2. More specifically, a cylindrical void 34 in the cannula lumen 24-1 separates the cannula sidewall 24-2 of the cannula 24 from the shaft portion 30 of the stylet 26. The cylindrical void 34 can be filled with air and / or a thermally insulating material (e.g., a heat-resistant plastic or ceramic). To form the cylindrical void 34, the shaft portion 30 of the stylet 26 has a first diameter 36 that is smaller than an inner diameter 37 of the cannula lumen 24-1 of the cannula 24 (e.g., see Figure 4 ).

[0029] like Figure 3 and Figure 5 As best shown, the distal thermal conductor 32 of the stylet 26 has a first end 32-1, a second end 32-2, and a tapered portion 32-3 that terminates distally at the second end 32-2, wherein the second end 32-2 forms a puncture tip. Furthermore, the distal thermal conductor 32 has a second diameter 38 at the first end 32-1 that is greater than the first diameter 36 of the shaft portion 30, wherein the size of the second diameter 38 at the first end 32-1 of the distal thermal conductor 32 of the stylet 26 generally corresponds to the size of the outer diameter of the cannula 24.

[0030] Refer again Figure 2 , the distal heat conductor 32 of the stylet 26 is electrically coupled to the thermal control circuit 18. Referring again to Figure 5 In this embodiment, an electrical heating element 40 is attached to (e.g., embedded in) the distal heat conductor 32 of the stylet 26, which in turn is electrically coupled to the thermal control circuit 18. The electrical heating element 40 may be in the form of a resistive heating device (e.g., an electric filament) or other such resistive component that generates heat when energized with an electric current. Potential filament materials include, for example, tungsten, bismuth, aluminum, tin, iron, stainless steel, or alloys of two or more of the foregoing materials.

[0031] A pair of electrodes 42, 44 extend through the electrocautery probe 14, from the base 22 and through the cannula lumen 24-1 to the distal thermally conductive body 32 of the stylet 26. The pair of electrodes 42, 44 are electrically connected proximally to a power source (e.g., battery 18-1) and a current regulator circuit 18-2 of the thermal control circuit 18 and distally to an electrical heating element 40 in the distal thermally conductive body 32 of the stylet 26. Thus, the thermal control circuit 18 is electrically coupled to the electrocautery probe 14 to supply current to the electrical heating element 40 of the distal thermally conductive body 32 of the stylet 26 of the electrocautery probe 14 through the current regulator circuit 18-2, thereby causing electrical heating, e.g., resistive heating, of the electrical heating element 40 of the distal thermally conductive body 32 of the stylet 26 of the electrocautery probe 14.

[0032] In this embodiment, the pair of electrodes 42, 44 are thermally and electrically insulated from the cannula sidewall 24-2 and the stylet 26 of the cannula 24. The pair of electrodes 42, 44 can be mechanically coupled to one of the inner surfaces of the cannula sidewall 24-2, or alternatively, the pair of electrodes 42, 44 can be mechanically coupled to the stylet 26 (e.g., an outer surface of the shaft portion 30 of the stylet 26). Such mechanical coupling can, for example, be in the form of an embedment in the cannula sidewall 24-2 or the stylet 26. Alternatively, elongated slots can be formed in the cannula sidewall 24-2 and / or the shaft portion 30 of the stylet 26 to carry respective ones of the pair of electrodes 42, 44 of the electrical heating element 40 for connection to the distal thermal conductor 32 of the stylet 26, wherein the pair of electrodes 42, 44 can be constrained in one or more slots by an adhesive / sealant.

[0033] As a further alternative, it is contemplated that the metallic form of the stylet 26 may serve as a common electrode (eg, electrode 42 ) in a pair of electrodes 42 , 44 connected to the electrical heating element 40 of the distal thermal conductor 32 of the stylet 26 .

[0034] Optionally, a thermocouple 46 can be attached to (e.g., embedded in) the distal thermal conductor 32 of the stylet 26. In such an embodiment, the thermocouple 46 is electrically coupled to an optional thermostat circuit 18-3 of the thermal control circuit 18, for example, via a common electrode 42 and a thermocouple electrode 48. Thus, the thermocouple 46 monitors the temperature of the distal thermal conductor 32 of the stylet 26 and provides a temperature signal to the thermostat circuit 18-3 via the electrodes 42, 48 so as to maintain the power output of the current regulator circuit 18-2 within a desired range, thereby maintaining the temperature of the distal thermal conductor 32 of the stylet 26 within a safe and effective operating temperature range. For example, the thermal control circuit 18 can be configured to maintain the temperature of the distal thermal conductor 32 of the stylet 26 (as determined by the temperature reading received from the thermocouple 46) within a range of 70 degrees Celsius (C) to 120 degrees Celsius.

[0035] Reference Figure 5 and Figure 6 The insulating member 28 is interposed between the cannula distal end 24-4 of the cannula 24 and the first end 32-1 of the distal heat conductor 32 of the stylet 26 and is attached (e.g., by adhesive or interference fit) to each of the cannula distal end 24-4 of the cannula 24 and the first end 32-1 of the distal heat conductor 32 of the stylet 26. The insulating member 28 is configured to thermally isolate the cannula distal end 24-4 from the distal heat conductor 32 of the stylet 26. The insulating member 28 is made of a thermally insulating material, for example, a heat-resistant plastic (e.g., a polymer that does not melt or deform thermally) or ceramic.

[0036] In this embodiment, the insulating member 28 is configured as an annular body 28-1 defining an opening 28-2, wherein the shaft portion 30 of the stylet 26 is configured to be received through the opening 28-2 of the annular body 28-1 of the insulating member 28. Additionally, the electrodes 42, 44, 48 that provide electrical connection to the electrical components of the distal thermal conductor 32 of the stylet 26 are received through the opening 28-2 of the annular body 28-1 of the insulating member 28. The thickness of the insulating member 28 defines a longitudinal separation distance between the first end 32-1 of the distal thermal conductor 32 of the stylet 26 and the cannula distal end 24-4 of the cannula 24.

[0037] For example, during a pulmonary access surgery, the distal heat conductor 32 of the stylet 26 of the electrocautery probe 14 is inserted into the patient's chest cavity along the access tract, and the second end 32-2 forming the puncture tip of the distal heat conductor 32 is brought to the vicinity of the position of the pleural layer. The user then actuates the control switch 20, which in turn actuates the thermal control circuit 18, thereby generating heating of the distal heat conductor 32 of the stylet 26 of the electrocautery probe 14 in the range of 70 degrees Celsius to 120 degrees Celsius. When the distal heat conductor 32 is further pushed into and through the pleural layer, pleurodesis is initiated, wherein the two pleural layers are bonded together by the thermal effect generated by the engagement of the distal heat conductor 32 with the pleural layer under cautery temperature conditions, artificially sealing the pleural cavity. As a result, the risk of pneumothorax occurring when using the access tract during pulmonary access surgery (e.g., a biopsy procedure) is reduced or eliminated.

[0038] The following items also relate to the present invention:

[0039] In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a cautery device that may include a handpiece, a cannula, a stylet, and an insulating member, namely, the handpiece and the electrocautery probe. The handpiece may be configured to be grasped by a user. The handpiece includes a housing, a thermal control circuit, and a control switch. The control switch may be configured to selectively activate the thermal control circuit. The cannula may have a cannula lumen, a cannula sidewall surrounding the cannula lumen, a cannula proximal portion, and a cannula distal end. The cannula proximal portion may be coupled to the housing of the handpiece. The stylet may have a shaft portion and a distal heat conductor. The distal heat conductor may be electrically coupled to the thermal control circuit. The distal heat conductor has a first end and a second end, and has a tapered portion that terminates distally at the second end. The shaft portion may be at least partially located within the cannula lumen without (directly) contacting the cannula sidewall. The insulating member is configured and arranged in the cautery device to thermally decouple the cannula distal end from the distal heat conductor of the stylet.

[0040] In some embodiments, an insulating member may be interposed between and attached to the distal end of the cannula and the first end of the distal thermal conductor of the stylet.

[0041] In some embodiments, the shaft portion can have a first diameter and the distal thermal conductor has a second diameter that is larger than the first diameter.

[0042] In some embodiments, the electric heating element can be embedded in the distal heat conductor of the stylet. A pair of electrodes can extend through the cannula lumen. The pair of electrodes can be configured to be thermally and electrically insulated from the cannula sidewall. The pair of electrodes can be connected to each of the electric heating elements in the distal heat conductor of the stylet and the thermal control circuit.

[0043] In the embodiments of the preceding paragraph, the pair of electrodes can be mechanically coupled to one of an inner surface of a sidewall of the cannula or an outer surface of a shaft portion of the stylet.

[0044] In some embodiments, the insulating member may optionally be configured as an annular body defining an opening, wherein the shaft portion of the stylet may be configured to be received through the opening of the annular body.

[0045] In some embodiments, the insulating member may be made of at least one of heat-resistant plastic and ceramic.

[0046] In some embodiments, the cautery device comprises a cylindrical void in the lumen of the cannula, the void separating the cannula sidewall from the shaft portion of the stylet.

[0047] In some embodiments, the cylindrical void may be filled with at least one of an insulating material and air.

[0048] In some embodiments, the cannula and stylet can be configured as an electrocautery probe, and the cautery device / electrocautery probe can further include a hub connected to each of the proximal portion of the cannula and the shaft portion of the stylet, wherein the hub can be removably connected to the handpiece.

[0049] In some embodiments, a thermocouple can optionally be attached to the distal thermal conductor of the stylet, wherein the thermocouple can be electrically coupled to the thermal control circuit.

[0050] In some embodiments, the thermal control circuit can be configured to maintain the temperature of the distal thermal conductor of the stylet within a range of 70 degrees Celsius (C) to 120 degrees Celsius.

[0051] In another form, the present invention relates to an electrocautery probe that may include a seat, a cannula, a stylet, and an insulating member. The cannula may have a cannula lumen, a cannula sidewall surrounding the cannula lumen, a cannula proximal portion, and a cannula distal end. The cannula proximal portion may be coupled to the seat. The stylet may have a shaft portion and a distal heat conductor. The shaft portion may be coupled to the seat. The distal heat conductor has a first end and a second end and has a tapered portion that terminates distally at the second end. The shaft portion may be at least partially located in the cannula lumen without contacting the cannula sidewall. The insulating member may be interposed between and attached to the cannula distal end and the first end of the distal heat conductor of the stylet. The insulating member is constructed and arranged in the electrocautery probe so as to thermally isolate the cannula distal end from the distal heat conductor of the stylet.

[0052] In some embodiments, the shaft portion has a first diameter and the distal thermal conductor has a second diameter that is larger than the first diameter.

[0053] In some embodiments, the electric heating element can be embedded in the distal heat conductor of the stylet. The counterelectrode can extend from the seat and through the cannula lumen. The counterelectrode can be configured to be thermally and electrically insulated from the cannula sidewall. The counterelectrode can be connected to the electric heating element in the distal heat conductor of the stylet.

[0054] In the embodiments of the preceding paragraph, the pair of electrodes can be mechanically coupled to one of an inner surface of a sidewall of the cannula or an outer surface of a shaft portion of the stylet.

[0055] In some embodiments, the insulating member may be configured as an annular body defining an opening, wherein the shaft portion of the stylet may be configured to be received through the opening of the annular body.

[0056] In some embodiments, the insulating member may be made of at least one of heat-resistant plastic and ceramic.

[0057] In some embodiments, the electrocautery probe comprises a cylindrical void in the cannula lumen, the cylindrical void separating the cannula sidewall from the shaft portion of the stylet, and wherein the cylindrical void can optionally be at least partially filled with one of air and an insulating material.

[0058] In some embodiments, the seat may be thermally insulated from at least one of the cannula and the stylet.

[0059] As used herein, words of degree such as "generally" are relative modifiers intended to indicate permissible variations from the characteristic so modified. The word of degree does not mean it is limited to the absolute value or property it modifies, but rather has more of a physical or functional property than its opposite, and is close to or approximately such a physical or functional property.

[0060] Although the present invention has been described with respect to at least one embodiment, it can be further modified within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, this application is intended to cover any variation, use or modification of the present invention using its general principles. In addition, this application is intended to cover deviations from the present disclosure that belong to known or customary practices in the field to which the present invention belongs, and these deviations fall within the limitations of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A cauterization device, comprising: a handpiece configured to be grasped by a user, the handpiece comprising a housing, a thermal control circuit, and a control switch configured to selectively actuate the thermal control circuit; a cannula having a cannula lumen, a cannula sidewall surrounding the cannula lumen, a cannula proximal portion, and a cannula distal end, the cannula proximal portion coupled to the housing of the handpiece; a stylet having a shaft portion and a distal thermal conductor, the shaft portion and distal thermal conductor being formed as an integral structure of one-piece construction, wherein the stylet is formed from a biocompatible metal, the distal thermal conductor being electrically coupled to the thermal control circuit, the distal thermal conductor having a first end and a second end and having a tapered portion terminating distally at the second end, the shaft portion being at least partially positioned within the cannula lumen without contacting the cannula sidewall, at least a portion of a proximal shaft portion extending proximally from the cannula lumen to serve as a mechanical cantilever mounting support; an electric heating element embedded in the distal heat conductor of the stylet; a pair of electrodes extending through the cannula lumen, the pair of electrodes being thermally and electrically insulated from the cannula sidewall, the pair of electrodes being connected to the thermal control circuit and each of the electric heating elements in the distal heat conductor of the stylet to supply current to the electric heating elements to heat the electric heating elements; and an insulating member configured to thermally decouple the cannula distal end from the distal heat conductor of the stylet, the insulating member being interposed between and attached to the cannula distal end and the first end of the distal heat conductor of the stylet.

2. The cauterization device according to claim 1, wherein The shaft portion has a first diameter, and the distal thermal conductor has a second diameter greater than the first diameter.

3. The cauterization device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The pair of electrodes are mechanically coupled to one of an inner surface of the cannula sidewall or an outer surface of the shaft portion of the stylet.

4. The cauterization device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The insulating member is configured as an annular body defining an opening, wherein the shaft portion of the stylet is configured to be received through the opening of the annular body.

5. The cauterization device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The insulating member is made of at least one of heat-resistant plastic and ceramic.

6. The cauterization device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: A cylindrical void in the cannula lumen separates the cannula sidewall from the shaft portion of the stylet.

7. The cauterization device according to claim 6, wherein: The cylindrical void is filled with at least one of an insulating material and air.

8. The cauterization device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The cannula and the stylet are configured as an electrocautery probe, the electrocautery probe further comprising a hub connected to each of the cannula proximal portion and the shaft portion of the stylet, wherein the hub is removably connected to the handpiece.

9. The cautery device of claim 1 or 2, further comprising a thermocouple attached to the distal heat conductor of the stylet, the thermocouple electrically coupled to the thermal control circuit.

10. The cauterization device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The thermal control circuit is configured to maintain a temperature of the distal thermal conductor of the stylet within a range of 70 degrees Celsius to 120 degrees Celsius.

11. An electrocautery probe, comprising: seat; a cannula having a cannula lumen, a cannula sidewall surrounding the cannula lumen, a cannula proximal portion, and a cannula distal end, the cannula proximal portion coupled to the seat; a stylet having a shaft portion and a distal thermal conductor, the shaft portion and distal thermal conductor being formed as an integral structure of one-piece construction, wherein the stylet is formed from a biocompatible metal, the shaft portion being coupled to the seat, the distal thermal conductor having a first end and a second end and having a tapered portion terminating distally at the second end, the shaft portion being at least partially positioned within the cannula lumen without contacting the cannula sidewall, and at least a portion of a proximal shaft portion extending proximally from the cannula lumen to serve as a mechanical cantilever mounting support; an electric heating element embedded in the distal heat conductor of the stylet; a pair of electrodes extending from the seat and through the cannula lumen, the pair of electrodes being thermally and electrically insulated from the cannula sidewall, the pair of electrodes being connected to the electric heating element in the distal heat conductor of the stylet to supply current to the electric heating element to heat the electric heating element; and an insulating member interposed between and attached to the distal end of the cannula and the first end of the distal heat conductor of the stylet, the insulating member being configured to thermally decouple the distal end of the cannula from the distal heat conductor of the stylet.

12. The electrocautery probe according to claim 11, wherein The shaft portion has a first diameter, and the distal thermal conductor has a second diameter greater than the first diameter.

13. The electrocautery probe according to claim 11 or 12, wherein: The pair of electrodes are mechanically coupled to one of an inner surface of the cannula sidewall or an outer surface of the shaft portion of the stylet.

14. The electrocautery probe according to claim 11 or 12, wherein The insulating member is configured as an annular body defining an opening, wherein the shaft portion of the stylet is configured to be received through the opening of the annular body.

15. The electrocautery probe according to claim 11 or 12, wherein: The insulating member is made of at least one of heat-resistant plastic and ceramic.

16. The electrocautery probe according to claim 11 or 12, wherein: A cylindrical void in the cannula lumen separates the cannula sidewall from the shaft portion of the stylet, and wherein the cylindrical void is at least partially filled with one of air and an insulating material.

17. The electrocautery probe according to claim 11 or 12, wherein: The seat is thermally insulated from at least one of the cannula and the stylet.

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