Electrosurgical instrument with transponder, transponder communication system and method of manufacture

Abstract

The invention relates to an electrosurgical instrument (1), in particular an HF instrument, having an electrode arrangement, which has a first electrode (2) and a second electrode (4), in particular distally opposite one another, and having an insulating body (6), in which a transponder (8), preferably an RFID transponder, in particular preferably a glass transponder, is accommodated, the first electrode (2) and the second electrode (4) are connected to each other by means of an insulator (6), a transponder (8) accommodated in the insulator (6) is arranged between the first electrode (2) and the second electrode (4), in particular symmetrically and / or centrally arranged between the first and second electrodes (2, 4), and a transponder (8) accommodated in the insulator (6) is arranged between the first electrode (2) and the second electrode (4), in particular symmetrically and / or centrally arranged between the first electrode (2) and the second electrode (4). A baffle opening (10) is formed in the first electrode (2) and / or the second electrode (4) in the region of the transponder (6) such that the electrodes (2; 4) forms a signal-impermeable baffle (12) for electromagnetic waves, said baffle having a signal-permeable baffle opening (10). Furthermore, the present disclosure relates to a medical transponder communication system (101) according to the paratactic claims and a method of manufacture.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a medical electrosurgical instrument, in particular an HF instrument, particularly preferably a bipolar HF instrument, having a transponder adapted to receive and / or transmit electromagnetic waves, in particular data signals. The invention also relates to a medical transponder communication system / transponder system for communication or reading and / or writing of a transponder according to the preamble of the parallel claim and a production method, in particular an installation method. Background Art

[0002] From the prior art, known are (medical) marking elements with transponders or with RFID transponders or RFID tags, which are used in particular for attaching surgical instruments. With the aid of RFID transponders attached to surgical instruments, such instruments can be identified, tracked and managed. In particular, specific information of the instrument can be read.

[0003] For example, EP 3 193 284 A1 discloses a medical marking element for mounting surgical instruments, which can then be attached to the surgical instrument on the surface side. Here, the marking element has an annular metal frame with a non-conductive cover, and an RFID transponder / RFID tag is introduced into the inner cavity of the marking element. The outer side of the metal frame is attached to the surgical instrument in a predetermined position, especially by welding.

[0004] Especially in the field of electrosurgical high frequency (HF) instruments such as RF bipolar instruments, these instruments have a limited service life in terms of the use cycle and the preparation cycle in which the instrument can be inserted and can be used. These cycles must be strictly observed. In particular, a transponder is provided here. Through this transponder, a clear identification of the electrosurgical instrument can be carried out and the associated application cycle and preparation cycle can also be detected. In this way, the instrument can be detected, recorded and tracked to indicate the necessary replacement or overhaul of the personalized instrument. For example, a counter belonging to the instrument ID can be increased incrementally here and reset to zero again after replacement or overhaul if necessary.

[0005] However, a disadvantage of the prior art is that, due to the short (signaling) transmission range of the transponder, the transponder, in particular a passive transponder, must be arranged at a short distance from the reading device or the reading and writing device. This relates in particular to NFC (near field communication) RFID tags. For this reason, with conventional transponders / RFID tags, it is usually only possible to subsequently apply the RFID tag to an exposed and well-reachable outer surface of the medical instrument in order to keep the distance between the transponder and the reading device to a minimum. It should be noted here that the outer surface provided for this purpose is in such an instrument position that this instrument position only brings about small disadvantages in terms of instrument handling and nevertheless ensures sufficient transmission quality or sufficient reception at the same time. In addition, in the field of electrosurgical instruments, it is important to separate the RFID tag into current and voltage transmission components.

[0006] Furthermore, the transmission, receiving or sending power is decisively influenced by the components or structures surrounding the transponder. This also relates to the (signaling) reliability of the transmission of the transponder. However, in particular the maximum possible distance from the reading and / or writing device changes, so that, depending on the structure of the device and the position at which the RFID marking element is arranged, reading is no longer possible or at least not possible with sufficient reliability. The geometrical mounting conditions of the RFID marking element and therefore the RFID chip of the transponder have a significant influence on this maximum distance and vary from device to device, so that the marking elements according to the prior art cannot provide safe, reliable and predictable operation.

[0007] Therefore, when developing the design of a medical device, the surroundings of the RFID marking element and the RFID tag must always be taken into account and incorporated into the design, because only in this way can it be ultimately ensured that a corresponding suitable surrounding structure is present for the transponder. This makes the development of medical devices independent of transponders difficult. Since the approval of medical products is time-consuming and very expensive, this creates particularly high obstacles and corresponding adaptation challenges for existing and new medical products.

[0008] In addition to signal technology problems, the prior art also has the following disadvantages. Although such RFID marking elements are relatively small components, the marking elements with RFID transponders that are subsequently applied in the prior art form additional adhesion surfaces for contaminants and are also an obstacle in the operation of the medical device. In addition, RFID marking elements installed on the surface side can also form gaps and cracks, in which pathogens can be deposited. Due to the design of the marking elements and the installation on the medical instrument, irreversible installation, especially welding, is inevitable and makes the necessary replacement difficult when the transponder is damaged or is scheduled for replacement. In addition, marking elements installed on the outside always have the risk of tearing surgical gloves and patients and user injuries due to their sharp edges.

[0009] The production and installation of marking elements, in particular by means of welding, is very cumbersome and is completely impossible in some medical devices, because no suitable material is available for welding or because the provided mounting surface is unsuitable. In particular, parts of the housing or the holder of the RFID marking element must always be made of metal in order to be able to be mounted and welded, which limits the suitable materials that can be selected for the design. In addition, regulations are drawn from the approval of medical devices, which in particular require reproducible production and installation of RFID marking elements. Likewise, metal surfaces shield the RFID marking element and reduce the accessibility of the RFID marking element. Summary of the invention

[0010] Therefore, the task of the present invention is to eliminate or at least reduce the shortcomings of the prior art and in particular to provide an electrode device, a medical device with a transponder, a transponder communication system, and a manufacturing method, which ensure the reliability of signal technology communication and improve the reception or receiving power and / or transmission power of the transponder in particular in terms of the distance from the read and write device. In addition, the cleanability, sterilizability and good and reliable operation of the medical device and the transponder will also be improved. Similarly, the development, manufacture, installation, maintenance, repair and replacement of electrosurgical instruments should be improved. In the case of overhaul, the transponder can be quickly and simply replaced.

[0011] In other words, the object of the present invention is in particular to provide a medical electrosurgical instrument, in particular an HF instrument, which ensures good and reliable operation both in terms of instrument properties and data transmission properties of the transponder. Another object is preferably good cleanability and / or sterilizability of the medical electrosurgical instrument.

[0012] This object is achieved according to the invention with respect to a (medical) electrosurgical instrument of this type by the features of claim 1 , and with respect to a medical transponder communication system of this type by the features of claim 12 , and with respect to a production method by the features of claim 13 .

[0013] The basic idea of ​​the present disclosure can therefore be that in an electrosurgical instrument having at least two electrodes, an additional non-conductive (i.e., equipped with a very high resistance) insulator is provided, which accommodates a transponder and is connected to the electrodes in such a way that the transponder is arranged between the electrodes. The transponder is therefore on the one hand spaced apart from the electrodes by the insulator and is therefore electrically insulated, and on the other hand the transponder is moved back relative to the electrodes toward the surroundings. In at least one of the two electrodes, in particular in both electrodes, a through hole is integrated in the region of the transponder, thereby creating a baffle opening to the surroundings through the through hole. This facilitates the reading and writing capabilities of the transponder, which in this way cannot be read in a top view of the two electrodes, but can also be read from the direction in which the electrodes are arranged between the transponder and the transponder reading device.

[0014] Thus, in particular on the proximal region of at least two electrodes, a transponder mounted in an insulating body is integrated between the electrodes and, moreover, data transmission (readability) is significantly improved by the aperture in the shutter in at least one electrode.

[0015] In other words, it is proposed to accommodate a transponder, in particular an RFID tag, in particular a glass tag, in an HF device in a (respectively) proximal insulator between two opposing electrodes, preferably in the middle of the outer contour of the insulator. By means of corresponding geometric cutouts / openings in at least one electrode, in particular both electrodes, of the opposing electrodes in the region of the transponder (in particular the glass tag), the transponder can be read in all directions or 360°.

[0016] In other words, an electrosurgical instrument, in particular an HF instrument (with an electrode device), is provided, which has a first electrode and a second electrode, which are arranged opposite each other in particular on the distal side of the instrument. In addition, the instrument has an (electrical) insulator / insulating module of an electrically insulating structure, in which a transponder, preferably an RFID transponder, particularly preferably a glass transponder, is accommodated / insulated. The insulator connects the first and second electrodes to each other, wherein the transponder accommodated in the insulator is arranged between the first electrode and the second electrode, in particular symmetrically and / or centrally arranged between the first electrode and the second electrode, and in addition, a geometrical recess / opening / baffle opening is constructed in the first electrode and / or the second electrode in the region of the transponder or at the height of the transponder, so that the electrode structure is a baffle that is not transparent to signals of electromagnetic waves, and the baffle has a baffle opening that is transparent to signals.

[0017] Here, the transponder is accommodated in an insulator (electrical insulator) and fixed in position. Therefore, although the electrode is constructed to conduct current, for example, from metal, this material on the other hand makes the electrode impermeable to signals. By providing special geometrical recesses or baffle openings in the electrode, it is also possible to provide signal technology transmission towards the surrounding environment in the direction of the electrode, that is, in the extension of the straight line from the transponder to the electrode. If such a baffle opening is now provided in at least two electrodes, in particular in all electrodes, a 360° signal technology data transmission around the transponder is possible. In particular, the possible maximum distance to the reading device is even increased by the baffle opening. Therefore, a baffle with predefined geometric dimensions (for example, baffle opening) that is specific to the transponder arrangement is constructed directly in the electrode, and the geometric dimensions improve the reception of the transponder and in particular improve the possible distance from an external reading and / or writing device.

[0018] The transponder can thus also be integrated better and more flexibly into the electrosurgical instrument.

[0019] The insulator housing itself is in particular signal-permeable and preferably has no or only a small influence on the (signaling) reception of the transponder or on electromagnetic interactions. The insulator can be designed in particular for good cleanability and sterilizability and also for mounting or inserting medical instruments or mounting or inserting electrodes in the insulator.

[0020] In contrast, baffles or electrodes with baffle openings have or consist of a material that is impermeable to signals or at least to electromagnetic waves for a certain frequency range. Baffle openings have a significant influence on the electromagnetic interaction between the transponder and the surroundings and are especially designed and adapted for focusing and / or amplifying the electromagnetic signals or electromagnetic waves of the transponder.

[0021] By means of this design, the electrode arrangement of the electrosurgical instrument is optimally designed as a unit and the reception and transmission to the transponder or from the transponder to the surroundings is significantly improved. Thus, the communication between (transponder) reading and / or writing devices which can be arranged in the area of ​​the upper side or the surface of the instrument body is also improved, so that the design of the electrode arrangement itself also ensures safe and reliable reading and / or writing of the transponder over greater distances.

[0022] The term “in the region of the transponder” means approximately that the aperture of the screen is arranged at a similar height, viewed along the longitudinal axis of the instrument, in particular in the region of the electrode which is geometrically closest to the transponder.

[0023] It is emphasized here that the electrode arrangement having a first and a second electrode and an insulating body with a transponder is an independent invention and can be claimed independently or can be claimed separately and should be the subject of a separate application.

[0024] With the aid of a device with a transponder, for example, a preparation cycle with corresponding information related to a product can be detected and recorded and the knowledge obtained thereby can be further processed. Such a preparation cycle can include, for example, cleaning and / or sterilization and / or oiling. With the aid of a device with a transponder, the so-called tracking and life cycle management of medical devices / medical products, in particular medical devices, can be performed. This information is also used by the manufacturer in terms of evidence under complaint cases. In addition, the user can only perform maintenance on a medical device, in particular a medical device, equipped with a transponder when maintenance is required individually and no longer has to compulsorily consider predefined maintenance intervals. This is conducive to the availability and provision of medical devices, because the maintenance intervals can be extended individually.

[0025] Advantageous embodiments are claimed in the dependent claims and are explained in particular below.

[0026] According to one embodiment, the baffle opening of the electrode can be configured as an elongated or slit-shaped or elongated hole, in particular as an elongated hole. In particular, when the electrode extends in one direction in a tweezer-like manner and has a substantially sheet-shaped or plate-shaped basic structure, the baffle opening can be integrated into the electrode itself by introducing an elongated recess.

[0027] In one embodiment, the insulating body can have a thermoplastic, in particular polypropylene (PP) or polyethylene (PE) as material, in particular consist of it, preferably be a plastic injection molded part, in order to provide electrical insulation. Plastics are good electrical insulators and can be produced simply and cost-effectively. In addition, materials such as polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE) are biocompatible.

[0028] The insulating body can be designed in at least two parts and has a main body with a receptacle, in particular a recess, for accommodating the transponder, and also has a closing body, in particular in the form of a complementary cover or plug, which can be connected to the main body by form-locking and / or force-locking and tightly closes the receptacle relative to the surroundings, so that the transponder is accommodated in a fixed position and in a loss-proof manner. The at least two-part design allows simple production of the two bodies, insertion of the transponder into the (transponder) receptacle and simple closure of the receptacle with the inserted transponder in order to hold the transponder in a loss-proof manner and also to ensure the sterility of the usually non-sterile transponder relative to the surroundings.

[0029] In particular, the insulation can be designed to be sterile or sterilizable.

[0030] Preferably, the closing body can be connected to the main body by thermal deformation or ultrasonic welding. In this way, the closing body cannot fall off from the main body unintentionally and a tight seal of the transponder is further ensured.

[0031] According to one embodiment, the insulator can have two through-channels / through holes, especially slits, which extend symmetrically, especially parallel, about the longitudinal axis or symmetry plane of the insulator, into which the first electrode and the second electrode can be inserted or inserted respectively. The electrodes can protrude / extend / protrude from the insulator at the distal and proximal sides respectively and be held in the insulator in particular by an interference fit. By this design of the insulator, the insulator is configured as a connector for two electrodes. These electrodes are inserted into the through-holes and protrude not only at the distal side so that the patient's tissue can be manipulated, but also protrude from the insulator at the proximal side so as to be electrically connected accordingly. This design with two through-holes, especially slits, is an effective and cost-effective solution.

[0032] According to another embodiment, the insulator can have a constriction or a latching projection in the through-hole, in particular the slit, in particular a latching projection that is designed complementary to the baffle opening, so that the associated electrode is elastically held / fixed with the baffle opening by means of an elastic form fit through the latching projection (as a constriction). Therefore, if the baffle opening is integrated in the electrode and therefore there is a cutout or hole, so to speak, and the electrode is placed in the through-hole (after introduction), wherein the baffle opening is located in the region of the transponder, then the geometry of the baffle opening can be used in order to realize an elastic (and therefore also removable) retainer together with the complementary latching projection, which can however only be removed with a predefined force expenditure. Here, the latching projection extends into the baffle opening and is elastically prestressed. In particular, a ramp structure can be used as the latching structure in order to simplify the installation, but make the removal difficult. The electrode can thus be pushed relatively simply and easily into the through-hole of the insulating body, wherein the electrode slides into the ramp and, as soon as the ramp-shaped latching projection extends into the baffle opening, the latching projection forms an undercut, for example a vertical undercut, so that removal can only be carried out with the dismantling of the undercut, for example by elastically pulling the latching projection back from the baffle opening.

[0033] In particular, the insulator, in particular the insulator and the first electrode and the second electrode can be designed symmetrically to a plane of symmetry, so that the transponder is also arranged symmetrically between the first electrode and the second electrode.

[0034] It is further preferred that the baffle opening serving as a passage for electromagnetic waves or signals, in particular radio signals, is elongated or slot-shaped and has a (slot) width that corresponds to the product of the coil diameter (of the transponder, in particular the glass tag) and the ideality factor, wherein the ideality factor is in the range of 1.3 to 2.2, more preferably in the range of 1.6 to 1.9, and particularly preferably 1.75. In other words, the baffle opening parallel to the transponder, in particular the glass tag, has a width that is greater than the coil diameter and / or the width of the transponder, in particular the diameter of the glass tag.

[0035] It is further preferred that the elongated or slot-shaped baffle opening has a length which is -30% to +50% of the total length of the coil core, in particular the ferrite core, of the transponder, further preferably, a length of 0% to +30% of the total length of the ferrite core and particularly preferably a length of +15% of the total length of the ferrite core. In other words, the baffle opening parallel to the transponder, in particular the glass tag, has a length which is preferably greater than the length of the coil core, in particular the ferrite core, and / or the length of the transponder, in particular the glass tag.

[0036] The insulating body, in particular the upper side, can preferably have a color or be color-coded so that information is assigned to the insulating body and thus to the electrode arrangement or the medical instrument by color coding. Thus, in particular, an instrument system can also be provided which has an adapter kit for a medical instrument and a compatible transponder, respectively.

[0037] According to one embodiment, the transponder can have a cylindrical shape, in particular with rounded ends, with a transponder longitudinal axis, the flap opening of the flap is elongated or slot-shaped or slot-shaped and has a flap opening longitudinal axis, and the transponder longitudinal axis is parallel to the flap opening longitudinal axis, spaced apart from the flap opening longitudinal axis and in particular arranged symmetrically with respect to the flap opening longitudinal axis. The transponder is thus arranged symmetrically with respect to the flap opening of the electrode and can be read very well.

[0038] Preferably, the distance between the transponder and the shutter opening, in particular between the longitudinal axis of the transponder and the longitudinal axis of the shutter opening, can be minimum 2 mm and / or maximum 20 mm; and / or the shortest distance between the first electrode and the second electrode can be minimum 4 mm and / or maximum 40 mm.

[0039] In particular, the electrode is of planar or lamellar design, in particular planar / flat, and (in the region of the baffle opening) has a constant height (thickness) perpendicular to the baffle opening.

[0040] In particular, the electrodes can be made entirely of metal. Preferably, the electrodes are made of stainless steel. Metal is not transparent to electromagnetic waves. Stainless steel can be sterilized particularly well.

[0041] In particular, a cylindrical receptacle in the form of a recess can be formed in the insulating body, which recess has an opening towards the proximal side or the distal side in order to insert the transponder from the proximal side or the distal side.

[0042] Furthermore, the transponder can in particular be arranged spaced apart and set back relative to the flap opening.

[0043] In particular, the receptacle / recess in the insulating body can be precisely matched to the glass label as a transponder so that it cannot fall out and is held in a friction fit. Preferably, an interference fit of the transponder can be formed in the container of the insulating body, i.e., for example, the diameter of the receptacle is smaller than the diameter of the glass label. The transponder can be received in the receptacle of the insulating body in particular by means of an interference fit. The transponder and the insulating body are matched to each other in such a way that the transponder forms an interference fit in the inserted state.

[0044] In particular, the electrodes, in particular the first and second electrodes, can also form an interference fit with the insulating body. The electrodes and the insulating body are thus matched to one another in such a way that the electrodes form an interference fit in the inserted state.

[0045] In particular, the transponder can be assembled without tools into the insulating body, in particular also into the electrode, and / or can be inserted into a prepared receptacle (or through-hole) and removed without tools. The electrode arrangement can thus be assembled without tools.

[0046] In particular, the receptacle in the insulating body can be designed as a cylindrical recess or hole.

[0047] In particular, the width of the baffle opening (ie perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the electrode) can be at least 5 mm and / or at most 15 mm.

[0048] In particular, the distance between the transponder (from the receptacle of the transponder and therefore) and the through-hole into which the electrode is inserted can be at least 2 mm and / or at most 20 mm.

[0049] In particular, the insulator can be designed or manufactured as a plastic injection molding that does not require a mold. In particular, the insulator is based on the idea that, when in particular a signal-transmissive insulator is selected (e.g., with thermoplastics, thermosetting plastics, general plastics and / or silicone as material), the read and / or write distance is optimized by at least partially surrounding the electrode of the transponder as a metal shield / reflector / baffle with a baffle opening with a geometrically defined opening, which distances the transponder from the top side and therefore from the read and write device that can be arranged there.

[0050] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the insulator and / or the electrode are provided with a biocide in the region of the baffle opening, thereby further reducing the risk of bacterial formation.

[0051] Preferably, the transponder may be a passive RFID transponder.

[0052] Preferably, the transponder is an RFID transponder, particularly preferably a glass tag, for storing information belonging to a specific medical instrument. The RFID transponder is suitable for being personalized according to the requirements of a predefinable process. The RFID transponder or RFID tag has in particular:

[0053] A microchip, preferably having a size less than 2 mm,

[0054] an antenna, preferably in the form of a coil, particularly preferably with an internal rod-shaped ferrite core, around which the coil is wound, and

[0055] A housing, wherein the housing is preferably waterproof and / or airtight and preferably protects the electronics of the transponder from the surrounding environment.

[0056] According to further embodiments, the transponder can also be an active RFID transponder which has at least one energy source, preferably in the form of a battery, an accumulator and / or a capacitor.

[0057] Preferably, the transponder is configured and adapted to store at least one of the following information in encrypted or unencrypted form:

[0058] General status,

[0059] Service life / end of service life,

[0060] Maintenance intervals,

[0061] ·Performance and suitability for subsequent surgery,

[0062] Inadequate product maintenance and possible product damage,

[0063] Too high and too low temperatures and possible product damage,

[0064] Item number,

[0065] Serial number, and / or

[0066] ·client.

[0067] This makes it possible to detect and count the preparation cycles in a medical device, in particular in combination with an individualized mount, and to store this information in the medical device itself. In particular, it is possible to detect whether all necessary process steps have been followed and executed. The number of preparation cycles can in particular be a proportional measure to the aforementioned information.

[0068] Preferably, the transponder has a cylindrical shape with rounded ends. The shape of the transponder, in particular a glass label, is in particular pill-shaped.

[0069] The insulating body with the receptacle for the transponder can in particular be selectively left free / open to the outside or filled / closed with a signal-permeable material. In particular, the transponder itself can already be formed in the manner of a closure cap, so that when the transponder is inserted into the insulating body, the insulating body or the opening of the insulating body is closed to the outside (watertight / airtight) by the transponder itself.

[0070] Preferably, the transponder is arranged centrally relative to the flap opening, viewed from the surroundings in the direction of the extension of the two electrodes, and symmetrically to one another, so that the transponder is located in the middle of the flap opening and the reception is improved.

[0071] According to a preferred embodiment, the size of the glass label can be 2 mm in diameter and 12 mm in length. Alternatively, the size can preferably also be 3 mm in diameter and 13 mm in length, or preferably 4 mm in diameter and 22 mm in length.

[0072] Furthermore, the transponder can preferably use a frequency band in the range of 12 to 15 MHz, advantageously in the range of 13 to 14 MHz, further preferably in the range of 13.4 to 13.7 MHz and particularly preferably in the range of 13.56 MHz.

[0073] The task of the present disclosure is achieved according to the present invention in terms of a medical transponder system / transponder communication system in the following manner, that is, the medical transponder system / transponder communication system has a medical instrument according to the present disclosure with a transponder and a reading and / or writing device that can be coupled to the transponder in signal technology, the reading and / or writing device is particularly configured with an instrument support or is itself configured as an instrument support, the instrument support is suitable for holding or temporarily fixing the medical instrument with the transponder in a predetermined position and / or orientation relative to the reading and / or writing device, in which the signal transmission between the transponder and the reading and / or writing device can be realized. In other words, the medical instrument or medical device can be read and / or written by the reading and / or writing device, and the reading and / or writing device can be brought to a distance directly adjacent to the transponder, that is, especially less than one centimeter apart. In a medical instrument with an interface, for example, for air supply, current supply and / or data exchange, the reading device can be arranged in a coupleable adapter for a matching piece on the medical device.

[0074] The object of the present disclosure is achieved in a manufacturing method for an electrosurgical instrument (in particular for an instrument according to the present disclosure) by the steps of: manufacturing, in particular eliminating the need for a mold, an insulator having two through-holes and a receptacle for a transponder by plastic injection molding; introducing or providing a baffle opening in a first and / or second electrode; inserting the first electrode into the first through-hole and the second electrode into the second through-hole, inserting the transponder into the receptacle, and preferably closing the receptacle in order to seal the transponder in a loss-proof and in particular tightly manner.

[0075] According to a variant, the receptacle can be closed by bonding, casting, or the insulating body with the body having the receptacle can be closed by means of a separate closing body and the closing body can be fixedly connected to the body in a materially bonded manner by means of heat forming or ultrasonic welding. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0076] The present disclosure is explained below with reference to the accompanying drawings using preferred embodiments. It is shown:

[0077] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an electrosurgical HF instrument according to a first preferred embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0078] Figure 2 is a perspective longitudinal sectional view of an electrosurgical HF instrument according to another second preferred embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0079] Figure 3 and Figure 4 Shown separately Figure 2 Additional stereoscopic views of the device in;

[0080] Figure 5Show Figures 2 to 4 A front view of a longitudinal section of the device in FIG.

[0081] Figure 6 is a perspective and partially transparent view of an electrosurgical HF device according to a further third preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein the receiving portion is closed with a plug;

[0082] Figures 7 to 11 Various cross-sectional views showing an electrosurgical HF device according to a further fourth preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein the main body is connected to the closing body;

[0083] Figures 12 to 16 Various cross-sectional views of an electrosurgical HF instrument according to a further fifth preferred embodiment of the present disclosure are shown.

[0084] The accompanying drawings are schematic in nature and are only used to understand the present invention. The same elements are provided with the same reference numerals. The features of different embodiments can be replaced with each other. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0085] Figure 1 An electrosurgical instrument 1 according to a first preferred embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0086] An electrosurgical instrument 1 (hereinafter referred to simply as an instrument) is designed in the form of a bipolar HF instrument and has a first electrode 2 and a second electrode 4 disposed opposite each other at the distal end of the instrument. The instrument 1 also has an insulator 6 in which a transponder 8 in the form of a glass transponder is accommodated. The insulator 6 together with the electrodes 2, 4 and the transponder 8 forms an electrode arrangement 5 as a structural group for the instrument 1. This electrode arrangement can be coupled and decoupled from the instrument.

[0087] Here, the insulator connects the first electrode 2 and the second electrode 4 to each other and thus forms a type of geometric housing for the two electrodes 2, 4 and the transponder 8. Specifically, the transponder 8 accommodated in the insulator 6 is arranged symmetrically and centrally between the first electrode 2 and the second electrode 4 in terms of structure or geometry. It can also be said that on a straight line transverse to the longitudinal axis of the insulator 6, the first electrode 2, the transponder 8 and the second electrode 4 are arranged in this order and are specifically symmetrical to each other.

[0088] Very particularly, in this embodiment, in the area of ​​the transponder 8 or at the height of the transponder 8, a baffle opening 10 in the form of an elongated hole is constructed not only in the first electrode 2 but also in the second electrode 4, so that the electrodes 2, 4 construct a baffle 12 that is not transparent to signals of electromagnetic waves, and the baffle has a defined baffle opening 10 that is transparent to signals.

[0089] In this way, the transponders can be read out over 360° around the instrument 1 or the electrode arrangement 5 , respectively.

[0090] The HF device 1 therefore has a proximal insulator 6 on its electrode arrangement 5 (viewed in the longitudinal axis of the device), which is electrically insulating. The insulator 6 is designed in one piece in this embodiment and has two through-holes 20, 22 in the form of slots 24 for receiving or inserting the first and second electrodes 2, 4. The receptacles and the fixed connection of the electrodes 2, 4 to the insulator 6 are carried out by means of an interference fit (for a detailed view of the individual features, also refer to Figures 2 to 5 , Figures 2 to 5 Also most of the Figure 1 in the implementation mode).

[0091] The insulating body 6 (that is, the electrode device 5) is designed symmetrically to the plane of symmetry S. In the region of two opposing flap openings 10, a latching projection 26 is constructed complementary to the elongated hole and is embedded in the associated flap opening 10 in a form-fitting manner, the extension of the two flap openings being arranged centrally between the transponders 8. Since the insulating body 6 is manufactured as a (partially) elastic plastic (injection molded part), the latching projection 26 can also be (slightly) elastically deformed perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the electrode device or perpendicularly to the plane of symmetry. Therefore, when the latching projection 26 is inserted into the flap opening 10, the electrode can be pushed from the distal side to the proximal side into the insulating body in the assembled state (that is, with the inserted transponder 8 and the closure with the receptacle) into the through hole and latched elastically.

[0092] Figures 2 to 5 Various views of further embodiments of the electrosurgical instrument 1 of the present disclosure are shown.

[0093] The transponder 8 in the form of a glass transponder (glass tag as RFID transponder) is again centrally placed or arranged in a recess provided for this purpose (the recess forms a receiving portion 16) in the proximal insulating body 6. Due to this arrangement, the RFID (glass tag) transponder 8 is again exactly between the electrodes 2, 4, which extend out of the insulating body 6 on the proximal side as a connecting contact. By corresponding geometric recesses of the opposing electrodes in the region of the transponder 8 and in the proximal insulating body 6, the transponder 8 can be read in all directions or 360°. By the geometric design at the distance of the electrodes 2, 4 and by the possible definition of the baffle opening 10 or the recess on the electrodes 2, 4 as an elongated hole with a defined length and width, the signal strength or the distance to the read and write device can also be influenced. In particular, when using NFC technology as a transponder and a read / write device, very small read and write distances relative to the read and write device can be decisively increased thereby.

[0094] exist Figures 2 to 5In this embodiment, the insulating body 6 is designed in two parts in the form of a glass label in order to securely accommodate the transponder 8. Here, the insulating body 6 has a main body 14 with a receiving recess (in this embodiment as a simple hole) as a receiving portion 16, and the second closing body 18 acts as a type of complementary cover. Since the insulating body 6 is designed as a plastic injection molding without a mold in this embodiment, the receiving portion (recess) 16 for the transponder 8 can be directly provided.

[0095] The body 14 is coupled to the closing body 18 not only by a positive fit but also by an elastic non-positive fit (elastically designed insulating body 6). In addition, further through-holes 20, 22 are also formed in the closing body 18, which respectively contain the electrodes 2, 4 and thus also achieve a non-positive fit (similar to a one-piece insulating body, as shown in the following Figure 6 ). Thus, the assembly of the closing body 18 (in the form of a cover) and the main body 14 can be achieved by form-fitting and / or force-fitting, just as in the case of the one-piece insulating body 6 via the electrodes 2 , 4 .

[0096] If viewed in a direction perpendicular to the symmetry plane S, the mushroom-shaped transponder 8 is again in the alignment between two concentrically arranged baffle openings 10, so that a good reading mode is also obtained perpendicular to the symmetry plane S. Specifically, the slot (baffle opening 10) is designed with the same length and width dimensions as the mushroom-shaped transponder 8. As a result, the transponder 8 is arranged symmetrically and in the extension of the baffle opening 10 and set back, and the focusing of the electromagnetic radiation can be carried out with a corresponding improvement of the data connection.

[0097] In this embodiment, the closing body 18 is designed as a plate of the type with two slits 24 perpendicular to the plate, wherein the slits 24 have a funnel-shaped inlet 28 distally, i.e. in the direction in which the electrodes 2, 4 are introduced, for better introduction. In the middle between the two parallel slits 24, the plate has a cylindrical base with the same or slightly larger diameter (interference fit) than the cylindrical receptacle 16 of the body 14. In this way, the closing body 18 is held in a force-fitting manner (by friction or interference fit) when placed on the body 18 and the receptacle 16 is sealed from the surroundings. The insulating body can thus be sterilized with the transponder 8, for example.

[0098] In this embodiment, in addition to the symmetry plane S, there is even another second symmetry plane (perpendicular to the symmetry plane S) in the longitudinal cross-sectional direction, such as Figure 2 as shown in .

[0099] Furthermore, the body 14 has a step 30 in the distal direction as a type of stop, so that the electrodes 2, 4 can only be inserted up to this stop and no further insertion is allowed due to geometry (the electrodes cannot be accidentally pushed too far into the insulating body 6). This configuration with a stop 30 is also provided in the embodiment explained below.

[0100] Figure 6 A further embodiment of an electrosurgical instrument 1 is shown, which differs from the preceding embodiment substantially only in that the insulating body 6 is designed in one piece and is closed by adhesive (in contrast to the two-piece embodiment and not by a closing body). The insulating body 6 again has a recess in the middle as a receptacle 16 for a transponder 8, which is inserted from the proximal side. The receptacle 16 with the inserted transponder 8 is finally directly closed in a hermetically sealed (fluid-tight) manner by means of an adhesive or potting compound. Alternatively, a plug of some kind (as a closing body; not shown here) can also be inserted and connected to the insulating body (as a body) by thermal deformation or ultrasonic welding.

[0101] The data of the transponder 8 can be read and also written via the schematically shown transponder communication system 101 of the preferred embodiment. The transponder communication system has a read and / or write device (not shown here) which can be coupled to the transponder 8 of the medical device 1 in terms of signal technology, the read and / or write device being especially configured with an instrument holder or itself configured as an instrument holder, and the read and / or write device being adapted to hold or temporarily fix the medical device 1 together with the transponder in a predetermined position and / or orientation relative to the read and / or write device, in which position and / or orientation a signal transmission between the transponder 8 and the read and / or write device is possible.

[0102] Figures 7 to 11 Different views of a further embodiment of a medical device 1 are shown, which has a two-part insulating body 6 in which a transponder 8 is accommodated.

[0103] Figures 12 to 16 A further embodiment of an electrosurgical instrument 1 according to the disclosure is shown. In this embodiment, the insulating body is again designed in one piece and is adhesively bonded at the end, so that the transponder 8 is hermetically enclosed in the insulating body 6 and enclosed in a fluid-tight manner relative to the surroundings.

[0104] According to a preferred method of manufacturing an electrosurgical instrument according to the present disclosure, the instrument is manufactured and installed by means of the following steps.

[0105] By plastic injection molding without a mold, S1 is provided, in particular a two-part insulating body 6 is produced and provided, which has two through-holes 20 , 22 for the electrodes 2 , 4 and a receptacle 16 for the transponder 8 .

[0106] Thereafter, a step of inserting / creating or providing S2 shutter openings 10 is performed in the first electrode 2 and the second electrode 4 of the instrument 1 .

[0107] In the next step, inserting S3 the first electrode 2 into the first through hole 20 and inserting the second electrode 4 into the second through hole 22 is performed.

[0108] Finally, in an insertion step S4, the transponder 8 is inserted into the receptacle 16 and the receptacle 16 is closed by means of an adhesive or by means of a sealing body in order to accommodate the transponder 8 in a loss-proof manner, fix it in its position, in particular in its position relative to the two baffle openings 10 of the electrodes 2, 4 and seal it tightly in order to ensure sterility.

[0109] Reference numerals list

[0110] 1 Electrosurgical instruments

[0111] 2. First electrode

[0112] 4 Second electrode

[0113] 5 Electrode device

[0114] 6 Insulator

[0115] 8 Transponder / Glass Tag

[0116] 10 Baffle opening

[0117] 12 Baffle

[0118] 14 Main Body

[0119] 16 Accommodation

[0120] 18 closed body

[0121] 20 First through hole

[0122] 22 Second through hole

[0123] 24 Gap

[0124] 26 Locking protrusion

[0125] 28 Funnel-shaped entrance

[0126] 30 steps

[0127] 101 Transponder Communication System

[0128] S Symmetry plane

[0129] L Longitudinal axis

[0130] B Longitudinal axis of baffle opening

[0131] S1 Steps to make an insulator

[0132] S2 Insert the baffle opening in the electrode

[0133] S3 Insert electrode in through hole

[0134] S4 Insert transponder.

Claims

1. An electrosurgical instrument (1), in particular an HF instrument, having an electrode arrangement (5), which has a first electrode (2) and a second electrode (4) which are arranged opposite each other, in particular distally, and an insulator (6) in which a transponder (8), preferably an RFID transponder, particularly preferably a glass transponder, is accommodated and which connects the first electrode (2) and the second electrode (4) to one another, in, The transponder (8) accommodated in the insulating body (6) is arranged between the first electrode (2) and the second electrode (4), in particular symmetrically and / or centrally between the first electrode and the second electrode (2, 4), and A baffle opening (10) is formed in the first electrode (2) and / or the second electrode (4) in the region of the transponder (8), so that the electrode (2; 4) forms a baffle (12) that is opaque to electromagnetic waves and has a baffle opening (10) that is permeable to signals.

2. The electrosurgical instrument (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The baffle opening (10) of the electrode (2; 4) is designed to be elongated or slot-shaped or slot-shaped, in particular as a slot.

3. The electrosurgical instrument (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The insulating body (6) comprises a thermoplastic, in particular polypropylene (PP), as material, in particular consists of the thermoplastic, in particular polypropylene, and is preferably designed as a plastic injection-molded part in order to provide electrical insulation.

4. An electrosurgical instrument (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The insulating body (6) is constructed in at least two parts and has a main body (14) with a receptacle (16), in particular a recess, for accommodating the transponder (8), and also has a closing body (18) which can be connected to the main body (14) by form-fitting and / or force-fitting and tightly closes the receptacle (16) so that the transponder (8) is accommodated in a loss-proof manner.

5. The electrosurgical instrument (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that: The closure body (18) is connected to the main body (14) in a material-locking manner by means of heat deformation or ultrasonic welding to provide a permanent fixation and a tight seal.

6. An electrosurgical instrument (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The insulating body (6) has two through-holes (20, 22), in particular slots (24), extending symmetrically and in particular parallel to a longitudinal axis of the insulating body, into which the first electrode (2) and the second electrode (4) are respectively inserted and which protrude from the insulating body (6) at the distal side and the proximal side and are held in the insulating body (6) in particular by an interference fit.

7. The electrosurgical instrument (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that The insulator (6) has a constriction or a latching projection (26) in the through-hole (20, 22), in particular in the gap (24), in particular a latching projection (26) which is complementary to the baffle opening (10), so that the associated electrode (2; 4) is held by the latching projection (26) with the aid of an elastic form fit with the baffle opening (10).

8. An electrosurgical instrument (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The insulator (6), in particular the insulator (6) and the first and second electrodes (2, 4), are designed symmetrically to a symmetry plane (S), so that the transponder (8) is also arranged symmetrically between the first and second electrodes (2, 4).

9. An electrosurgical instrument (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The transponder (8) has a cylindrical shape, in particular with rounded ends, with a transponder longitudinal axis (L), The baffle opening (10) of the electrode (2; 4) is of elongated or slot-shaped or slot-shaped design and has a baffle opening longitudinal axis (B), and The transponder longitudinal axis (L) is parallel to the flap opening longitudinal axis (B), is spaced apart from the flap opening longitudinal axis and is, in particular, arranged symmetrically with respect to the flap opening longitudinal axis.

10. An electrosurgical instrument (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The distance between the transponder (8) and the baffle opening (10), in particular between the longitudinal axis (L) of the transponder and the longitudinal axis (B) of the baffle opening, is at least 2 mm and / or at most 20 mm; and / or The shortest distance between the first electrode (2) and the second electrode (4) is at least 4 mm and / or at most 40 mm.

11. An electrosurgical instrument (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that A cylindrical receptacle in the form of a recess is formed in the insulating body (6), which receptacle has an opening in the proximal and / or distal direction in order to insert the transponder from the proximal side or from the distal side.

12. A medical transponder communication system (101), comprising a medical device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11 and a reading and / or writing device that can be coupled to the transponder (8) of the medical device (1) in terms of signal technology, the reading and / or writing device being in particular constructed with an instrument holder or being itself constructed as an instrument holder, the instrument holder being suitable for holding or temporarily fixing the medical device (1) having the transponder in a predetermined position and / or orientation relative to the reading and / or writing device, in which position and / or orientation signal transmission between the transponder (8) and the reading and / or writing device can be achieved.

13. A method for manufacturing an electrosurgical instrument, in particular an instrument (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized by the steps of: Producing (S1), in particular without a mold, a plastic injection-molded insulating body (6) having two through-holes (20, 22) for at least a first and a second electrode (2, 4) and a receptacle (16) for a transponder (8); Inserting or providing (S2) a baffle opening (10) in the first electrode (2) and / or the second electrode (4) of the device (1); inserting (S3) the first electrode (2) into the first through hole (20) and inserting the second electrode (4) into the second through hole (22), The transponder (8) is inserted (S4) into the receptacle (16) and the receptacle (16) is preferably closed in order to securely receive the transponder (8), in particular to hermetically seal it.

14. The manufacturing method according to claim 13, characterized in that: The closing of the receiving portion is performed by gluing, casting, or The insulating body (6) is closed with the body (14) having the receptacle (16) by means of a separate closing body (18), and the closing body (18) is fixedly connected to the body (14) in a materially bonded manner, in particular by means of heat forming or ultrasonic welding.

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