Electrosurgical instruments, medical transponder communication systems and manufacturing methods

Abstract

This disclosure relates to an electrosurgical instrument, particularly an HF instrument, having an electrode assembly having a first electrode and a second electrode, particularly distally opposed to each other, and the electrosurgical instrument having an insulator housing a transponder, preferably an RFID transponder, particularly preferably a glass transponder, and the insulator connecting the first and second electrodes to each other, wherein the transponder housed in the insulator is arranged between the first and second electrodes, particularly symmetrically and / or centrally between the first and second electrodes, and a baffle opening is constructed in the region of the transponder in the first and / or second electrodes such that the electrode configuration is such that the baffle is impermeable to electromagnetic waves, the baffle having a baffle opening through which signals can pass. Furthermore, this disclosure relates to a medical transponder communication system and a method of manufacturing.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a medical electrosurgical instrument, particularly an HF instrument, and especially preferably a bipolar HF instrument, having a transponder adapted to receive and / or transmit electromagnetic waves, particularly data signals. Furthermore, the invention also relates to a medical transponder communication system / transponder system for communication or reading and / or writing of the transponder, as well as methods of manufacturing, particularly installation methods. Background Technology

[0002] Structures with transponders or (medical) tagging elements with RFID transponders or RFID tags are known from the prior art, and they are particularly used for mounting surgical instruments. Such instruments can be identified, tracked, and managed by means of RFID transponders attached to them. In particular, specific information about the instrument can be read.

[0003] For example, EP 3 193 284A1 discloses a medical marking element for mounting surgical instruments, which can then be attached to the surgical instruments 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 cavity of the marking element. The outer side of the metal frame is here attached to the surgical instruments at a predetermined location, particularly by welding.

[0004] Especially in the field of high-frequency (HF) electrosurgical instruments such as RF bipolar instruments, these instruments have a limited lifespan in terms of usage cycles and preparation cycles during which they can be inserted and used. These cycles must be strictly adhered to. A transponder is specifically provided here. This transponder allows for the clear identification of electrosurgical instruments and, consequently, the detection of their respective application and preparation cycles. In this way, instruments can be detected, recorded, and tracked to indicate necessary replacement or servicing of individual instruments. For example, a counter belonging to the instrument ID can be incrementally increased and reset to zero if necessary after replacement or servicing.

[0005] However, a drawback of existing technologies is that, due to the short transmission range of transponders (signal technology), transponders, especially passive transponders, must be positioned at a small distance from the reading or reading / writing device. This is particularly relevant to NFC (Near Field Communication) RFID tags. For this reason, in common transponder / RFID tags, it is generally only possible to subsequently apply the RFID tag to an exposed and easily accessible outer surface of the medical device in order to keep the distance between the transponder and the reading device to a minimum. It is important to note that the outer surface is positioned in a device location that introduces only minor disadvantages in terms of device operation while still ensuring sufficient transmission quality or adequate reception. Furthermore, in the field of electrosurgical instruments, it is important to separate the RFID tag into current and voltage transmission components.

[0006] Furthermore, the power of transmission, reception, or sending is decisively affected by the components or structure surrounding the transponder. This also relates to the (signal technology) reliability of the transponder's transmission. However, especially with changes in the maximum possible distance of the reading and / or writing devices, reading becomes no longer possible, or at least not entirely reliable, depending on the device's structure and the location of the RFID tag element. The geometric mounting of the RFID tag element, and therefore the RFID chip of the transponder, has a significant impact on this maximum distance and varies between devices, thus the tag elements according to the prior art cannot provide safe, reliable, and predictable operation.

[0007] Therefore, in the design and development of medical devices, the RFID tagging element and its surrounding environment must always be considered and incorporated into the design, as this ensures the existence of a suitable surrounding structure for the transponder. This makes the development of medical devices independent of the transponder difficult. Because the approval process for medical products is time-consuming and very expensive, this presents particularly high barriers and corresponding adaptation challenges for both existing and new medical products.

[0008] Besides signal technology issues, the existing technology also suffers from the following drawbacks. Although such RFID tagging elements are relatively small components, the subsequent application of tagging elements with RFID transponders in the existing technology creates additional adhesion surfaces for contaminants and further obstructs the operation of medical devices. Furthermore, surface-mounted RFID tagging elements can create gaps and cracks where pathogens may accumulate. Due to the design of the tagging elements and their placement on medical devices, irreversible installation, especially welding, is unavoidable, making necessary replacements difficult when the transponder is damaged or scheduled for replacement. Moreover, externally mounted tagging elements always pose a risk of tearing of surgical gloves and patients, as well as user injury, due to their sharp edges.

[0009] The manufacture and installation of RFID tag elements, especially those using welding, is extremely cumbersome and completely impossible in some medical devices due to the lack of suitable materials for welding or unsuitable mounting surfaces. In particular, the housing or retainer components of RFID tag elements must always be made of metal to allow for mounting and welding, limiting the available materials for the design. Furthermore, medical device approval regulations specifically require the reproducibility and ease of installation of RFID tag elements. Similarly, metal surfaces can shield RFID tag elements and reduce their accessibility. Summary of the Invention

[0010] Therefore, the object of this invention is to eliminate or at least reduce the disadvantages of the prior art and, in particular, to provide electrode devices, medical devices with transponders, transponder communication systems, and manufacturing methods that ensure the reliability of signal communication and, particularly, improve the receiving or receiving power and / or transmitting power of the transponder in terms of distance from reading and writing devices. Furthermore, the cleanability, sterilizability, and good and reliable operation of the medical devices and transponders should be improved. Similarly, the development, manufacture, installation, maintenance, repair, and replacement of electrosurgical instruments should be improved. Transponders should be able to be replaced quickly and easily during maintenance.

[0011] In other words, the objective of this invention is particularly to provide a medical electrosurgical instrument, especially an HF instrument, which ensures good and reliable operation in terms of both instrument characteristics and transponder data transmission characteristics. A further objective is preferably the good cleanability and / or sterilizability of the medical electrosurgical instrument.

[0012] The present invention addresses this task in terms of this type of (medical) electrosurgical instrument, this type of medical transponder communication system, and the method of manufacture.

[0013] Therefore, the basic concept of this disclosure lies in providing an additional non-conductive (i.e., equipped with very high resistance) insulator within an electrosurgical instrument having at least two electrodes. This insulator houses a transponder and is connected to the electrodes such that the transponder is arranged between the electrodes. Thus, the transponder is spaced apart from and therefore electrically insulated from the electrodes by the insulator, and on the other hand, the transponder is retracted relative to the electrodes toward the surrounding environment. In at least one of the two electrodes, particularly in both electrodes, a through-hole is integrated in the region of the transponder, thereby creating a baffle opening to the surrounding environment. This facilitates the read and write capability 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] Therefore, in the region particularly close to the two electrodes, a transponder supported in an insulator is integrated between the electrodes, and data transmission (read capability) is significantly improved through a baffle opening in at least one electrode.

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

[0016] In other words, an electrosurgical instrument, particularly an HF instrument (with an electrode assembly), is provided, having a first electrode and a second electrode, the first and second electrodes being positioned distally opposite each other on the instrument. Furthermore, the instrument has an electrically insulating structure comprising an (electrically)insulator / insulator module in which a transponder, preferably an RFID transponder, and particularly preferably a glass transponder, is housed / inserted. The insulator connects the first and second electrodes to each other, wherein the transponder housed within the insulator is arranged between the first and second electrodes, particularly symmetrically and / or centrally between the first and second electrodes, and furthermore, geometrical openings / gap openings are constructed in the region of the transponder or at the height of the transponder in the first and / or second electrodes, such that the electrode configuration provides a signal-blocking barrier against electromagnetic waves, the barrier having a signal-transmitting opening.

[0017] Here, the transponder is housed within an insulator (electrical insulator) and its position is fixed. Therefore, while the electrodes are constructed of metal, for example, to conduct current, this material also prevents signals from passing through. By providing specific geometrical openings or baffles in the electrodes, signal transmission towards the surrounding environment can also be provided in the direction of the electrodes, i.e., in the extension of the straight line from the transponder to the electrode. If such baffles are now provided in at least two electrodes, and especially in all electrodes, 360° signal transmission around the transponder is possible. The baffles, in particular, increase the maximum possible distance to the reading device. Therefore, baffles with predefined geometric dimensions (e.g., baffle openings), specific to the transponder arrangement, are directly constructed within the electrodes, improving transponder reception and, in particular, improving the possible distance to external reading and / or writing devices.

[0018] Therefore, transponders can be better and more flexibly integrated into electrosurgical instruments.

[0019] The insulator housing itself is particularly permeable to signals and preferably has little or no effect on the (signal-technical) reception of the transponder or on electromagnetic interactions. The insulator can be designed, in particular, for good cleanability and sterilizability, and further for mounting or insertion into medical devices or for electrode mounting or insertion into the insulator.

[0020] In stark contrast are baffles or electrodes with baffle openings, which are made of or constructed of materials that do not allow signals to pass through, or at least materials that do not allow electromagnetic waves to pass through for a defined frequency range. The baffle openings have a significant impact on the electromagnetic interaction between the transponder and its surroundings and are particularly designed and adapted for focusing and / or amplifying electromagnetic signals or waves from the transponder.

[0021] With this structure, the electrode device of the electrosurgical instrument is optimally designed as a single unit, and the reception and transmission to and from the transponder to the surrounding environment are significantly improved. This also improves communication between the transponder reading and / or writing devices in areas that can be arranged on the upper side or the surface of the instrument body, thereby ensuring safe and reliable reading and / or writing to the transponder over greater distances through the design of the electrode device itself.

[0022] The term "in the transponder's area" roughly means that, viewed along the longitudinal axis of the instrument, at a similar height, especially in the area where the electrodes are geometrically closest to the transponder, a baffle opening is provided.

[0023] It is emphasized here that the electrode device having first and second electrodes and an insulator with a transponder is an independent invention and is subject to independent or separate claims and should be the subject of a separate application.

[0024] Devices equipped with transponders can, for example, detect, record, and further process product-related preparation cycles with corresponding information. Such preparation cycles may include, for example, cleaning and / or sterilization and / or oiling. Devices with transponders enable so-called tracking and lifecycle management of medical devices / products, especially medical devices. This information is also used by manufacturers as evidence in complaint cases. Furthermore, users can perform maintenance on transponder-equipped medical devices, especially medical devices, only when individual maintenance is required, eliminating the need to adhere to predefined maintenance intervals. This improves the availability and supply of medical devices, as maintenance intervals can be extended individually.

[0025] Advantageous implementation methods are described below.

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

[0027] In one embodiment, the insulator can be made of thermoplastic plastics, particularly polypropylene (PP) or polyethylene (PE), especially as a plastic injection molded part, to provide electrical insulation. Plastics are good electrical insulators and can be manufactured simply and inexpensively. Furthermore, materials such as polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE) are biocompatible.

[0028] The insulator can be constructed in particular as at least two pieces, having a body with a receiving portion, particularly an empty portion, for accommodating a transponder, and also having a closure, particularly a complementary cap or plug type, which can be connected to the body by form-locking and / or force-locking and tightly seal the receiving portion relative to the surrounding environment, thereby accommodating the transponder in a fixed position and preventing loss. The at least two-piece design allows for the simple manufacture of two bodies, inserting the transponder into the receiving portion and simply closing the receiving portion with the inserted transponder, thus retaining the transponder preventing loss and further ensuring the sterility of the normally unsterilized transponder relative to the surrounding environment.

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

[0030] Preferably, the enclosure can be securely connected to the body material by means of heat deformation or ultrasonic welding. In this way, the enclosure will not accidentally detach from the body, and further ensures a tight seal of the transponder.

[0031] According to one embodiment, the insulator may have two through-channels / holes, or slits, extending particularly parallel to each other, especially about the longitudinal axis or plane of symmetry of the insulator, into which a first electrode and a second electrode can be inserted, respectively. The electrodes may protrude / extend / bulge from the insulator on the distal and proximal sides, respectively, and are held within the insulator, particularly by an interference fit. With this design, the insulator is configured as a connector for two electrodes. These electrodes are inserted into the through-holes and protrude not only distally to allow manipulation of the patient's tissue, but also protrude proximally from the insulator for corresponding electrical connection. This design with two through-holes, or slits, is an effective and cost-effective solution.

[0032] According to another embodiment, the insulator may have a narrowing or locking protrusion in the through-hole, particularly a slit, especially a locking protrusion constructed complementary to the baffle opening, so that the associated electrode and the baffle opening are elastically held / fixed by means of the locking protrusion (as a narrowing) through elastic shape locking. Therefore, if the baffle opening is integrated into the electrode and thus can be said to have a gap or hole, and the electrode (after introduction) is placed in the through-hole, wherein the baffle opening is located in the transponder region, then the geometry of the baffle opening can be used to achieve an elastic (and therefore removable) retainer together with the complementary locking protrusion; however, the retainer can only be removed with a predefined force. Here, the locking protrusion extends into the baffle opening and is elastically pre-tightened. A ramp structure can be used in particular as the locking structure to simplify installation, however making disassembly difficult. Therefore, the electrode can be relatively easily and readily pushed into the through-hole of the insulator, wherein the electrode slides into the ramp, and once the ramp-shaped locking protrusion extends into the baffle opening, the locking protrusion forms a lateral concave, such as a vertical lateral concave, so that disassembly can only be performed as the lateral concave is disassembled, for example by elastically pulling the locking protrusion back from the baffle opening.

[0033] In particular, the insulator, and especially the insulator and the first and second electrodes, can be constructed symmetrically with respect to the plane of symmetry, such that the transponder is also symmetrically arranged between the first and second electrodes.

[0034] Further preferably, the baffle opening serving as a channel for electromagnetic waves or signals, especially radio signals, is configured to be elongated or slit-shaped and has a width corresponding to the product of the coil diameter (of the transponder, especially the glass tag) and an 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, especially the glass tag, has a width greater than the coil diameter and / or width of the transponder, especially the diameter of the glass tag.

[0035] More preferably, the elongated or slit-shaped baffle opening has a length that is -30% to +50% of the total length of the transponder's coil core, especially the ferrite core; more preferably, it is 0% to +30% of the total length of the ferrite core; and particularly preferably, it is +15% of the total length of the ferrite core. In other words, the baffle opening parallel to the transponder, especially the glass tag, has a length that is preferably greater than the length of the coil core, especially the ferrite core, and / or the length of the transponder, especially the glass tag.

[0036] The insulator, particularly the upper side, can preferably be colored or marked with color, so that information can be assigned to the insulator and thus to the electrode device or medical device through color coding. Therefore, it is also possible to provide device systems with compatible components, including both medical devices and compatible transponders.

[0037] According to one embodiment, the transponder may have a cylindrical shape with a longitudinal axis, particularly with rounded ends. The baffle opening is constructed elongatedly, slit-shaped, or perforated and has a longitudinal axis. The transponder longitudinal axis is parallel to, spaced apart from, and particularly symmetrically arranged about the longitudinal axis. Therefore, the transponder is symmetrically arranged with respect to the baffle opening of the electrode and can be read very well.

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

[0039] In particular, the electrodes are configured to be planar or sheet-like, especially planar / flat, and have a constant height (thickness) perpendicular to the baffle opening (in the region of the baffle opening).

[0040] In particular, the electrodes can be made entirely of metal. Preferably, the electrodes are made of stainless steel. Metals are impermeable to electromagnetic waves. Stainless steel is particularly effective at sterilization.

[0041] In particular, a cylindrical receiving portion in the form of a void can be constructed in the insulator, which has an opening facing the proximal or distal side so as to insert the transponder from the proximal or distal side.

[0042] Furthermore, the transponder can be arranged in a spaced-apart and retracted manner relative to the baffle opening.

[0043] In particular, the receiving portion / reservoir in the insulator can be precisely matched with the glass tag serving as the transponder, preventing it from falling off and maintaining it with a friction fit. Preferably, the interference fit of the transponder can be constructed within the container of the insulator, i.e., the diameter of the receiving portion is smaller than the diameter of the glass tag. The transponder can be received within the receiving portion of the insulator, particularly by means of an interference fit. The transponder and the insulator are thus coordinated to each other such that the transponder is configured with an interference fit in the inserted state.

[0044] In particular, the electrodes, especially the first and second electrodes, can also be configured with an interference fit with the insulator. The electrodes and the insulator are thus coordinated to ensure that the electrodes are configured with an interference fit in the inserted state.

[0045] In particular, the transponder can be assembled into the insulator without tools, and especially also into the electrode, and / or can be inserted into a prepared receiving portion (or through hole) without tools and can be removed. Therefore, the electrode assembly can be installed without tools.

[0046] In particular, the receiving portion in the insulator can be designed as a cylindrical opening or a hole.

[0047] In particular, the width of the baffle opening (i.e., perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the electrode) can be a minimum of 5 mm and / or a maximum of 15 mm.

[0048] (With respect to the receiver of the transponder and therefore) the distance between the transponder and the through-hole into which the electrode is inserted can be a minimum of 2 mm and / or a maximum of 20 mm.

[0049] In particular, the insulator can be constructed or manufactured as a plastic injection molded part that eliminates the need for a mold. In particular, the insulator is based on the idea that, when an insulator that is particularly capable of transmitting signals (e.g., having thermoplastic, thermosetting, general plastic and / or silicone as the material) is selected, the read and / or write distance is optimized by geometrically defining the opening of the electrode surrounding the transponder as a metal shield / reflector / baffle with a baffle opening, which spaces the transponder from the upper side and thus from the read and write device that can be arranged there.

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

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

[0052] Preferably, the transponder is an RFID transponder, and more preferably a glass tag, for storing information belonging to a specific medical device. This RFID transponder is suitable for personalization according to the requirements of a predefined process. The RFID transponder or RFID tag particularly possesses:

[0053] • Microchip, preferably with a size of less than 2 mm,

[0054] The antenna, preferably in the form of a coil, is particularly preferred to have an internal rod-shaped ferrite core around which the coil is wound.

[0055] • An outer cover, wherein the outer cover is preferably waterproof and / or airtight, and preferably protects the electronic components of the transponder from the surrounding environment.

[0056] According to another embodiment, the transponder may also be an active RFID transponder, which has at least one power source, preferably in the form of a battery, a storage battery, and / or a capacitor.

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

[0058] • Normal state

[0059] • Service life / end of service life

[0060] Maintenance interval,

[0061] • Performance and applicability of subsequent surgeries

[0062] Inadequate product maintenance and potential product damage.

[0063] • Excessive heat or cold, and potential product damage.

[0064] Item number,

[0065] • Serial number, and / or

[0066] ·client.

[0067] Therefore, it is possible, in medical devices, especially when combined with personalized support, to detect, count, and store this information within the medical device itself. In particular, this allows for the verification of whether all necessary process steps have been followed and performed. The number of preparation cycles can, in particular, be a proportional measure of the aforementioned information.

[0068] Preferably, the transponder has a cylindrical shape with rounded ends. The shape of the transponder, especially the glass tag, is particularly round.

[0069] The insulator having a housing for the transponder can be selectively left free / open or filled / sealed with a material that allows signal transmission. In particular, the transponder itself can be molded as a sealed enclosure such that when the transponder is inserted into the insulator, the insulator or the opening of the insulator is sealed outward (watertight / airtight) by the transponder itself.

[0070] Preferably, the transponder is centered and symmetrically arranged relative to the baffle opening when viewed from the surrounding environment towards the extensions of the two electrodes. This positions the transponder in the middle of the baffle opening and improves reception.

[0071] According to a preferred embodiment, the glass label may have a diameter of 2 mm and a length of 12 mm. Alternatively, the dimensions may preferably be a diameter of 3 mm and a length of 13 mm, or more preferably a diameter of 4 mm and a length of 22 mm.

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

[0073] The objective of this disclosure is achieved according to the invention in the aspect of a medical transponder system / transponder communication system, wherein the medical transponder system / transponder communication system has a medical device according to the present disclosure with a transponder and a reading and / or writing device that can be signal-technically coupled to the transponder, the reading and / or writing device being particularly constructed with an instrument holder or itself constructed as an instrument holder, the instrument holder being adapted to hold or temporarily fix the medical device with the transponder relative to the reading and / or writing device in a predetermined position and / or orientation in which signal transmission between the transponder and the reading and / or writing device can be realized. In other words, the medical device or medical apparatus can be read and / or written by the reading and / or writing device, which can be brought directly adjacent to the transponder, i.e., particularly at a distance of less than one centimeter. In medical devices having interfaces for, for example, air supply, current supply and / or data exchange, the reading device can be mounted in a couplerable adapter for mating parts on the medical device.

[0074] The object of this disclosure is solved by the steps of a method for manufacturing an electrosurgical instrument (particularly an instrument according to this disclosure) by: manufacturing, particularly without molds, an insulator having two through holes and a receiving portion for a transponder by plastic injection molding; introducing or providing baffle openings in the first and / or second electrodes; inserting the first electrode into the first through hole and the second electrode into the second through hole; inserting the transponder into the receiving portion, and preferably sealing the receiving portion to securely and particularly tightly seal the transponder against loss.

[0075] According to the variant, the closure of the housing can be performed by bonding, casting, or the insulator can be closed by means of a separate closure body using the body having the housing, and the closure body is particularly material-lockingly connected to the body by means of heat deformation or ultrasonic welding. Attached Figure Description

[0076] The present disclosure will now be explained with reference to the accompanying drawings and preferred embodiments. It is shown that:

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

[0078] Figure 2This 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 Show respectively Figure 2 Another perspective view of the instrument;

[0080] Figure 5 Show Figures 2 to 4 A front view of the longitudinal section of the instrument in the image;

[0081] Figure 6 This is a three-dimensional and partially transparent view of an electrosurgical HF instrument according to another third preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein the receiving portion is closed by a plug.

[0082] Figures 7 to 11 Various cross-sectional views of an electrosurgical HF instrument according to a further fourth preferred embodiment of the present disclosure are shown, wherein the main body is connected to the closure 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] Wherein: 1-Electrosurgical instrument; 2-First electrode; 4-Second electrode; 5-Electrode assembly; 6-Insulator; 8-Transponder / Glass tag; 10-Baffle opening; 12-Baffle; 14-Main body; 16-Receiving part; 18-Enclosure; 20-First through hole; 22-Second through hole; 24-Gap; 26-Locking protrusion; 28-Funnel-shaped entrance; 30-Step; 101-Transponder communication system; S-Plane of symmetry; L-Longitudinal axis; B-Longitudinal axis of baffle opening; S-Step of manufacturing insulator; S2-Insertion of baffle opening into electrode; S3-Insertion of electrode into through hole; S4-Insertion of transponder.

[0085] The accompanying drawings are schematic in nature and are for illustrative purposes only. The same elements are given the same reference numerals. Features of different embodiments may be substituted for each other. Detailed Implementation

[0086] Figure 1 An electrosurgical instrument 1 according to a first preferred embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0087] The electrosurgical instrument 1 (hereinafter referred to simply as the instrument) is designed as a bipolar HF instrument and has a first electrode 2 and a second electrode 4 facing each other distally on the instrument. Furthermore, the instrument 1 has an insulator 6 in which a transponder 8 in the form of a glass transponder is housed. The insulator 6, together with the electrodes 2 and 4 and the transponder 8, forms an electrode assembly 5 as a structural group for the instrument 1. This electrode assembly can be coupled and decoupled from the instrument.

[0088] Here, the insulator connects the first electrode 2 and the second electrode 4 to each other, thus forming a geometric housing for the two electrodes 2, 4 and the transponder 8. Specifically, the transponder 8, housed in the insulator 6, is structurally or geometrically symmetrically and centrally arranged between the first electrode 2 and the second electrode 4. Alternatively, it can be said that the first electrode 2, the transponder 8, and the second electrode 4 are arranged in this order along a straight line transverse to the longitudinal axis of the insulator 6, and specifically, are symmetrical to each other.

[0089] In a particularly noteworthy embodiment, in the region 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, such that electrodes 2 and 4 are constructed with a baffle 12 that prevents electromagnetic waves from passing through the signal, the baffle having a defined baffle opening 10 that allows the signal to pass through.

[0090] In this way, the transponder can be read 360° around the device 1 or the electrode device 5, respectively.

[0091] Therefore, the HF device 1 has an insulator 6 proximal to its electrode assembly 5 (viewed along the longitudinal axis of the device), which is electrically insulating. In this embodiment, the insulator 6 is integrally implemented and has two through holes 20, 22 in the form of slits 24 for receiving or inserting the first and second electrodes 2, 4. The receiving portion and the electrodes 2, 4 are fixedly connected to the insulator 6 by means of an interference fit (see also detailed views of the various features). Figures 2 to 5 The Figures 2 to 5 Similarly, most of them are Figure 1 (This also appears in the implementation methods).

[0092] The insulator 6 (i.e., the electrode assembly 5) is designed symmetrically about the plane of symmetry S. In the regions of the two opposing baffle openings 10, locking protrusions 26 are constructed in a complementary manner to the elongated holes. These locking protrusions are shaped to fit into their respective baffle openings 10, with the extensions of these two baffle openings centrally located between the transponders 8. Because the insulator 6 is manufactured as a (partially) elastic plastic (injection molded part), the locking protrusions 26 can also be (slightly) elastically deformed perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the electrode assembly or perpendicular to the plane of symmetry. Therefore, when the locking protrusions 26 are inserted into the baffle openings 10, the electrode can be pushed from the distal side to the proximal side into the insulator in its assembled state (i.e., with the inserted transponder 8 and the closed portion of the receiving part) into the through hole and elastically locked.

[0093] Figures 2 to 5 Various views are shown of other embodiments of the electrosurgical instrument 1 of this disclosure.

[0094] The transponder 8, in the form of a glass transponder (a glass tag serving as an RFID transponder), is centrally positioned within the near-side insulator 6 or arranged in a recess (forming a receiving portion 16) for this purpose. With this arrangement, the RFID (glass tag) transponder 8 is positioned precisely between electrodes 2 and 4, which extend from the insulator 6 as connecting contacts on the near side. The transponder 8 can be read in all directions or 360° through the corresponding geometrical recesses in the region of the transponder 8 and in the opposing electrodes within the near-side insulator 6. The geometric design of the distance between electrodes 2 and 4, and by defining the baffle openings 10 or recesses on electrodes 2 and 4 as elongated holes with defined lengths and widths, can also affect the signal strength or the distance to the reading and writing device. This can decisively increase the very small reading and writing distance relative to the reading and writing device, especially when using NFC technology as both a transponder and a reading / writing device.

[0095] exist Figures 2 to 5 In this embodiment, the insulator 6 is implemented as a two-piece glass tag in order to reliably house the transponder 8. Here, the insulator 6 has a main body 14 with a receiving opening (which is a simple hole in this embodiment) as a receiving portion 16, and a second closure 18 functions as a complementary cover. Because the insulator 6 is implemented as a plastic injection molded part that eliminates the need for a mold in this embodiment, the receiving portion (opening) 16 for the transponder 8 can be directly provided.

[0096] The main body 14 and the enclosure 18 are coupled not only by shape locking but also by elastic force locking (elastically constructed insulator 6). Furthermore, the enclosure 18 also has further through-holes 20 and 22, which respectively include electrodes 2 and 4, and thereby achieve force locking (similar to that in a one-piece insulator, as shown below). Figure 6 (As shown in the diagram). Therefore, the assembly of the closure 18 (as a cover) and the body 14 can be achieved by shape locking and / or force locking, just as in the case of the one-piece insulator 6, by electrodes 2, 4.

[0097] Viewed perpendicular to the plane of symmetry S, the mushroom-shaped transponder 8 lies in the alignment line between the two concentrically arranged baffle openings 10, thus achieving a good reading mode perpendicular to the plane of symmetry S. Specifically, the elongated aperture (baffle opening 10) is constructed with the same length and width dimensions as the mushroom-shaped transponder 8. Therefore, the transponder 8 is arranged symmetrically and in the extension and retraction of the baffle opening 10, and the focusing of electromagnetic radiation can be achieved with corresponding improvements in data technology connectivity.

[0098] In this embodiment, the enclosure 18 is designed as a plate having two slits 24 perpendicular to the plate, wherein the slits 24 have funnel-shaped inlets 28 extending distally, i.e., in the direction in which the electrodes 2, 4 are introduced, for better introduction. Midway between the two parallel extending slits 24, the plate has a cylindrical base having the same or slightly larger diameter (interference fit) as the cylindrical receiving portion 16 of the body 14. In this way, the enclosure 18 is force-locked (by friction or interference fit) when placed on the body 18, and the receiving portion 16 is sealed relative to the surrounding environment. Therefore, the insulator can be sterilized, for example, using the transponder 8.

[0099] In this embodiment, in addition to the plane of symmetry S, there is even another second plane of symmetry (perpendicular to the plane of symmetry S) in the longitudinal section direction, such as in Figure 2 As shown in the image.

[0100] Furthermore, the body 14 has a step 30 in the distal direction as a stop, such that the electrodes 2 and 4 can only be inserted up to this stop, and are geometrically prevented from being pushed in further (the electrodes cannot be unintentionally over-push into the insulator 6). This configuration with the stop 30 is also provided in the embodiments explained below.

[0101] Figure 6Another embodiment of the electrosurgical instrument 1 is shown, differing essentially from the aforementioned embodiment only in that the insulator 6 is integrally formed and sealed by an adhesive (unlike the two-piece embodiment, and not by a sealing body). The insulator 6 again has a recess in the middle serving as a receiving portion 16 for a transponder 8, which is inserted proximally. The receiving portion 16 with the inserted transponder 8 is finally sealed directly and tightly (fluid-tightly) by means of an adhesive or casting material. Alternatively, a type of plug (as a sealing body; not shown here) may be inserted and connected to the insulator (as the body) by heat deformation or ultrasonic welding.

[0102] The transponder communication system 101, illustrated by a preferred embodiment, can read and write data to the transponder 8. The transponder communication system has a read and / or write device (not shown) that is signal-technically coupled to the transponder 8 of the medical device 1. This read and / or write device is particularly configured as an instrument support or is itself configured as an instrument support, and is 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 signal transmission between the transponder 8 and the read and / or write device can be achieved.

[0103] Figures 7 to 11 A different view of another embodiment of the medical device 1 is shown, which has a two-piece insulator 6 in which a transponder 8 is housed.

[0104] Figures 12 to 16 Another embodiment of the electrosurgical instrument 1 according to the present disclosure is shown. In this embodiment, the insulator is again integrally constructed and bonded at the ends, so that the transponder 8 is tightly sealed and fluid-tightly enclosed in the insulator 6 relative to the surrounding environment.

[0105] The device is manufactured and installed using the preferred manufacturing method of the electrosurgical instrument according to this disclosure by means of the following steps.

[0106] S1 is provided by plastic injection molding without a mold, and in particular, a two-piece insulator 6 is manufactured and provided, the insulator having two through holes 20, 22 for electrodes 2, 4 and a receiving portion 16 for transponder 8.

[0107] Subsequently, the step of inserting / creating or providing the S2 baffle opening 10 is performed on the first electrode 2 and the second electrode 4 of the device 1.

[0108] In the next step, the first electrode 2 is inserted into the first through hole 20 by S3 and the second electrode 4 is inserted into the second through hole 22.

[0109] Finally, in the insertion step S4, the transponder 8 is inserted into the receiving portion 16, and the receiving portion 16 is closed by means of adhesive or by means of a sealing body to secure the transponder 8 in order to prevent loss, and to fix it in place, in particular, in its position relative to the two baffle openings 10 of the electrodes 2, 4 and seal it tightly to ensure sterility.

Claims

1. Electrosurgical instrument (1) having an electrode arrangement (5) with a first electrode (2) and a second electrode (4) distally opposite one another, characterized in that an insulator (6) in which a transponder (8) is accommodated and which connects the first electrode (2) and the second electrode (4) distanced from one another, wherein the transponder (8) accommodated in the insulator (6) is arranged between the first electrode (2) and the second electrode (4), and wherein in the area of the transponder (8) a baffle opening (10) is configured in the first electrode (2) and / or the second electrode (4) so that the electrodes form a baffle (12) that is impermeable to electromagnetic waves, the baffle having a baffle opening (10) that is permeable.

2. Electrosurgical instrument (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that The baffle opening (10) of the first electrode (2) and the second electrode (4) is configured elongated.

3. Electrosurgical instrument (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that The baffle opening (10) of the first electrode (2) and the second electrode (4) is configured slit-shaped or long-hole-shaped.

4. Electrosurgical instrument (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The insulator (6) has a thermoplastic as a material in order to provide electrical insulation.

5. Electrosurgical instrument (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The insulator (6) is configured at least two-part and has a main body (14) with an accommodation (16) for accommodating the transponder (8) and also has a closure body (18) that can be connected to the main body (14) by form locking and / or force locking and hermetically closes the accommodation (16) so that the transponder (8) is accommodated loss-proof.

6. Electrosurgical instrument (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that The closure body (18) is connected to the main body (14) by material locking by means of heat deformation or ultrasonic welding in order to provide permanent fixing and a hermetic seal.

7. Electrosurgical instrument (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that The insulator (6) has a first through-hole (20) and a second through-hole (22) that extend symmetrically with respect to a longitudinal axis of the insulator, the first electrode (2) and the second electrode (4) being inserted into the first through-hole and the second through-hole, respectively, and the first through-hole and the second through-hole projecting distally and proximally from the insulator (6), respectively, and being held in the insulator (6) by an interference fit.

8. Electrosurgical instrument (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that The insulator (6) has a narrowing or a latching projection (26) in the first through-hole (20) and the second through-hole (22) so that the first electrode (2) and the second electrode (4) and the baffle opening (10) are held by means of the elastic form locking by the latching projection (26).

9. Electrosurgical instrument (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that The insulator (6) is configured symmetrically with a symmetry plane (S) so that the transponder (8) is also arranged centrally between the first electrode (2) and the second electrode (4).

10. Electrosurgical instrument (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that The transponder (8) has a cylindrical shape with a transponder longitudinal axis (L), The baffle opening (10) of the first electrode (2) and the second electrode (4) is configured elongated and has a baffle opening longitudinal axis (B), and The baffle opening (10) of the first electrode (2) and the second electrode (4) is configured elongated and has a baffle opening longitudinal axis (B), and The transponder longitudinal axis (L) is parallel to the baffle opening longitudinal axis (B), is spaced apart from the baffle opening longitudinal axis, and the transponder is in the middle of the baffle opening.

11. Electrosurgical instrument (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that The baffle opening (10) of the first electrode (2) and the second electrode (4) is slit-shaped or slot-shaped.

12. Electrosurgical instrument (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that The distance between the transponder (8) and the baffle opening (10) 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.

13. Electrosurgical instrument (1) according to claim 12, characterized in that In the insulator (6) a cylindrical receptacle in the form of a recess is configured, which has an opening in the proximal and / or distal direction in order to insert the transponder from proximally or from distally.

14. A medical transponder communication system (101), characterized by Electrosurgical instrument (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 13 and a reading and / or writing device which is signal-technically couplable with a transponder (8) of the electrosurgical instrument (1), the reading and / or writing device being configured with an instrument holder or itself being configured as an instrument holder, the instrument holder being suitable for holding or temporarily fixing the electrosurgical instrument (1) with the transponder in a predetermined position and / or orientation relative to the reading and / or writing device, in which position and / or orientation a signal transmission between the transponder (8) and the reading and / or writing device can be realized.

15. A manufacturing method for an electrosurgical instrument for an instrument (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that Steps: (S1) Manufacturing an insulator (6) having a first through-hole (20) and a second through-hole (22) for at least a first electrode (2) and a second electrode (4) and a receptacle (16) for a transponder (8); (S2) Inserting or providing a baffle opening (10) in the first electrode (2) and / or the second electrode (4) of the instrument (1); (S3) Inserting the first electrode (2) into the first through-hole (20) and the second electrode (4) into the second through-hole (22), (S4) Inserting the transponder (8) into the receptacle (16) and closing the receptacle (16) in order to hold the transponder (8) without loss.

16. The manufacturing method according to claim 15, wherein The closing of the receptacle is carried out by adhesive bonding, casting, or The insulator (6) is closed with a main body (14) having the receptacle (16) by means of a separate closure body (18) and the closure body (18) is fixedly connected to the main body (14) by material locking by means of thermal deformation or ultrasonic welding.

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