Surgical electrode assembly

Abstract

The present invention relates to a surgical electrode assembly comprising: an electrode device; the control device is used for controlling the operation of the electrode device; the electrode driving device is used for driving the first electrode and the second electrode to move between a first position and a second position under the action of the operating device, the electrode driving device comprises an inner tube and an outer tube which can move relatively in the longitudinal direction, the far end of the inner tube is connected to the near ends of the first electrode and the second electrode, and the outer tube is arranged on the inner tube in a sleeving mode; the invention relates to an electrode device comprising an electrode assembly, a dropping device comprising a liquid feed tube, the liquid feed tube being open with its distal opening towards the electrode assembly to feed liquid thereto, the dropping device comprising an infusion tube via which liquid can be taken from the outside, the dropping device comprising an adapter line capable of fluidly communicating the liquid feed tube and the infusion tube with each other. The technical effect lies in, but is not limited to, the additional arrangement of the liquid dropping device realizes the anti-electrocoagulation adhesion between the electrode and the target tissue during the electrocoagulation operation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a hemostatic tool for surgical operations, particularly an electrode assembly for surgery. The electrode assembly for surgery is particularly suitable for use in small-channel deep surgeries such as minimally invasive microsurgery, neurosurgery, and transnasal approach surgeries, and is especially suitable for use in conjunction with nasal endoscopes and ventriculoscopes. It is mainly used for electrocoagulation hemostasis in minimally invasive microsurgery or neurosurgery. Background Art

[0002] Currently, the refinement and specialization of medical devices are a goal and trend. Electrocoagulation, as an efficient and reliable hemostatic method, is widely used in surgical operations. Since the operating space for various surgeries is limited, and the larger the surgical incision or channel, the greater the secondary harm to the patient, the surgical channels strive to be minimized and minimally invasive.

[0003] In existing surgical operations, bipolar electrocoagulation forceps of various shapes are commonly used. Its main principle is to install two forceps blades in a fixed seat. By pinching the forceps blades with fingers, the tips of the two forceps blades clamp the blood vessel or tissue, so that the high-frequency current passing through the tips of the two forceps blades passes through the clamped local blood vessel or tissue. Utilizing the thermal effect of the high-frequency current, the blood vessel wall is dehydrated and shrunk, the blood in the blood vessel is coagulated, and the blood vessel and the blood clot are integrated into one body to achieve the purpose of effective hemostasis. Since the forceps blades of ordinary bipolar electrocoagulation forceps are relatively wide and the structural volume is large, the distance between the front rod parts of the two forceps blades entering the human body is at least 10 mm or more at the maximum, and the length is limited. Therefore, it is not suitable for hemostasis of minimally invasive wounds or wounds deep into the tissue from a small channel (such as transnasal approach, ventriculoscope, etc.). Especially, it has great limitations in minimally invasive microsurgery and neurosurgery. In addition, due to the large volume of the part of the forceps blades entering the human body, it hinders the simultaneous use with other instruments. Moreover, since the extended part of the forceps blades of ordinary bipolar electrocoagulation forceps is relatively long, the tips are prone to misalignment during meshing, affecting the electrocoagulation effect and efficiency.

[0004] An existing electrode assembly for surgery realizes the approach and separation of the electrode tip through the cooperation of an inner tube and an outer tube. However, the existing electrode assembly for surgery does not have a liquid dripping function, which leads to the adhesion of the electrode to the tissue, especially after multiple electrocoagulation hemostases, resulting in the smoothness of the hemostasis operation and reducing the hemostasis effect. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide an electrode assembly for surgery, which can solve at least one of the above problems existing in the prior art.

[0006] According to the present invention, there is provided an electrode assembly for surgery. The electrode assembly has a distal end that is farther from the operator during use and a proximal end that is closer to the operator during use. The electrode assembly is characterized in that it includes:

[0007] An electrode device is provided at the distal end of the electrode assembly. The electrode device includes a first electrode and a second electrode, and the first electrode and the second electrode are capable of moving between a first position where they are away from each other and a second position where they are close to each other.

[0008] A manipulation device is provided at the proximal end of the electrode assembly for manipulating the operation of the electrode device. The manipulation device includes a housing and an actuating mechanism at least partially disposed within the housing.

[0009] An electrode driving device is provided between the manipulation device and the electrode device for driving the first electrode and the second electrode of the electrode device to move between the first position and the second position under the action of the manipulation device. Wherein, the electrode driving device includes an inner tube and an outer tube that can move relative to each other longitudinally by means of the actuating mechanism. The distal end of the inner tube is connected to the proximal ends of the first electrode and the second electrode, and the outer tube is sleeved on the inner tube and the distal end of the outer tube can abut against the first electrode and the second electrode; and

[0010] A liquid dripping device includes a liquid feeding tube at least partially disposed within the inner tube and having its distal end opening facing the electrode device to feed liquid thereto. The liquid dripping device includes an infusion tube at least partially extending outside the housing and through which liquid can be obtained from the outside. The liquid dripping device includes a connecting pipeline that can fluidly connect the liquid feeding tube and the infusion tube to each other.

[0011] The technical effects that can be achieved by the surgical electrode assembly include but are not limited to: the addition of the liquid dripping device realizes the prevention of electrocoagulation adhesion between the electrode and the target tissue during electrocoagulation surgery.

[0012] Advantageously, an elongate balance member is provided within the inner tube, and the balance member and the liquid feeding tube are symmetrically arranged with respect to the longitudinal axis of the inner tube.

[0013] Advantageously, the inner tube is at least formed with two symmetric recesses, and the tube walls of the inner tube at these two recesses respectively press against the liquid feeding tube and the balance member.

[0014] Advantageously, the liquid feeding tube and the balance member are respectively at least partially disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode.

[0015] Advantageously, the liquid feeding tube and the balance member have the same diameter.

[0016] Advantageously, the liquid feeding tube is longer than or equal to the balance member.

[0017] Advantageously, the balance member is tubular or solidly formed.

[0018] Advantageously, the adapter pipeline includes a flexible adapter hose that extends at least partially within the housing, wherein the front end of the adapter hose is sleeved on the liquid supply pipe, or the front end of the adapter hose is connected to the liquid supply pipe and a tubular balance member via a tee joint simultaneously.

[0019] Advantageously, a clamping block for fixing the front end of the power cord is provided within the housing, and a groove is provided on the circumferential surface of the clamping block, and the adapter hose extends over the clamping block in the groove.

[0020] Advantageously, the groove is surrounded by the housing on the side.

[0021] Advantageously, the groove is rounded at at least one end.

[0022] Advantageously, the housing is provided with a groove on its inner surface, and the adapter hose extends partially within the groove.

[0023] Advantageously, the adapter pipeline includes a straight-through joint assembly for fluidly connecting the adapter hose and the infusion tube.

[0024] Advantageously, the straight-through joint assembly includes a straight-through joint and a straight-through pipe partially inserted therein, the straight-through pipe is fluidly connected to the adapter hose, and the straight-through joint is fluidly connected to the infusion tube.

[0025] Advantageously, the straight-through joint has a cylindrical outer surface and is provided with a flange at its front end, and the front end of the infusion tube can be sleeved on the outer surface of the straight-through joint and abutted against the flange.

[0026] Advantageously, the straight-through joint has a channel that successively includes a first space, a second space adjacent to the first space and having a diameter smaller than that of the first space, and a third space adjacent to the second space and having a diameter smaller than that of the second space, wherein the straight-through pipe passes through the first space and the second space and abuts against a step surface where the second space transitions to the third space with its end face.

[0027] Advantageously, a glue accommodating portion is formed between the straight-through pipe and the straight-through joint within the first space.

[0028] Advantageously, the channel includes a truncated conical flare that opens outward, and the first space is adjacent to the flare.

[0029] Advantageously, the channel includes a fourth space adjacent to the third space and having a diameter larger than that of the first space, and the fourth space opens outward.

[0030] Advantageously, the straight-through joint and the straight-through pipe are connected by injection molding.

[0031] Advantageously, the straight-through joint assembly is connected to the power cord by a heat-shrinkable tube or an adhesive connection.

[0032] Advantageously, the infusion tube is provided with a flow regulator.

[0033] Other objects, features, and details of the present invention can be more fully understood with reference to the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments and in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0034] Those skilled in the art will appreciate the advantages of the corresponding embodiments and various additional embodiments by referring to the following detailed description of the corresponding embodiments read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings listed below. In addition, the various features of the drawings discussed below are not necessarily drawn to scale. The dimensions of the various features and elements in the drawings may be enlarged or reduced to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention. Description of the Drawings

[0035] Figure 1a A schematic side view of a surgical electrode assembly according to the present invention as a first embodiment of a nasal endoscope electrode assembly, partially cut away here;

[0036] Figure 1b Shows Figure 1a A schematic top view of the surgical electrode assembly in, with the upper cover omitted here;

[0037] Figure 1c Shows Figure 1a A schematic side view of the outer tube of the surgical electrode assembly in;

[0038] Figure 2 Shows Figure 1a A schematic perspective view of the surgical electrode assembly in the area of the operating device, with the upper cover omitted here;

[0039] Figure 3 Shows Figure 1a A schematic enlarged view of a partial I of the surgical electrode assembly in;

[0040] Figure 4 Shows Figure 1a A schematic perspective view of the distal part of the surgical electrode assembly in, where two capillary tubes and two wires inside the inner tube can be seen;

[0041] Figure 5a Shows Figure 1a A schematic side view of the electrode and a partial inner tube of the surgical electrode assembly in;

[0042] Figure 5b Shows Figure 5a A schematic top view of the partial electrode and inner tube in;

[0043] Figure 5cShows Figure 5a A schematic end view of the electrode and a partial view of the inner tube therein;

[0044] Figure 5d Shows Figure 5a A schematic cross-sectional view of the electrode and a partial view of the inner tube therein at the cutting line K-K, where two opposed capillaries and two opposed electrodes can be seen;

[0045] Figure 6a Shows Figure 1a A schematic perspective view of some component parts of the surgical electrode assembly in the area of the operating device;

[0046] Figure 6b Shows Figure 6a A schematic perspective view of the component parts as seen from another angle, where the infusion tube at the rear end is omitted;

[0047] Figure 7 Shows Figure 1a A schematic enlarged view of part II of the surgical electrode assembly;

[0048] Figure 8a Shows Figure 1a A schematic perspective view of the clamping block of the surgical electrode assembly;

[0049] Figure 8b Shows Figure 8a A schematic top view of the clamping block;

[0050] Figure 8c Shows Figure 8b A schematic cross-sectional view of the clamping block at the cutting line H-H;

[0051] Figure 9 Shows Figure 1a A schematic perspective view of some component parts of the surgical electrode assembly, where the lower housing is omitted;

[0052] Figure 10a Shows Figure 1a A schematic bottom view of the upper housing of the surgical electrode assembly;

[0053] Figure 10b Shows Figure 10a A schematic cross-sectional view of the upper housing at the cutting line L-L;

[0054] Figure 11 Shows Figure 1a A schematic enlarged view of part III of the surgical electrode assembly;

[0055] Figure 12 Shows Figure 1a A schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of the straight-through joint assembly of the surgical electrode assembly;

[0056] Figure 13a A top view of a distal portion of a surgical electrode assembly according to the present invention as a second embodiment of a ventriculoscope electrode assembly, with the upper cover omitted herein; and

[0057] Figure 13b A side view of a distal portion of a surgical electrode assembly according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0058] Various illustrative embodiments of the present invention will be described below. In this specification, for the sake of explanation only, various systems, structures, and devices are schematically depicted in the drawings, but not all features of the actual systems, structures, and devices are described. For example, well-known functions or structures are not described in detail to avoid obscuring the present invention with unnecessary details. Of course, it should be understood that in any actual application, many specific implementation decisions need to be made to achieve the specific goals of the developer or user, and compliance with system-related and industry-related restrictions is required, and these specific goals may vary depending on the actual application. In addition, it should be understood that such specific implementation decisions, although complex and time-consuming, are routine tasks for those of ordinary skill in the art who benefit from this application.

[0059] The terms and phrases used herein should be understood and interpreted to have meanings consistent with the understanding of those of ordinary skill in the relevant art. The consistent use of terms or phrases herein is not intended to imply a special definition of the terms or phrases, that is, a definition different from the ordinary and customary meanings understood by those of ordinary skill in the art. For terms or phrases intended to have a special meaning, that is, a meaning different from that understood by the skilled person, such special definition will be clearly listed in the specification in a defined manner, directly and unambiguously giving the special definition of the term or phrase.

[0060] In the present invention, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, terms such as "mounted", "connected", "coupled", "connected", "fixed", etc. should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be directly connected or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, and it can be the communication inside two elements. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0061] In the present invention, "distal" refers to the direction away from the operator when using the surgical electrode assembly of the present invention, while "proximal" refers to the direction close to the operator when using the surgical electrode assembly of the present invention.

[0062] Next, the embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0063] Figure 1a and Figure 1b shows a first embodiment of a surgical electrode assembly according to the present invention, which is used in cooperation with a nasal endoscope and is hereinafter referred to as the nasal endoscope electrode assembly 100.

[0064] See Figures 1a to 4 , the nasal endoscope electrode assembly 100 mainly includes at its distal end: two electrodes 101, 102, an inner tube 106 fixed to the proximal ends of the electrodes 101, 102, two wires 103 respectively electrically connected to the electrodes 101, 102 and located inside the inner tube 106, two capillary tubes 104, 105 located inside the inner tube 106, namely the capillary tube 104 as a liquid supply tube and the capillary tube 105 as a balance member, and an outer tube 107 sleeved on the inner tube 106. The nasal endoscope electrode assembly 100 mainly includes a manipulation device 108 connected to the inner tube 106 and the outer tube 107 at its proximal end. By actuating the manipulation device 108, the outer tube 107 can move longitudinally relative to the inner tube 106. In addition, the wire 103 is connected to a power source, such as a high-frequency electrotome, through a power cord 109. The capillary tube 104 is connected to an infusion tube 110 through an adapter assembly.

[0065] Next, the specific structure and connection method of each component will be elaborated in detail.

[0066] See Figure 3 and Figure 5a , the distal portions 113 of the electrodes 101, 102 are tips for operation, and the shape of the tips is designed to be bent upward, thereby reducing the occlusion of the field of view during the operation and thus facilitating the precise clamping of the human target tissue. In other embodiments, the shape of the tips can also be designed to be bent downward or straight. The clamping surfaces for clamping the human target tissue are respectively provided on the opposite inner sides of the tips of the electrodes 101, 102. In order to reduce or avoid the adhesion of the electrode tips to the human target tissue during the operation, the electrode tips can be treated to prevent electrocoagulation adhesion.

[0067] The proximal portions 114 of the electrodes 101, 102 are curved (see Figure 5b ) and are respectively provided with insulating electrode sleeves 111, 112 (see Figure 5d ). Steps are formed on the transition portions of the clamping surfaces of the distal tips of the electrodes to the proximal portions 114 of the electrodes to prevent the electrode sleeves 111, 112 on the proximal portions 114 of the electrodes from contacting each other and interfering with the clamping of the human target tissue by the clamping surfaces during the closing process of the electrodes 101, 102.

[0068] The proximal ends of electrodes 101 and 102 are fixed to inner tube 106. Openings (not shown, which can be circular, oval or rectangular openings for example) for filling an adhesive (such as epoxy resin glue) can be provided on inner tube 106. The adhesive is used to fix the proximal ends of electrodes 101 and 102 (together with adjacent wires 103 and capillaries 104 and 105) inside inner tube 106, thereby preventing the crosstalk of electrodes 101 and 102 inside inner tube 106. In addition, the inner tube 106 can be subjected to an extrusion process or a ribbing process using a specific tooling at the electrode part extending into the inner tube 106, so as to press-fit the inner tube 106 and electrodes 101 and 102 together to further ensure the fixation of electrodes 101 and 102 and inner tube 106. Therefore, the fixation of inner tube 106 and electrodes 101 and 102 can be carried out as follows. That is, first, the inner tube 106 is extruded at the electrodes 101 and 102 extending into the inner tube 106, so that the inner tube 106 and electrodes 101 and 102 are form-locked together, and then the electrodes 101 and 102 and the inner tube 106 are further material-locked and fixed by injecting the adhesive into the inner tube 106.

[0069] For the above extrusion process of inner tube 106, refer to Figures 5a to 5d , and use the tooling to simultaneously extrude from both sides in the width direction of electrodes 101 and 102 towards the center, thereby forming two recesses 115 on the inner tube 106 that are opposed to each other with respect to the longitudinal axis of the inner tube. At the same time, the tube wall of the inner tube 106 forms a substantially dumbbell-shaped structure here. The two electrodes 101 and 102 are symmetrically constrained in the two symmetrically larger spaces of the dumbbell-shaped structure with respect to the longitudinal axis of the inner tube.

[0070] The electrode assembly of the present invention is equipped with a liquid dropping device, which can be used to feed a liquid, such as an anti-adhesion liquid (such as physiological saline), to the electrode tip during electrocoagulation hemostasis of tissues to prevent the adhesion between the clamping surface and the tissues during the electrocoagulation process. The liquid dropping device can include a capillary 104 as a liquid feeding tube. The capillary 104 can be made of a metal, such as stainless steel, and of course, it can also be made of other suitable materials. The capillary 104 can be arranged inside the inner tube 106, and its distal end face is substantially flush with the distal end face of the inner tube 106, so that the liquid can be dropped towards the clamping surface of the electrodes 101 and 102.

[0071] During the above extrusion process of the inner tube 106, it is important to always maintain the parallelism of the two electrodes 101 and 102. Here, the parallelism of the proximal portions 114 of the two electrodes 101 and 102 inside the inner tube 106 also determines the parallelism of the clamping surfaces of the tips of the distal portions 113 of the two electrodes 101 and 102, or rather, their parallelism is always consistent. If the two clamping surfaces cannot be parallel to each other, then the tissues cannot be clamped comprehensively and evenly when clamping the tissues, reducing the hemostasis effect.

[0072] However, the applicant found in production practice that after inserting the two electrodes 101, 102 and the capillary 104 into the inner tube 106, the electrode sleeves 111, 112 of the two electrodes 101, 102 have been pressed against each other, and the capillary 104 can only be located at one corner on one side in the width direction of the electrodes 101, 102, and abuts against the two electrodes 101, 102 (or rather their electrode sleeves 111, 112) and the inner surface of the inner tube 106. When the above squeezing process is then carried out, the inner tube wall is squeezed towards each other on both sides in the width direction of the two electrodes 101, 102. At this time, the inner tube wall on the side with the capillary 104 will squeeze the capillary 104 towards the center, and at the same time the capillary 104 will squeeze the two electrodes 101, 102 away from each other on the side where the capillary 104 is located. This will cause the two electrodes 101, 102 to lose their parallelism due to the squeezing process, that is, tilt towards each other, which results in the above-mentioned undesirable situation.

[0073] Through research and practice, the applicant proposed to provide a balancing member for the capillary 104, which is a liquid supply tube, in order to maintain the parallelism of the two electrodes 101, 102 during the squeezing process, so as to balance the lateral squeezing force of the capillary 104 on the two electrodes 101, 102 during the squeezing process. For this purpose, the balancing member has the same diameter as the liquid supply tube and is arranged symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis of the inner tube with the liquid supply tube. The balancing member is configured as a capillary 105 here, which has the same structure as the capillary 104, but the positions where they extend towards the proximal end are different, that is, the lengths are different. The capillary 105 can be made of metal, such as stainless steel, like the capillary 104, and of course it is also conceivable to be made of other suitable materials. Combining Figure 2 and Figures 6a to 6b , the capillary 104 extends towards the proximal side through the inner tube 106, while the capillary 105 as the balancing member only extends to the proximal end of the inner tube 106, that is, the proximal end faces of the two are aligned or the former is slightly in front of or behind the latter. In addition to being configured as tubular, the balancing member can also be configured solidly as long as its diameter is the same as that of the capillary 104.

[0074] Due to the presence of the capillary 105 as the balancing member, the inner tube 106 can apply pressure to the capillary 104 and the capillary 105 evenly on both sides at the same time, and the capillary 104 and the capillary 105 apply lateral squeezing forces perpendicular to the width direction to the two electrodes 101, 102 on both sides in the width direction of the electrodes 101, 102, and these two squeezing forces cause the two electrodes 101, 102 or rather their two substantially rectangular cross-sections to move away from each other in parallel until Figure 5d the state shown schematically. Here, the liquid supply tube and the balancing member are between the two formed recesses 115 and are located between the two parallel electrodes 101, 102.

[0075] See Figure 3 As shown in Figure 3 , the outer tube 107 is sleeved on the inner tube 106 and moves longitudinally relative to the inner tube 106. The electrodes 101 and 102 can move radially away from each other to enter the first position or move radially closer to each other to enter the second position. Specifically, the electrodes 101 and 102 are fixedly connected to the distal end of the inner tube 106. When the outer tube 107 moves distally relative to the inner tube 106, the proximal portions 114 of the electrodes 101 and 102 are more constrained within the outer tube 107, so that the electrodes 101 and 102 move radially closer to each other. When the outer tube 107 moves proximally relative to the inner tube 106, the electrodes 101 and 102 are more exposed from the outer tube 107, so that the electrodes 101 and 102 are radially separated from each other based on their own elasticity.

[0076] See Figures 1a to 1c As shown in Figures 1a to 1c , in order to reduce the friction between the distal end of the outer tube 107 and the outer sides of the electrode sleeves 111 and 112 of the electrodes 101 and 102, the distal opening of the outer tube 107 can be configured with an outward flange, and the flange is smooth at least at the contact portions with the electrode sleeves 111 and 112, thereby reducing the wear of the distal end of the outer tube 107 on the outer sides of the electrode sleeves 111 and 112. In some embodiments, the distal opening of the outer tube 107 can be configured with an outward rolled edge, that is, the outer tube end face is curled backward by at least 180 degrees or even 360 degrees.

[0077] The outer diameter of the outer tube 107 is 1.5 - 3.5 mm, which is only 1 / 4 - 1 / 3 of the distance between the two tweezer blades of an ordinary bipolar electrocoagulation forceps, and the length of the outer tube can reach more than 350 mm. In addition, the electrodes 101 and 102 are also more slender, and their average thickness is only 1 / 2 - 2 / 3 of the distal portion of the tip of an ordinary electrocoagulation forceps. Therefore, the nasal endoscope electrode assembly according to the present invention is more suitable for transnasal small-channel deep surgical treatment.

[0078] In order to facilitate the introduction of the nasal endoscope electrode assembly into the human body through the nose, based on the curvature of the internal nasal cavity passage, the inner tube 106 has a proximal inner tube proximal portion, a distal inner tube distal portion, and an inner tube bending portion located between the inner tube proximal portion and the inner tube distal portion. The inner tube bending portion has a certain bending curvature, so that the inner tube distal portion and the inner tube proximal portion are arranged at an angle to each other, and the outer tube 107 has a proximal outer tube proximal portion 116, a distal outer tube distal portion 117, and an outer tube connecting portion 118 with a bending portion located between the outer tube proximal portion 116 and the outer tube distal portion 117.

[0079] When the inner tube 106 and the outer tube 107 with different diameters are bent simultaneously, the bending curvatures of the inner tube 106 and the outer tube 107 will be slightly different, so that the convex side of the outer tube 107 will press against the convex side of the inner tube 106, and thus a significantly increased frictional force will be generated during the relative movement along the longitudinal direction, and even the relative movement of the inner tube 106 and the outer tube 107 along the longitudinal direction cannot be carried out due to jamming. Therefore, in order to reduce the friction during the relative movement of the inner tube 106 and the outer tube 107 along the longitudinal direction, especially the friction generated in the contact area of the convex sides of the inner tube 106 and the outer tube 107, an opening 119 can be provided at least on the convex side of the outer tube connection portion 118 of the outer tube 107.

[0080] The size of the opening 119 is designed such that the widest part of the inner tube 106 can leave the opening 119 without scraping the edge of the opening 119, thereby minimizing the friction between the inner tube 106 and the outer tube 107 to the greatest extent when the inner tube 106 and the outer tube 107 move relative to each other. When the operating device 108 is manipulated to make the inner tube 106 and the outer tube 107 move relative to each other, the longitudinal and circumferential dimensions of the opening are sufficient to allow the inner tube bending portion of the inner tube 106 to smoothly move relative to each other longitudinally between the outer tube proximal portion 116 and the outer tube distal portion 117 of the outer tube 107 without the inner tube bending portion of the inner tube 106 interfering with the outer tube proximal portion 116 and the outer tube distal portion 117 of the outer tube 107.

[0081] Viewed towards the cross-section of the outer tube, the opening 119 of the outer tube connection portion 118 generally occupies about one-half of the outer tube circumference and exposes the convex side, rather than the concave side, of the inner tube bending portion, thus greatly reducing the contact area at the most friction-prone part between the inner tube 106 and the outer tube 107. In other words, viewed towards the cross-section of the outer tube, the arc length of the outer tube portion remaining at the opening 119 is approximately one-half of the outer tube circumference. The ratio "one-half" is only an embodiment of the present invention. Of course, the opening 119 can be designed to occupy more than one-half or less than one-half of the outer tube circumference according to actual requirements, as long as the opening 119 can achieve: the inner tube bending portion of the inner tube 106 can smoothly move relative to each other longitudinally between the outer tube proximal portion 116 and the outer tube distal portion 117 of the outer tube without interfering with the outer tube proximal portion 116 and the outer tube distal portion 117 of the outer tube. Of course, whether to expose the convex side or the concave side of the inner tube bending portion specifically can also be selected according to the actual application situation for the purpose of minimizing friction as much as possible. In the shown example, the opening 119 can extend to a very small distance from the operating device 108. In some embodiments, the distance is less than 1 cm, preferably less than 0.5 cm.

[0082] In some embodiments, the circumferential length of the outer tube connection portion 118 of the outer tube 107 at the location where the opening 119 is provided is less than or equal to half of the circumference of the outer tube 107, and thereby further ensures that no large friction occurs when the inner tube 106 and the outer tube 107 move relative to each other. The outer tube connection portion 118 of the outer tube 107 and the inner tube bending portion of the inner tube 106 are at least partially spaced apart when the inner tube 106 and the outer tube 107 move relative to each other longitudinally, thereby reducing friction during longitudinal relative movement.

[0083] During use, the distal edge and the proximal edge of the opening 119 should always have a certain distance from the vertex of the inner tube bending portion of the inner tube 106. This distance is designed such that the distal edge and the proximal edge of the opening 119 are not likely to or will not contact the human target tissue when using the electrode assembly, thereby reducing or eliminating the possibility of the distal edge and the proximal edge of the opening 119 scratching the human target tissue during the operation.

[0084] In some embodiments, the distal edge and the proximal edge of the opening 119 are curled inward or encapsulated with a suitable material, thereby greatly reducing their sharpness to ensure that the distal edge and the proximal edge of the opening 119 do not scratch the human target tissue when contacting the human target tissue during the operation.

[0085] In some embodiments, the outer tube connection portion 118 and the outer tube distal portion 116 and / or the outer tube proximal portion 117 are separate components, and the outer tube connection portion 118 and the outer tube distal portion 116 and / or the outer tube proximal portion 117 are fixedly connected in the installed state. The outer tube connection portion 118 can be, for example, a rod or a plate with a bending portion, etc. The outer tube connection portion 118 is used for force transmission from the manipulation device 108 to the outer tube distal portion 117 of the outer tube 107 with as little friction as possible, thereby achieving the desired longitudinal relative movement between the inner tube 106 and the outer tube 107. The outer tube connection portion 118 and the outer tube distal portion 117 and the outer tube proximal connection portion 116 of the outer tube 107 are fixedly connected, for example, by riveting, screwing, welding, and / or bonding. In some embodiments, the outer tube connection portion 118 extends around the entire circumference or a partial perimeter of the inner tube bending portion of the inner tube 106.

[0086] Advantageously, the inner tube bending portion of the inner tube 106 and the outer tube connection portion 118 of the outer tube 107 are made of a flexible material, and the bending degrees of the inner tube bending portion and the outer tube connection portion 118 can be changed simultaneously. The bending degrees of the inner tube bending portion and the outer tube connection portion 118 are changed between 10° and 60°. It has been proven very advantageous through multiple tests that the bending degrees of the inner tube bending portion and the outer tube connection portion 118 are changed between 30° and 40°. Thus, the bending degree of the nasal endoscope electrode assembly can be adjusted according to the actual needs of different surgeries and other instruments used in combination.

[0087] See Figure 1a , Figure 1b and Figure 2 , the operating device 108 can be held by an operator and is used to achieve the relative longitudinal movement of the inner tube 106 and the outer tube 107. The operating device 108 includes a housing and an actuating mechanism at least partially disposed within the housing.

[0088] The housing of the operating device 108 includes an upper housing 120 and a lower housing 121. The two-piece housing enables simple and low-cost manufacturing. The upper housing 120 and the lower housing 121 can be molded or manufactured by an additive manufacturing method (3D printing method).

[0089] The upper housing 120 and the lower housing 121 are fixed at the front end with a front screw cap 122 and at the rear end with a rear screw cap 123. For this purpose, the upper housing 120 and the lower housing 121 are respectively formed with threads at the front end and the rear end, and the threaded connection can achieve more reliable fastening of the upper housing 120 and the lower housing 121 using the front screw cap 122 and the rear screw cap 123. Of course, other connection methods can be provided here to fixedly connect the upper housing 120 and the lower housing 121, such as a clamp connection, connection by means of screws or rivets, etc. The upper housing 120 and the lower housing 121 can be connected through internal snap-fittings or clamps or threaded connections or riveting on the periphery, and connecting in the middle can also reliably prevent the long upper and lower housings 120, 121 from undesired separation in the middle.

[0090] From Figure 1b and Figure 2 it can be seen that the housing includes a fixing block 125 for fixing the inner tube 106 within the housing. The fixing block 125 is locked within the housing, and thus the fixing block 125 and the inner tube 106 cannot move relative to the housing.

[0091] From Figure 2It can be seen that the actuating mechanism includes a crank device and a slider device 126 and a helical spring 127 that cooperate with the crank device. The crank device includes a crank 128 and a connecting rod 129. Instead of the helical spring 127, other suitable damping devices can also be used, such as a hollow elastomer, etc. When the crank 128 is pressed, the slider device 126 can move distally against the elastic force of the helical spring 127. When the crank 128 is released, the slider device 126 can move proximally under the action of the elastic force of the helical spring 127.

[0092] From Figure 2 It can be seen that on both sides of the housing, a crank 128 and a connecting rod 129 are respectively provided at the joint of the upper housing 120 and the lower housing 121. The two cranks 128 are pivotally connected to a cylinder 130 protruding from the lower housing 121 at their proximal ends. The proximal ends of the two connecting rods 129 are respectively pivotally connected to the distal ends of the cranks 128, and the distal ends of the two connecting rods 129 are pivotally connected to protrusions 131 on both sides of a common slider device 126. The slider device 126 is directly fixedly connected to the outer tube 107, so that the longitudinal movement of the outer tube 107 is realized when the slider device 126 moves.

[0093] See Figure 2 , the fixing block 125 is located between the slider device 126 and the cylinder 130, and the slider device 126 is provided at a certain distance distally from the fixing block 125 and is hollow. The inner tube 106 extends from the distal end to the proximal end through the slider device 126, and the proximal end of the inner tube 106 is fixed in the fixing block 125.

[0094] In some embodiments, the proximal end of the inner tube 106 extends into and passes through a longitudinal through hole (not shown) of the fixing block 125 and is fastened in the longitudinal through hole by a fastening element 132. A lateral through hole (not shown) is preferably made perpendicular to the inner tube 106 starting from the outer peripheral surface of the fixing block 125, and the lateral through hole extends to the longitudinal through hole of the fixing block 125. The fastening element 132 can be introduced into the lateral through hole from the outside and press against the inner tube 106. The fastening element is, for example, a fastening screw or a rivet.

[0095] See Figure 2 , the proximal end of the outer tube 107 is fixed on the slider device 126. In order to fixedly connect the outer tube 107 to the slider device 126, a flange 133 is formed at the proximal end opening of the outer tube 107 (see Figure 1c ), and the slider device 126 is provided with a groove 134 corresponding to the flange 133 at the proximal end opening of the outer tube 107 on its inner peripheral surface (see Figure 6b ), so that the proximal end of the outer tube 107 can be positively fixed within the slider device 126.

[0096] A guiding portion 135 is provided on the slider device 126 (see Figure 6b), a mating guide portion 136 for cooperating with the guide portion 135 is provided on the inner periphery of the housing (see Figure 10a ). Through the cooperation of the guide portion 135 and the mating guide portion 136, the movement of the slider device 126 can be limited to a linear movement. See Figure 6b , the guide portion 135 is four vertically opposed guide pieces protruding from the proximal portion of the slider device 126 and extending in the longitudinal direction of the slider device 126, and the mating guide portion 136 is two mating guide pieces protruding from the inner peripheral surface of the lower housing 121 (not shown) and the inner peripheral surface of the upper housing 120 (see Figure 10a ) and extending parallel to each other in the longitudinal direction of the housing. In the installed state, the guide pieces of the slider device 126 are respectively abutted against the inner sides of the mating guide pieces in the housing. At both ends of the two mating guide pieces, stop portions against which the ends of the guide pieces can abut are respectively provided, and the maximum sliding distance of the slider device 126 is defined by the stop portions.

[0097] See Figure 6b , the distal portion of the slider device 126 is configured as a cylinder and forms a shoulder 137 with the proximal portion, whereby the helical spring 127 can be sleeved on the cylindrical distal portion of the slider device 126 and abut against the shoulder 137 at the proximal end. See Figure 2 , the distal end of the helical spring 127 abuts against an annular flange 138 protruding from the inner periphery of the housing.

[0098] When the cranks 128 on both sides of the pinch are pinched, the two connecting rods 129 push the slider device 126 to drive the outer tube 107 to move distally, and the outer tube 107 then pushes the two electrodes 101, 102 to achieve a clamping action. When the hand is released, the resilient force of the spring 127 is directly applied to the slider device 126 and causes it to return to its original position. At the same time, the slider device 126 pushes the two cranks 128 back to the initial state, and at the same time, the two electrodes 101, 102 open based on their own elasticity. Thus, the electrodes 101, 102 approach and separate from each other.

[0099] As Figure 2 can be seen, the cylinder 130 protruding from the inner periphery of the housing is located on the central axis of the lower housing 121 and has a groove formed in the middle extending from the top of the cylinder 130 towards the bottom of the cylinder. The wires 103 connected to the electrodes 101, 102 can pass through the groove. As Figure 10a can be seen, a corresponding cylinder 137 protrudes from the inner periphery of the upper housing 120 on the central axis of the upper housing 120. In the installed state, the free end of the corresponding cylinder 137 abuts against the free end of the cylinder 130, so that the wires 103 can be prevented from moving out of the groove of the cylinder 130 and can also play a role in positioning the upper housing 120 and the lower housing 121 during installation.

[0100] As Figure 2As can be seen, the crank 128 is designed as an elongated pressing handle and is designed to be so narrow that the middle finger will not be pinched when pressing the two cranks 128 with the thumb and index finger, thereby greatly improving the safety and convenience of operation. An anti-slip structure, such as a concave-convex structure, may be provided on the pressing surface of the crank 128.

[0101] By Figure 1b and Figure 2 As can be seen, inside the housing, a clamping block 137 is provided near the rear screw cover 123 between the cylinder 130 and the rear screw cover 123. The clamping block 137 is integrally formed with the power cord passing through the middle. The clamping block 137 is stuck in the corresponding card slot inside the housing, so as to reliably fix the front end of the power cord 109 inside the housing. On the left side of the clamping block 137, the conductor of the wire 103 is welded to the conductor of the power cord 109, thereby realizing the electrical connection between them.

[0102] See Figure 6a With Figure 6b , the proximal end of the capillary 104, which serves as a liquid feed pipe of the drip device, extends a certain distance distally from the clamping block 137. In order to fluidly connect the capillary 104 with the infusion tube 110, which extends rearward outside the operating device 108 and is part of the drip device, the drip device may further include a connecting pipeline.

[0103] See Figures 6a to 12 , the connecting pipeline may include a flexible connecting hose 139 and a straight joint assembly 143 connected to the connecting hose 139. See Figure 6a , Figure 6b and Figure 7 , the distal end of the connecting hose 139 is sleeved on the capillary 104 to be in fluid communication therewith, and continues to extend proximally beyond the clamping block 137. For this purpose, see Figures 8a to 8c , a groove 140 extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the clamping block 137 is provided on the circumferential surface of the clamping block 137. The groove 140 is open at both ends and is open laterally toward the housing, here the upper housing 120. The connecting hose 139 can be at least partially snapped into the groove 140, thereby being constrained by the upper housing 120 and the groove 140 laterally or radially. In order to prevent the connecting hose 139 from being blocked due to bending at both ends of the groove 140, a rounded portion 141 is provided at each of the front and rear ends of the groove 140. See Figure 9 , Figure 10a and Figure 10b , after passing through the clamping block 137, the connecting hose 139 continues to extend through the smaller-diameter connecting portion 124 of the upper housing 120 that is screwed to the rear screw cover 123. For this purpose, a groove 142 may be provided on the inner side surface of the connecting portion 124, and the connecting hose 139 can be snapped into the groove 142 for better positioning. Finally, see Figure 7, the rear screw cap 123 is eccentrically provided with an outlet hole at its bottom to allow the transfer hose 139 to extend out of the housing.

[0104] See Figure 9 , Figure 11 and Figure 12 , the straight-through joint assembly 143 may include a straight-through tube configured as a capillary 150 here and a straight-through joint 144 connected to the capillary 150. The capillary 150 may have its front end (left end) inserted into the proximal end of the transfer hose 139 and its rear end (right end) inserted into the straight-through joint 144. The capillary 150 may be made of metal, such as stainless steel, and of course it is also conceivable to be made of other suitable materials. See Figure 12 , the straight-through joint 144 may have a cylindrical outer surface and be provided with a flange 155 at its front end. See Figure 11 , the front end of the infusion tube 110 may be sleeved on the outer surface of the straight-through joint 144 and its front end face abuts against the flange 155. See Figure 1a and Figure 1b , the infusion tube 110 has a flow regulator 152 through which the infusion tube 110 can be opened and closed or the flow rate of the physiological saline can be adjusted. See Figure 12 , the straight-through joint 144 has a central channel which may successively include from the front end to the rear end: a frustoconical flare 145; a first cylindrical space 146 adjacent to the flare 145; a second cylindrical space 147 adjacent to the first cylindrical space 146 and having a diameter smaller than it; a third cylindrical space 148 adjacent to the second cylindrical space 147 and having a diameter smaller than it; a fourth cylindrical space 149 adjacent to the third cylindrical space 148 and having a diameter larger than the first cylindrical space 146. The fourth cylindrical space 149 may be directly in fluid communication with the infusion tube 110, so its larger diameter is beneficial to smoothly receive the liquid flow from the infusion tube 110. The outer diameter of the capillary 150 may be equal to or slightly smaller than the diameter of the second cylindrical space 147 and larger than the diameter of the third cylindrical space 148, whereby, see Figure 12, the capillary 150 can be inserted into the second cylindrical space 147 to be radially constrained thereby, and its rear end face abuts against the step surface where the second cylindrical space 147 transitions to the third cylindrical space 148 to be axially constrained thereby. A glue receiving portion 151 is formed between the outer surface of the capillary 150 and the inner surface of the straight-through joint defining the first cylindrical space 146. Glue can be easily injected into the glue receiving portion 151 via the flared opening 145, for example when the straight-through joint assembly 143 is placed vertically, so as to glue-connect the capillary 150 and the straight-through joint 144 to each other. Of course, in addition to the glue connection between the capillary 150 and the straight-through joint 144, the two can also be injection-molded connected, that is, the plastic straight-through joint 144 is injection-molded onto the capillary 150. Thus, the fluid communication between the adapter hose 139 and the infusion tube 110 can be achieved through the specially designed straight-through joint assembly 143.

[0105] In this embodiment, the capillary 105 serving as a balance member only functions as a balance function and is not responsible for feeding liquid to the electrodes 101, 102. Therefore, the capillary 105 is not connected to the adapter hose 139 at its proximal end herein, but exists as a "broken tube". In other embodiments, the balance member or the capillary 105 can be arranged such that it can not only function as a balance function, but also be responsible for feeding liquid to the electrodes 101, 102 like the capillary 104. For this purpose, the adapter hose 139 can be connected to both the capillary 104 and the capillary 105 at its distal end via a tee joint, for example, so as to supply liquid to both simultaneously. At this time, the positions where the capillary 104 and the capillary 105 extend proximally can be substantially the same.

[0106] The nasal endoscope electrode assembly in this embodiment has the following advantages, for example: The surgical electrode assembly ensures sufficient actuation force including the reset force, is more ergonomic, greatly improves the operation sensitivity of the surgical electrode assembly, and thus greatly improves the surgical efficiency, safety, and operation comfort. The setting of the bending tube can greatly improve the convenience of the nasal endoscope electrode assembly when introduced into the human body through the nose and during the surgical process, and reduces the unwanted touch or even scratching of the human tissue in the nasal cavity channel by the nasal endoscope electrode assembly during the operation. And due to this bending, the handle part of the electrode assembly will not interfere with other instruments used simultaneously, such as a suction device. The adjustability of the bending degree can better adapt the nasal endoscope electrode assembly to different surgical needs and other instruments used simultaneously so that they do not interfere with each other. In addition, by providing an opening on the connecting part of the outer tube or replacing the connecting part of the outer tube with a connecting element, the large friction or even jamming during the longitudinal relative movement of the inner tube and the outer tube in the case of a large bending degree is greatly reduced, thereby greatly improving the operation sensitivity and operation accuracy of the nasal endoscope electrode assembly during the operation, and these advantages are crucial for the successful completion of the operation. The addition of the drip device realizes the prevention of electrocoagulation adhesion between the electrode and the tissue during the electrocoagulation operation.

[0107] Figure 13a and Figure 13b Schematically shows the distal part of the second embodiment of the surgical electrode assembly. This surgical electrode assembly can be used in cooperation with a ventriculoscope and is herein called the ventriculoscope electrode assembly 200. The components such as the operating device and the drip device in this embodiment are basically the same as those in the nasal endoscope electrode assembly 100 embodiment. Please refer to the relevant descriptions of the operating device and the drip device of the nasal endoscope electrode assembly 100 in the previous embodiment, which will not be elaborated here. It can be seen that the difference compared with the previous embodiment is that in this embodiment, the inner tube and the outer tube 207 are straight and thinner, the electrodes 201, 202 are also thinner and shorter, and the electrode tip is straight. Of course, the electrode tip can also be bent upward or downward according to needs.

[0108] In addition, it can be conceived that the drip device of the present invention can also be configured for similar surgical electrode assemblies other than the above embodiments to add a drip function to avoid electrocoagulation adhesion between the electrode and the tissue.

[0109] The present invention may include any feature or combination of features or generalizations thereof, whether implicitly or explicitly disclosed, and is not limited to any of the above-listed defined scopes. The relevant any element, feature, and / or structural arrangement can be combined in any suitable manner.

[0110] The specific embodiments disclosed above are merely exemplary, and it will be apparent to those skilled in the art who benefit from the teachings herein that the present invention can be modified and implemented in different but equivalent ways. Obviously, changes and modifications can be made to the specific embodiments disclosed above, and all such variations are considered to fall within the scope and spirit of the present invention.

Claims

1. A surgical electrode assembly having a distal end that is further away from the operator during use and a proximal end that is closer to the operator during use, characterized in that, The electrode assembly includes: An electrode device disposed at the distal end of the electrode assembly. The electrode device includes a first electrode and a second electrode, and the first electrode and the second electrode are capable of moving between a first position where they are away from each other and a second position where they are close to each other; A manipulation device disposed at the proximal end of the electrode assembly for manipulating the operation of the electrode device. The manipulation device includes a housing and an actuating mechanism at least partially disposed within the housing; An electrode driving device disposed between the manipulation device and the electrode device for driving the first electrode and the second electrode of the electrode device to move between the first position and the second position under the action of the manipulation device. Wherein, the electrode driving device includes an inner tube and an outer tube capable of relatively moving longitudinally by means of the actuating mechanism. The distal end of the inner tube is connected to the proximal ends of the first electrode and the second electrode, the outer tube is sleeved on the inner tube, and the distal end of the outer tube can abut against the first electrode and the second electrode; and A liquid dropping device including a liquid feeding tube at least partially disposed within the inner tube and having its distal end opening facing the electrode device to feed liquid thereto. The liquid dropping device includes an infusion tube at least partially extending outside the housing and through which liquid can be obtained from the outside, and the liquid dropping device includes a transfer pipeline capable of fluidly connecting the liquid feeding tube and the infusion tube to each other.

2. The surgical electrode assembly according to claim 1, wherein, A long and extended balancing member is provided within the inner tube, and the balancing member and the liquid feeding tube are symmetrically arranged with respect to the longitudinal axis of the inner tube.

3. The surgical electrode assembly according to claim 2, wherein, The inner tube is at least formed with two symmetrical recesses, and the tube walls of the inner tube at these two recesses respectively press against the liquid feeding tube and the balancing member.

4. The surgical electrode assembly according to claim 2, wherein, The liquid feeding tube and the balancing member are respectively at least partially disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode.

5. The surgical electrode assembly according to claim 2, wherein, The liquid feeding tube and the balancing member have the same diameter.

6. The surgical electrode assembly according to claim 2, wherein, The liquid feeding tube is longer than or equal to the balancing member.

7. The surgical electrode assembly according to claim 2, wherein, The balancing member is tubularly formed or solidly formed.

8. The surgical electrode assembly according to claim 2, wherein, The transfer pipeline includes a flexible transfer hose at least partially extending within the housing. Wherein, the front end of the transfer hose is sleeved on the liquid feeding tube, or the front end of the transfer hose is simultaneously connected to the liquid feeding tube and the tubularly formed balancing member via a three-way joint.

9. The surgical electrode assembly according to claim 8, wherein, A clamping block for fixing the front end of the power cord is provided within the housing, and a groove is provided on the circumferential surface of the clamping block, and the transfer hose extends over the clamping block in this groove.

10. The surgical electrode assembly according to claim 9, wherein, The groove is surrounded by the housing on the side.

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