Electrosurgical systems, devices and methods with features for enhanced visualization and / or manageness

Abstract

An exemplary electrosurgical device includes a handle extending between a proximal handle end and a distal handle end. The electrosurgical device also includes a shaft extending from the distal handle end of the handle. The shaft extends between a proximal shaft end and a distal shaft end. The electrosurgical device also includes a camera at the distal shaft end, and an electrosurgical electrode coupled to the outer surface of the shaft and extending distally from the distal shaft end. A longitudinal axis of the electrosurgical electrode is parallel to a longitudinal axis of the shaft.

Description

[0001] Cross-reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 611,492, filed December 18, 2023, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Background Technology

[0003] Electrosurgery involves applying radiofrequency (RF) current (also known as electrosurgical energy) to biological tissue during the procedure to cut, coagulate, or alter the tissue. Specifically, an electrosurgical generator generates current and supplies it to an active electrode, which applies the current (and thus electrical power) to the tissue. The current travels through the tissue and returns to the generator via a return electrode (also known as a “dispersion electrode”). As the current travels through the tissue, the tissue’s impedance converts a portion of the current into heat energy (e.g., via the principle of resistance heating), which raises the tissue temperature and induces alterations in the tissue (e.g., cutting, coagulating, ablating, and / or sealing the tissue). Attached Figure Description

[0004] The claims set forth novel features that are considered exemplary embodiments. However, a better understanding of the exemplary embodiments, preferred modes of use, other objects, and their description will be provided by reading the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0005] Figure 1 A simplified block diagram of an electrosurgical system based on one example is depicted.

[0006] Figure 2A A perspective view of an electrosurgical device according to one example is depicted.

[0007] Figure 2B Depicting according to one example Figure 2A An enlarged view of the distal portion of the electrosurgical device shown.

[0008] Figure 2C Depicting according to one example Figure 2A A partial cross-sectional view of the electrosurgical device shown.

[0009] Figure 2D Depicting according to one example Figures 2A-2C A perspective view of the camera components shown.

[0010] Figure 3A A perspective view of an electrosurgical device according to one example is depicted.

[0011] Figure 3B Depicting according to one example Figure 3AAn enlarged view of a distal portion of the electrosurgical device is shown.

[0012] Figure 3C A camera assembly according to one example is depicted. Figures 3A-3B A partial cross-sectional view of the collar is shown.

[0013] Figure 4A A camera assembly according to one example is depicted.

[0014] Figure 4B A camera assembly coupled to a shaft of an electrosurgical device according to one example is depicted. Figure 4A A camera assembly coupled to a shaft of an electrosurgical device according to one example is depicted.

[0015] Figure 5 A camera assembly coupled to a handle of an electrosurgical device according to one example is depicted.

[0016] Figure 6A An electrosurgical device and a camera assembly according to one example are depicted.

[0017] Figure 6B A camera assembly according to one example is depicted. Figure 6A A portion of a handle of the electrosurgical device is shown.

[0018] Figure 6C A camera assembly according to one example is depicted. Figure 6A A camera assembly according to one example is depicted.

[0019] Figure 6D A camera assembly according to one example is depicted. Figure 6B A camera assembly according to one example is depicted.

[0020] Figure 7A An electrosurgical device according to another example is depicted.

[0021] Figure 7B A cross-sectional view of a handle of the electrosurgical device according to one example is depicted. Figure 7A A cross-sectional view of a handle of the electrosurgical device according to one example is depicted.

[0022] Figure 8A An electrosurgical device according to another example is depicted.

[0023] Figure 8B A cross-sectional view of a handle of the electrosurgical device according to one example is depicted. Figure 8A A cross-sectional view of a handle of the electrosurgical device according to one example is depicted.

[0024] Figure 8C A cross-sectional view of a handle of the electrosurgical device according to one example is depicted. Figure 8B A cross-sectional view of a handle of the electrosurgical device according to one example is depicted, with the outer housing portion in a locked position.

[0025] Figure 8D A cross-sectional view of a handle of the electrosurgical device according to one example is depicted.Figure 8B The image shows a cross-sectional view of the handle taken by a line, with the outer housing portion in the unlocked position.

[0026] Figure 9A An electrosurgical device based on one example is depicted.

[0027] Figure 9B Depicting according to one example Figure 9A A cross-sectional view of the handle of the electrosurgical device shown.

[0028] Figure 9C Depicting the through based on one example Figure 9B The shown line represents a cross-sectional view of the handle.

[0029] Figure 10 A camera component is depicted based on another example.

[0030] Figure 11A A simplified block diagram is depicted of one or more cameras that are communicatively connected to a controller, according to one example.

[0031] Figure 11B A front view of an electrosurgical device including multiple cameras, according to one example, is depicted.

[0032] Figure 12 A simplified block diagram of an electrosurgical system based on one example is depicted.

[0033] Figure 13 A simplified block diagram of an electrosurgical system based on one example is depicted.

[0034] Figure 14A A side view of an electrosurgical device based on another example is depicted.

[0035] Figure 14B Depicting according to one example Figure 14A A simplified circuit diagram of the electrosurgical device is shown.

[0036] Figure 15 A flowchart illustrating a process for operating an electrosurgical device, based on one example, is provided.

[0037] Figure 16 Depicting, according to one example, an operation that can be performed with at least Figure 15 The flowchart shows the process of using the electrosurgical device in conjunction with the process shown.

[0038] Figure 17 Depicting, according to one example, an operation that can be performed with at least Figure 16 The flowchart shows the process of using the electrosurgical device in conjunction with the process shown.

[0039] Figure 18 Depicting, according to one example, an operation that can be performed with at least Figure 15 The flowchart shows the process of using the electrosurgical device in conjunction with the process shown.

[0040] Figure 19 Depicting, according to one example, an operation that can be performed with at least Figure 15 The flowchart shows the process of using the electrosurgical device in conjunction with the process shown.

[0041] Figure 20 Depicting, according to one example, an operation that can be performed with at least Figure 15 The flowchart shows the process of using the electrosurgical device in conjunction with the process shown.

[0042] Figure 21 Depicting, according to one example, an operation that can be performed with at least Figure 15 The flowchart shows the process of using the electrosurgical device in conjunction with the process shown.

[0043] Figure 22 Depicting, according to one example, an operation that can be performed with at least Figure 15 The flowchart shows the process of using the electrosurgical device in conjunction with the process shown.

[0044] Figure 23 Depicting, according to one example, an operation that can be performed with at least Figure 15 The flowchart shows the process of using the electrosurgical device in conjunction with the process shown.

[0045] Figure 24 Depicting, according to one example, an operation that can be performed with at least Figure 23 The flowchart shows the process of using the electrosurgical device in conjunction with the process shown.

[0046] Figure 25 A flowchart illustrating a process for operating an electrosurgical device, based on one example, is provided.

[0047] Figure 26 Depicting, according to one example, an operation that can be performed with at least Figure 25 The flowchart shows the process of using the electrosurgical device in conjunction with the process shown.

[0048] Figure 27 Depicting, according to one example, an operation that can be performed with at least Figure 26 The flowchart shows the process of using the electrosurgical device in conjunction with the process shown.

[0049] Figure 28 Depicting, according to one example, an operation that can be performed with at least Figure 25 The flowchart shows the process of using the electrosurgical device in conjunction with the process shown.

[0050] Figure 29 Depicting, according to one example, an operation that can be performed with at least Figure 25 The flowchart shows the process of using the electrosurgical device in conjunction with the process shown.

[0051] Figure 30 Depicting, according to one example, an operation that can be performed with at least Figure 25 The flowchart shows the process of using the electrosurgical device in conjunction with the process shown.

[0052] Figure 31 Depicting, according to one example, an operation that can be performed with at least Figure 25 The flowchart shows the process of using the electrosurgical device in conjunction with the process shown.

[0053] Figure 32 Depicting, according to one example, an operation that can be performed with at least Figure 25 The flowchart shows the process of using the electrosurgical device in conjunction with the process shown.

[0054] Figure 33 Depicting, according to one example, an operation that can be performed with at least Figure 25 The flowchart shows the process of using the electrosurgical device in conjunction with the process shown.

[0055] Figure 34 Depicting, according to one example, an operation that can be performed with at least Figure 33 The flowchart shows the process of using the electrosurgical device in conjunction with the process shown.

[0056] Figure 35 A flowchart illustrating a process for forming an electrosurgical device, based on another example, is provided.

[0057] Figure 36 A flowchart illustrating a process for forming an electrosurgical device, based on another example, is provided. Detailed Implementation

[0058] The disclosed examples will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show some, but not all, of the disclosed examples. In fact, several different examples may be described, and these examples should not be construed as being limited to those described herein. Rather, these examples are described so that this disclosure will be exhaustive and complete, and will fully convey the scope of this disclosure to those skilled in the art.

[0059] With respect to the quantities or measurements described herein, the terms “about” or “substantially” mean that the characteristic, parameter, or value need not be precisely achieved, but rather that deviations or variations are permitted, such as tolerances, measurement errors, measurement accuracy limitations, and other factors known to those skilled in the art, but the extent of these deviations or variations does not preclude the effect that the characteristic is intended to provide.

[0060] See Figure 1 The figure shows an example of an electrosurgical system 100. Figure 1 As shown, the electrosurgical system 100 includes an electrosurgical generator 110 and an electrosurgical device 112. Typically, the electrosurgical generator 110 generates electrosurgical energy suitable for performing electrosurgical procedures on a patient. For example, the electrosurgical generator 110 may include a power converter circuit 114 that converts mains power into electrosurgical energy, such as radio frequency (RF) output power. As an example, the power converter circuit 114 may include one or more electronic components (e.g., one or more transformers) that can control the voltage, current, and / or frequency of the electrosurgical energy.

[0061] In several examples, the electrosurgical generator 110 may include a user interface 116 that can receive one or more inputs from a user and / or provide one or more outputs to the user. As examples, the user interface 116 may include one or more buttons, one or more switches, one or more dials, one or more keyboards, one or more touchscreens, one or more displays, one or more indicator lights, one or more speakers, and / or one or more tactile output devices.

[0062] In one example, the user interface 116 may be operable to select an operating mode from a variety of operating modes of the electrosurgical generator 110. As examples, these operating modes may include a cutting mode, a coagulation mode, an ablation mode, and / or a closure mode. Combinations of these waveforms can also be formed to create mixed modes. In one embodiment, these operating modes may correspond to corresponding waveforms of electrosurgical energy. Thus, in this embodiment, the electrosurgical generator 110 can generate electrosurgical energy whose waveform can be selected from a variety of waveforms, at least in part, based on the operating mode selected using the user interface 116.

[0063] The electrosurgical generator 110 may also include one or more generator sensors 118 that can sense one or more conditions related to the electrosurgical energy and / or target tissue. For example, the generator sensors 118 may include one or more current sensors, one or more voltage sensors, one or more temperature sensors, and / or one or more bioimpedance sensors. In several examples, additionally or alternatively, the electrosurgical generator 110 may generate electrosurgical energy whose energy magnitude (e.g., electrical power) and / or waveform may be selected from a variety of waveforms based on one or more parameters related to the conditions sensed by the generator sensors 118.

[0064] In one example, the frequency of the electrosurgical energy may be greater than about 100 kHz to reduce (or avoid) stimulation of muscles and / or nerves near the target tissue. In another example, the frequency of the electrosurgical energy may be from about 300 kHz to about 500 kHz.

[0065] exist Figure 1 The electrosurgical generator 110 also includes a connector 120 that facilitates connection between the electrosurgical generator 110 and the electrosurgical device 112. For example, the electrosurgical device 112 may include a power cord 122 with a plug, which can be connected to a socket of the connector 120 of the electrosurgical generator 110. In this arrangement, the electrosurgical generator 110 can supply electrosurgical energy to the electrosurgical device 112 via the connection between the connector 120 of the electrosurgical generator 110 and the power cord 122 of the electrosurgical device 112.

[0066] The electrosurgical generator 110 may also include a controller 141 capable of controlling the operation of the electrosurgical generator 110. In several examples, the controller 141 may be implemented using hardware, software, and / or firmware. For example, the controller 141 may include one or more processors and a non-volatile computer-readable medium (e.g., volatile and / or non-volatile memory) storing machine language instructions or other executable instructions. When these instructions are executed by one or more processors, they cause the electrosurgical generator 110 to perform the various operations described herein. Thus, the controller 141 may receive data and store that data in memory. Figure 1 As shown, the controller 141 can communicate with the power converter circuit 114, the user interface 116, the generator sensor 118, and / or the connector 120.

[0067] like Figure 1 As shown, the electrosurgical device 112 may include a housing 123 having a proximal end and a distal end, and an electrosurgical electrode 128 extending from the distal end of the housing 123. The housing 123 may be an elongated structure in which components of the electrosurgical device 112 may be arranged. In some examples, the housing 123 may be a single, integral structure. In other examples, the housing 123 may include multiple interconnected structures.

[0068] exist Figure 1In this embodiment, housing 123 includes a handle 124 defining an inner bore, and a shaft 126 extending distally from handle 124. Typically, handle 124 is configured to facilitate a user's gripping and manipulation of electrosurgical device 112 during electrosurgical procedures. For example, the shape and / or size of handle 124 may facilitate a user's performance of electrosurgical procedures using a single hand to manipulate electrosurgical device 112. In one embodiment, the shape and / or size of handle 124 may facilitate a user's gripping of electrosurgical device 112 in a manner similar to that of a writing instrument (e.g., electrosurgical device 112 may be an electrosurgical pen).

[0069] Furthermore, for example, the handle 124 and / or shaft 126 may be made of one or more electrically insulating materials (e.g., plastic materials). This facilitates the isolation of the user from the electrosurgical energy flowing through the electrosurgical device 112 during the performance of electrosurgical procedures.

[0070] In some embodiments, shaft 126 may be fixedly and immovably connected to handle 124. This can simplify manufacturing and reduce manufacturing costs, for example, by simplifying the electrical connections that would otherwise require consideration of movement between shaft 126 and handle 124 relative to each other (e.g., by omitting slip ring contacts and / or sliding contacts). In one example, handle 124 and shaft 126 may be formed as a single integral structure, such that shaft 126 and handle 124 are fixed relative to each other and cannot move relative to each other. In another example, handle 124 and shaft 126 may be fixedly connected to each other by welded connections, adhesive connections, and / or other connections that prevent movement between handle 124 and shaft 126.

[0071] In other embodiments, the shaft 126 may be telescopically movable relative to the handle 124. For example, the shaft 126 may be telescopically movable within an inner bore defined by the handle 124, such that the shaft 126 extends distally and retracts proximally relative to the handle 124 (e.g., movable along the longitudinal axis of the electrosurgical device 112). In some examples, the electrosurgical electrode 128 may be coupled to the shaft 126, thereby enabling the electrosurgical electrode 128 to move axially relative to the handle 124 along the longitudinal axis together with the shaft 126. This allows adjustment of the length of the electrosurgical device 112, which facilitates the performance of electrosurgical procedures at different depths within tissue (e.g., due to different patient anatomy and / or body size) and / or at different angles. In other examples, the electrosurgical electrode 128 may be fixedly coupled to the handle 124, such that the shaft 126 is axially movable relative to both the electrosurgical electrode 128 and the handle 124.

[0072] In some embodiments, additionally or alternatively, the electrosurgical electrode 128 may be rotatable about a rotation axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the electrosurgical device 112. In some examples, the electrosurgical electrode 128 may be rotatable relative to the handle 124 and the shaft 126. In other examples, the electrosurgical electrode 128 may be rotatably fixed relative to the shaft 126, such that the shaft 126 and the electrosurgical electrode 128 may be rotatable together relative to the handle 124. Rotating the electrosurgical electrode 128 relative to the handle 124 facilitates adjustment of the angle of the electrosurgical electrode 128 relative to one or more user input devices 130 of the electrosurgical device 112. In this arrangement, while the electrosurgical electrode 128 is set in a rotational position, the user can comfortably grip the handle 124, allowing their fingers to comfortably operate the user input device, wherein the rotational position is selected from multiple rotational positions relative to the handle 124 based on factors such as, for example, the location, size, and / or shape of the surgical site in which the user is operating.

[0073] In one embodiment, the electrosurgical electrode 128 may be rotatable more than 360 degrees relative to the handle 124. This improves usability by allowing the surgeon to rotate the electrosurgical electrode 128 freely without restriction. However, in other embodiments, the rotation angle of the electrosurgical electrode 128 may be less than or equal to 360 degrees (e.g., rotatable 180 degrees, 270 degrees, or 360 degrees). This still allows the surgeon to achieve the desired rotation angle, but there is a possibility that the surgeon may rotate in a first direction to a stop point limiting further rotation, and then rotate back in a second direction to achieve the desired rotational arrangement.

[0074] While it is advantageous to allow the electrosurgical electrode 128 to rotate relative to the handle 124 and / or shaft 126, in some embodiments, the electrosurgical electrode 128 may be fixed in a rotatable manner relative to the handle 124 and shaft 126. This can simplify manufacturing and reduce manufacturing costs, for example, by simplifying the electrical connections that might otherwise require consideration of the movement of the shaft 126 and handle 124 relative to each other (e.g., by omitting slip ring electrical contacts and / or sliding electrical contacts).

[0075] like Figure 1As shown, the electrosurgical device 112 may include one or more user input devices 130 operable to control the operation of the electrosurgical device 112 and / or the electrosurgical generator 110. For example, the user input device 130 may be operable to select between operating modes of the electrosurgical device 112 and / or the electrosurgical generator 110. In one embodiment, the user input device 130 may be configured to select between a cutting operating mode and a coagulation operating mode. In response to actuation of the user input device 130 of the electrosurgical device 112, the electrosurgical device 112 may (i) receive electrosurgical energy having a power level and / or waveform corresponding to the operating mode selected via the user input device 130, and (ii) supply the electrosurgical energy to the electrosurgical electrode 128.

[0076] exist Figure 1 In this electrosurgical device 112, multiple electrical components are included to facilitate the transfer of electrosurgical energy (received by the electrosurgical device 112 from the electrosurgical generator 110) to the electrosurgical electrodes 128. For example, the electrosurgical device 112 may include at least one electrical component selected from the group consisting of: a printed circuit board 132 (e.g., a flexible printed circuit board) and / or one or more housing conductors 134 configured to conduct electrosurgical energy from a power line 122 to the electrosurgical electrodes 128. One or more of these electrical components may be located within an inner bore 148 defined by a handle 124 and / or an inner cavity 149 defined by a shaft 126.

[0077] In several examples, the user input device 130 may include one or more buttons located on the outer surface of the handle 124. Each button of the user input device 130 is operable to actuate a corresponding one of a plurality of switches 136 on the printed circuit board 132. Generally, the switches 136 and / or the printed circuit board 132 are operable to control the supply of electrosurgical energy from the electrosurgical generator 110 to the electrosurgical electrodes 128. For example, in one embodiment, when each button is operated (e.g., pressed), the corresponding switch 136 associated with that button may be actuated such that the printed circuit board 132 sends a signal to the electrosurgical generator 110, causing the electrosurgical generator 110 to responsively provide an electrosurgical energy level and / or waveform corresponding to the operating mode associated with that button. In another embodiment, operating the button and thereby actuating the corresponding switch 136 associated with the button can close the switch 136, thereby forming a circuit to the electrosurgical generator 110, such that the electrosurgical generator 110 responsively supplies electrosurgical energy with a power level and / or waveform corresponding to the operating mode associated with the button. In some examples of this embodiment, the printed circuit board 132 may be omitted.

[0078] In two exemplary embodiments, electrosurgical energy supplied by the electrosurgical generator 110 can be transmitted from (i) the power line 122, the printed circuit board 132, and / or the switch 136 through the housing conductor 134 to (ii) the electrosurgical electrodes 128. Thus, as Figure 1 As shown, printed circuit board 132 can be connected to power line 122, printed circuit board 132 can be connected to housing conductor 134, and housing conductor 134 can be connected to electrosurgical electrode 128. In this arrangement, housing conductor 134 can conduct electrosurgical energy to electrosurgical electrode 128. In some examples, switch 136 can be connected to printed circuit board 132.

[0079] Typically, each of the housing conductors 134 may include one or more conductive elements that provide a conductive bus for supplying electrosurgical energy to the electrosurgical electrode 128. In some examples, the electrical components of the electrosurgical device 112 may be electrically connected to each other in a manner suitable for supplying electrosurgical energy from the power line 122 to the electrosurgical electrode 128 while (i) the shaft 126 and / or the electrosurgical electrode 128 is telescopically moved relative to the handle 124 and / or (ii) the electrosurgical electrode 128 is rotated relative to the handle 124.

[0080] although Figure 1 The electrosurgical device 112 includes a user input device 130, but in another example, the user input device 130 may be decoupled from the electrosurgical device 112. For example, additionally or alternatively, the user input device 130 may include one or more foot pedals that are actuable to control the operation of the electrosurgical device 112 as described above. The foot pedals may be communicatively coupled to the electrosurgical generator 110 to provide signals in response to actuation of the foot pedals.

[0081] like Figure 1 As shown, in some embodiments, the electrosurgical device 112 may additionally include one or more light sources 138 configured to emit light. In some examples including the light source 138, the user input device 130 may be operable such that the light source 138 produces light that can be emitted by the electrosurgical device 112 to illuminate an area of ​​interest (e.g., target tissue at the surgical site). In some embodiments, the light source 138 may be located at the distal end of the housing 123 and / or the distal end of the shaft 126 to provide light directly in a distal direction and illuminate the surgical site distal to the electrosurgical electrode 128.

[0082] In other implementations, such as Figure 1As shown, the light source 138 can be optically coupled to an optical structure 140 configured to receive light emitted by the light source 138 and transmit the light distally toward the surgical site to illuminate the surgical site when electrosurgical procedures are performed using the electrosurgical electrodes 128. While arranging the light source 138 to directly illuminate the surgical area may help, for example, reduce manufacturing costs, using the optical structure 140 to transmit light may help (e.g., by providing light with higher uniformity and / or lower heat generation) improve the quality of light transmitted from the electrosurgical device 112.

[0083] As an example, in embodiments including optical structure 140, optical structure 140 may include at least one optical structure selected from the group consisting of optical lenses, non-fiber optical waveguides, and optical fibers. When optical structure 140 includes optical lenses (e.g., parabolic reflective lenses, aspherical lenses, and / or Fresnel lenses), optical structure 140 may help guide light emitted by light source 138 in a distal direction, thereby improving the quality of light illuminating the surgical site. Additionally or alternatively, optical structure 140 may include non-fiber optical waveguides and / or optical fibers to transmit light over a longer distance in axis 126. For example, the optical waveguide may transmit light in a distal direction via total internal reflection. In this embodiment, the optical waveguide may include cladding and / or air gaps on its outer surface to help facilitate total internal reflection. In some embodiments, the non-fiber optical waveguide may be formed as a single monolithic structure.

[0084] In some examples, additionally or alternatively, optical structure 140 may include other light-shaping optical elements, such as multiple facets, one or more prisms, and / or one or more gratings. While optical structure 140 may help improve the quality of light directed to the surgical site, in other examples, electrosurgical device 112 may omit optical structure 140 and instead direct light from light source 138 directly to the surgical area without passing through optical structure 140.

[0085] exist Figure 1 In this embodiment, light source 138 may be coupled to shaft 126. Therefore, light source 138 may also move telescopically relative to handle 124 together with shaft 126. However, in other examples, light source 138 may be located within an inner hole of handle 124 and / or coupled to an outer surface of handle 124. As an example, light source 138 may include one or more light-emitting diodes (LEDs), organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), optical fibers, non-fiber waveguides, and / or lenses. Furthermore, for example, light source 138 may include an LED printed circuit board having one or more light sources (e.g., LEDs).

[0086] Optical structure 140 may be located at the distal end of axis 126. In some examples, optical structure 140 may circumferentially surround electrosurgical electrode 128, thereby emitting light distally around the respective sides of electrosurgical electrode 128. This can help reduce shading and provide more uniform illumination in all rotational orientations of axis 126 relative to housing 123 and / or electrosurgical device 112 relative to target tissue. However, in other examples, optical structure 140 may extend partially rather than completely around electrosurgical electrode 128.

[0087] In embodiments including light source 138, user input device 130, printed circuit board 132, switch 136, and / or housing conductor 134 may additionally supply power from direct current (DC) power supply 142 to light source 138. In one example, DC power supply 142 may include a battery disposed in handle 124, a plug for power cord 122, and / or a battery socket positioned along power cord 122 between handle 124 and plug. Although in Figure 1 In this embodiment, the electrosurgical device 112 includes a DC power supply 142, but in other examples, the DC power supply 142 may be separate from and independent of the electrosurgical device 112. For example, in another example, the electrosurgical generator 110 may include the DC power supply 142.

[0088] Furthermore, in embodiments including the light source 138, the user input device 130 may be operable to cause the light source 138 to emit light. In one example, the user input device 130 may include a button that separately controls the power supply 138, separate from the button that controls the electrosurgical operating mode of the electrosurgical device 112. In another example, the user input device 130 and the printed circuit board 132 may be configured such that operation of the button controlling the electrosurgical operating mode simultaneously controls the operation of the light source 138 (e.g., when the button is operated to apply electrosurgical energy at the electrosurgical electrode 128, the light source 138 may be automatically actuated to emit light).

[0089] like Figure 1 As shown, in response to operation of the user input device 130 to actuate the light source 138, the DC power supply 142 can supply electrical power (e.g., DC voltage) to the light source 138 via the printed circuit board 132 and / or the housing conductor 134. In this embodiment, one or more conductive elements of the housing conductor 134 can be configured to supply electrical power from the DC power supply 142 to the light source 138, and / or return electrical power from the light source 138 to the DC power supply 142. Thus, additionally or alternatively, as the shaft 126 and the light source 138 telescopically move relative to the handle 124, the housing conductor 134 can facilitate electrical communication between the DC power supply 142 and the light source 138.

[0090] Although in the above example, the operation of the light source 138 is controlled by the user input device 130 on the operable handle 124, additionally or alternatively, the light source 138 is also operated by one or more user input devices (e.g., via user interface 116) on the plug of the electrosurgical generator 110 and / or the power cord 122.

[0091] In some examples, additionally or alternatively, the electrosurgical device 112 also includes features for discharging surgical fumes from the target tissue to a location outside the surgical site. Surgical fumes are a byproduct of various surgical procedures. For example, during surgical procedures, surgical fumes can be generated as a byproduct of electrosurgical units (ESUs), lasers, electrocautery devices, ultrasonic devices, and / or other electrically powered surgical instruments (e.g., bone saws and / or drills). In some cases, surgical fumes may contain toxic gases and / or biological products derived from tissue damage. Furthermore, surgical fumes may have an unpleasant odor. For these and other reasons, many guidelines state that the risk of surgical personnel exposure to surgical fumes should be reduced or minimized.

[0092] To reduce (or minimize) the risk of exposure to surgical fumes, a fume extraction system may be used during the surgical procedure. Typically, a fume extraction system may include a suction pump 144 that generates sufficient suction and / or vacuum pressure to remove surgical fumes from the surgical site. In some embodiments, the fume extraction system may be coupled to an exhaust system (e.g., a wall-mounted exhaust system) that exhausts surgical fumes outside the operating room. In other embodiments, the fume extraction system may filter air containing surgical fumes and return the filtered air to the operating room. In several examples, the suction pump 144 and the electrosurgical generator 110 may be provided as separate devices or integrated into a single device (e.g., in a common housing).

[0093] like Figure 1 As shown, shaft 126 may include a smoke exhaust channel 146 within its inner cavity 149. The smoke exhaust channel 146 may also include one or more smoke inlets at one or more locations around the electrosurgical electrode 128. In some examples, the smoke exhaust channel 146 may include multiple smoke inlets on opposite sides of the electrosurgical electrode 128. In this arrangement, the smoke inlets of the smoke exhaust channel can facilitate the reception of surgical smoke into the smoke exhaust channel 146 in various rotational orientations of the electrosurgical electrode 128 relative to the handle 124 and / or the electrosurgical device 112 relative to the target tissue.

[0094] In one example, the exhaust channel 146 of shaft 126 defines a first portion of the smoke flow path, while the inner bore 148 of handle 124 defines a second portion of the smoke flow path. In this arrangement, surgical smoke can be received from the surgical site into the exhaust channel 146 of shaft 126 and flow proximally along the exhaust channel 146 into the inner bore 148 of handle 124. In the inner bore 148 of handle 124, the smoke can further flow into an exhaust tube 150, which is coupled to the proximal end of handle 124 and configured to transfer smoke from handle 124 to suction pump 144.

[0095] As described above, the electrosurgical electrode 128 can apply electrosurgical energy to target tissue to perform electrosurgical procedures (e.g., cutting, coagulating, ablating, and / or sealing the target tissue). In several examples, the electrosurgical electrode 128 may include an electrosurgical substrate formed of a conductive material. As an example, the conductive material may be stainless steel.

[0096] In addition, such as Figure 1 As shown, the electrosurgical device 112 may include a camera 152 configured to acquire one or more images, and the electrosurgical system 100 may include a display device 154 configured to display one or more images acquired by the camera 152. The camera 152 may be communicatively coupled to the display device 154 (e.g., via wired or wireless networks, such as LAN, WAN, Internet, cloud, near-field communication, etc.). In this arrangement, the camera 152 may transmit one or more images to the display device 154, and the display device 154 may display one or more images to a physician operating the electrosurgical device 112.

[0097] In some examples where the camera 152 is connected to a display device via a wired connection, the electrosurgical device 112 may include one or more wires extending through the housing 123. For example, these wires may extend through the housing 123 and from its proximal end. In some such embodiments, these wires may be bundled with the power cord 122 within a common housing (e.g., heat-shrink tubing). This can help improve cable management and reduce the likelihood of these wires becoming entangled with other cables in the operating environment. In other examples, these wires may extend directly from the camera 152 to the display device 154 and be located outside the housing 123. This would be advantageous in embodiments where the electrosurgical device 112 is modified to accommodate the camera 152.

[0098] As described in further detail below with reference to Figures 4-7, the electrosurgical device 112 may include a wireless transmitter communicatively coupled to the camera 152 and configured to transmit one or more images to a display device 154. For example, in some embodiments, the electrosurgical device 112 may include a wireless transmitter that can transmit one or more images to a wireless receiver communicatively coupled to the display device 154. This can help alleviate cable management issues and / or improve the operation of the electrosurgical device 112 by reducing the number and / or thickness of cables (e.g., including power cord 122) extending from the proximal end of the electrosurgical device 112.

[0099] In some examples, camera 152 may be configured to acquire one or more images and transmit these images as still images and / or as video. Acquiring and / or displaying still images can help obtain preoperative and / or postoperative images for analysis of the electrosurgical procedure. Additionally or alternatively, using camera 152 to acquire and / or display video can help improve the visibility of the electrosurgical electrodes 128, target tissue, and / or surgical site.

[0100] In several examples, camera 152 can acquire one or more images while supplying electrosurgical energy to electrosurgical electrode 128. This allows camera 152 and display device 154 to conveniently display these one or more images in real time during electrosurgical procedures (e.g., during cutting and / or coagulation operations). Furthermore, in several examples, light source 138 can be configured to generate light and (e.g., via optical structure 140) illuminate electrosurgical electrode 128, target tissue, and / or surgical site while camera 152 acquires one or more images. Therefore, the field of view of camera 152 can at least partially overlap with the illuminated area of ​​the light output by light source 138 and / or optical structure 140.

[0101] In several examples, camera 152 may be configured with a field of view that is guided distally to acquire one or more images of the electrosurgical electrode 128, the target tissue, and / or at least a portion of the surgical site. This can help physicians better visualize the spatial relationship between the electrosurgical electrode 128 and the target and / or non-target tissues at the surgical site, as well as the effect of electrosurgical energy on the target and / or non-target tissues at the surgical site. The following will combine... Figures 2A-3C The following exemplary embodiments are described for attaching camera 152 to housing 123 (e.g., shaft 126 and / or handle 124) such that the field of view is guided in a distal direction to acquire one or more images of at least a portion of electrosurgical electrode 128, target tissue, and / or surgical site.

[0102] In some examples, camera 152 may be attached to housing 123 such that the field of view of camera 152 is fixed relative to housing 123 and cannot be adjusted relative to housing 123. This can help simplify the attachment of camera 152 to housing 123, resulting in (i) reduced costs, (ii) simplified manufacturing, (iii) simplified assembly, (iv) reduced weight, and / or (v) reduced size, which improves visibility. In other examples, camera 152 may be attached to housing 123 such that the field of view of camera 152 is adjustable relative to housing 123 while the camera 152 is attached to housing 123. For example, in some embodiments, camera 152 may be attached to housing 123.

[0103] In some examples, camera 152 can be operatively connected to DC power supply 142. For example, in Figure 1 In this example, camera 152 is connected to DC power supply 142 via PCB 132. However, in other examples, camera 152 may be directly connected to DC power supply 142, which is separate from PCB 132, without going through PCB 132 (or PCB 132 may be omitted entirely). In the example where camera 152 is operatively connected to DC power supply 142, camera 152 can use the DC power supplied by DC power supply 142 to acquire one or more images of the region of interest.

[0104] In other examples, the electrosurgical device 112 may omit the DC power supply 142, and the camera 152 may receive power from the power line 122. In this example, the PCB 132 may include a power converter for converting a portion of the electrosurgical energy into power suitable for the camera 152.

[0105] Now for reference Figures 2A-2C The figure shows an exemplary embodiment of the electrosurgical device 212 according to the above-described electrosurgical device 112. Specifically, Figure 2A A perspective view of an electrosurgical device 212 according to one example is depicted. Figure 2B Depicting according to one example Figure 2A An enlarged view of the distal portion of the electrosurgical device 212 shown, and Figure 2C A partial cross-sectional view of an electrosurgical device 212 according to an example is depicted along its longitudinal axis 253 (some parts are omitted for the purpose of illustrating other parts).

[0106] The electrosurgical device 212 is substantially similar to or identical to the electrosurgical device 112 described above. For example... Figures 2A-2CAs shown, the electrosurgical device 212 includes a handle 124 and a shaft 126. The handle 124 extends between a proximal handle end 124A and a distal handle end 124B, and the shaft 126 extends from the distal handle end 124B of the handle 124. The shaft 126 extends between a proximal shaft end 126A and a distal shaft end 126B. An electrosurgical electrode 128 extends from the distal shaft end 126B.

[0107] In such Figure 2A In the example shown, shaft 126 is telescopically movable and / or rotated relative to handle 124. As described above, this adjusts the length of the electrosurgical device 112, facilitating electrosurgical procedures at multiple different depths within tissue (e.g., due to varying patient anatomy and / or body size) and / or at multiple different angles. In other examples, shaft 126 and / or electrosurgical electrodes 128 may be axially fixed relative to handle 124 and / or non-rotatable relative to handle 124.

[0108] Furthermore, in this example, the electrosurgical electrode 128 is coupled to the shaft 126. This allows the electrosurgical electrode 128 to move and / or rotate axially relative to the handle 124 along with the shaft 126. In other examples, the electrosurgical electrode 128 may be coupled to the handle 124, and / or the electrosurgical electrode 128 may be movable and / or rotated independently of the shaft 126.

[0109] like Figures 2A-2C As shown, the electrosurgical device 212 includes a camera assembly 256, which is coupled to the distal axial end 126B. Figure 2D It also depicts, according to this example Figures 2A-2C A perspective view of the camera assembly 256 shown. Figures 2A-2D As shown, the camera assembly 256 includes: (i) a first housing portion 258 configured for coupling to the shaft 126; and (ii) a second housing portion 260 extending laterally from the first housing portion 258 and the shaft 126, and including the camera 152.

[0110] For example, such as Figures 2A-2D As shown, the first housing portion 258 may include a through-hole 262 that receives a distal shaft end 126B to couple the camera assembly 256 to the shaft 126. Furthermore, as... Figures 2A-2DAs shown, a second housing portion 260 may extend outwardly from the first housing portion 258 and the shaft 126, and the second housing portion 260 may include a camera mounting surface 264 extending in a plane with a normal 266 extending toward the electrosurgical electrode 128. A camera 152 is coupled to the camera mounting surface 264. Therefore, the first housing portion 258 may couple the camera assembly 256 to the shaft 126, and the second housing portion 260 may arrange the camera 152 such that the field of view of the camera 152 may include the electrosurgical electrode 128, the target tissue, and / or the surgical site.

[0111] In several examples, the first housing portion 258 may be coupled to the shaft 126 by at least one coupling selected from the group consisting of friction-fit coupling, adhesive coupling, threaded coupling, snap-fit ​​coupling, ultrasonic welding coupling, and overmolded coupling. In some examples, the first housing portion 258 may be configured to rotate about the shaft 126 while the distal shaft end 126B is received in the through-hole 262. For example, in one embodiment, the first housing portion 258 may include a protrusion 268 extending inwardly from an inner surface of the first housing portion 258 toward the central axis 270 of the through-hole 262, and the shaft 126 may include a recess that receives the protrusion 268. In this arrangement, the protrusion and recess allow the first housing portion 258 to rotate relative to the shaft 126 while suppressing axial movement of the first housing portion 258 relative to the shaft 126. In another embodiment, the first housing portion 258 may include a recess, and the shaft 126 may include a protrusion extending from the shaft toward the first housing portion 258 and received in the recess of the shaft 126. Rotation of the first housing portion 258 relative to the shaft 126 may help rotate the field of view of the camera 152. This may help improve accessibility to the surgical site and / or improve direct visibility of the surgical site around the camera assembly 256.

[0112] In other examples, the first housing portion 258 may be fixed in a non-rotational manner relative to the shaft 126. This simplifies the manufacture and / or operation of the electrosurgical device 212. Furthermore, in an embodiment where the shaft 126 is rotatable relative to the handle 124, rotation of the camera 152 relative to the handle 124 can be achieved by rotating the shaft 126 relative to the handle 124.

[0113] like Figures 2A-2D As shown, the first housing portion 258 may include an aperture 272 located at the distal end of the camera assembly 256. (As indicated...) Figure 2BAs shown, the electrosurgical electrode 128 extends distally through an aperture 272 located at the distal end of the camera assembly 256. Therefore, the size of the aperture 272 can be larger than the size of the electrosurgical electrode 128 located at the distal end of the camera assembly 256. This allows the electrosurgical electrode 128 to be exposed and extend distally from the distal axial end 126B and the camera assembly 256, enabling the electrosurgical electrode 128 to perform electrosurgical procedures on target tissue.

[0114] In some examples, additionally or alternatively, the electrosurgical device 212 may include the light source 138 and / or optical structure 140 as described above. Figure 2B As shown, the light source 138 and / or optical structure 140 can be configured to emit light through an aperture 272 located at the distal end of the camera assembly 256. This allows the light source 138 and / or optical structure 140 to emit light in a distal direction (e.g., along the length of the electrosurgical electrode 128), which can help to better visualize the electrosurgical electrode 128, target tissue, and / or surgical site through direct visualization and / or through one or more images acquired by the camera 152.

[0115] exist Figure 2B In this embodiment, the optical structure 140 extends circumferentially around the electrosurgical electrode 128. This helps to emit light distally around all sides of the electrosurgical electrode 128, which helps to reduce shading and provide more uniform illumination in all rotational orientations of the axis 126 relative to the housing 123 and / or the electrosurgical device 112 relative to the target tissue. However, in other examples, the optical structure 140 may extend partially but not completely around the electrosurgical electrode 128.

[0116] Furthermore, in other examples, the electrosurgical device 212 may omit the optical structure 140 and instead include components targeting... Figure 2B The light source 138 is located at the position indicated by the optical structure 140 (e.g., in the first housing portion 258 and at the aperture 272). In this example, the light source 138 can emit light directly through the aperture 272, rather than emitting light through the aperture 272 via the optical structure 140.

[0117] like Figure 2B and Figure 2DAs shown, the aperture 272 located at the distal end of the camera assembly 256 is coaxial with the longitudinal axis 253 of the electrosurgical electrode 128 and the longitudinal axis 253 of the shaft 126. In embodiments including the light source 138 and / or the optical structure 140 surrounding the electrosurgical electrode 128, this can help provide substantially uniform illumination around the electrosurgical electrode 128. In other embodiments, additionally or alternatively, the aperture 272 may provide an inlet to the smoke exhaust channel 146 of the shaft 125. In this embodiment, configuring the aperture 272 coaxial with the longitudinal axis 253 of the electrosurgical electrode 128 and the longitudinal axis 253 of the shaft 126 can help provide substantially uniform suction around the electrosurgical electrode 128.

[0118] In other examples, the electrosurgical device 212 may omit the light source 138, optical structure 140, and smoke extraction channel 146. In these examples, the size and shape of the aperture 272 may match the cross-sectional size and shape of the electrosurgical electrode 128 to provide a liquid seal at the distal end of the camera assembly 256. This can help reduce the infiltration of fluids (e.g., blood or flushing fluid) into the camera assembly 256.

[0119] As described above, the second housing portion 260 may include a camera mounting surface 264 extending in a plane with a normal 266 extending toward the electrosurgical electrode 128, and the camera 152 is coupled to the camera mounting surface 264. (e.g., as...) Figure 2B In some examples (as shown), the camera mounting surface 264 and the camera 152 coupled to the camera mounting surface 264 are configured such that the field of view 274 of the camera 152 includes the distal end 128A of the electrosurgical electrode 128. This improves visibility of the electrosurgical electrode 128, target tissue, and / or surgical site compared to an alternative embodiment that mounts the camera and the electrosurgical electrode 128 coaxially. In some examples, the camera mounting surface 264 and the camera 152 coupled to the camera mounting surface 264 are configured such that the field of view 274 of the camera 152 includes the distal end 128A of the electrosurgical electrode 128 and the environment distal to the distal end 128A. In some examples, the camera mounting surface 264 and the camera 152 coupled to the camera mounting surface 264 are configured such that the field of view 274 of the camera 152 includes the distal end 128A and at least 40% of the length of the electrosurgical electrode 128. This can facilitate visualization of the working portion of the electrosurgical electrode 128 in many embodiments (e.g., in embodiments where the proximal portion of the electrosurgical electrode 128 is covered by heat-shrinkable insulation). In other embodiments, the camera mounting surface 264 and the camera 152 coupled to the camera mounting surface 264 are configured such that the field of view 274 of the camera 152 includes a different percentage of the length of the distal end 128A and the electrosurgical electrode 128.

[0120] In some examples, the angle 276 between the normal 266 of the plane of the camera mounting surface 264 and the longitudinal axis 253 of the shaft 126 can be approximately 20 to approximately 30 degrees. This can facilitate mounting the camera 152 to the camera mounting surface 264 such that the principal axis of the camera 152 is collinear with the normal 266, and the aforementioned field of view 274 is obtained. In another example, the angle 276 can be approximately 23 to approximately 27 degrees. This can help reduce the overall volume of the distal shaft end 126B, bringing the camera 152 closer to the electrosurgical electrode 128, thereby improving overall accessibility (e.g., a larger angle 276 makes it more difficult to enter confined spaces in certain situations). While the exemplary angle 276 described above may be advantageous, in other examples, the angle 276 may vary.

[0121] like Figure 1 and Figure 2C As shown, in some examples, camera 152 can be communicatively coupled to PCB 132. Figure 2C In the example shown, PCB 132 is located in handle 124 and is connected to camera 152 via one or more camera signal lines 278. However, in other examples, PCB 132 may be located in axis 126 and / or camera assembly 256. In other examples, camera 152 may be configured to transmit one or more images to display device 154 independently of PCB 132.

[0122] Now for reference Figures 3A-3B The figure shows an electrosurgical device 312 according to another embodiment of the electrosurgical device 112 described above. Specifically, Figure 3A A perspective view of an electrosurgical device 312 according to one example is depicted, and Figure 3B Depicting according to one example Figure 3A An enlarged view of the distal portion of the electrosurgical device 312 shown.

[0123] The electrosurgical device 312 is substantially similar to or identical to the electrosurgical device 112 described above. For example... Figures 3A-3B As shown, the electrosurgical device 312 includes a handle 124 and a shaft 126. The handle 124 extends between a proximal handle end 124A and a distal handle end 124B, and the shaft 126 extends from the distal handle end 124B of the handle 124. The shaft 126 extends between a proximal shaft end 126A and a distal shaft end 126B. An electrosurgical electrode 128 extends from the distal shaft end 126B.

[0124] exist Figure 3AIn the example shown, shaft 126 is telescopically movable and / or rotatable relative to handle 124. As described above, this adjusts the length of the electrosurgical device 112, which facilitates electrosurgical procedures at different depths within tissue (e.g., due to different patient anatomy and / or body size) and / or at different angles. In other examples, shaft 126 and / or electrosurgical electrodes 128 may be axially fixed relative to handle 124 and / or non-rotatable relative to handle 124.

[0125] like Figure 3B As shown, the electrosurgical device 312 includes a camera 152 located at the distal shaft end 126B. In some examples, the camera 152 may be disposed within the cavity 149 of the shaft 126. In other examples, the camera 152 may be coupled to an external portion of the distal shaft end 126B. In several examples, the camera 152 may be coupled to the shaft 126 by at least one coupling selected from the group consisting of: friction-fit coupling, adhesive coupling, threaded coupling, snap-fit ​​coupling, ultrasonic welding coupling, and overmolded coupling.

[0126] like Figures 3A-3B As shown, the electrosurgical device 312 also includes an electrosurgical electrode 128 coupled to the outer surface of shaft 126 and extending distally from the distal shaft end 126B. The longitudinal axis 366A of the electrosurgical electrode 128 may be offset relative to axis 366B, where axis 366B is the main axis of camera 152 and / or the longitudinal axis of shaft 126. In this arrangement, the fields of view of both the electrosurgical electrode 128 and camera 152 can be pointed generally in a distal direction (e.g., along a direction extending from the proximal shaft end 126A toward the distal shaft end 126B). This facilitates a direct connection with the user's hand when the user moves the electrosurgical device 112.

[0127] In some implementations, the field of view of camera 152 may be wide enough to provide visibility of the electrosurgical electrodes 128. For example, the field of view may be from about 45 degrees to about 90 degrees. In another example, the field of view may be from about 45 degrees to about 60 degrees. In yet another example, the field of view may be from about 70 degrees to 90 degrees. In other examples, the field of view may have different angles.

[0128] In some examples (e.g.) Figures 3A-3B In the example shown, the longitudinal axis 366A of the electrosurgical electrode 128 may also be parallel to the axis 366B (e.g., the longitudinal axis of axis 126 and / or the main axis of the field of view of camera 152). This can help enhance the visibility of the electrosurgical electrode 128 via direct visualization and / or through one or more images acquired by camera 152.

[0129] like Figure 3BAs shown, the electrosurgical electrode 128 is connected to the outer surface of the shaft 126 via a collar 380. The collar 380 includes: a first collar portion 380A, which is connected to the outer surface of the shaft 126 at a distal portion of the shaft 126; and a second collar portion 380B, which connects the electrosurgical electrode 128 to the first collar portion 380A.

[0130] exist Figure 3B In the example shown, the first collar portion 380A may include a through-hole 362 for receiving the distal portion of the shaft 126. In some examples, the first collar portion 380A may be coupled to the shaft 126 by at least one coupling selected from the group consisting of: friction-fit coupling, adhesive coupling, threaded coupling, snap-fit ​​coupling, ultrasonic welding coupling, and overmolded coupling. In some examples, the first collar portion 380A may be configured for rotation about the shaft 126 while the distal shaft end 126B is received in the through-hole 362. For example, in one embodiment, the first collar portion 380A may include a protrusion extending from the inner surface of the first collar portion 380A toward the central axis of the through-hole 262 (e.g., Figure 3B The axis 366B extends inward, and the axis 126 may include a recess for receiving the protrusion. In this arrangement, the protrusion and recess allow rotation of the first collar portion 380A relative to the axis 126 while inhibiting axial movement of the first collar portion 380A relative to the axis 126. In another embodiment, the first collar portion 380A may include a recess, and the axis 126 may include a protrusion extending from the axis toward the first collar portion 380A and received in the recess of the axis 126. Rotation of the first collar portion 380A relative to the axis 126 can facilitate rotation of the field of view of the electrosurgical electrode 128 relative to the axis 126 and the camera 152. This can help improve accessibility to the surgical site, and / or improve visualization of the electrosurgical electrode 128, the target tissue, and / or the surgical site, for example, through direct visualization and / or through one or more images acquired by the camera 152.

[0131] In other examples, the first collar portion 380A may be fixed in a non-rotatable manner relative to the shaft 126. This simplifies the manufacture and / or operation of the electrosurgical device 312. Furthermore, in an embodiment where the shaft 126 is rotatable relative to the handle 124, rotation of the electrosurgical electrode 128 relative to the handle 124 can be achieved by rotating the shaft 126 relative to the handle 124.

[0132] like Figure 3B As shown, the second ring portion 380B can define an elongated groove 382 for receiving the proximal portion of the electrosurgical electrode 128. Figure 3CA cross-sectional view of the collar 280, taken through the longitudinal axis 366A, is depicted to further illustrate the groove 382. In several examples, the electrosurgical electrode 128 can be coupled to the second collar portion 380B in the groove 382 by at least one coupling selected from the group consisting of: friction fit coupling, adhesive coupling, snap-fit ​​coupling, ultrasonic welding coupling, and overmolded coupling.

[0133] In several examples, the electrosurgical electrode 128 may be electrically connected to the shaft 126, such that electrosurgical energy is supplied from the electrosurgical generator 110 to the electrosurgical electrode 128 via the shaft 126. For example, as... Figure 3C As shown, the collar 380 may include a conductor 384 extending from a through-hole 362 in the first collar portion 380A to an elongated slot 382 in the second collar portion 380B, thereby electrically connecting the electrosurgical electrode 128 to the shaft 126. In other examples, the shaft 126 and / or the collar 380 may include one or more holes for allowing the housing conductor 134 to pass through and connect to the electrosurgical electrode 128 positioned in the elongated slot 382 of the second collar portion 380B.

[0134] In some examples, additionally or alternatively, the electrosurgical device 312 may include the light source 138 and / or optical structure 140 as described above. Figure 3B As shown, the light source 138 and / or optical structure 140 can be configured to emit light at the distal axial end 126B. This allows the light source 138 and / or optical structure 140 to emit light in a distal direction (e.g., along the length of the electrosurgical electrode 128), which can help to better visualize the electrosurgical electrode 128, target tissue, and / or surgical site through direct visualization and / or through one or more images acquired by the camera 152.

[0135] exist Figure 3B In this embodiment, the optical structure 140 extends circumferentially around the camera 152. This helps to emit light distally around all sides of the camera 152, which helps to reduce shading and provide more uniform illumination in all rotational orientations of the axis 126 relative to the housing 123 and / or the electrosurgical device 312 relative to the target tissue. However, in other examples, the optical structure 140 may extend partially rather than completely around the electrosurgical electrode 128.

[0136] Furthermore, in other examples, the electrosurgical device 312 may omit the optical structure 140 and instead target... Figure 3B The optical structure 140 in the diagram includes a light source 138 at the location shown. In this example, the light source 138 can emit light directly from the distal axial end 126B, rather than emitting light via the optical structure 140.

[0137] Figures 4A-4BAnother implementation of camera component 456 according to another example is depicted. Figure 4A A front view of camera assembly 456 is depicted, and Figure 4B The shaft 126, which is connected to the electrosurgical device 412, is depicted. Figure 4A The camera assembly 456 is substantially similar to or identical to the electrosurgical device 112 described above. In this example, the camera assembly 456 includes a spring clip mechanism for coupling the camera assembly 456 to the shaft 126 of the electrosurgical device 412.

[0138] For example, such as Figure 4A As shown, camera assembly 456 may include camera housing 458, and camera 152 is coupled to the distal surface of camera housing 458. Camera assembly 456 also includes a pair of latches 411 hinged to camera housing 458 at pivot point 413 (e.g., pin). Latches 411 are configured to be actuated between a closed position and an open position by one or more handle buttons 415. Latches 411 may be biased toward the closed position by a spring 417. Handle buttons 415 may be configured to be moved toward camera housing 458 by a force exceeding the biasing force applied to latches 411 by spring 417, so as to actuate latches 411 from the closed position to the open position.

[0139] When the jaws 411 are moved from the closed position to the open position, the space between the jaws 411 increases. When the jaws 411 are moved from the open position to the closed position, the space between the jaws 411 decreases. In this arrangement, in response to the operation of the handle button 415 to actuate the jaws 411 towards the open position, the shaft 126 can be positioned between the jaws 411. Then, in response to releasing the handle button 415, the spring 417 can cause the jaws 411 to move from the open position to the closed position and clamp onto the shaft 126 of the electrosurgical device 412, as... Figure 4B As shown.

[0140] In some examples, the biasing force applied to the pawl 411 by the spring 417 may be adapted to inhibit (or prevent) movement of the camera assembly 456 relative to axis 126 during electrosurgical procedures. In other examples, additionally or alternatively, the camera assembly 456 may include a releasable locking member 419 that may help mitigate movement of the camera assembly 456. For example, the releasable locking member 419 may have a locked state and an unlocked state. In the locked state, the releasable locking member 419 prevents the pawl 411 from moving toward the open position. In the unlocked state, the releasable locking member 419 allows the pawl to move toward the open position. Figures 4A-4BAs shown, at least a portion of the releasable locking member 419 is operable on the exterior of the camera housing 458 to actuate the releasable locking member 419 between an unlocked state and a locked state.

[0141] Figure 5 Another embodiment of a camera assembly 556 coupled to an electrosurgical device 512, according to another example, is depicted. Camera assembly 556 is described in conjunction with the above. Figures 4A-4B The camera assembly 556 described is the same as that described above, except that the claw 411 of the camera assembly 556 is configured to clamp onto the handle 124 of the electrosurgical device 512. The electrosurgical device 512 is substantially similar to or the same as the electrosurgical device 112 described above.

[0142] As described above, in several examples, camera 152 may be coupled to shaft 126 and / or handle 124. Figures 4A-5 Embodiments are described in which camera 152 can be coupled to the outer surface of shaft 126 and / or the outer surface of handle 124. Therefore, in some embodiments, a physician can select the position of camera 152 on shaft 126 and / or handle 124 from a plurality of possible axial and / or radial positions on shaft 126 and / or handle 124, such that the position of camera 152 can be continuously selected on shaft 126 and / or handle 124. This provides greater flexibility and / or user preference in selecting the position on shaft 126 and / or handle 124 for mounting camera 152.

[0143] In other examples, the handle 124 and / or shaft 126 may include one or more discrete mounting locations for coupling to the camera 152. In such examples, the camera 152 may be coupled to the handle 124 and / or shaft 126 only at specific and predefined locations along the handle 124 and / or shaft 126. For example, the handle 124 and / or shaft 126 may include a first coupling structure, the camera assembly may include a second coupling structure, and the first coupling structure may be configured for coupling to the second coupling structure. As an example, the first and second coupling structures may be configured to be coupled to each other by at least one mechanism selected from the group consisting of: (i) threaded couplings, (ii) quick-release couplings, (iii) magnetic couplings, (iv) cold shoe and hot shoe couplings, (v) ball-and-socket joints, (vi) dovetail mounts, and (vii) bayonet mount couplings.

[0144] As an example implementation, Figures 6A-6D An electrosurgical device 612 and a camera assembly 656 are depicted according to one example, both configured to be interconnected via quick-release couplings. Figure 6A A camera assembly 656 is depicted that is connected to the handle 124 of the electrosurgical device 612. Figure 6BThe handle 124 is depicted as a portion including a quick-release coupling. Figure 6C The camera assembly 656 in its first state is depicted, and Figure 6D The camera assembly 656 in its second state is depicted. The electrosurgical device 612 is substantially similar to or identical to the electrosurgical device 112 described above.

[0145] In this example, the handle 124 of the electrosurgical device 612 includes a slot 621, and the camera assembly 656 includes a post 623 having one or more spring-loaded balls. The camera assembly 656 also includes an actuator 625 located on the camera housing 658, which can be operated to move the spring-loaded balls inward. Figure 6C The camera assembly 656 is shown in a first state, wherein the actuator 625 is in an extended position and the spring-loaded ball is in an outwardly extended position. Figure 6D The camera assembly 656 is shown in a second state, with the actuator 625 in a pressed position and the spring-loaded ball in an inwardly retracted position. In this arrangement, the post 623 can be inserted into the slot 521, and one or more lateral channels of the slot 621 can receive the spring-loaded ball to axially hold the post 623 in the slot 621. The operable actuator 625 removes the spring-loaded ball from the lateral channels of the slot 621, thereby allowing the post 623 to be removed from the slot 621.

[0146] exist Figures 6B-6D In this configuration, the handle 124 may also include a first power connector 627, and the camera assembly 656 may include a second power connector 629, which is electrically connected to the first power connector 627 when the camera assembly 656 is attached to the handle 124. The connection between the first power connector 627 and the second power connector 629 may power the camera 152 and / or transmit data (e.g., images) from the camera 152 to a display device and / or a controller (e.g., controller 141). Figures 6B-6D In this example, the first power connector 627 is a socket and the second power connector 629 is a plug, but in other examples, the first power connector 627 and the second power connector 629 may be configured in different ways.

[0147] Despite Figure 6A In this embodiment, the electrosurgical device 612 includes a slot 621 at a single location on the handle 124; however, in other examples, the electrosurgical device 612 may include one or more slots 621 at one or more additional or alternative locations on the handle 124 and / or the shaft 126. In some embodiments that include multiple slots 621, multiple camera assemblies 656 may be simultaneously coupled to the electrosurgical device 612 to provide multiple fields of view and / or facilitate image processing, as described in more detail below.

[0148] In some examples, the electrosurgical device 112 may include one or more features that allow the camera 152 to rotate about the circumference of the axis 126 and / or the handle 124 (e.g., about the longitudinal axis of the axis 126 and / or the handle 124). Figure 7A An electrosurgical device 712 according to one example is depicted, and Figure 7B Depicting the through based on one example Figure 7A The image shows a cross-sectional view of the handle 124 of the electrosurgical device 712, taken by a line cut.

[0149] The electrosurgical device 712 may be substantially similar to or identical to the electrosurgical devices 112 and 612 described above. For example... Figures 7A-7B As shown, the shaft 126 and / or handle 124 of the electrosurgical device 712 includes a first coupling structure 721, which is configured for coupling to a second coupling structure of a camera assembly (e.g., camera assembly 656) as described above. Although Figure 7A -7C describes what is realized as Figures 6A-6D The first connection structure 721 of the slot shown is configured to be connected to a second connection structure of the camera assembly by at least one mechanism selected from the group consisting of: (i) threaded couplings, (ii) quick-release couplings, (iii) magnetic couplings, (iv) cold shoe and hot shoe couplings, (v) ball-and-socket joints, (vi) dovetail mounts, and (vii) bayonet mount couplings, as described above.

[0150] like Figures 7A-7B As shown, the electrosurgical device 712 may include a rotatable mounting assembly 729 that provides an indexing bearing mechanism to allow the first coupling structure 721 of the electrosurgical device 712 to rotate relative to non-rotating portions of the electrosurgical device 712 (e.g., a portion of the shaft 126, a portion of the handle 124, the electrosurgical electrode 128, and / or the user input device 130).

[0151] like Figure 7BAs shown in -7C, the rotatable mounting assembly 729 may include an outer housing portion 731, an internal support structure 733 disposed within a housing cavity of the outer housing portion 731, and a plurality of ball bearings 735 disposed between the outer surface of the internal support structure 733 and the inner surface of the outer housing portion 731. The internal support structure 733 may be fixed and non-rotatably disposed within the housing 123, while the outer housing portion 731 may be rotatably connected to the internal support structure 733 via the ball bearings 735. In this arrangement, with the first connecting structure 721 disposed on the outer housing portion 731, the first connecting structure 721 and the camera assembly connected to the first connecting structure 721 may rotate relative to the non-rotating portion of the electrosurgical device 712.

[0152] In this example, the ball bearing 735 is held within a corresponding recess on the inner surface of the outer housing portion 731. The recess may be, for example, a hemispherical recess, and at least a portion of each ball bearing 735 protrudes from the corresponding recess in which the ball bearing 735 is disposed.

[0153] like Figure 7B As shown in -7C, in some examples, the outer surface of the internal support structure 733 may have multiple grooves 737, each recess for receiving a corresponding one of the ball bearings 735. The grooves 737 may define discrete rotational positions of the first coupling structure 721 on the electrosurgical device 712. Figure 7B In the illustrated embodiment, the groove 737 may be spaced at 30-degree intervals around the circumference of the housing 123. This provides twelve discrete rotational positions for the first coupling structure 721 (and camera 152) around the electrosurgical device 712. In other embodiments, the internal support structure 733 may have a different number of recesses (e.g., the groove 737 may be spaced at 15-degree intervals, 45-degree intervals, 60-degree intervals, 90-degree intervals, or 120-degree intervals).

[0154] The groove 737 and the ball bearing 735 can be configured to suppress accidental rotation of the outer housing portion 731 relative to the internal support structure 733. For example, in Figures 7A-7B In one embodiment, the dimensions of the ball bearing 735 and the groove 737 can be designed such that a certain threshold force is required to move the ball bearing 735 from one set of grooves 737 to an adjacent groove 737. This threshold force can be greater than the force exerted on the outer housing portion 731 by the weight of the camera assembly coupled to the first coupling structure 721. This can help reduce accidental rotation of the camera assembly.

[0155] like Figure 7BAs shown, the outer housing portion 731 may optionally include a knob 739 extending outward from the outer housing portion 731. The knob 739 can help to better grip and rotate the outer housing portion 731.

[0156] In addition, such as Figure 7B As shown, the internal support structure 733 may define an internal cavity 741. The internal cavity 741 may be for accommodating and / or passing through the aforementioned combination. Figure 1 The other components of the electrosurgical device 712 provide space.

[0157] In some examples, the rotatable mounting assembly 729 may also include a locking mechanism to further suppress accidental rotation of the outer housing portion 731 and the first coupling structure 721. For example, in some examples, the outer housing portion 731 may be axially movable relative to the inner support structure 733 between a locked position and an unlocked position. In these examples, the groove 737 of the inner support structure 733 and the ball bearing 735 may be configured to prevent rotation of the outer housing portion 731 when it is in the locked position. When the outer housing portion is in the unlocked position, the ball bearing 735 is moved to disengage from the groove 737, allowing the outer housing portion 731 to rotate freely relative to the inner support structure 733.

[0158] Figures 8A-8D Depicting Figures 7A-7B An embodiment of the electrosurgical device 712 is shown, wherein the rotatable mounting assembly 729 includes the aforementioned locking mechanism. Figure 8A An electrosurgical device 712 according to one example is depicted. Figure 8B A through-through pattern is shown according to one example. Figure 8A The image shows a cross-sectional view of the handle 124 of the electrosurgical device 712, cut by a wire. Figure 8 depicts a through-hole view according to one example. Figure 8B The image shows a cross-sectional view of the handle 124 of the electrosurgical device 712, taken from a wire cut, wherein the outer housing portion 731 is in the locked position, and Figure 8D Depicting the through based on one example Figure 8B The image shows a cross-sectional view of the handle 124 of the electrosurgical device 712, taken by a line cut, with the outer housing portion 731 in the unlocked position.

[0159] like Figure 8C As shown, when the outer housing portion 731 is in the locked position, the ball bearing 735 is received in the groove 737 of the inner support structure 733, and the engagement between the ball bearing 735 and the groove 737 prevents the outer housing portion 731 from rotating relative to the inner support structure 733. Figure 8DAs shown, when the outer housing portion 731 is in the unlocked position, the ball bearing 735 is positioned outside the groove 737 and on the proximal portion 839 of the inner support structure 733, which has an outer diameter smaller than that of the groove 737 (e.g., a smooth surface portion). When the ball bearing 735 disengages from the groove 737, it can slide along the proximal portion 839 to allow the outer housing portion 731 to rotate relative to the inner support structure 733.

[0160] In some examples, the rotatable mounting assembly 729 may include one or more features for: (i) axially moving the outer housing portion 731 between an unlocked position and a locked position; (ii) biasing the outer housing portion 731 toward the locked position; and / or (iii) holding the outer housing portion 731 in the locked position until it is released to move toward the unlocked position.

[0161] As an example, Figures 9A-9C One embodiment of an electrosurgical device 712 is depicted, which includes a threaded collar 941 for moving an outer housing portion 731 between a locked position and an unlocked position. In this example, a first thread of the threaded collar 941 is engaged with a second thread on an inner support structure 733. Rotating the threaded collar 941 in a first direction moves the outer housing portion 731 toward the locked position, and rotating the threaded collar 941 in a second direction moves the outer housing portion 731 toward the unlocked position.

[0162] In some examples, camera 152 may be configured to move relative to at least one of handle 124, axis 126, and / or electrosurgical electrode 128. This allows adjustment of the field of view of camera 152 while the connection point between the camera components remains stationary relative to handle 124 and / or axis 126. In several examples, camera 152 may be adjustable in at least one dimension selected from the group consisting of: (i) tilt, (ii) pitch, and (iii) yaw. Thus, as alternative examples, camera 152 may be (i) adjustable in tilt, (ii) adjustable only in pitch, (iii) adjustable only in yaw, (iv) adjustable only in both tilt and pitch, (v) adjustable only in both pitch and yaw, (vi) adjustable only in both tilt and yaw, or (vii) adjustable in all three directions.

[0163] In some embodiments, camera 152 may be manually adjustable. In other embodiments, camera 152 may be adjustable via an electromechanical system, such as one or more brushless DC motors.

[0164] Figure 10A camera assembly 1056 is depicted, including a camera mount 1058, a camera 152, and an adjustment system 1043 configured to move the camera 152 relative to the camera mount 1058 in at least one dimension to adjust the field of view of the camera 152. The adjustment system 1043 may include a pitch motor 1045 configured to adjust the pitch of the outer camera housing 1055 and the camera 152. Additionally or alternatively, the adjustment system 1043 may include a yaw motor 1047 that adjusts the yaw of the inner camera housing 1049 relative to the camera mount 1058 and / or the outer camera housing 1055, thereby adjusting the yaw of the camera 152. Additionally or alternatively, the adjustment system 1043 may include a tilt motor 1051 that allows the camera 152 to rotate relative to the camera mount 1058, the inner camera housing 1049, and / or the outer camera housing 1055.

[0165] In some examples, the adjustment system 1043 can be configured to automatically move the camera 152 while the electrosurgical device 112 is being moved, so as to keep the target within the field of view of the camera 152. This can help to perform electrosurgical procedures more efficiently.

[0166] For example, such as Figure 10 As shown, the adjustment system 1043 can be communicatively coupled to the controller 1053, which can provide control signals to the adjustment system 1043 to operate the pitch motor 1045, the yaw motor 1047, and / or the tilt motor 1051. In several examples, the controller 1053 can be implemented using hardware, software, and / or firmware. For example, the controller 1053 may include one or more processors and a non-volatile computer-readable medium (e.g., volatile and / or non-volatile memory) storing machine language instructions or other executable instructions. When these instructions are executed by one or more processors, they cause the adjustment system 1043 to perform a variety of operations described herein. Thus, the controller 1053 can receive data (e.g., images acquired by the camera 152) and store the data in memory. The controller 1053 can be communicatively coupled to the adjustment system 1043 and / or the camera 152 via wired and / or wireless connections.

[0167] In other examples, additionally or alternatively, the adjustment system 1043 may be coupled to one or more user input devices 1030, which may be operated by a user to move the camera 152 relative to the camera mount 1058. The user input device 1030 may be located on: (i) the handle 124 of the electrosurgical device 112 (e.g., user input device 130); (ii) the electrosurgical generator 110 (e.g., user interface 116); and / or (iii) other devices (e.g., display devices).

[0168] Figure 11A This is a simplified block diagram of a camera 152 communicating with a controller 1053 according to one example. In several examples, the controller 1053 may be communicating with a modulation system 1043, or the modulation system 1043 may be omitted from the electrosurgical device 112 including the camera 152.

[0169] In some examples, controller 1053 may be configured to automatically calibrate camera 152 based on images acquired by camera 152. For example, in one embodiment, camera 152 may acquire an image of a reference portion of electrosurgical device 112 that has a known reference color value at the start of the calibration process. The portion of the electrosurgical device with a known reference color may, for example, be a portion of handle 124, a portion of shaft 126, and / or a portion of electrosurgical electrode 128 located within the field of view of camera 152.

[0170] During the calibration process, controller 1053 may perform image analysis on the acquired images to determine the measured color value of a reference portion of the electrosurgical device 112. Controller 1053 may then compare the measured color value with the reference color value to determine the deviation between the measured color value and the reference color value. This deviation may be caused by lighting conditions and / or one or more camera settings of camera 1053.

[0171] The controller 1053 may then send a control signal to the camera 152 based on the deviation to adjust the one or more camera settings of the camera 152. As an example, the one or more camera settings may include at least one setting selected from the group consisting of: white balance, exposure time, contrast and saturation, and color profile.

[0172] In some implementations, after adjusting one or more settings of camera 152, controller 1053 may repeat the calibration process once or multiple times until the deviation produced by the adjusted camera settings is less than a threshold limit.

[0173] In some examples, controller 1053 may also perform image recognition analysis on the acquired images to identify reference portions of the electrosurgical device 112. This may be advantageous in embodiments where the field of view of camera 152 is adjustable and / or the position of camera 152 on the electrosurgical device 112 is adjustable. In one example, controller 1053 may identify reference portions of the electrosurgical device 112 by the following steps: (i) extracting features (e.g., by detecting edges, key points, and / or shapes); (ii) matching the extracted features against known templates and / or trained models; (iii) locating the structure of the reference portion (e.g., by drawing bounding boxes and / or masks around the detection area); and (iv) determining the color value of the location structure of the reference portion.

[0174] In some embodiments, additionally or alternatively, the reference portion of the electrosurgical device 112 may include optical markers detectable in an image by the controller 1053. For example, the electrosurgical electrode 128 may include a coating that reflects and / or refracts light to provide a recognizable optical signal detectable in an image acquired by the camera 152. For example, the coating may include metal particles, glass beads, and / or prism films that reflect and / or refract light to provide the optical signal. In other embodiments, the reference portion of the electrosurgical device 112 may include a coating that provides a reflective and / or refractive effect superior to that of the surgical site, and / or the reference portion of the electrosurgical device 112 may include a coating that provides a reflective and / or refractive effect inferior to that of the surgical site, in order to provide an optical indication of the reference portion in the acquired image.

[0175] In some examples, camera 152 may include multiple cameras 152 located at different positions around handle 124 and / or shaft 126 (e.g., Figure 11B As shown in the diagram, controller 1053 can be configured to receive multiple images from camera 152 to create a composite image that omits at least a portion of handle 124, at least a portion of shaft 126, and / or at least a portion of electrosurgical electrode 128. In some embodiments, the composite image can be a selectable operating mode that can be toggled on and off. The composite image can help the user better visualize the surgical site in the absence of visual obstructions from handle 124, shaft 126, and / or electrosurgical electrode 128. This can be particularly advantageous when operating on relatively small surgical sites.

[0176] Now for reference Figure 12 , Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of an electrosurgical system 1200 based on another example. Figure 12 The electrosurgical system 1200 shown is the same as the reference system. Figure 1 The electrosurgical system 1200 shown and described is substantially similar or identical to the one described above, except that the electrosurgical system 1200 includes a wireless transmitter 1286 for transmitting one or more images to a display device 154. Therefore, Figure 12 The electrosurgical device 112 shown can be used in accordance with the above-described target Figures 2A-2D The electrosurgical device 212 shown Figures 3A-3C The electrosurgical device 312 shown Figure 4B The electrosurgical device 412 shown Figure 5 The electrosurgical device 512 shown Figure 6A The electrosurgical device 612 shown Figures 7A-9C The electrosurgical device 712 shown and / or any combination of these embodiments are implemented in the manner described. Furthermore, as stated above, Figure 12The electrosurgical device 112 shown may omit one or more of the aforementioned optional components (e.g., smoke tube 150, DC power supply 142, smoke exhaust channel 146, light source 138, optical structure 140) and / or camera 152.

[0177] like Figure 12 As shown, the electrosurgical device 112 includes a wireless transmitter 1286 that communicates with a camera 152. As described above, the camera 152 is configured to acquire one or more images. The wireless transmitter 1286 is configured to receive one or more images from the camera 152 and wirelessly transmit these images to a wireless receiver 1288 that communicates with a display device 154.

[0178] As an example, the wireless transmitter 1286 can be communicatively coupled to the wireless receiver 1288 via a local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), internet, cloud, and / or near-field communication. In one example, the wireless transmitter 1286 can be configured to wirelessly transmit one or more images to the wireless receiver 1288 using Bluetooth, and the wireless receiver 1288 can subsequently (e.g., via a wired connection) transmit these one or more images to the display device 154. Wirelessly coupling the camera 152 to the display device 154 via the wireless transmitter 1286 and the wireless receiver 1288 can help reduce the number and / or size of cables extending within the housing 123 and / or outward from the electrosurgical device 112 to one or more external devices (e.g., the electrosurgical generator 110 and / or the display device 154). This can help improve the operability of the electrosurgical device 112 and / or simplify its operation.

[0179] exist Figure 12 In the diagram, the wireless transmitter 1286 and PCB 132 are shown as separate components. However, the wireless transmitter 1286 may include PCB 132 and / or another printed circuit board disposed in the handle 124 and / or shaft 126, and the printed circuit board is connected to the camera 152 via one or more wires extending within the handle 124 and / or shaft 126.

[0180] Now for reference Figure 13 , Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram of an electrosurgical system 1300 based on another example. Figure 13 The electrosurgical system 1300 shown is combined with Figure 1 The electrosurgical system 100 shown and described and / or combined with Figure 12 The electrosurgical systems shown and described are substantially similar or identical, except that the electrosurgical system 1300 is configured to wirelessly transmit control signals to start and stop the supply of electrosurgical energy from the electrosurgical generator 110 to the electrosurgical device 112. Therefore, Figure 13The electrosurgical device 112 shown can be used as described above for... Figures 2A-2D The electrosurgical device 212 shown Figures 3A-3C The electrosurgical device 312 shown Figure 4B The electrosurgical device 412 shown Figure 5 The electrosurgical device 512 shown Figure 6A The electrosurgical device 612 shown and Figures 7A-9C The electrosurgical device 712 shown and / or any combination of these embodiments are implemented in the manner described. Furthermore, as stated above, Figure 13 The electrosurgical device 112 shown may omit one or more of the aforementioned optional components (e.g., smoke tube 150, DC power supply 142, smoke exhaust channel 146, light source 138, optical structure 140) and / or camera 152.

[0181] As described above, the electrosurgical device 112 includes one or more user input devices 130 operable for controlling the operation of the electrosurgical device 112. In some examples, the one or more user input devices 130 may be located on the handle 124. In another example, additionally or alternatively, the one or more user input devices 130 may include a foot pedal located outside the housing 123. Figure 13 As shown, one or more user input devices 130 are operatively coupled to a wireless transmitter 1286 located within housing 123 (e.g., within handle 124 and / or within shaft 126). For example, one or more user input devices 130 may be coupled to the wireless transmitter 1286 via PCB 132 and / or switch 136. Generally, one or more user input devices 130 are coupled to the wireless transmitter 1286 such that actuation of one or more user input devices 130 causes the wireless transmitter 1286 to wirelessly transmit a control signal instructing the actuation of one or more user input devices 130. Therefore, the wireless transmitter 1286 is configured to transmit control signals to the electrosurgical generator 110 in response to the one or more user input devices 130 being operated.

[0182] Furthermore, as described above, the power cord 122 may include a plug 1390 that can be connected to a socket of the connector 120 of the electrosurgical generator 110. In this example, the plug 1390 may include a wireless receiver 1388 that wirelessly communicates with the wireless transmitter 1286. In this arrangement, the wireless receiver 1388 may wirelessly receive control signals instructing one or more user input devices 130 to actuate, transmit signals (e.g., via a wired connection) to the electrosurgical generator 110, and cause the electrosurgical generator 110 to supply or stop supplying electrosurgical energy to the electrosurgical device via the power cord 122.

[0183] The electrosurgical device 112, which can wirelessly control the signal between the housing 123 and the plug 1390, can help reduce the number and size of wires in the power cord 122. For example, some existing electrosurgical devices include at least three core wires in the power cord, including a first wire for supplying electrosurgical energy, a second wire for transmitting control signals instructing the user input device to actuate in a cutting operation mode, and a third wire for transmitting control signals instructing the user input device to actuate in a coagulation operation mode. In contrast, Figure 13 The electrosurgical device 112 shown may include a single wire (e.g., for supplying electrosurgical power) in the power cord 122, while providing the same functionality as existing devices that include three wires in the power cord 122. This can help reduce the thickness of the power cord 122 that connects the plug 1390 to the electrosurgical device 112, thereby improving the maneuverability of the electrosurgical device 112 throughout the electrosurgical procedure.

[0184] Figures 14A-14B An electrosurgical device 1412 is depicted as one embodiment of an electrosurgical device 112, according to an example. Specifically, Figure 14A A side view of the electrosurgical device 1412 according to this example is depicted, and Figure 14B A simplified circuit diagram of the electrosurgical device 1412 according to this example is depicted. Figure 14A As shown, the electrosurgical device 1412 includes a housing 123, a handle 124, a shaft 126, electrosurgical electrodes 128, a power cord 122, and a plug 1390.

[0185] like Figures 14A-14B As shown, the electrosurgical device 1412 may include a wireless transmitter 1286 located in the housing 123 (e.g., in the handle 124) and a wireless receiver 1388 located in the plug 1390. The power cord 122 may include a single wire for supplying electrosurgical energy from the electrosurgical generator 110 to the electrosurgical device 112. In this example, the power cord 122 is composed of a single wire. However, in other examples, the power cord 122 may include one or more other wires used for purposes other than transmitting control signals from the electrosurgical device 112 to the electrosurgical generator 110 (e.g., for transmitting DC power signals from DC power in the electrosurgical generator 110 and / or DC power in the plug 1390, and / or for transmitting DC power signals along the power cord 122 between the plug 1390 and the housing 123).

[0186] In this example, one or more user input devices 130 include: a first user input device 1430A operable to cause the electrosurgical generator 110 to supply first electrosurgical energy for a cutting operation mode; and a second user input device 1430B operable to cause the electrosurgical generator 110 to supply second electrosurgical energy for a coagulation operation mode. The first electrosurgical energy may have a first power level and a first waveform, and the second electrosurgical energy may have a second power level and a second waveform. The first power level is different from the second power level, and the first waveform is different from the second waveform.

[0187] like Figure 14B As shown, plug 1390 may include multiple pins 1490A, 1490B, 1490C, which are configured to be received in corresponding sockets of connector 120 of electrosurgical generator 110. Figure 14B In the example shown, pins 1490A, 1490B, and 1490C include a first pin 1490A, a second pin 1490B, and a third pin 1490C. The first pin 1490A connects the electrosurgical generator 110 to a wire on the power line 122, thereby transferring electrosurgical energy from the electrosurgical generator 110 to the electrosurgical device 1412. The second pin 1490B and the third pin 1490C can be configured to provide control signals to the electrosurgical generator 110. For example, the plug 1390 can be configured such that actuation of a first user input device 1430A causes a wireless transmitter 1286 to send a control signal to a wireless receiver 1388, which uses the second pin 1490B to signal the electrosurgical generator 110 to supply electrosurgical energy with a first power level and a first waveform to the power line 122 via the first pin 1490A. Furthermore, for example, plug 1390 may be configured such that actuation of the second user input device 1430B causes the wireless transmitter 1286 to send a control signal to the wireless receiver 1388, which uses the third pin 1490C to send a signal to the electrosurgical generator 110 to supply electrosurgical energy with a second power level and a second waveform to the power line 122 via the first pin 1490A.

[0188] In some examples, wireless transmitter 1286 and wireless receiver 1388 may be paired using a hard-coded unique password (e.g., containing a unique device serial number) and an encryption key embedded in wireless transmitter 1286 and wireless receiver 1388. In some examples, data communication between wireless transmitter 1286 and wireless receiver 1388 may also use a hard-coded unique password and encryption key. For example, after wireless transmitter 1286 and wireless receiver 1388 are paired using a hard-coded unique password and a data link is established, communication between wireless transmitter 1286 and wireless receiver 1388 can be encrypted to reduce cross-communication caused by other wireless devices near electrosurgical device 1412.

[0189] In some embodiments, one or more components within housing 123 and plug 1390 may be battery powered, and in response to connecting plug 1390 to connector 120 of electrosurgical generator 110 and energizing it, wireless receiver 1388 of plug 1390 may establish a data link via a unique password and begin data communication with wireless transmitter 1286 in housing 123. Therefore, in some examples, wireless receiver 1388 and wireless transmitter 1286 may each have a master-slave relationship.

[0190] In one exemplary operation, after successfully pairing the wireless receiver 1388 and the wireless transmitter 1286, the wireless receiver 1388 can also connect to an available Wi-Fi network using a name (SSID) and a Wi-Fi network password (WPA2 key), and establish a secure link with a cloud database to transmit operational data based on sensor 594 (e.g., cutting operation duty cycle, coagulation operation duty cycle, temperature of electrosurgical electrode 128, temperature of shaft 126, temperature of handle 124, battery power, smoke extraction intensity, smoke content, number of particles in the smoke, and / or concentration of particles in the smoke). The wireless transmitter 1286 can transmit operational data periodically (e.g., every 5 seconds, every 10 seconds, etc.) or continuously. In some examples, this can be done while the user is operating the electrosurgical device 1412 (e.g., via...). Figure 1 and Figure 12 The display device 154 shown displays operation data to the user.

[0191] The user can control whether to activate the "cutting" or "coagulation" function via the user input device 130 on the electrosurgical device 1412. Regardless of the selected function, the wireless transmitter 1286 sends a corresponding encrypted code to the wireless receiver 1388 at the plug 1390. The wireless receiver 1388 decodes the received data packet and activates the cutting or coagulation operation selected using the user input device 130. After activation, the wireless receiver 1388 returns a confirmation message to the wireless transmitter 1286.

[0192] For reference Figure 15 The figure shows a flowchart of a process 1500 for operating an electrosurgical device according to an example. At block 1510, process 1500 includes connecting a power cord of the electrosurgical device to an electrosurgical generator. The electrosurgical device includes: (a) a handle extending between a proximal handle end and a distal handle end; (b) a shaft extending from the distal handle end of the handle, the shaft extending between a proximal shaft end and a distal shaft end; (c) an electrosurgical electrode extending from the distal shaft end; and (d) a camera assembly coupled to the distal shaft end. The camera assembly includes: (i) a first housing portion including a through-hole for receiving the distal shaft end; (ii) a second housing portion extending axially outward from the first housing portion, the second housing portion including a camera mounting surface extending in a plane normal to the electrosurgical electrode; and (iii) a camera coupled to the camera mounting surface.

[0193] After connecting the electrosurgical device to the electrosurgical generator at box 1510, process 1500 includes acquiring one or more images via a camera at box 1512. While acquiring one or more images via the camera at box 1512, process 1500 includes supplying electrosurgical energy from the electrosurgical generator to the electrosurgical electrodes at box 1514.

[0194] Figures 16-24 Additional aspects of process 1500, based on other examples, are described. For example... Figure 16 As shown, process 1500 may also include, at block 1514, supplying electrosurgical energy from the electrosurgical generator to the electrosurgical electrode while at block 1516 displaying one or more images on a display device.

[0195] like Figure 17 As shown, displaying one or more images on the display device at box 1516 may include displaying one or more images as video on the display device at box 1518.

[0196] like Figure 18As shown, process 1500 may also include transmitting one or more images from a wireless transmitter in the housing to a wireless receiver coupled to a display device at block 1520.

[0197] like Figure 19 As shown, process 1500 may also include: at block 1522, transmitting one or more images from a camera to a display device via one or more wires, the one or more wires being bundled with a power cord in a common housing, wherein the one or more wires and the power cord extend from the proximal end of the housing to the plug.

[0198] like Figure 20 As shown, acquiring one or more images at box 1512 may include acquiring one or more images of the distal end of the electrosurgical electrode at box 1524.

[0199] like Figure 21 As shown, process 1500 may include rotating the camera assembly relative to an axis at block 1526.

[0200] like Figure 22 As shown, process 1500 may include rotating the axis and camera assembly relative to the handle at block 1528.

[0201] like Figure 23 As shown, process 1500 may include acquiring one or more images at box 1512 while emitting light from the distal axial end at box 1530.

[0202] like Figure 24 As shown, emitting light from the distal axial end at box 1530 may include emitting light from an optical element extending circumferentially around the electrosurgical electrode at box 1532.

[0203] For reference Figure 25 The figure shows a flowchart of a process 2500 for operating an electrosurgical device according to an example. At block 2510, process 2500 includes connecting a power cord of the electrosurgical device to an electrosurgical generator. The electrosurgical device includes: (i) a handle extending between a proximal handle end and a distal handle end; (ii) a shaft extending from the distal handle end of the handle, extending between a proximal shaft end and a distal shaft end; (iii) a camera located at the distal shaft end; and (iv) an electrosurgical electrode coupled to an outer surface of the shaft and extending distally from the distal shaft end. The longitudinal axis of the electrosurgical electrode is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shaft.

[0204] After connecting the electrosurgical device to the electrosurgical generator at box 2510, process 2500 includes acquiring one or more images via a camera at box 2512. While acquiring one or more images via the camera at box 2512, process 2500 includes supplying electrosurgical energy from the electrosurgical generator to the electrosurgical electrodes at box 2514.

[0205] Figures 26-34 Additional aspects of process 2500, based on other examples, are described. For example... Figure 26 As shown, process 2500 may further include: while supplying electrosurgical energy from the electrosurgical generator to the electrosurgical electrode at block 2514, displaying one or more images on a display device at block 2516.

[0206] like Figure 27 As shown, displaying one or more images on the display device at box 2516 may include displaying one or more images as video on the display device at box 2518.

[0207] like Figure 28 As shown, process 2500 may also include transmitting one or more images from a wireless transmitter in the housing to a wireless receiver coupled to the display device at block 2520.

[0208] like Figure 29 As shown, process 2500 may also include: at block 2522, transmitting one or more images from a camera to a display device via one or more wires, the one or more wires being bundled with a power cord in a common housing, wherein the one or more wires and the power cord extend from the proximal end of the housing to the plug.

[0209] like Figure 30 As shown, acquiring one or more images at box 2512 may include acquiring one or more images of the distal end of the electrosurgical electrode at box 2524.

[0210] like Figure 31 As shown, process 2500 may include rotating the camera assembly relative to an axis at block 2526.

[0211] like Figure 32 As shown, process 2500 may include rotating the axis and camera assembly relative to the handle at block 2528.

[0212] like Figure 33 As shown, process 2500 may include acquiring one or more images at block 2512 while emitting light from the distal axial end at block 2530.

[0213] like Figure 34As shown, emitting light from the distal axial end at box 2530 may include emitting light from an optical element extending circumferentially around the electrosurgical electrode at box 2532.

[0214] Now for reference Figure 35 The figure shows a flowchart of a process 3500 for forming an electrosurgical device according to an example. At block 3510, process 3500 includes forming a handle extending between a proximal handle end and a distal handle end. At block 3512, the process includes coupling a shaft to the handle such that the shaft extends from the distal handle end of the handle. The shaft extends between a proximal shaft end and a distal shaft end. At block 3514, process 3500 includes coupling an electrosurgical electrode to the shaft such that the electrosurgical electrode extends from the distal shaft end. At block 3516, process 3500 includes coupling a camera assembly to the distal shaft end. The camera assembly includes a first housing portion including a through-hole receiving the distal shaft end. The camera assembly also includes a second housing portion extending axially outward from the first housing portion. The second housing portion includes a camera mounting surface extending in a plane normal to the electrosurgical electrode. The camera assembly also includes a camera coupled to the camera mounting surface.

[0215] For reference Figure 36 The figure shows a flowchart of a process 3600 for forming an electrosurgical device according to one example. At block 3610, process 3600 includes forming a handle extending at a proximal handle end and a distal handle end. At block 3612, process 3600 includes coupling a shaft to the handle such that the shaft extends from the distal handle end of the handle. The shaft extends between the proximal and distal shaft ends. At block 3614, process 3600 includes coupling a camera to the shaft at the distal shaft end. At block 3616, process 3600 includes coupling an electrosurgical electrode to the outer surface of the shaft such that the electrosurgical electrode extends distally from the distal shaft end. The longitudinal axis of the electrosurgical electrode is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shaft.

[0216] For illustrative and descriptive purposes, various advantageous arrangements have been described, and this description is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. Many changes and variations will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Furthermore, different advantageous embodiments may offer different advantages compared to other advantageous embodiments. One or more selected embodiments have been chosen and described to better explain the principles and practical application of the embodiments and to enable those skilled in the art to understand the various embodiments with various modifications suitable for the specific intended use.

Claims

1. An electrosurgical device, comprising: A handle that extends between a proximal handle end and a distal handle end; A shaft extending from the distal handle end of the handle, wherein the shaft extends between a proximal shaft end and a distal shaft end; Electrosurgical electrodes, the electrosurgical electrodes extending from the distal axial end; and A camera assembly, the camera assembly being coupled to the distal axis end, wherein the camera assembly includes: (i) A first housing portion, the first housing portion including a through hole for receiving the distal shaft end, (ii) A second housing portion extending outward from the first housing portion and the axially outer side, wherein the second housing portion includes a camera mounting surface extending in a plane with a normal to the electrosurgical electrode, and (iii) A camera, which is attached to the camera mounting surface.

2. The electrosurgical device as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The first housing portion also includes an aperture located at the distal end of the camera assembly, through which the electrosurgical electrode extends distally.

3. The electrosurgical device as claimed in claim 2, wherein, The electrosurgical device also includes a light source configured to emit light through the aperture located at the distal end of the camera assembly.

4. The electrosurgical device as claimed in claim 2, wherein, The hole located at the distal end of the camera assembly is coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the electrosurgical electrode and the longitudinal axis of the shaft.

5. The electrosurgical device as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The camera is attached to the camera mounting surface such that the camera's field of view includes the distal end of the electrosurgical electrode.

6. The electrosurgical device as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The first housing portion is configured to rotate about the shaft while being received in the through hole at the distal shaft end.

7. The electrosurgical device as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The first housing portion is fixed in a rotational manner relative to the axis.

8. The electrosurgical device as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The electrosurgical device also includes a wireless transmitter that communicates with the camera, the wireless transmitter being configured to receive one or more images from the camera and wirelessly transmit the one or more images to a wireless receiver that communicates with a display device.

9. The electrosurgical device as claimed in claim 8, wherein, The wireless transmitter is configured to wirelessly transmit the one or more images to the wireless receiver using Bluetooth.

10. The electrosurgical device of claim 8, wherein, The wireless transmitter includes a printed circuit board disposed in the handle, which is connected to the camera via one or more wires extending within the handle and the shaft.

11. The electrosurgical device as claimed in claim 8, wherein, The electrosurgical device also includes one or more user input devices located on the handle, the one or more user input devices being operable to control the operation of the electrosurgical device.

12. The electrosurgical device of claim 11, wherein, The one or more user input devices are operatively coupled to the wireless transmitter in the handle, the wireless transmitter being configured to transmit control signals to the electrosurgical generator in response to the one or more user input devices being operated.

13. The electrosurgical device of claim 12, wherein, The one or more user input devices include: A first user input device, operable to cause the electrosurgical generator to provide first electrosurgical energy for a cutting operation mode; and A second user input device, operable to cause the electrosurgical generator to provide second electrosurgical energy for the coagulation operation mode. Wherein, the first electrosurgical energy has a first power level and a first waveform, and the second electrosurgical energy has a second power level and a second waveform, and The first power level is different from the second power level, and the first waveform is different from the second waveform.

14. The electrosurgical device of claim 12, wherein, The electrosurgical device also includes a power cord configured to receive electrosurgical energy from the electrosurgical generator, the power cord consisting of a single conductor within an insulator.

15. An electrosurgical device, comprising: A handle that extends between a proximal handle end and a distal handle end; A shaft extending from the distal handle end of the handle, wherein the shaft extends between a proximal shaft end and a distal shaft end; The camera located at the distal end of the axis; and An electrosurgical electrode, wherein the electrosurgical electrode is coupled to the outer surface of the shaft and extends distally from the distal end of the shaft. The longitudinal axis of the electrosurgical electrode is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shaft.

16. The electrosurgical device of claim 15, wherein, The electrosurgical electrode is connected to the outer surface of the shaft via a collar, the collar comprising: A first collar portion extends around the outer surface of the shaft at a distal portion of the shaft; and The second loop portion connects the electrosurgical electrode to the first loop portion.

17. The electrosurgical device of claim 16, wherein, The second ring portion defines an elongated groove for receiving the proximal portion of the electrosurgical electrode.

18. The electrosurgical device of claim 16, wherein, The electrosurgical electrode is electrically connected to the shaft, such that electrosurgical energy from the electrosurgical generator is supplied to the electrosurgical electrode via the axial direction.

19. The electrosurgical device of claim 18, wherein, The collar includes a conductor extending from the through-hole of the first collar portion to the elongated groove of the second collar portion to electrically connect the electrosurgical electrode to the axial connection.

20. The electrosurgical device of claim 15, wherein, The electrosurgical device also includes a light source and optical elements configured to emit light from an aperture located at the distal axial end.

21. The electrosurgical device of claim 20, wherein, The optical elements extend around the circumference of the camera.

22. The electrosurgical device of claim 16, wherein, The first collar portion is configured to rotate about the axis while at the distal shaft end.

23. The electrosurgical device of claim 16, wherein, The first collar portion is fixed in a rotational manner relative to the axis.

24. The electrosurgical device of claim 15, wherein, The electrosurgical device also includes a wireless transmitter that communicates with the camera, the wireless transmitter being configured to receive one or more images from the camera and wirelessly transmit the one or more images to a wireless receiver that communicates with a display device.

25. The electrosurgical device of claim 24, wherein, The wireless transmitter is configured to wirelessly transmit the one or more images to the wireless receiver using Bluetooth.

26. The electrosurgical device of claim 24, wherein, The wireless transmitter includes a printed circuit board disposed in the handle, which is connected to the camera via one or more wires extending within the handle and the shaft.

27. The electrosurgical device of claim 24, wherein, The electrosurgical device also includes one or more user input devices located on the handle, the one or more user input devices being operable to control the operation of the electrosurgical device.

28. The electrosurgical device of claim 27, wherein, The one or more user input devices are operatively coupled to the wireless transmitter located in the handle, the wireless transmitter being configured to send control signals to the electrosurgical generator in response to the one or more user input devices being operated.

29. The electrosurgical device of claim 28, wherein, The one or more user input devices include: A first user input device, operable to cause the electrosurgical generator to provide first electrosurgical energy for a cutting operation mode; and A second user input device, operable to cause the electrosurgical generator to provide second electrosurgical energy for the coagulation operation mode. Wherein, the first electrosurgical energy has a first power level and a first waveform, and the second electrosurgical energy has a second power level and a second waveform, and The first power level is different from the second power level, and the first waveform is different from the second waveform.

30. The electrosurgical device of claim 28, wherein, The electrosurgical device also includes a power cord configured to receive electrosurgical energy from the electrosurgical generator, the power cord consisting of a single conductor within an insulator.

31. A method of operating an electrosurgical device, comprising: The power cord of the electrosurgical device is connected to the electrosurgical generator, wherein the electrosurgical device includes: A handle that extends between a proximal handle end and a distal handle end; A shaft extending from the distal handle end of the handle, wherein the shaft extends between a proximal shaft end and a distal shaft end; Electrosurgical electrodes, the electrosurgical electrodes extending from the distal axial end; and A camera assembly coupled to the distal end axis, wherein the camera assembly includes: (i) A first housing portion, the first housing portion including a through hole for receiving the distal shaft end; (ii) a second housing portion extending outward from the first housing portion and the axially outer side, wherein the second housing portion includes a camera mounting surface extending in a plane with a normal to the electrosurgical electrode; and (iii) A camera that is attached to the camera mounting surface; After the electrosurgical device is connected to the electrosurgical generator, one or more images are acquired via the camera; and While acquiring the one or more images through the camera, electrosurgical energy from the electrosurgical generator is supplied to the electrosurgical electrodes.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein, The method further includes displaying the one or more images on a display device while supplying the electrosurgical energy from the electrosurgical generator to the electrosurgical electrodes.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein, Displaying the one or more images on the display device includes displaying the one or more images as video on the display device.

34. The method according to any one of claims 32-33, wherein, The method further includes transmitting the one or more images from a wireless transmitter in the housing to a wireless receiver connected to the display device.

35. The method according to any one of claims 32-33, wherein, The method further includes transmitting one or more images from the camera to the display device via one or more wires, the one or more wires being able to be bundled with the power cord in a common housing, wherein the one or more wires and the power cord extend from the proximal end of the housing to the plug.

36. The method according to any one of claims 31-35, wherein, Acquiring the one or more images includes acquiring one or more images of the distal end of the electrosurgical electrode.

37. The method according to any one of claims 31-36, wherein, The method also includes rotating the camera assembly relative to the axis.

38. The method according to any one of claims 31-37, wherein, The method also includes rotating the axis and the camera assembly relative to the handle.

39. The method according to any one of claims 31-38, wherein, The method further includes emitting light from the distal axial end while acquiring the one or more images.

40. The method of claim 39, wherein, Light emission from the distal axial end includes light emission from optical elements extending circumferentially around the electrosurgical electrode.

41. A method of operating an electrosurgical device, comprising: The power cord of the electrosurgical device is connected to the electrosurgical generator, wherein the electrosurgical device includes: A handle that extends between a proximal handle end and a distal handle end; A shaft extending from the distal handle end of the handle, wherein the shaft extends between a proximal shaft end and a distal shaft end; The camera is located at the distal end of the axis; An electrosurgical electrode, wherein the electrosurgical electrode is coupled to the outer surface of the shaft and extends distally from the distal end of the shaft. Wherein, the longitudinal axis of the electrosurgical electrode is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shaft; After the electrosurgical device is connected to the electrosurgical generator, one or more images are acquired via the camera; and While acquiring the one or more images through the camera, electrosurgical energy from the electrosurgical generator is supplied to the electrosurgical electrodes.

42. The method of claim 41, wherein, The method further includes displaying the one or more images on a display device while supplying the electrosurgical energy from the electrosurgical generator to the electrosurgical electrodes.

43. The method of claim 42, wherein, Displaying the one or more images on a display device includes displaying the one or more images as video on the display device.

44. The method according to any one of claims 42-43, wherein, The method further includes transmitting the one or more images from a wireless transmitter located in the housing to a wireless receiver coupled to the display device.

45. The method according to any one of claims 42-43, wherein, The method further includes transmitting the one or more images from the camera to the display device via the one or more wires, the one or more wires being able to be bundled with the power cord in a common housing, wherein the one or more wires and the power cord extend from the proximal end of the housing to the plug.

46. ​​The method according to any one of claims 41-45, wherein, Acquiring the one or more images includes acquiring one or more images of the distal end of the electrosurgical electrode.

47. The method according to any one of claims 41-46, wherein, The method also includes rotating the electrosurgical electrode relative to the axis.

48. The method according to any one of claims 41-47, wherein, The method also includes rotating the shaft and the electrosurgical electrode relative to the handle.

49. The method according to any one of claims 41-48, wherein, The method further includes emitting light from the distal axial end while acquiring the one or more images.

50. The method of claim 49, wherein, Light emission from the distal axial end includes light emission from optical elements extending circumferentially around the camera.

51. A method of forming an electrosurgical device, comprising: A handle is formed, the handle extending between a proximal handle end and a distal handle end; The shaft is connected to the handle such that the shaft extends from the distal handle end of the handle, wherein the shaft extends between the proximal shaft end and the distal shaft end; Connect the electrosurgical electrode to the shaft such that the electrosurgical electrode extends from the distal end of the shaft; and The camera assembly is coupled to the distal axis end, wherein the camera assembly includes: A first housing portion, the first housing portion including a through hole for receiving the distal shaft end; A second housing portion, extending axially outward from the first housing portion and the axially outer side, includes a camera mounting surface extending in a plane with a normal to the electrosurgical electrode; and A camera, which is attached to the camera mounting surface.

52. A method of forming an electrosurgical device, comprising: A handle is formed, the handle extending between a proximal handle end and a distal handle end; The shaft is connected to the handle such that the shaft extends from the distal handle end of the handle, wherein the shaft extends between the proximal shaft end and the distal shaft end; The camera is connected to the axis at the distal end of the axis; and An electrosurgical electrode is attached to the outer surface of the shaft, such that the electrosurgical electrode extends distally from the distal end of the shaft. The longitudinal axis of the electrosurgical electrode is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shaft.

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