Surgical assembly and surgical instrument

Abstract

A surgical assembly and surgical instrument for removing particulate matter generated during a surgical procedure are disclosed. The assembly includes at least two electrodes, each of which is electrically connectable to a pole of the same polarity of at least one DC voltage supply. The at least one DC voltage supply is configured to generate an electric field from distal portions of the at least two electrodes to ionize particulate matter suspended near a surgical site. The distal portions of the at least two electrodes diverge from each other in a direction toward a longitudinal axis of the tool piece. The divergence of the electrodes makes them particularly suitable for open surgical procedures, as they form a wide electric field for ionizing and capturing specific materials.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to surgical assemblies and surgical instruments. [Background technology]

[0002] Particulate matter in aerosol form is commonly encountered during surgical procedures. For example, it may be utilized to deliver therapeutic agents or may be generated as a result of performing a surgical procedure. Particulate matter generation is typically associated with "energy-based" surgical instruments. Energy-based surgical instruments are powered in some manner to produce a therapeutic effect, such as cutting or coagulating patient tissue. While there are several modes of operation, including radio frequency (RF), ultrasound, and laser, all of these energy-based instruments generate particulate matter as a by-product of their mode of operation.

[0003] The generation of particulate matter obscures the surgeon's vision and is generally harmful if inhaled. Therefore, it is desirable to remove particulate matter generated during surgical procedures before it can enter the operating room or migrate beyond the surgical site. Suction-based systems have historically been used to extract aerosolized particulate matter from the surgical field. However, because this is a dilution-based process, it is ineffective at rapidly removing particulate matter and improving the surgeon's quality of vision. Such systems require lengths of bulky tubing to attach to the surgical instrument, adding weight to the assembly, making it bulky and unwieldy. The tubing is often integrated into the surgical instrument handpiece, which can adversely affect ergonomics and obscure visibility of the instrument tip and surgical site, especially when performing precise tissue dissection. Additionally, in surgical procedures requiring gas insufflation to create a surgical space, such as laparoscopic surgery, the resulting gas exchange can dry and dehydrate tissue, resulting in adverse effects for the patient. As a result of this, and the fact that suction-based systems are noisy and cumbersome, adoption of suction-based systems has been poor.

[0004] WO 2011 / 010148 discloses an alternative approach to managing particulate matter in surgical procedures via a device for the reduction and removal of surgical smoke and other aerosol particles generated during electrosurgical procedures. The device generates a stream of electrons from a sharp electrode placed near a surgical site, such as the abdominal cavity, and the electrons emitted from the electrode attach to nearby airborne aerosol particles. The device also establishes a potential difference between the electrode and the patient to attract ionized particles away from the surgical site, thereby improving the surgeon's view of the site.

[0005] However, the effectiveness of this device also depends on the placement of the electrodes relative to the surgical site and other surgical instruments, and is therefore dependent on the experience and skill of the surgeon. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The inventors have now devised a surgical assembly and surgical instrument that addresses at least some of the limitations discussed above. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a surgical assembly for removing particulate matter generated during a surgical procedure, comprising at least two electrodes, each of the at least two electrodes being electrically coupleable to a pole of the same polarity of at least one DC voltage supply, the at least one DC voltage supply being configured to generate an electric field from distal portions of the at least two electrodes to ionize particulate matter airborne in the vicinity of a surgical site; A surgical assembly is provided in which the distal portions of each of the at least two electrodes diverge away from each other in a direction toward a longitudinal axis of the tool piece.

[0008] The electrode's divergence creates a wide electric field that is particularly suited to ionizing particulate matter generated during open surgical procedures. The wide electric field increases the ionization zone for particulate matter and reduces the escape of any particular material from the surgical site. Furthermore, the use of at least two electrodes allows surgical instruments to be used in several positions and orientations without reducing the particle removal effectiveness of the assembly. A distal portion of each of the at least two electrodes may extend along a plane arranged to converge toward a longitudinal axis of the tool piece of the surgical instrument.

[0009] In one embodiment, at least two electrodes extend in a common plane arranged to converge towards the longitudinal axis.

[0010] In one embodiment, the planes or the common plane are arranged to converge toward an active region of the tool piece, which includes a region configured to deliver energy to patient tissue during a surgical procedure. The active region may include a distal tip of the tool piece.

[0011] In one embodiment, the common plane is positioned to intersect the working area of ​​the tool piece.

[0012] In one embodiment, the assembly further comprises a cable electrically coupled at one end to the at least two electrodes and electrically terminated at an opposite end with a plug for electrically coupling the cable to at least one DC voltage supply. In an alternative embodiment, the assembly comprises at least two DC voltage supplies, each of the at least two electrodes being electrically coupleable to a pole of the same polarity of a respective DC voltage supply.

[0013] In one embodiment, the assembly further comprises a body for housing the at least two electrodes. The body may comprise coupling means for releasably coupling the body to a surgical instrument, such as a handle of a surgical instrument.

[0014] In one embodiment, the coupling means allows the body to move relative to the surgical instrument so that the body can be properly positioned relative to the tool piece, so that the respective planes or common planes in which the distal portions of the at least two electrodes extend converge toward the longitudinal axis of the tool piece or intersect the working area.

[0015] In one embodiment, the assembly further comprises a tool piece for a surgical instrument, which may be mounted within the body and configured to form a communicative coupling with an energy source via the surgical instrument to perform the surgical procedure.

[0016] The energy source may include a power source such as an RF source for supplying RF power to the patient tissue through the tool piece, an electromagnetic radiation source such as a laser for supplying laser radiation to the patient tissue through the tool piece, a microwave radiation source for supplying microwear radiation to the patient tissue, or an ultrasound-based energy source for generating ultrasonic vibrations within the tool piece and supplying the ultrasonic vibrations to the patient tissue.

[0017] The tool piece may form a communicative coupling with the energy source via terminals disposed on the body.

[0018] In one embodiment, the at least two electrodes are radially offset from the longitudinal axis of the tool piece. The at least two electrodes are angularly separated by less than 180°, preferably less than 90°, and more preferably less than 45° about the longitudinal axis of the tool piece. The at least two electrodes may be housed within the body with at least a distal portion of each electrode extending from the body.

[0019] In one embodiment, a distal portion of each of the at least two electrodes is longitudinally spaced from the working region of the tool piece.

[0020] In one embodiment, the electrodes further comprise an insulating sheath extending along at least a portion of the distal portion of the electrode such that only the distal tip of each electrode is exposed for generating an electric field. Similarly, the tool piece comprises an insulating sheath extending along at least a portion thereof such that only the working region is exposed. The insulation minimizes electrical pathways between the tool piece and the distal portion of the electrode due to conductive fluids that have been found to deposit on the electrodes and tool piece during surgical procedures. To further mitigate electrical pathways, the insulation may comprise a corrugated or sawtooth outer profile to maximize creepage distance between the working region of the tool piece and the distal portion of the electrode.

[0021] In one embodiment, the assembly further comprises an additional electrode electrically coupleable to a pole of at least one DC voltage supply opposite to the poles to which the at least two electrodes are coupled to attract ionized particulate matter. In one embodiment, the additional electrode is positioned to form an electrical connection with a patient undergoing a surgical procedure, such that ionized particulate matter is attracted toward the patient. The at least two electrodes and the additional electrode thus generate an electrostatic field to facilitate electrostatic precipitation of ionized particulate matter, for example, onto the additional electrode or the patient.

[0022] In one embodiment, the assembly further comprises at least one DC voltage supply for supplying DC power to the at least two electrodes and the further electrode. In one embodiment, the DC voltage supply comprises at least two DC voltage supplies, each of the at least two electrodes being electrically couplable with a pole of the same polarity of a respective DC voltage supply. The assembly further comprises an actuator for selectively supplying DC power from the or each DC voltage supply to the at least two electrodes. Alternatively, the assembly may further comprise a sensor for sensing an operating state of the tool piece, and a controller communicatively coupled to the sensor and configured to receive a sensing signal from the sensor indicative of the operating state of the tool piece, the controller configured to synchronize the supply of DC power to the at least two electrodes in response to operation of the tool piece.

[0023] According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a surgical instrument for performing a surgical procedure, comprising: at least two electrodes, each of the at least two electrodes electrically coupleable to a pole of the same polarity of at least one DC voltage supply, the at least one DC voltage supply configured to generate an electric field from a distal portion of the at least two electrodes to ionize particulate matter suspended in the vicinity of the surgical site; A surgical instrument is provided in which the distal portions of each of the at least two electrodes diverge away from each other in a direction toward a longitudinal axis of the tool piece. A distal portion of each of the at least two electrodes may extend along a plane arranged to converge towards a longitudinal axis of the tool piece.

[0024] In one embodiment, the instrument further comprises a conduit comprising a cable electrically coupled at one end to the at least two electrodes, the conduit further comprising a channel for transmitting energy from an energy source to a tool piece of the instrument, the conduit being terminated with a plug for electrically coupling the cable to at least one DC voltage supply and for coupling the tool piece to the energy source.

[0025] In one embodiment, the surgical instrument includes a handle and the tool piece is removably coupleable to the handle so that different tool pieces can be used for different surgical procedures.

[0026] In one embodiment, the tool piece includes an active area for delivering energy to patient tissue during a surgical procedure.

[0027] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0028] [Figure 1a] FIG. 1a is a schematic illustration of a surgical assembly according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 1b] FIG. 1b is a top view of the surgical assembly shown in FIG. 1a. [Figure 2a] FIG. 2a is a plan view of a surgical assembly according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2b] FIG. 2b is a side view of the surgical assembly shown in FIG. 2a. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the surgical assembly shown in FIG. 1a attached to a surgical instrument. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a surgical instrument according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a plan view of the surgical instrument shown in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a side view of the surgical instrument shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0029] 1a of the drawings, a surgical assembly 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention is shown for use in removing particulate matter, particularly aerosolized matter, generated at a surgical site during a surgical procedure. The assembly 100 is configured for retrofit onto a surgical instrument 200 and includes a generally cylindrical body 110 (other body shapes are possible) formed of a rigid plastic material for supporting two electrodes 120a, 120b, although three or more electrodes may be employed as well. The body 110 includes two sleeves 112a, 112b formed of an electrically insulating material extending forward from a front end face 114 of the body 110. The sleeves 112a, 112b and the body 110 may be integrally formed, with each sleeve 112a, 112b positioned to receive and support a respective electrode 120a, 120b. The body 110 further comprises a coupling means 130, which may comprise an elastically deformable clip 132 for attaching the body 110 to the instrument 200, for example, configured to "snap into position" around the handle portion 210 of the surgical instrument 200.

[0030] The proximal portion 122 of each electrode 120a, 120b, i.e., the portion disposed closest to the body 110, extends in a substantially parallel arrangement within the respective sleeve 112a, 112b, while the distal portions 124 of each electrode 120a, 120b diverge from each other in a direction away from the front end face 114 of the body 110. The distal portions 124 of each electrode 120a, 120b extend along a common plane that, when the body 110 is attached to the surgical instrument 200, is positioned to converge toward an active region 222 of a tool piece 220 associated with the surgical device 200. In this regard, it is apparent that the distal portion 124 of each electrode 120a, 120b extends in a different plane compared to the proximal portion 122. Insulating sleeve 112a, 112b extends along the proximal portion 122 of each electrode 120a, 120b and along a portion of the distal portion 124 of each electrode 120a, 120b and may include a corrugated or sawtooth outer profile (not shown) to increase the creepage distance between the distal portion 124 of electrode 120 and active region 222. However, the distal region or tip 126 of each electrode is exposed.

[0031] The working region 222 of the tool piece 220 is the region of the tool piece 220 configured to contact patient tissue and produce a desired therapeutic effect, such as cutting, cauterizing, or coagulating the patient tissue, and typically comprises the distal tip 224 of the tool piece 220.

[0032] The assembly 100 further includes a cable 140 electrically coupled to each electrode 120 at one end, while the opposite end of the cable 140 is terminated in a plug 150. The plug 150 is receivable within a socket 162 of a DC voltage supply 160 for electrically coupling each electrode 120 to a common pole of the DC voltage supply 160, such as the negative pole. In an alternative embodiment, the assembly includes at least two DC voltage supplies (not shown), with each electrode electrically coupleable to a pole of the same polarity, such as the negative pole, of the respective DC voltage supply, such that each electrode 120 is driven by the respective DC supply 160. In this regard, it is envisioned that the assembly may include a cable 140 having at least two plugs 150 for electrically coupling each electrode 120 a, 120 b to a respective DC voltage supply 160.

[0033] Assembly 100 further comprises an array of resistors (not shown) that may be disposed in the electrical path between electrode 120 and cable 140 to limit capacitance associated with assembly 100 and energy associated with electrostatic discharge from electrode 120 back to voltage supply 160. The resistor array may be disposed within body 110, or within DC voltage supply 160 or each DC voltage supply 160.

[0034] Assembly 100 further includes an additional electrode for attracting ionized particulate matter away from the surgical site. The additional electrode is electrically coupleable via cable 140 to the opposite pole of the or each DC voltage supply 160, such as the positive pole (or ground), and may include a metal collector plate or gauze (not shown) positioned near the surgical site, or may include a metal collar (not shown), for example, that may be positioned on surgical instrument 200. Alternatively, the additional electrode may include an adhesive pad 128 for forming an electrical connection with a patient undergoing a surgical procedure. Pad 128 is electrically coupleable to the opposite pole of DC voltage supply (or each DC voltage supply) 160, such as the positive pole, via additional cable 142 and plug 152 for mating with socket 162 on the DC supply. The at least two electrodes 120a, 120b, the further electrode 128, and the DC voltage supply (or each DC voltage supply) 160 thus serve to generate an electrostatic field between the patient (not shown) and electrodes 120a, 120b to facilitate ionization and electrostatic precipitation of particulate matter onto the patient. Electrical coupling of the or each DC voltage supply 160 to electrodes 120a, 120b and the further electrode 128 is controlled by an actuator (not shown), which may comprise a switch located on DC voltage supply 160 or a foot switch electrically coupled to DC voltage supply 160 or each DC voltage supply 160. In this regard, an operator, such as a surgeon, can choose to selectively supply DC power to electrodes 120a, 120b and the further electrode 128 when needed to obtain a clearer view of the surgical site. Alternatively, the assembly 100 may further include a sensor (not shown) for detecting the operating state of the tool piece 220, and a controller (not shown) communicatively coupled to the sensor and configured to receive a detection signal from the sensor representative of the operating state of the tool piece, the controller configured to synchronize the supply of DC power 160 to the electrodes 120a, 120b in response to the operation of the tool piece 220.

[0035] 2, there is shown a surgical assembly 300 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The second embodiment assembly 300 is substantially similar to the first embodiment assembly, and therefore like features are referenced with the same numbers, but increased by 200.

[0036] However, the second embodiment assembly 300 further includes a port 370 disposed within the body 310 for receiving a tool piece 380 used to perform a surgical procedure. The tool piece 380 may include a metal blade for delivering RF power from an RF source (not shown) to patient tissue or a waveguide for delivering laser radiation from a laser radiation source (not shown). Alternatively, the tool piece 380 may include a blade disposed in vibrational communication with a piezoelectric element (not shown) configured to deliver ultrasonic energy to patient tissue. The tool piece 380 is configured to removably couple with the body 310 so that different tool pieces 380 can be used for different procedures. The tool piece 380 is configured to be receivable within or dock with the port 370 disposed on the front surface 314 of the body 310 such that the tool piece 380 extends forward of the body 310 substantially parallel to the proximal portions 322 of the electrodes 320 a, 320 b. The portion of the tool piece 380 received within the port 370 forms a communication coupling with a terminal 390 formed on the body 310. The terminal 390 is configured to form a coupling with an adjacent terminal (not shown) on the handle 210 of the surgical instrument 200 when the body 310 is secured to the surgical instrument 200, so that energy from an energy source (not shown), such as an electrical RF source, a laser radiation source, or an ultrasonic energy source, can be transferred from the instrument 200 to the tool piece 380.

[0037] 1-3 of the drawings, in both the first and second embodiments of the assembly, the proximal portion 122, 322 of each electrode 120, 320 is radially spaced from the longitudinal axis A of the tool piece 220, 380, and the distal portion 124, 324 of each electrode 120, 320 is longitudinally spaced from the active region 222, 382 of the tool piece 220, 380 such that a common plane P forms an acute angle θ with the longitudinal axis A (as shown in FIG. 3 of the drawings). The radial and longitudinal spacing serves to maintain the desired spacing between the distal portion 124, 324 of each electrode 120, 320 and the active region 222, 382, ​​and to ensure a sufficient potential difference between the distal portion 124, 324 of the electrode 120, 320 and the patient to achieve proper ionization of particulate matter. Furthermore, this spacing serves to minimize the formation of an electrical path between the distal tip 126 of each electrode 120a, 120b and the working area 222, 382 of the tool piece 220, 380 due to the deposition of (conductive) fluid thereon during a surgical procedure, which would otherwise result in, for example, a direct electrical short circuit between the electrode 120, 320 and the tool piece 220, 380.

[0038] 4-6 of the drawings, a surgical instrument 400 according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown. The instrument includes a straight, elongated handle 410 having a leading end 412 and a trailing end 414, by which a surgeon can grasp and manipulate the instrument 400 when performing a surgical procedure. The instrument 400 further includes a tool piece 420 extending forward from the leading end 412 of the instrument and oriented to extend along an axis substantially parallel to the axis of the handle 410. The tool piece 420 may be removably coupleable with the handle 410 and configured to deliver energy from an energy source (not shown) to patient tissue to produce a desired therapeutic effect. The tool piece 420 may include a metal blade for delivering RF power from an RF source (not shown) to the patient tissue or a waveguide for delivering laser radiation from a laser radiation source (not shown). Alternatively, the tool piece 420 may include a blade disposed in vibrational communication with a piezoelectric element (not shown) for driving the blade to deliver ultrasonic energy to the patient tissue. Thus, the energy source can include, for example, an electrical RF source, a laser radiation source, a microwave radiation source, or an ultrasonic energy source, which is provided to the instrument via a conduit 430 coupled to the rear 414 of the handle 410. The conduit 430 can comprise an electrical cable for supplying RF power, or a waveguide such as an optical fiber for supplying laser or microwave radiation. Alternatively, the conduit can comprise a cable for supplying power to a piezoelectric element used to drive the tool piece into various vibrational states to supply ultrasonic vibrations. The opposite end of the conduit terminates in a plug (not shown) for coupling to the respective energy source, and energy supply to the tool piece is controlled using a button 440 located in the upper region of the handle 410.

[0039] The surgical instrument 400 further includes two electrodes 450a, 450b extending from the body 416 of the handle 410 disposed proximate the front end 412 of the handle 410. The electrodes 450 include an electrically insulating sleeve 452 extending along at least a portion of the length of the electrode 450, and preferably along at least a portion of the distal portion 454 of each electrode, such that only a distal region or tip 456 of each electrode 450 is exposed. The tool piece 420 similarly includes an electrically insulating sleeve 422 extending along at least a portion of the working region 424, i.e., the region configured to deliver energy to patient tissue, such that only the working region 424 is exposed.

[0040] The electrodes 450 extend forward of the body 410, with the distal portions 454 of each electrode 450 diverging from one another forward of the body 410 toward the working region 424 of the tool piece 420. Additionally, the distal portions 454 of each electrode 450 further extend along a common plane that converges toward the working region 424 of the tool piece 420. The distal portions 454 of each electrode 450 are radially spaced from the longitudinal axis of the tool piece 420 and longitudinally spaced from the working region 424. In this regard, the distal portions 454 of each electrode 450 are angled toward the working region 424 of the tool piece 420 and extend in a plane that forms an acute angle with the longitudinal axis of the tool piece 420.

[0041] The electrodes 450 are positioned to form an electrical connection with a pole having the same polarity, such as the negative pole, of at least one DC voltage supply 460 via a cable extending within the conduit 430. In this regard, the electrodes 450 may be coupled to a common pole of a single DC voltage supply 460, such that each electrode 450 is driven by a separate DC voltage supply 460, or may be electrically coupled to poles of the same polarity of respective DC voltage supplies 460 (only one of which is shown). The cables terminate in plugs (not shown) associated with the conduit 430, such that the common plug is configured to supply power from a respective source to both the electrodes 450 a, 450 b and the tool piece 420. The supply of DC power to the electrodes 450 may be controlled using a button 440 located on the handle 410, or may be automated depending on the operating state of the tool piece 420. For example, the tool 400 may further include a sensor (not shown) for detecting the operating state of the tool piece 420, and a controller (not shown) communicatively coupled to the sensor and configured to receive a detection signal from the sensor representing the operating state of the tool piece 420, the controller configured to synchronize the supply of DC power to the electrode 450 in response to the operation of the tool piece 420.

[0042] The surgical instrument 400 further comprises additional electrodes for attracting ionized particulate matter away from the surgical site. The additional electrodes can be electrically coupled via cables to the opposite pole of the DC voltage supplies 460, such as the positive pole (or ground), or each DC voltage supply 460, and can comprise a metal collector plate or gauze (not shown) positioned near the surgical site, or a metal collar (not shown), which can be positioned on the surgical instrument 400. Alternatively, the additional electrodes can comprise adhesive pads 470 for forming electrical coupling with a patient undergoing a surgical procedure. The pads 470 can be electrically coupled to the opposite pole of at least one DC voltage supply 460, such as the positive pole, via an additional cable 480 and a plug 490 positioned at the end of the cable 480 for coupling with a socket 462 on the DC supply 460. The at least two electrodes 450a, 450b and the further electrode 470 thus generate an electrostatic field to facilitate ionization and electrostatic precipitation of particulate matter onto, for example, the further electrode 470 or the patient.

[0043] Instrument 400 further comprises an array of resistors (not shown) that may be disposed in the electrical path between electrode 450 and conduit 430 to limit the capacitance within instrument 400 and thereby reduce the energy associated with electrostatic discharge from electrode 450 back to the or each DC voltage supply 460. The array of resistors may be disposed within the body 416 of handle 410, within handle 410 itself, or even within the or each DC voltage supply 460.

[0044] When using the surgical assembly 100 shown in FIG. 1 , the body 110 is coupled to the handle 210 of the instrument 200 and can be repositioned relative to the handle to ensure that the plane in which the distal portion 124 of each electrode 120 extends intersects the working area 222 of the tool piece 220. Alternatively, the distal portion 124 of each electrode 120 can be repositioned to extend in a plane that intersects the working area 222. However, when using the surgical assembly 100, 300, or surgical instrument 400 of the first or second embodiment, the divergence of the distal portions of the electrodes 120, 320, 450 facilitates the emission of electrons therefrom along a wide arc. Furthermore, this arc is oriented toward the working area 222, 382, ​​424 and thus the surgical site to effectively flood the surgical site with low-energy gas ions. The gas ions attach to particulate matter suspended near the surgical site, resulting in electrostatic charging. However, due to the potential difference between the electrode 120, 320, 450 and the patient or between the electrode 120, 320, 450 and the further electrode 128, 328, 470 resulting from the electrical coupling of the electrode and the patient / further electrode to the DC voltage supply 160, 360, 460 or to opposite poles of each DC voltage supply 160, 360, 460, electrostatically charged particles are easily attracted to the patient's tissue, thus clearing the surgical site and maintaining a clear field of view for the surgeon. The divergence of the distal portion 124, 324, 454 of the electrode 120, 320, 450 and the convergence of the plane in which the distal portion 124, 324, 454 of the electrode 120, 320, 450 extends towards the working region 222, 382, ​​424 provide for the effective capture of particles, such as surgical smoke, before they can be released into the surgical environment. This arrangement of electrodes 120, 320, 450 is therefore particularly suitable for open surgical procedures that do not have the advantage of a sealed cavity, such as laparoscopic procedures, for example, to maintain particulate matter.

Claims

1. 1. A surgical assembly for removing particulate matter generated during a surgical procedure, comprising at least two electrodes, each of the at least two electrodes electrically coupleable to a pole of the same polarity of at least one DC voltage supply, the at least one DC voltage supply configured to generate an electric field from distal portions of the at least two electrodes to ionize particulate matter airborne in the vicinity of a surgical site; The surgical assembly, wherein the distal portions of each of the at least two electrodes diverge away from each other in a direction toward a longitudinal axis of the tool piece.

2. The surgical assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the distal portion of each of the at least two electrodes is configured to extend along planes arranged to converge toward a longitudinal axis of a tool piece of a surgical instrument.

3. The surgical assembly of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the distal portions of each of the at least two electrodes extend in a common plane arranged to converge toward the longitudinal axis.

4. 4. The surgical assembly of claim 2 or claim 3, wherein each plane or the common plane is arranged to converge toward an active area of ​​the tool piece, which includes a region of the tool piece configured to deliver energy to patient tissue during the surgical procedure.

5. The surgical assembly according to claim 4 , wherein the working region includes a distal tip of the tool piece.

6. 6. The surgical assembly of claim 1, further comprising a cable electrically coupled at one end to the at least two electrodes and electrically terminated at an opposite end with a plug for electrically coupling the cable to the at least one DC voltage supply.

7. The surgical assembly of any preceding claim, further comprising a body for housing the at least two electrodes.

8. The surgical assembly of claim 7 , wherein the body includes coupling means for releasably coupling the body to the surgical instrument.

9. 9. The surgical assembly of claim 8, wherein the coupling means permits the body to move relative to the surgical instrument so that the body can be properly positioned relative to the tool piece, whereby planes in which the distal portions of the at least two electrodes extend converge toward the active area of ​​the tool piece.

10. The surgical assembly of any preceding claim, further comprising the tool piece for the surgical instrument.

11. The surgical assembly according to claim 10 , wherein the tool piece is removably coupleable within the body.

12. The surgical assembly of claim 10 or claim 11, wherein the tool piece is configured to form a communicative coupling with an energy source via the surgical instrument to perform the surgical procedure.

13. The surgical assembly according to claim 12, wherein the tool piece forms a communicative coupling with the energy source via a terminal disposed on the body.

14. The surgical assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the at least two electrodes are radially offset from a longitudinal axis of the tool piece.

15. The surgical assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the at least two electrodes are angularly separated by less than 180° about a longitudinal axis of the tool piece.

16. The surgical assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the distal portion of each of the at least two electrodes is longitudinally spaced from the active region of the tool piece.

17. 17. The surgical assembly of claim 1, wherein the electrodes further comprise an insulating sheath extending along at least a portion of the distal portion of the electrode such that only a distal tip of each electrode is exposed for generating the electric field.

18. The surgical assembly according to claim 10, wherein the tool piece includes an insulating sheath extending along at least a portion thereof such that only the working area is exposed.

19. 19. The surgical assembly of claim 1, further comprising a further electrode electrically coupleable to a polarity opposite to the polarity of the DC voltage supply to which the at least two electrodes are coupled, the further electrode being positioned to attract ionized particles away from the surgical site.

20. The surgical assembly of any preceding claim, further comprising at least one DC voltage supply for supplying DC power to the at least two electrodes.

21. 21. The surgical assembly of claim 1, further comprising at least two DC voltage supplies, each of the at least two electrodes being electrically coupleable to a pole of the same polarity of a respective DC voltage supply.

22. The surgical assembly of any preceding claim, further comprising an actuator for selectively supplying DC power from the at least one / two DC voltage supplies to the at least two electrodes.

23. 22. The surgical assembly of claim 1, further comprising: a sensor for detecting an actuation state of the tool piece; and a controller communicatively coupled to the sensor and configured to receive a detection signal from the sensor indicative of the actuation state of the tool piece, the controller configured to synchronize the supply of DC power to the at least two electrodes in response to actuation of the tool piece.

24. A surgical instrument for performing a surgical procedure, comprising at least two electrodes, each of the at least two electrodes electrically coupleable to a pole of the same polarity of at least one DC voltage supply, the at least one DC voltage supply configured to generate an electric field from distal portions of the at least two electrodes to ionize particulate matter suspended in the vicinity of a surgical site; The distal portions of each of the at least two electrodes diverge away from each other in a direction toward a longitudinal axis of the tool piece.

25. The surgical instrument of claim 24, wherein the distal portion of each of the at least two electrodes is configured to extend along planes arranged to converge toward a longitudinal axis of a tool piece of the instrument.

26. 25. The surgical instrument of claim 24, wherein the instrument further comprises a conduit comprising a cable electrically coupled at one end to the at least two electrodes, the conduit further comprising a channel for transmitting energy from an energy source to the tool piece of the instrument.

27. The surgical instrument of claim 26, wherein the conduit is terminated with a plug for electrically coupling the cable with the at least one DC voltage supply and for coupling the tool piece with the energy source.

28. The surgical instrument of any one of claims 24 to 27, further comprising a handle.

29. The surgical instrument of claim 28, wherein the tool piece is removably coupleable with the handle.

30. The surgical instrument of any one of claims 24 to 29, wherein each of the at least two electrodes is electrically coupleable to a pole of the same polarity of a respective DC voltage supply.

31. The surgical instrument of any one of claims 24 to 30, further comprising at least one DC voltage supply.

32. The surgical instrument of any one of claims 24 to 30, further comprising at least two DC voltage supplies.

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