Electrosurgical devices with noise mitigation features and methods of operation thereof

Abstract

In an example, an electrosurgical device includes a housing extending between a proximal end and a distal end. The housing defines an inner cavity, and includes one or more smoke evacuation channels that extend through the inner cavity. The electrosurgical device also includes an electrosurgical electrode extending from the distal end of the housing, and a suction sleeve at the distal end of the housing. The suction sleeve includes a through-bore that extends from a distal sleeve end to a proximal sleeve end, and the smoke evacuation channel(s) are fluidly coupled to the through-bore such that a flow-path of a gas includes at least the suction sleeve and the smoke evacuation channel(s). The electrosurgical device also includes one or more noise mitigation elements that are configured to reduce a noise of the gas moving along the flow-path, and provided by the suction sleeve and / or the smoke evacuation channel (s).

Description

Electrosurgical Systems, Devices, and Methods with Noise Mitigation FeaturesCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 673,907, filed July 22, 2024 and U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 663,284, filed June 24, 2024, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.BACKGROUND

[0002] Electrosurgery involves applying a radio frequency (RF) electric current (also referred to as electrosurgical energy) to biological tissue to cut, coagulate, or modify the biological tissue during an electrosurgical procedure. Specifically, an electrosurgical generator generates and provides the electric current to an active electrode, which applies the electric current (and, thus, electrical power) to the tissue. The electric current passes through the tissue and returns to the generator via a return electrode (also referred to as a “dispersive electrode”). As the electric current passes through the tissue, an impedance of the tissue converts a portion of the electric current into thermal energy (e.g., via the principles of resistive heating), which increases a temperature of the tissue and induces modifications to the tissue (e.g., cutting, coagulating, ablating, and / or sealing the tissue).BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0003] The novel features believed characteristic of the illustrative embodiments are set forth in the appended claims. The illustrative embodiments, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and descriptions thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative implementation of the present disclosure when read in conjunction with the accompanying figures, wherein:

[0004] Figure 1 depicts a simplified block diagram of an electrosurgical system, according to an example.

[0005] Figure 2 depicts a perspective view of an implementation the electrosurgical device, according to an example.

[0006] Figure 3 A depicts a first perspective view of a suction sleeve including one or more noise mitigation elements, according to an example.

[0007] Figure 3B depicts a second perspective view of the suction sleeve of Figure 3A, according to the example.

[0008] Figure 3C depicts a third perspective view of the suction sleeve of Figure 3 A, according to the example.

[0009] Figure 4 depicts a plurality of implementations of the suction sleeve shown in Figures 3A-3C, according to additional examples.

[0010] Figure 5 depicts a perspective view of a suction sleeve including one or more noise mitigation elements, according to another example.

[0011] Figure 6 depicts a perspective view of a suction sleeve including one or more noise mitigation elements, according to another example.

[0012] Figure 7 depicts a perspective view of a suction sleeve including one or more noise mitigation elements, according to another example.

[0013] Figure 8 depicts a plurality of implementations of the suction sleeve shown in Figure 7, according to additional examples.

[0014] Figure 9 depicts a perspective view of a suction sleeve including one or more noise mitigation elements, according to another example.

[0015] Figure 10 depicts a plurality of implementations of the suction sleeve shown in Figure 9, according to additional examples.

[0016] Figure 11 depicts a perspective view of a suction sleeve including one or more noise mitigation elements, according to another example.

[0017] Figure 12 depicts a perspective view of a suction sleeve including one or more noise mitigation elements, according to another example.

[0018] Figure 13 A depicts a first perspective view of a suction sleeve including one or more noise mitigation elements, according to another example.

[0019] Figure 13B depicts a second perspective view of the suction sleeve shown in Figure 13B, according to the example

[0020] Figure 14A depicts a perspective view of a suction sleeve including one or more noise mitigation elements, according to another example.

[0021] Figure 14B depicts a perspective view of a suction sleeve including one or more noise mitigation elements, according to another example.

[0022] Figure 15 depicts a perspective view of a suction sleeve including one or more noise mitigation elements, according to another example.

[0023] Figure 16A depicts a perspective view of a suction sleeve including one or more noise mitigation elements, according to another example.

[0024] Figure 16B depicts a perspective view of a suction sleeve including one or more noise mitigation elements, according to another example.

[0025] Figure 17 depicts a perspective view of a suction sleeve including one or more noise mitigation elements, according to another example.

[0026] Figure 18 depicts a plurality of implementations of the suction sleeve shown in Figure 17, according to additional examples.

[0027] Figure 19 depicts a housing of an electrosurgical device that includes one or more noise mitigation element, according to an example.

[0028] Figure 20 depicts a housing of an electrosurgical device that includes one or more noise mitigation element, according to another example.

[0029] Figure 21 depicts a housing of an electrosurgical device that includes one or more noise mitigation element, according to another example.

[0030] Figure 22A depicts a first view of a distal connector of an electrosurgical device, according to an example.

[0031] Figure 22B depicts a second view of the distal connector shown in Figure 22A, according to an example.

[0032] Figure 23 A depicts a first view of a distal connector of an electrosurgical device, according to another example.

[0033] Figure 23B depicts a second view of the distal connector shown in Figure 23 A, according to an example.

[0034] Figure 24A depicts a first view of a distal connector of an electrosurgical device, according to another example.

[0035] Figure 24B depicts a second view of the distal connector shown in Figure 24A, according to an example.

[0036] Figure 25 A depicts a first view of a distal connector of an electrosurgical device, according to another example.

[0037] Figure 25B depicts a second view of the distal connector shown in Figure 25A, according to an example.

[0038] Figure 26A depicts a first view of a distal connector of an electrosurgical device, according to another example.

[0039] Figure 26B depicts a second view of the distal connector shown in Figure 26A, according to an example.

[0040] Figure 27A depicts a first view of a proximal connector of an electrosurgical device, according to another example.

[0041] Figure 27B depicts a second view of the proximal connector shown in Figure 27A, according to an example.

[0042] Figure 28 depicts a proximal connector of an electrosurgical device, according to another example.

[0043] Figure 29A depicts a perspective view of a proximal connector of an electrosurgical device, according to another example.

[0044] Figure 29B depicts a cross-sectional view of the proximal connector shown in Figure 29A taken through a longitudinal axis, according to the example.

[0045] Figure 30A depicts a cross-sectional view of a suction sleeve including one or more noise mitigation elements, according to another example.

[0046] Figure 30B depicts an enlarged view of a portion of the suction sleeve shown in Figure 30A, according to an example.

[0047] Figure 31A depicts a cross-sectional view of a suction sleeve including one or more noise mitigation elements, according to another example.

[0048] Figure 3 IB depicts an enlarged view of a portion of the suction sleeve shown in Figure 30A, according to an example.

[0049] Figure 32A depicts a side view of the suction sleeve, according to an example.

[0050] Figure 32B depicts a perspective view of the suction sleeve shown in Figure32A, according to an example.

[0051] Figure 32C depicts a cross-sectional view of a distal portion of the electrosurgical pencil including the suction sleeve, according to an example.

[0052] Figure 33 depicts a flowchart for a process of operating an electrosurgical device, according to an exampleDESCRIPTION

[0053] Disclosed examples will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all of the disclosed examples are shown. Indeed, several different examples may be described and should not be construed as limited to the examples set forth herein. Rather, these examples are described so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art.

[0054] By the term “approximately” or “substantially” with reference to amounts or measurement values described herein, it is meant that the recited characteristic, parameter, or value need not be achieved exactly, but that deviations or variations, including for example, tolerances, measurement error, measurement accuracy limitations and other factors known to those of skill in the art, may occur in amounts that do not preclude the effect the characteristic was intended to provide.

[0055] As noted above, an electrosurgical device can use electrical energy supplied by an electrosurgical generator to apply electrosurgical energy from an electrosurgical electrode to a tissue. Surgical smoke is a by-product of such electrosurgical procedures. In some instances, the surgical smoke may contain toxic gases and / or biological products that result from a destruction of tissue. Additionally, the surgical smoke may contain an unpleasant odor. For these and other reasons, many guidelines indicate that exposure of surgical personnel to surgical smoke should be reduced or minimized.

[0056] To reduce (or minimize) exposure to surgical smoke, a smoke evacuation system may be used during the surgical procedure. In general, the smoke evacuation system may include a suction pump that can generate sufficient suction and / or vacuum pressure to draw the surgical smoke away from the surgical site. In some implementations, the smoke evacuation system may be coupled to an exhaust system (e.g., an in-wall exhaust system) that exhausts the surgical smoke out of an operating room. In other implementations, the smoke evacuation system may filter air containing the surgical smoke and return the air to the operating room.

[0057] Some electrosurgical devices include features for evacuating the surgical smoke from the surgical site. For example, an electrosurgical device can include a suction nozzle that can receive the surgical smoke into a smoke evacuation channel within a housing of theelectrosurgical device. The electrosurgical device can be coupled to the suction pump by a suction tube such that the surgical smoke can be evacuated from the smoke evacuation channel in the housing of the electrosurgical device to the exhaust system and / or a filter device of the smoke evacuation system.

[0058] One challenge associated with an electrosurgical device including smoke evacuation features is noise that is generated by airflow through the electrosurgical device. For example, the relatively high noise levels created by air flow through the electrosurgical device can be disruptive and / or uncomfortable for operating room staff during electrosurgical procedures. In the past, this has led some operating room staff to attempt to reduce the noise by decreasing a suction power, which in turn may lead to less surgical smoke being captured and greater exposure to the surgical smoke. Additionally or alternatively, operating staff have responded to the noise problem by raising their voices to be heard. This may lead to the operating staff tiring more easily and / or potentially impairing their hearing over prolong exposure to high noise levels at work.

[0059] Within examples, the present disclosure provides for electrosurgical devices that can help to reduce a level of noise that is generated by air flow through the electrosurgical devices while evacuating surgical smoke from the surgical site. This can help to provide relatively higher suction forces at relatively lower noise levels as compared to prior electrosurgical devices. As a result, the electrosurgical devices of the present disclosure can help to mitigate exposure to the surgical smoke while reducing distractions, reducing harmful noise exposure, and / or allowing clearer communications among operating room staff.

[0060] In some examples, an electrosurgical device can include one or more noise mitigation elements at one or more points along a flow-path of a gas through the electrosurgical device. Within examples, the electrosurgical device can include the noise mitigation elements at one or more components selected from a group consisting of: (i) a suction sleeve at a distal end of a housing, (ii) a smoke evacuation channel extending through an inner cavity of the housing, (iii) a distal connector that is configured to couple a distal end of a suction tube to a proximal portion of the housing, and (iv) a proximal tube connector that is configured to couple a proximal end of the suction tube to a smoke evacuation system.

[0061] In some implementations, the noise mitigation element(s) can include a flow conditioner that is configured to at least one of: (i) straighten a flow of the gas moving through the electrosurgical device, (ii) reduce a swirl of the gas moving through the electrosurgical device, and (iii) reduce a turbulence of the gas moving through the electrosurgical device. In other implementations, the noise mitigation element(s) can additionally or alternatively includea noise filter at one or more points along the flow-path of the gas through the electrosurgical device. In some implementations, the noise filter can be a passive noise filter such as, for instance, a Helmholtz resonator. In other implementations, the noise filter can be an active noise filter.

[0062] Referring to Figure 1, an electrosurgical system 100 is shown according to an example. As shown in Figure 1, the electrosurgical system 100 includes an electrosurgical generator 110 and an electrosurgical device 112. In general, the electrosurgical generator 110 can generate electrosurgical energy that is suitable for performing electrosurgery on a patient. For instance, the electrosurgical generator 110 can include a power converter circuit 114 that can convert a grid power to electrosurgical energy such as, for example, a radio frequency (RF) output power. As an example, the power converter circuit 114 can include one or more electrical components (e.g., one or more transformers) that can control a voltage, a current, and / or a frequency of the electrosurgical energy.

[0063] Within examples, the electrosurgical generator 110 can 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 can include one or more buttons, one or more switches, one or more dials, one or more keypads, one or more touchscreens, one or more display screens, one or more indicator lights, one or more speakers, and / or one or more haptic output devices.

[0064] In an example, the user interface 116 can be operable to select a mode of operation from among a plurality of modes of operation for the electrosurgical generator 110. As examples, the modes of operation can include a cutting mode, a coagulating mode, an ablating mode, and / or a sealing mode. Combinations of these waveforms can also be formed to create blended modes. In one implementation, the modes of operation can correspond to respective waveforms for the electrosurgical energy. As such, in this implementation, the electrosurgical generator 110 can generate the electrosurgical energy with a waveform selected from a plurality of waveforms based, at least in part, on the mode of operation selected using the user interface 116.

[0065] The electrosurgical generator 110 can also include one or more generator sensors 118 that can sense one or more conditions related to the electrosurgical energy and / or the target tissue. As examples, the generator sensor(s) 118 can include one or more current sensors, one or more voltage sensors, one or more temperature sensors, and / or one or more bioimpedance sensors. Within examples, the electrosurgical generator 110 can additionally or alternatively generate the electrosurgical energy with an amount of electrosurgical energy (e.g.,an electrical power) and / or a waveform selected from among the plurality of waveforms based on one or more parameters related to the condition(s) sensed by the generator sensor(s) 118.

[0066] In one example, the electrosurgical energy can have a frequency that is greater than approximately 100 kilohertz (kHz) to reduce (or avoid) stimulating a muscle and / or a nerve near the target tissue. In another example, the electrosurgical energy can have a frequency that is between approximately 300 kHz and approximately 500 kHz.

[0067] In Figure 1, the electrosurgical generator 110 also includes a connector 120 that can facilitate coupling the electrosurgical generator 110 to the electrosurgical device 112. For example, the electrosurgical device 112 can include a power cord 122 having a plug, which can be coupled to a socket of the connector 120 of the electrosurgical generator 110. In this arrangement, the electrosurgical generator 110 can supply the electrosurgical energy to the electrosurgical device 112 via the coupling between the connector 120 of the electrosurgical generator 110 and the power cord 122 of the electrosurgical device 112.

[0068] The electrosurgical generator 110 can further include a controller 141 that can control operation of the electrosurgical generator 110. Within examples, the controller 141 can be implemented using hardware, software, and / or firmware. For instance, the controller 141 can include one or more processors and a non-transitory computer readable medium (e.g., volatile and / or non-volatile memory) that stores machine language instructions or other executable instructions. The instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the electrosurgical generator 110 to carry out the various operations described herein. The controller 141, thus, can receive data and store the data in the memory as well. As shown in Figure 1, the controller 141 can be communicatively coupled with the power converter circuit 114, the user interface 116, the generator sensor(s) 118, and / or the connector 120.

[0069] As shown in Figure 1, the electrosurgical device 112 can include a housing 124 having a proximal end and a distal end, and an electrosurgical electrode 128 extending from the distal end of the housing 124. The housing 124 can be an elongated structure in and / or on which components of the electrosurgical device 112 can be disposed. In some examples, the housing 124 can be an integral, monolithic structure. In other examples the housing 124 can include a plurality of structures that are coupled to each other.

[0070] The housing 124 can include a handle portion. In general, the handle portion can be configured to facilitate a user gripping and manipulating the electrosurgical device 112 while performing electrosurgery. For example, the handle portion can have a shape and / or a size that can facilitate a user performing electrosurgery by manipulating the electrosurgical device 112 using a single hand. In one implementation, the handle portion can have a shapeand / or a size that facilitates the user holding the electrosurgical device 112 in a writing utensil gripping manner (e.g., the electrosurgical device 112 can be an electrosurgical pencil).

[0071] Additionally, for example, the handle portion can be constructed from one or more materials that are electrical insulators (e.g., a plastic material). This can facilitate insulating the user from the electrosurgical energy flowing through the electrosurgical device 112 while performing the electrosurgery.

[0072] The housing portion can also include a shaft portion that extends distally from the handle portion. In some implementations, the shaft portion can be coupled to the handle portion in a fixed and non-moveable manner. This may simplify manufacturing and reduce a cost of manufacture by, for instance, simplifying electrical connections that may otherwise need to account for movement of the shaft portion and the handle portion relative to each other (e.g., by omitting slip ring electrical contacts and / or sliding electrical contacts). In one example, the handle portion and the shaft portion can be formed as a single, monolithic structure such that the shaft portion and the handle portion are fixed and non-moveable relative to each other. In another example, the handle portion and the shaft portion can be fixedly coupled to each other by a welding coupling, an adhesive coupling, and / or another coupling that prevents movement between the handle portion and the shaft portion.

[0073] In other implementations, the shaft portion can be telescopically moveable relative to the handle portion. For example, the shaft portion can be telescopically moveable in an inner chamber defined by the handle portion to extend the shaft portion in the distal direction and retract the shaft portion in a proximal direction relative to the handle portion (e.g., movable along a longitudinal axis of the electrosurgical device 112). In some examples, the electrosurgical electrode 128 can be coupled to the shaft portion and, thus, the electrosurgical electrode 128 can move together with the shaft portion in an axial direction along the longitudinal axis relative to the handle portion. This can provide for adjusting a length of the electrosurgical device 112, which can facilitate performing electrosurgery at a plurality of different depths within tissue (e.g., due to different anatomical shapes and / or sizes of patients) and / or at a plurality of different angles. In other examples, the electrosurgical electrode 128 can be fixedly coupled to the handle portion such that the shaft portion is axially movable relative to both the electrosurgical electrode 128 and the handle portion.

[0074] In some implementations, the electrosurgical electrode 128 can additionally or alternatively be rotatable about an axis of rotation that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the electrosurgical device 112. In some examples, the electrosurgical electrode 128 can be rotatable relative to the handle portion and the shaft portion. In other examples, theelectrosurgical electrode 128 can be rotationally fixed relative to the shaft portion such that the shaft portion and the electrosurgical electrode 128 are rotatable together relative to the handle portion. Rotating the electrosurgical electrode 128 relative to the handle portion can facilitate adjusting an angle of the electrosurgical electrode 128 relative to one or more user input device(s) 130 of the electrosurgical device 112. In this arrangement, a user can comfortably grip the handle portion in a position in which their fingers can comfortably operate the user input device(s) 130 while the electrosurgical electrode 128 is set at a rotational position selected from among a plurality of rotational positions relative to the handle portion based on, for example, a location, a size, and / or a shape of a surgical site in which the user is operating.

[0075] In one implementation, the electrosurgical electrode 128 can be rotatable by more than 360 degrees relative to the handle portion. This can improve an ease of use by allowing an operator to freely rotate the electrosurgical electrode 128 without limitation. However, in other implementations, the electrosurgical electrode 128 can be rotatable by less than or equal to 360 degrees (e.g., rotatable by 180 degrees, rotatable by 270 degrees, or rotatable by 360 degrees). This may still allow an operator to achieve a desired rotational arrangement, but with the possibility that the operator may rotate in first direction, reach a stop limiting further rotation, and then rotate back in a second direction to achieve the desired rotational arrangement.

[0076] Although it can be beneficial to provide for rotation of the electrosurgical electrode 128 relative to the handle portion and / or the shaft portion, the electrosurgical electrode 128 can be rotationally fixed relative to the handle portion and the shaft portion in some implementations. This may, for example, help to simplify manufacturing and reduce a cost of manufacture by, for instance, simplifying electrical connections that may otherwise need to account for movement of the shaft portion and the handle portion relative to each other (e.g., by omitting slip ring electrical contacts and / or sliding electrical contacts).

[0077] As shown in Figure 1, the electrosurgical device 112 can include one or more user input devices 130 that are operable to control operation of the electrosurgical device 112 and / or the electrosurgical generator 110. For instance, the user input device(s) 130 can be operable to select between the modes of operation of the electrosurgical device 112 and / or the electrosurgical generator 110. In one implementation, the user input device(s) 130 can be configured to select between a cutting mode of operation and a coagulation mode of operation. Responsive to actuation of the user input device(s) 130 of the electrosurgical device 112, the electrosurgical device 112 can (i) receive the electrosurgical energy with a level of powerand / or a waveform corresponding to the mode of operation selected via the user input device(s) 130 and (ii) supply the electrosurgical energy to the electrosurgical electrode 128.

[0078] In Figure 1, the electrosurgical device 112 includes a plurality of electrical components that facilitate supplying the electrosurgical energy, which the electrosurgical device 112 receives from the electrosurgical generator 110, to the electrosurgical electrode 128. For example, the electrosurgical device 112 can include at least one electrical component selected from a group of electrical components including: a printed circuit board 132 (e.g., a flexible printed circuit board) and / or one or more housing conductors 134 that are configured to conduct electrosurgical energy from the power cord 122 to the electrosurgical electrode 128. One or more of the electrical components can be positioned in the inner cavity defined the housing 124.

[0079] Within examples, the user input device(s) 130 can include one or more buttons on an exterior surface of the handle portion of the housing 124. Each button of the user input device(s) 130 can be operable to actuate a respective one of a plurality of switches 136 of the printed circuit board 132. In general, the switches 136 and / or the printed circuit board 132 are operable to control a supply of the electrosurgical energy from the electrosurgical generator 110 to the electrosurgical electrode 128. For instance, in one implementation, when each button is operated (e.g., depressed), the respective switch 136 associated with the button can be actuated to cause the printed circuit board 132 to transmit a signal to the electrosurgical generator 110 and cause the electrosurgical generator 110 to responsively supply the electrosurgical energy with a level of power and / or a waveform corresponding to a mode of operation associated with the button. In another implementation, operating the button and thereby actuating the respective switch 136 associated with the button can close the switch 136 to complete a circuit to the electrosurgical generator 110 to cause the electrosurgical generator 110 to responsively supply the electrosurgical energy with a level of power and / or a waveform corresponding to a mode of operation associated with the button. In some examples of this implementation, the printed circuit board 132 can be omitted.

[0080] In both example implementations, the electrosurgical energy supplied by the electrosurgical generator 110 can be supplied from (i) the power cord 122, the printed circuit board 132, and / or the switch(es) 136 to (ii) the electrosurgical electrode 128 by the housing conductor(s) 134. As such, as shown in Figure 1, the printed circuit board 132 can be coupled to the power cord 122, the printed circuit board 132 can be coupled to the housing conductor(s) 134, and the housing conductor(s) 134 can be coupled to the electrosurgical electrode 128. In this arrangement, the housing conductor(s) 134 can conduct the electrosurgical energy to theelectrosurgical electrode 128. The switch(es) 136 can be coupled to the printed circuit board 132 in some examples.

[0081] In general, the housing conductor(s) 134 can each include one or more electrically conductive elements that provide an electrically conductive bus for supplying the electrosurgical energy to the electrosurgical electrode 128. In some examples, the electrical components of the electrosurgical device 112 can be electrically coupled to each other in a manner that is suitable to supply electrosurgical energy from the power cord 122 to the electrosurgical electrode 128 while (i) the shaft portion and / or the electrosurgical electrode 128 telescopically moves relative to the handle portion, and / or (ii) the electrosurgical electrode 128 rotates relative to the handle portion.

[0082] Although the electrosurgical device 112 includes the user input device(s) 130 in Figure 1, the user input device(s) 130 can be separate from the electrosurgical device 112 in another example. For instance, the user input device(s) 130 can additionally or alternatively include one or more foot pedals that are actuatable to control operation of the electrosurgical device 112 as described above. The foot pedal(s) can be communicatively coupled to the electrosurgical generator 110 to provide a signal responsive to actuation of the foot pedal(s).

[0083] As noted above, the electrosurgical electrode 128 can apply the electrosurgical energy to a target tissue to perform an electrosurgical operation (e.g., cutting, coagulating, ablating, and / or sealing the target tissue). Within examples, the electrosurgical electrode 128 can include an electrosurgical substrate formed from an electrically conductive material. As an example, the electrically conductive material can be stainless steel.

[0084] As described above, the electrosurgical device 112 can include one or more features that provide for evacuating surgical smoke from a target tissue to a location external to the surgical site. Surgical smoke is a by-product of various surgical procedures. For example, during electrosurgical procedures, surgical smoke may be generated as a by-product. In some instances, the surgical smoke may contain toxic gases and / or biological products that result from a destruction of tissue. Additionally, the surgical smoke may contain an unpleasant odor. For these and other reasons, many guidelines indicate that exposure of surgical personnel to surgical smoke should be reduced or minimized.

[0085] To reduce (or minimize) exposure to surgical smoke, a smoke evacuation system 138 may be used during the surgical procedure. In general, the smoke evacuation system 138 can include a suction pump 140 that can generate sufficient suction and / or vacuum pressure to draw the surgical smoke away from the surgical site. In some implementations, the smoke evacuation system 138 can be coupled to an exhaust system 142 (e.g., an in-wall exhaustsystem) that exhausts the surgical smoke out of an operating room. In other implementations, the smoke evacuation system can include a filter system 144 that can filter air containing the surgical smoke and return the air to the operating room. Within examples, one or more components of the smoke evacuation system 138 and the electrosurgical generator 110 can be provided as separate devices, or integrated in a single device (e.g., in a common housing).

[0086] As shown in Figure 1, the electrosurgical device 112 can include a suction sleeve 146 at the distal end of the housing 124. The suction sleeve 146 can include a through- bore that extends through the suction sleeve 146 from a distal sleeve end of the suction sleeve 146 to a proximal sleeve end of the suction sleeve 146. The housing 124 can include one or more smoke evacuation channels 148 that extend through the inner cavity of the housing 124 from the distal end of the housing 124 towards the proximal end of the housing 124. The smoke evacuation channel(s) 148 can be fluidly coupled to the through-bore of the suction sleeve 145. As such, the suction sleeve 146 can define one or more suction inlets for receiving a gas (e.g., including the surgical smoke) into the one or more smoke evacuation channels 148 of the housing 124. The smoke evacuation channel(s) 148 can be coupled to a suction tube 150, which can extend from the housing 124 to the smoke evacuation system 138. In some implementations, a distal end of the suction tube 150 can be coupled to the smoke evacuation channel(s) 148 by a distal connector 152, and / or a proximal end of suction tube 150 can be coupled to the smoke evacuation system 138 by a proximal connector 154. In this arrangement, the suction pump 140 can generate a pressure difference that can be applied to the suction tube 150, the smoke evacuation channel(s) 148, and the suction sleeve 146 to capture and evacuate the surgical smoke from an environment distal of the suction sleeve 146 (e.g., the surgical site) to the smoke evacuation system 138 along a flow-path of the gas that includes the suction sleeve 146, the smoke evacuation channel(s) 148, and the suction tube 150.

[0087] As described above, the suction sleeve 146 is configured to capture and direct the surgical smoke to the smoke evacuation channel(s) 148 within the housing 124. As such, the suction sleeve 146 operates as an intake or inlet for ingress of the surgical smoke into the electrosurgical device 112. In some examples, the suction sleeve 146 can extend distally from the distal end of the housing 124. Also, within examples, the electrosurgical electrode 128 can extend distally of a distal end of the suction sleeve 146. This can allow the electrosurgical electrode 128 to perform an electrosurgical procedure while using suction to receive the surgical smoke into the suction sleeve 146.

[0088] In some examples, the suction sleeve 146 can extend entirely around at least a portion of the electrosurgical electrode 128 (e.g., the electrosurgical electrode 128 can extendthrough the suction sleeve 146). In such examples, the suction sleeve 146 can define a smoke inlet to receive the surgical smoke into the suction sleeve 146 in all rotational alignments of the electrosurgical electrode 128 relative to the surgical site. However, in another example, the suction sleeve 146 can include one or more smoke inlets that do not extend entirely around the electrosurgical electrode 128 (e.g., each smoke inlet can extend around a portion of a circumference of the electrosurgical electrode 128).

[0089] In some examples, the suction sleeve 146 can be separate and independent from the housing 124. In some examples, the suction sleeve 146 being removably coupled to the housing 124. This can provide for selection of the suction sleeve 146 from among a plurality of suction sleeves having different configurations, which can provide greater flexibility in setting up and configuration of the electrosurgical device 110. In other examples, the suction sleeve 146 and the housing 124 can be integrally formed as a single, monolithic structure. This can help to reduce a cost of manufacture, simply assembly, and / or improve robustness. In some examples, the suction sleeve 146 can be movable relative to the housing 124. This can accommodate surgeon preferences as they use different electrodes or need more blade exposure to access the patient anatomy. In other examples, the suction sleeve 146 can be fixedly coupled to the housing 124 such that the suction sleeve 146 is not movable relative to the housing 124. This can simplify manufacture and / or assembly.

[0090] The smoke evacuation channel(s) 148 can provide a flow-path for the surgical smoke to be suctioned through the housing 124 of the electrosurgical device 112. In some examples, at least a portion of the smoke evacuation channel(s) 148 can be integrally formed with one or more walls of the housing 124. This can help to provide a slimmer electrosurgical device 110, more efficiently use space in the electrosurgical device 110, and / or use less material. In other examples, at least a portion of the smoke evacuation channel(s) 148 can additionally or alternatively include a separate structure that is coupled to one or more walls of the housing 124 in the inner cavity of the housing 124. For instance, the smoke evacuation channel(s) 148 can include one or more tubes that are coupled to one or more interior walls of the housing 124. This can help to reduce cost, improve ergonomics, and / or facilitate moving the one or more components of the electrosurgical device 110 relative to the tube(s).

[0091] In some examples, the smoke evacuation channel(s) 148 can include a plurality of smoke evacuation channels 148. As described in further detail below, this can help to configure the smoke evacuation channels 148 as a flow conditioner 158 and / or a noise filter 160, which can help to reduce a noise of the gas flowing through the housing 124 in some examples. Although providing the housing 124 with more than one smoke evacuation channel148 can beneficially help to reduce noise (e.g., via flow straightener channels and / or Helmholtz resonator(s)), the smoke evacuation channel(s) 148 can be a single smoke evacuation channel 148 in other examples. For instance, noise mitigation can be achieved by other portions of the flow-path (e.g., the suction sleeve 146, the distal connector 152, and / or the proximal connector 154) in some examples.

[0092] As shown in Figure 1, in some examples, the electrosurgical device 112 can include a distal connector 152 that can be configured to couple the smoke evacuation channel(s) 148 to the distal end of the suction tube 150. For instance, the distal connector 152 can include a distal portion that can be coupled to the housing 124 and a proximal portion that can couple to the suction tube 150. As examples, the distal portion of the distal connector 152 can be configured to couple to the housing 124 and / or the proximal portion of the distal connector 152 can be configured to couple to the distal end of the smoke evacuation channel(s) 148 by a luer lock coupling, a friction fit coupling, a snap-on coupling, a bayonet mount coupling, a weld coupling, and / or an adhesive coupling.

[0093] In some examples, the distal connector 152 can be configured to removably couple to the housing 124 and / or the suction tube 150. This can allow for the distal connector 152 to the be decoupled from the housing 124 and / or the suction tube 150 to provide for cleaning and / or unclogging of the flow-path at the distal connector 152. In other examples, the distal connector 152 can be non-removably coupled to the housing 124 and / or the suction tube 150. This can help to reduce unintended decoupling, simply operation, enhance durability, and / or reduce a cost of manufacture. In one implementation, for instance, the distal connector 152 can be integrally formed with the housing 124 as a single, monolithic structure. This may help to reduce a cost of manufacture and / or reduce a number of steps for assembling the electrosurgical device.

[0094] As an example, the suction tube 150 can be formed from fluid impermeable material. This can help to mitigate leakage of the surgical smoke prior to the surgical smoke reaching the exhaust system 142 and / or the filter system 144. As examples, the suction tube150 can be formed from one or more materials selected from a group consisting of: polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). In some examples, at least a portion of the power cord 122 can be disposed in the suction tube 150. This can help to improve cable management and / or reduce tangling of the power cord 122 and the suction tube 150.

[0095] As shown in Figure 1, the electrosurgical device 112 can also include a proximal connector 154 that is configured to couple to a proximal end of the suction tube 150 and the smoke evacuation system 138. For instance, the proximal connector 154 can include a distalportion that can be coupled to the suction tube 150 and a proximal portion that can couple to the smoke evacuation system 138 (e.g., the suction pump 140). As examples, the distal portion of the proximal connector 154 can be configured to couple to the suction tube 150 and / or the proximal portion of the proximal connector 154 can be configured to couple to the smoke evacuation system 138 by a luer lock coupling, a friction fit coupling, a snap-on coupling, a bayonet mount coupling, a weld coupling, and / or an adhesive coupling.

[0096] In some examples, the proximal connector 154 can be configured to removably couple to the suction tube 150 and / or the smoke evacuation system 138. This can allow for the proximal connector 154 to the be decoupled from the suction tube 150 and / or the smoke evacuation system 138 to provide for cleaning and / or unclogging of the flow-path at the proximal connector 154. In other examples, the proximal connector 154 can be non-removably coupled to the suction tube 150. This can help to reduce unintended decoupling, simplify operation, enhance durability, and / or reduce a cost of manufacture.

[0097] As shown in Figure 1, the electrosurgical device 112 can include one or more noise mitigation elements 156 that are configured to reduce a noise of the gas moving through the electrosurgical device 112 (e.g., through the suction sleeve 146, the smoke evacuation channel(s) 148, the distal connector 152, and / or the proximal connector 154). In particular, the electrosurgical device 112 can include the one or more noise mitigation elements 156 at one or more points along the flow-path of a gas through the electrosurgical device 112. Within examples, the electrosurgical device 112 can include the noise mitigation element(s) 156 at one or more components selected from a group of components consisting of: (i) the suction sleeve 146 at the distal end of a housing 124, (ii) the smoke evacuation channel(s) 148 extending through the inner cavity of the housing 124, (iii) the distal connector 152 that is configured to couple the distal end of a suction tube 150 to the proximal portion of the housing 124, and (iv) the proximal connector 154 that is configured to couple the proximal end of the suction tube 150 to the smoke evacuation system 138.

[0098] In some implementations, the noise mitigation element(s) 156 can include a flow conditioner 158 that is configured to at least one of: (i) straighten a flow of the gas moving through the electrosurgical device 112, (ii) reduce a swirl of the gas moving through the electrosurgical device 112, and (iii) reduce a turbulence of the gas moving through the electrosurgical device 112. In other implementations, the noise mitigation element(s) 156 can additionally or alternatively include a noise filter 160 at one or more points along the flow-path of the gas through the electrosurgical device 112. In some implementations, the noise filter160 can be a passive noise filter such as, for instance, a Helmholtz resonator. In other implementations, the noise filter 160 can be an active noise filter.

[0099] Figure 2 depicts a perspective view of an implementation the electrosurgical device 112, according to an example. As shown in Figure 2, the electrosurgical device 112 includes the housing 124 extending between a proximal tube end 224A and a distal tube end 224B. The housing 124 also defines an inner cavity, and the housing 124 includes one or more smoke evacuation channels that extend through the inner cavity from the distal tube end 224B towards the proximal tube end 224A of the housing 124.

[0100] Additionally, as shown in Figure 2, the electrosurgical device 112 includes the electrosurgical electrode 128 extending from the distal end of the housing 124. In this example, the electrosurgical electrode 128 consists of a single electrosurgical electrode that is configured for monopolar electrosurgery. However, in other examples, the electrosurgical electrode 128 can include two electrosurgical electrodes that are configured for bipolar electrosurgery.

[0101] Additionally, as shown in Figure 2, the user input device(s) 130 include a plurality of buttons on an exterior surface of the housing 124. In one implementation, one of the buttons can be actuated to operate the electrosurgical device 112 in a cutting mode of operation, and the other one of the buttons can be actuated to operate the electrosurgical device 112 in a coagulation mode of operation. As described above, the user input device(s) 130 can be configured differently in other examples. For instance, the electrosurgical device 112 can be operable in a lesser quantity of modes of operation, a greater quantity of modes of operation, and / or different types of modes of operation in other examples (e.g., such as the example modes of operation described above). Additionally, for instance, the at least one user input device 130 can additionally or alternatively include the user interface 116 of the electrosurgical generator 110 and / or another external device (e.g., a footswitch) for operating the electrosurgical device 112 in one or more modes of operation.

[0102] The electrosurgical device 112 also includes the suction sleeve 146 at the distal tube end 224B of the housing. The suction sleeve 146 includes a through-bore 262 that extends from a distal sleeve end 246A. The one or more smoke evacuation channels 148 are fluidly coupled to the through-bore 262 such that the flow-path of the gas through the electrosurgical device 112 includes at least the suction sleeve 146 and the one or more smoke evacuation channels 148.

[0103] In this example, the electrosurgical device 112 also includes the distal connector 152 that is configured to couple the one or more smoke evacuation channels 148 to a distal end250A of the suction tube 150. Accordingly, the flow-path of the gas through the electrosurgical device 112 can also include the distal connector 152 in this example.

[0104] In Figure 2, the distal connector 152 is coupled to the proximal tube end 224A of the housing 124. As such, in this example, the one or more smoke evacuation channels 148 extend entirely through the housing 124 from distal tube end 224B to the proximal tube end 224A. This can beneficially help to reduce (or eliminate) turns in the flow-path, which can help to straighten the flow of gas and reduce noise. However, in other examples, the distal connector 152 can be at a position that is distal of the proximal tube end 224A of the housing 124. This may be beneficial in implementations in which the proximal tube end 224A of the housing 124 is used for other components (e.g., an implementation in which the power cord 122 extends from the proximal tube end 224A separately from the suction tube 150 and / or an implementation in which a separate power source is coupled to the proximal tube end 224Ato, for instance, power a light source of the electrosurgical device 112).

[0105] Also, in Figure 2, a proximal portion of the distal connector 152 is received in a lumen of the suction tube 150 such that the distal end 250 A of the suction tube 150 is at a position that is distal of a proximal end of the distal connector 152 when the suction tube 150 is coupled to the distal connector 152. In other examples, the distal end 250A of the suction tube 150 can be received in a lumen of the distal connector 152, or the distal end of the suction tube 150 and the proximal end of the distal connector 152 can abut each other (e.g., via butt coupling). However, implementations in which at least a portion of the suction tube 150 overlaps with at least a portion of the distal connector 152 can help to mitigate inadvertent decoupling.

[0106] As shown in Figure 2, the electrosurgical device 112 can also include the proximal connector 154. As described above, the proximal connector 154 is configured to couple to a proximal end 250B of the suction tube 150 and the smoke evacuation system 138. For instance, the proximal connector 154 can include a distal portion 254Athat can be coupled to the suction tube 150 and a proximal portion 254B that can couple to the smoke evacuation system 138. The flow-path of the gas through the electrosurgical device 112 can also include the proximal connector 154 in this example.

[0107] In Figure 2, the power cord 122 can extend in the lumen of the suction tube 150. Although not shown, the power cord 122 can include a plug that can be positioned outside of the lumen of the suction tube 150 to allow the plug to be coupled to the electrosurgical generator 110. As such, the suction tube 150 and / or the proximal connector 154 can include an apertureand / or a cable channel through which the power cord 122 can extend to facilitate coupling the plug to the electrosurgical generator 110.

[0108] In Figure 2, the electrosurgical device 112 includes the one or more noise mitigation elements 156 that are configured to reduce a noise of the gas moving along the flowpath. As described above, the one or more noise mitigation elements 156 can be provided by at least one component selected from a group of components consisting of: (i) the suction sleeve 146 at the distal end of a housing 124, (ii) the smoke evacuation channel(s) 148 extending through the inner cavity of the housing 124, (iii) the distal connector 152 that is configured to couple the distal end of a suction tube 150 to the proximal portion of the housing 124, and (iv) the proximal connector 154 that is configured to couple the proximal end of the suction tube 150 to the smoke evacuation system 138.

[0109] Figures 3A-31B illustrate implementations of the noise mitigation element(s) 156 provided by the suction sleeve 146, the smoke evacuation channel(s) 148, the distal connector 152, and / or the proximal connector 154, according to some examples. In particular, Figures 3A-18 and 30A-31B depict example noise mitigation element(s) 156 that can be included in the suction sleeve 146, Figures 19-21 depict example noise mitigation element(s) 156 that can be included in the smoke evacuation channel(s) 148 of the housing 124, Figures 22A-26B depict example noise mitigation element(s) 156 that can be included in the distal connector 152, and Figures 27A-29 depict example noise mitigation element(s) 156 that can be included in the proximal connector 154, according to examples. The noise mitigation element(s) 156 shown in Figures 3A-28 can be combined with each other in any combination within examples.

[0110] As described above, in some examples, the suction sleeve 146 can include the noise mitigation element(s) 156 that can help to reduce a noise that results from a gas (e.g., air and / or the surgical smoke) moving into and / or through the suction sleeve 146. Figures 3 A-3C depict a suction sleeve 346 as an implementation of the suction sleeve 146 including the one or more noise mitigation element(s) 156, according to an example. As shown in Figures 3A- 3C, the suction sleeve 346 includes the through-bore 262 that extends from the distal sleeve end 246Ato the proximal sleeve end 246B.

[0111] As shown in Figures 3A-3C, the noise mitigation element(s) 156 can include a plurality of flow straightener channels 364 disposed at a periphery of the through-bore 262 of the suction sleeve 146. The flow straightener channels 364 can be substantially parallel with a longitudinal axis 366 of the suction sleeve 346. The flow straightener channels 364 can help toreduce noise due to turbulent flow that may otherwise be present if the suction sleeve 346 omitted the flow straightener channels 364.[001 12] In Figures 3A-3C, the flow straightener channels 364 are positioned at a spaced intervals around an entire circumference of the through-bore 262. This can help to straighten the flow of gas at the periphery of the through-bore 262 and around a relatively larger portion of the gas that enters the suction sleeve 346 through the through-bore 262 between the flow straightener channels 364 at the distal sleeve end 246A. However, in other examples, the flow straightener channels 364 can be disposed around a portion of the circumference of the through- bore 262. This can help to simplify manufacture and / or, in examples, in which the smoke evacuation channel 146 extends around a portion of the circumference of the housing 124, align the flow straightener channels 364 with the smoke evacuation channel 146.[001 13] In Figures 3 A-3C, the flow straightener channels 364 are disposed at a periphery of the through-bore 262 and a central portion of the through-bore 262 provides a passage for receiving the electrosurgical electrode 128 such that the electrosurgical electrode 128 can extend through the suction sleeve 146.

[0114] In the example shown in Figures 3 A-3C, each flow straightener channel 364 can extend proximally from an aperture at the distal sleeve end 246A to an aperture at an intermediate point 346C that is distal of the proximal sleeve end 246B. For instance, in Figures 3 A-3C, the suction sleeve 346 includes a distal cylindrical portion 368A and a conical portion 368B that is proximal of the distal cylindrical portion 368A. In this example, the intermediate point 346C is at an interface between the distal cylindrical portion 368A and the conical portion 368B such that the flow straightener channels 364 extend entirely through the distal cylindrical portion 368 A, and terminate prior to a bend at the interface between the cylindrical portion 368 A and the conical portion 368B. Within examples, the conical portion 368B can help to improve a line of sight to the electrosurgical electrode 128 extending from the suction sleeve 146.

[0115] The suction sleeve 346 can also include a proximal portion 368C that is proximal of the conical portion 368B. The proximal portion 368C can have a shape that is configured to facilitate coupling the suction sleeve 346 to the distal tube end 224B of the housing 124. In other examples, the suction sleeve 346 can omit the proximal portion 368C or the conical portion 368B. Also, in other examples, the conical portion 368B and / or the proximal portion 368C can have different shapes than those shown in Figures 3A-3C.

[0116] As shown in Figures 3A-3C, the noise mitigation element(s) 156 can additionally or alternatively include a plurality of flow straightener channels 370 that areentirely within the through-bore 262. For example, in Figures 3A-3C, the flow straightener channels 370 each have a distal end that is proximal of the distal sleeve end 246A and a proximal end that is distal of the proximal sleeve end 246B. The flow straightener channels 370 can help to reduce noise due to turbulent flow that may otherwise be present if the suction sleeve 346 omitted the flow straightener channels 370.

[0117] In the example shown in Figures 3A-3C, the flow straightener channels 370 extend along the conical portion 368B of the suction sleeve 346. The flow straightener channels 370 can provide additional or alternative opportunities to straighten the flow of the gas and / or reduce zones of recirculation. Within examples, the flow straighten channels 370 can each have a longitudinal axis that is parallel to a surface of the conical section 368B.

[0118] In Figures 3A-3C, the flow straightener channels 370 are disposed around a portion of the circumference of the suction sleeve 346. This can help to straighten the flow of the gas at portions of the suction sleeve 346 that are aligned with the smoke evacuation channel(s) 148 of the housing 124. For instance, in some examples, the smoke evacuation channel(s) 148 may be disposed in a first portion of the inner cavity of the housing 124, and a second portion of the inner cavity of the housing 124 may be occupied by other components (e.g., the electrosurgical electrode 128, the printed circuit board 132, the switches 136, and / or the housing conductor 134). In such examples, it can be beneficial to provide the flow straightener channels 370 at a portion of the circumference of the suction sleeve 346 that is aligned with the smoke evacuation channel(s) 148 to straighten the flow of gas prior to the gas moving into the smoke evacuation channel(s) 148. Although the flow straightener channels 370 are disposed around a portion of the circumference of the suction sleeve 346 in Figures 3A-3C, the flow straightener channels 370 can be disposed around an entirety of the circumference of the suction sleeve 346 in other examples.

[0119] In Figures 3A-3C, the flow straightener channels 370 are symetrically disposed around the circumference of the suction sleeve 346, are equally spaced apart from each other, have equal lengths, and have equal sizes. However, in other examples, the flow straightener channels 370 can be asymmetrically disposed around the circumference of the suction sleeve 346, can have be spaced apart from each other by varied distances, have different lengths, and / or have different sizes. This can reduce acoustic pressure at individual frequencies and result in a broader noise distribution and sound reduction in some implementations.

[0120] Figure 4 depicts further implementations of the suction sleeve 346 shown in Figures 3A-3C, according to additional examples. In particular, Figure 4 depicts example implementations in which the suction sleeve 346 and / or the flow straightener channels 364,370 have geometries, sizes, and / or position relative to the suction sleeve 346 and the flow straightener channels 364, 370 shown in Figures 3A-3C.

[0121] Figure 5 depicts a suction sleeve 546 as another implementation of the suction sleeve 146, according to another example. As shown in Figure 5, the suction sleeve 546 includes the through-bore 262 that extends from the distal sleeve end 246A to the proximal sleeve end 246B. In Figure 5, the noise mitigation element(s) 156 can include a plurality of flow straightener channels 564 that extend through an exterior surface of the suction sleeve 546 at an intermediate location that is between the distal sleeve end 246A and the proximal sleeve end 246B. The flow straightener channels 564 help to reduce noise due to turbulent flow that may otherwise be present if the suction sleeve 346 omitted the flow straightener channels 364.

[0122] In Figure 5, the flow straightener channels 564 are positioned at a spaced intervals around an entire circumference of the suction sleeve 546 at the intermediate location. This can help to straighten the flow of gas at the periphery of the through-bore 262 and around a relatively larger portion of the gas that enters the suction sleeve 346 through the through-bore 262 at the distal sleeve end 246A. However, in other examples, the flow straightener channels 564 can be disposed around a portion of the circumference of the suction sleeve 546 that is less than the entirety of the circumference. This can help to simplify manufacture and / or, in examples, in which the smoke evacuation channel 146 extends around a portion of the circumference of the housing 124, align the flow straightener channels 564 with the smoke evacuation channel 146.

[0123] Additionally, as shown in Figure 5, the flow straightener channels 564 can extend through a conical portion 568 of the suction sleeve 546 (e.g., along a proximal direction, the conical portion has a diameter that increases). This can allow the flow straightener channels 564 to extend in a direction that is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis 366 of the suction sleeve 546.

[0124] In Figure 5, the flow straightener channels 564 are all at the same distance from the distal end 246A of the suction sleeve 546. However, in other examples, one or more of the flow straightener channels 564 can be at a different distance from the distal end 246A of the suction sleeve 546 than at least one other one of the flow straightener channels 564.

[0125] Figure 6 depicts a suction sleeve 646 as another implementation of the suction sleeve 146, according to another example. As shown in Figure 6, the suction sleeve 646 includes the through-bore 262 that extends from the distal sleeve end 246A to the proximal sleeve end 246B. In Figure 6, the noise mitigation element(s) 156 can additionally or alternatively include a plurality of fins 672 that extend proximally from the distal sleeve end246 A on an exterior surface of the suction sleeve 646 (e.g., at least to the flow straightener channels 564 and / or past the flow straightener channels 564). The fins 672 on the exterior surface can be configured to straighten the flow of gas using the Coanda effect. When the gas flows over curved surfaces of the fins 672 on the suction sleeve 146, the gas tends to follow the curvature of the surfaces due to the lower pressure created by the accelerated airflow. By strategically designing the shape and orientation of the fins 672, the flow of the gas can be directed and controlled to achieve desired outcomes including, for instance, straightening gas flow, improving the efficiency of suction, and reducing noise.

[0126] Figure 7 depicts a suction sleeve 746 as another implementation of the suction sleeve 146, according to another example. As shown in Figure 7, the suction sleeve 746 includes the through-bore 262 that extends from the distal sleeve end 246A to the proximal sleeve end 246B. In Figure 7, the noise mitigation element(s) 156 can additionally or alternatively include a non-planar surface 774 at the distal sleeve end 246A. The non-planar surface 774 is a surface that is lies in a plane that is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis 366 of the suction sleeve 146, which extends between the proximal sleeve end 246B and the distal sleeve end 246A.

[0127] The non-planar surface 774 can be configured to reduce turbulence, absorb sound, diffuse sound waves, and / or disrupt formation of standing waves or resonant modes within the gas flow. For instance, the non-planar surface 774 can include a plurality of peaks 774A separated by a plurality of valleys 774B. The peaks 774A and the valleys 774B at the distal sleeve end 246A can (i) provide an irregular surface structure that can disrupt formation of turbulent gas flow patterns, (ii) at least partially absorb and dissipate sound through reflections and interactions with the irregular surface structure, (iii) cause sound waves to scatter and diffuse in different directions over a relatively wider area, and / or (iv) mitigate buildup of resonance.

[0128] In the implementation shown in Figure 7, the peaks 774A and the valleys 774B can be in the form of a chevron shape, which includes a plurality of V-shaped peaks 774A and a plurality of inverted V-shaped valleys 774B arranged in a repeating manner. The chevron shape can help to smooth out points at which low pressure gas flow meets high pressure gas flow. In other examples, the peaks 77A and the valleys 774B can have different shapes and sizes as shown, for instance, in Figure 8.

[0129] Figure 9 depicts a suction sleeve 946 as another implementation of the suction sleeve 146, according to another example. As shown in Figure 9, the suction sleeve 946 includes the through-bore 262 that extends from the distal sleeve end 246A to the proximalsleeve end 246B. In Figure 9, the noise mitigation element(s) 156 can additionally or alternatively include a spiral shaped projection 976 on an inner surface of the suction sleeve 146. The spiral shaped projection 976 can help to reduce a vortex shedding phenomena of the gas flow through the suction sleeve 946. The spiral shaped projection 976 can also help to impart a rotational aspect to the gas flow through the suction sleeve 946, which can help to stabilize the gas flow, reduce turbulence, and promote a more uniform flow profile. This can help to increase a suction force by the spiral shaped projection 976 increasing a velocity of the gas while reducing noise.

[0130] Figure 10 depicts additional implementations of the suction sleeve 946 according to other examples. For instance, as shown in Figure 10, the spiral shaped projection 976 can have different pitches within examples.

[0131] Figure 11 depicts a suction sleeve 1146 as another implementation of the suction sleeve 146, according to another example. As shown in Figure 11, the suction sleeve 1146 includes the through-bore 262 that extends from the distal sleeve end 246A to the proximal sleeve end 246B. In Figure 11, the noise mitigation element(s) 156 can additionally or alternatively include one or more baffles 1178 on the inner surface of the suction sleeve 1146. The baffle(s) 1178 can be configured to reduce a speed of the gas flowing through the suction sleeve 146. For instance, the baffle(s) 1178 can help to break up a flow of the gas, which may disrupt formation of turbulent eddies and vortices. The baffle(s) 1178 can also be configured to help equalize pressure gradients within the gas flow, and / or provide for sound wave reflection to attenuate certain frequencies of noise.

[0132] Figure 12 depicts a suction sleeve 1246 as another implementation of the suction sleeve 146, according to another example. As shown in Figure 12, the suction sleeve 1246 includes the through-bore 262 that extends from the distal sleeve end 246A to the proximal sleeve end 246B. In Figure 12, the noise mitigation element(s) 156 can additionally or alternatively include one or more dimples 1280 on the inner surface of the suction sleeve 146. The dimple(s) 1280 can be small recesses and / or small protrusions on the inner surface of the suction sleeve 1246. The dimple(s) 1280 can be configured to create small disruptions in the gas flow through the suction sleeve 1246, which may disrupt formation of turbulent eddies and vortices. The dimple(s) 1280 can also be configured to help to alter an acoustic impedance of the flow path, which can help to attenuate certain frequencies of noise.

[0133] In some examples, the dimple(s) 1280 can additionally or alternatively be provided on a surface of the smoke evacuation channel(s) 148. In such examples, the dimple(s) 1280 can be configured to create small disruptions in the gas flow through the smokeevacuation channel(s) 148, which may disrupt formation of turbulent eddies and vortices. The dimple(s) 1280 can also be configured to help to alter an acoustic impedance of the flow path, which can help to attenuate certain frequencies of noise.

[0134] Figures 13A-13B depicts a suction sleeve 1346 as another implementation of the suction sleeve 146, according to another example. As shown in Figures 13A-13B, the suction sleeve 1346 includes the through-bore 262 that extends from the distal sleeve end 246A to the proximal sleeve end 246B. In Figures 13A-13B, the noise mitigation element(s) 156 can include one or more side channels 1382 that branch off from the through-bore 262 of the suction sleeve 146 at a location that is proximal of the distal sleeve end 246A, and merge back into the through-bore 262 of the suction sleeve 1346 at a location that is distal of the proximal sleeve end 246B. In this arrangement, the side channel(s) 1382 can be configured to divert a portion of the gas flow away from the through-bore 262, reducing the overall velocity and turbulence of the gas flowing through the through-bore 262. This can help to decrease an intensity of noise generated by the gas in the main through-bore. The side channel(s) 1382 can additionally or alternatively disrupt the formation of standing waves and / or resonant modes of noise in the main through-bore to mitigate resonance phenomena, which may otherwise amplify noise at certain frequencies. For instance, the side channel(s) 1382 can be configured to operate as a resonator (e.g., a quarter wavelength resonator and / or a half wavelength resonator) to mitigate sound waves at one or more target frequencies. In this way, the side channel(s) 1382 can operate as a notch filter that can be tuned to mitigate sound at the one or more target frequencies. The side channel(s) 1382 can additionally or alternatively help to recombine the portion of the gas in the side channel(s) 1382 with the portion of the as in the through-bore 262 to smooth out velocity gradients and turbulence.

[0135] As shown in Figures 13A-13B, the side channel(s) 1382 can each have a diameter that is smaller than a diameter of the through-bore 262. In this arrangement, a greater portion of the gas moves through the through-bore 262 and a lesser portion of the gas moves through the side channel(s) 1382. In Figure 13 A, the suction sleeve 1346 includes two side channels 1382. In Figure 13B, the suction sleeve 1346 includes four side channels 1382. The suction sleeve 1346 can include a different quantity of side channels 1382 in other examples.

[0136] Figures 14A-14B depicts a suction sleeve 1446A and a suction sleeve 1446B as additional implementations of the suction sleeve 146, according to another example. As shown in Figures 14A-14B, the suction sleeve 1446A, 1446B includes the through-bore 262 that extends from the distal sleeve end 246A to the proximal sleeve end 246B. In Figures 14A- 14B, the noise mitigation element(s) 156 can include one or more side channels 1482 thatbranch off from the through-bore 262 of the suction sleeve 1446A, 1446B at a location that is proximal of the distal sleeve end 246A, and do not merge back into the through-bore 262 of the suction sleeve 1446 A, 1446B. For instance, each side channel 1482 can have a proximal end that is outside of the through-bore 262 of the suction sleeve 1446A, 1446B. In this arrangement, the side channel(s) 1482 can be configured to divert a portion of the gas flow away from the through-bore 262, reducing the overall velocity and turbulence of the gas flowing through the through-bore 262. This can help to decrease an intensity of noise generated by the gas in the through-bore 262. The side channel(s) 1482 can additionally or alternatively can be configured to operate as a resonator to mitigate sound waves at certain frequencies (e.g., as a quarter wavelength resonator and / or a half wavelength resonator). In this way, the side channel(s) 1482 can operate as a notch filter that can be tuned to mitigate sound at the one or more target frequencies.

[0137] As shown in Figures 14A-14B, the side channel(s) 1482 can have a distal end that is defined by an aperture in communication with the through-bore 262, and a proximal end that is defined by an aperture that is external to the through-bore 262. In this arrangement, the side channel(s) 1482 can extend proximally from the along an exterior surface of the suction sleeve 1446A, 1446A. This can help to reduce a size profile of the suction sleeve 1446A, 1446B.

[0138] Figure 15 depicts a suction sleeve 1546 as another implementation of the suction sleeve 146, according to another example. As shown in Figure 15, the suction sleeve 1546 includes the through-bore 262 that extends from the distal sleeve end 246A to the proximal sleeve end 246B. In Figure 15, the noise mitigation element(s) 156 can additionally or alternatively include a reflector 1584 at the distal sleeve end of the suction sleeve 1546. The reflector 1584 can be concave surface structure that can reflect sound waves in a distal direction (e.g., towards a surgical site and away from personnel in the operating room). The curved surface of the reflector 1584 can additionally cause the sound waves to scatter and diffuse over a greater area, which can reduce an intensity of the noise perceived at the relatively proximal position of the personnel in the operating room.

[0139] Figures 16A-16B depicts a suction sleeve 1646A and a suction sleeve 1646B as additional implementations of the suction sleeve 146, according to another example. As shown in Figures 16A-16B, the suction sleeve 1646A, 1646B includes the through-bore 262 that extends from the distal sleeve end 246A to the proximal sleeve end 246B. In Figures 16A- 16B, the noise mitigation element(s) 156 can additionally or alternatively include a Venturi nozzle 1686 that can define a constriction in the through-bore 262. The Venturi nozzle 1686can be configured to reduce a speed of the gas exiting the proximal sleeve end 246B of the suction sleeve 146 using the Venturi effect. Although the gas can accelerate through the distal sleeve end 246A, the distal sleeve end 246A can help to reduce turbulence of the gas flow, which can lead to noise mitigation. In some implementations, the distal sleeve end 246A can be configured to use the Venturi effect to control a pressure of the gas entering the suction sleeve 1646A, 1646B and filter out sound at one or more target frequencies.

[0140] Figure 17 depicts a suction sleeve 1746 as another implementation of the suction sleeve 146, according to another example. As shown in Figure 17, the suction sleeve 1746 includes the through-bore 262 that extends from the distal sleeve end 246A to the proximal sleeve end 246B. In Figure 17, the noise mitigation element(s) 156 can additionally or alternatively include a high-aspect ratio of the suction sleeve 146. For instance, the suction sleeve 1746 can have a length 1788 A extending between the proximal sleeve end 246B and the distal sleeve end 246A, a diameter 1788B that is orthogonal to the length 1788A, and a ratio of the length 1788Ato the diameter 1788B can be in a range of 1.5 to 10.7. This can also help to straighten the gas flow, reduce turbulence, and reduce noise. Figure 18 depicts additional implementations of the suction sleeve 1746 according to other examples.

[0141] As described above, the noise mitigation element(s) 156 can additionally or alternatively be provided by the one or more smoke evacuation channel(s) 148 of the housing 124. Figures 19-21 depict example implementations of the housing 124 that include the noise mitigation element(s) 156 according to some examples.

[0142] Figure 19 depicts a housing 1924 as an implementation of the housing 124 that includes the noise mitigation element(s) 156, according to an example. More particularly, Figure 19 depicts a distal portion of the electrosurgical device 112 with the suction sleeve 146 omitted to illustrate the smoke evacuation channel(s) 148.

[0143] As shown in Figure 19, in some examples, the smoke evacuation channel(s) 148 of Figure 1 can include a plurality of smoke evacuation channels 1948 that extend between the distal tube end 224B of the housing 1924 and the proximal tube end 224A (shown in Figure 2) of the housing 124 (e.g., between the suction sleeve 146 and the suction tube 150). For instance, the smoke evacuation channels 1948 can be configured as a plurality of flow straightener channels that extend in the inner cavity of the housing 1924 between the proximal tube end 224A (shown in Figure 2) of the housing 124 and the distal tube end 224B of the housing 124 (e.g., between the suction tube 150 and the suction sleeve 146). As such, the smoke evacuation channels 1948 can be configured to straighten a flow of the gas through thehousing 1924 and thereby reduce a noise generated by the gas flowing through the housing 1924.

[0144] To straighten the flow of the gas and reduce noise, the smoke evacuation channels 1948 can have (i) a porosity and (ii) a length to diameter ratio that is configured to reduce at least one of turbulent flow, a pressure drop, and / or clogging of the gas moving through the smoke evacuation channels 1948. The length of each smoke evacuation channel 1948 can be in a dimension that extends between the proximal tube end 224 A of the housing 1924 and the distal tube end 224B of the housing 1924, and the diameter of each smoke evacuation channel 1948 can be orthogonal to the length.

[0145] In some implementations, the smoke evacuation channels 1948 can have substantially the same diameter and / or substantially the same length. This can help to simplify manufacture and / or achieve a more uniform flow of the gas throughout the electrosurgical device 110. In other implementations (e.g., as shown in Figure 19), the smoke evacuation channels 1948 can have a different diameter and / or a different length than at least another one of the smoke evacuation channels 1948. Given the limited space in the inner cavity of the housing 1924 for the smoke evacuation channels 1948 and other components of the electrosurgical device 112 described above, providing the smoke evacuation channels 1948 with different diameters and / or lengths can allow for a greater portion of the inner cavity of the housing 1924 to be used by the smoke evacuation channels 1948 than some implementations in which the smoke evacuation channels 1948 have the same diameter and / or the same length.

[0146] In some implementations, all of the smoke evacuation channels 1948 can extend entirely between the suction sleeve 146 and the suction tube 150 (and / or the distal connector 152). In such examples, the smoke evacuation channels 1948 can be fluidly decoupled from each other in the housing 1924. This can help to maintain a flow conditioning throughout the housing 124 and reduce noise throughout the housing 124. In other implementations, one or more of the smoke evacuation channels 1948 can have a distal end that and / or a proximal end that is fluidly coupled to the another one of the smoke evacuation channels 1948. This can help to provide a balance between (i) flow conditioning and noise reduction performance, and (ii) other design considerations in view of space constraints within the housing 124 (e.g., ergonomics, providing other components in the limited space of the housing 124, and / or providing for relative movement between components of the electrosurgical device 110 in the housing 124).

[0147] In some examples, the smoke evacuation channels 1948 can be configured as a Helmholtz resonator. For instance, one or more of the smoke evacuation channels 1948 can (i)have closed distal and proximal ends, (ii) be fluidly coupled to another of the smoke evacuation channels 1948, and (iii) have a geometry that is configured to provide the Helmholtz resonator. This can allow the smoke evacuation channels 1948 to be tuned to reduce specific sound frequencies that contribute to unwanted noise. In one example, the smoke evacuation channels 1948 are configured as a quarter wavelength resonator. This can help to provide enhanced passive noise cancellation.

[0148] Figure 20 depicts a housing 2024 as another implementation of the housing 124 that includes the noise mitigation element(s) 156, according to another example. More particularly, Figure 20 depicts a portion the electrosurgical device 112 with the suction sleeve 146 omitted to illustrate the smoke evacuation channel(s) 148. In Figure 20, the housing 2024 also includes the plurality of smoke evacuation channels 1948 that extend proximally from the suction sleeve 146 towards the suction tube 150. As described above, the smoke evacuation channels 1948 can be configured as a plurality of flow straightener channels that extend in the inner cavity of the housing 2024 between the proximal tube end 224A (shown in Figure 2) of the housing 124 and the distal tube end 224B of the housing 124. As such, the smoke evacuation channels 1948 can be configured to straighten a flow of the gas through the housing 2024 and thereby reduce a noise generated by the gas flowing through the housing 2024.

[0149] In Figure 20, a diameter of each of the smoke evacuation channels 2048 is the same. Also, in Figure 20, each of the smoke evacuation channels 2048 has a hexagon shape. In other examples, the smoke evacuation channels 1948 can have other shapes such as, for instance, a circle shape (e.g., as shown in Figure 19), an oval shape, another polygonal shape, or a non-polygonal, irregular shape.

[0150] Figure 21 depicts a housing 2124 as another implementation of the housing 124 that includes the noise mitigation element(s) 156, according to another example. More particularly, Figure 21 depicts a portion the electrosurgical device 112 with the suction sleeve 146 omitted to illustrate the smoke evacuation channel(s) 148. In Figure 21, the housing 2124 includes a single smoke evacuation channel 2148 that extends proximally from the distal tube end 224B of the housing 2124 towards the proximal tube end 224A of the housing 2124. The housing 2124 can include a plurality of undulations, which can help to improve ergonomics in some examples.

[0151] As described above, the noise mitigation element(s) 156 can additionally or alternatively be provided by the distal connector 152. Figures 22A-25B depict example implementations of the distal connector 152 that include the noise mitigation element(s) 156 according to some examples.

[0152] Figures 22A-22B depict a distal connector 2252 as an implementation of the distal connector 152 shown and described above with respect to Figure 1, according to an example. As described above, the distal connector 2252 can be configured to couple the smoke evacuation channel(s) 148 of the housing 124 to the distal end of the suction tube 150. For instance, the distal connector 2252 can include a distal portion 2252A that can be coupled to the housing 124 and a proximal portion 2252B that can couple to the suction tube 150. Additionally, as shown in Figures 22A-22B, the distal connector 2252 can include a passageway that can extend entirely between a distal connector end 2252C of the distal connector 2252 to a proximal connector end 2252D of the distal connector 2252. As such, the passageway can fluidly couple the suction tube 150 to the smoke evacuation channel(s) 148 of the housing 124.

[0153] As shown in Figure 22A, the noise mitigation element(s) 156 can include a plurality of flow straightener channels 2290 that extend in the passageway between the distal connector end 2252C of the distal connector 2252 and the proximal connector end 2252D of the distal connector 2252. In the example shown in Figures 22A-22B, the flow straightener channels 2290 extend through only the distal portion 2252A of the distal connector 2252. In this example, the proximal portion 2252B of the distal connector 2252 defines a single conduit in fluid communication with the flow straightener channels 2290. This can help to simply manufacture. As described above, the flow straightener channels 2290 can be configured to at least one of: (i) straighten a flow of the gas moving through the distal connector 2252, (ii) reduce a swirl of the gas moving through the distal connector 2252, and (iii) reduce a turbulence of the gas moving through the distal connector 2252.

[0154] Additionally, as shown in Figures 22A-22B, the distal connector 2252 can include a longitudinal recess 2292 on an exterior surface of the distal connector 2252. The longitudinal recess 2292 can be configured to receive the power cord 122 so that the power cord 122 can extend from the inner cavity of the housing 124 into the suction tube 150 when the distal connector 2252 couples the suction tube 150 and the housing 124 to each other.

[0155] Figures 23A-23B depict a distal connector 2352 as another implementation of the distal connector 152 shown and described above with respect to Figure 1, according to an example. The distal connector 2352 is substantially similar or identical to the distal connector 2252 described above with respect to Figures 22A-22B, except (i) the flow straightener channels 2290 of the distal connector 2352 shown in Figures 23A-23B have a diameter that is smaller than a diameter of the flow straightener channels 2290 of the distal connector 2252 shown in Figures 22A-22B, and (ii) the distal connector 2352 of Figures 23 A-23B has a greaterquantity of flow straightener channels 2290 than the distal connector 2252 of Figures 22A- 22B. In Figure 23B, the flow straightener channels 2290 can be separated by a partition wall, which can act as a flow splitter to reduce drag and / or improve flow rates.

[0156] Figures 24A-24B depict a distal connector 2452 as another implementation of the distal connector 152 shown and described above with respect to Figure 1, according to an example. The distal connector 2452 is substantially similar or identical to the distal connector 2352 described above, except the flow straightener channels 2290 extend through the distal portion 2252 A and at least a portion of the proximal portion 2252B. In Figure 24 A, the proximal connector end 2252D is a tapered surface 2494, and the flow straightener channels 2290 can be recessed at location that is distal of at least a portion of the tapered surface 2494. The tapered surface 2494 can be configured to assist in coupling the distal connector 2452 to the suction tube 150 in some examples.

[0157] Figures 25A-25B depict a distal connector 2552 as another implementation of the distal connector 152 shown and described above with respect to Figure 1, according to an example. The distal connector 2552 is substantially similar or identical to the distal connector 2452 described above, except the flow straightener channels 2290 extend through the distal portion 2252A and entirely through the proximal portion 2252B to the proximal connector end 2252D. For example, as shown in Figure 25A, the flow straightener channels 2290 extend through the tapered surface 2494.

[0158] Figures 26A-26B depict a distal connector 2652 as another implementation of the distal connector 152 shown and described above with respect to Figure 1, according to an example. The distal connector 2652 is substantially similar or identical to the distal connector 2552 described above, except the proximal connector end 2252D has an inverted wedge shape (e.g., the proximal connector end 2252D includes a valley between opposing peaks). The inverted wedge shape can help to increase a velocity of the gas and / or help to reduce noise by providing walls for sound wave reflection.

[0159] As described above, the noise mitigation element(s) 156 can additionally or alternatively be provided by the proximal connector 154. Figures 27A-28 depict example implementations of the proximal connector 154 that include the noise mitigation element(s) 156 according to some examples.

[0160] Figure 27A depicts a perspective view of a proximal connector 2754 as an implementation of the proximal connector 154, according to an example. Figure 27B depicts a cross-sectional view of the proximal connector 2754 taken through a longitudinal axis 2766, according to an example.

[0161] As shown in Figure 27A, the proximal connector 2754 is configured to couple to a proximal end 250B (shown in Figure 2) of the suction tube 150 and the smoke evacuation system 138. For instance, the proximal connector 2754 can include a distal portion 2754Athat can be coupled to the suction tube 150 and a proximal portion 2754B that can couple to the smoke evacuation system 138 (e.g., the suction pump 140). The proximal connector 2754 can also through-bore that extends between a distal end 2754C and a proximal end 2754D of the proximal connector 2754.

[0162] In Figures 27A-27B, the noise mitigation element(s) 156 can include a passive noise filter 2796 of the proximal connector 2754. For example, as shown in Figures 27A-27B, the passive noise filter 2796 can include a Helmholtz resonator between the distal end 2754C and the proximal end 2754D of the proximal connector 2754. In this example, the passive noise filter 2796 can be tuned to a target noise frequency range such that the passive noise filter 2796 can act as a mechanical notch filter that is configured to dampen noise from the smoke evacuation system 138 and / or the gas moving through the proximal connector 2754. In one implementation, the passive noise filter 2796 can be tuned to a noise frequency range of approximately 2 kilohertz (kHz).

[0163] Figure 28 depicts a perspective view of a proximal connector 2854 as another implementation of the proximal connector 154, according to an example. The proximal connector 2854 is substantially similar or identical to the proximal connector 2754 described above with respect to Figures 27A-27B, except the one or more noise mitigation elements 156 of the proximal connector 2854 include an active noise filter 2898. The active noise filter 2898 can include a speaker that is configured to output a noise to counter and mitigate an ambient noise that is (i) generated by the gas moving through the proximal connector 2854 and / or (ii) generated by the smoke evacuation system 138. In some implementations, the active noise filter 2898 can also include a microphone that is configured to capture the ambient noise and a processor that is configured to control, based on a signal received from the microphone, the noise that is output by the speaker.

[0164] In some examples, the active noise filter 2898 can include a power source (e.g., one or more batteries). In other examples, the active noise filter 2898 can be electrically coupled to a power source of the smoke evacuation system 138.

[0165] Figures 29A-29B depict a proximal connector 2954 as another implementation of the proximal connector 154, according to an example. Figure 29A depicts a perspective view of the proximal connector 2954 and Figure 29B depicts a cross-sectional view of the proximal connector 2954 taken through a longitudinal axis 2966, according to the example.

[0166] As shown in Figure 29A, the proximal connector 2954 is configured to couple to a proximal end 250B (shown in Figure 2) of the suction tube 150 and the smoke evacuation system 138. For instance, the proximal connector 2954 can include a distal portion 2954Athat can be coupled to the suction tube 150 and a proximal portion 2954B that can couple to the smoke evacuation system 138 (e.g., the suction pump 140). The proximal connector 2954 can also include through-bore 2954E that extends between a distal end 2954C and a proximal end 2954D of the proximal connector 2954.

[0167] In Figures 29A-29B, the noise mitigation element(s) 156 can include a passive noise filter 2996 of the proximal connector 2754. For example, as shown in Figures 29A-29B, the passive noise filter 2996 can include a Helmholtz resonator between the distal end 2954C and the proximal end 2954D of the proximal connector 2954. As shown in Figure 29B, the passive noise filter 2996 can include a cavity 2996Athat is coupled to the through-bore 2954E by a narrow passage 2996B. As shown in Figure 29 A, the cavity 2296 A can extend around at least a portion of a circumference of the proximal connector 2954 to provide sufficient volume to passively filter noise at one or more predetermined frequencies (e.g., around approximately half of the circumference of the proximal connector 2954).

[0168] In some examples, the passive noise filter 2996 can be tuned to a target noise frequency range such that the passive noise filter 2796 can act as a mechanical notch filter that is configured to dampen noise from the smoke evacuation system 138 and / or the gas moving through the proximal connector 2754. In one implementation, the passive noise filter 2996 can be tuned to a noise frequency range of approximately 2 kilohertz (kHz).

[0169] As shown in Figure 29A, the proximal connector 2954 can also include a cable channel 2911 extending along the distal portion 2954A of the proximal connector 2954. The cable channel 2911 can be configured to receive the power cord 122 of the electrosurgical device 112. The cable channel 2911 can be further configured to extend proximally of a proximal -most end of the suction tube 150 when the suction tube 150 is coupled to the distal portion 2954A of the proximal connector 2954. In this arrangement, the power cord 122 can extend from the housing 124 through the suction tube 150, and then pass through the cable channel 2911 out of the suction tube 150 to allow the power cord 122 to be coupled to the electrosurgical generator 110.

[0170] Figure 30A-30B depict a suction sleeve 3046 as another implementation of the suction sleeve 146 including the one or more noise mitigation element(s) 156, according to another example. As shown in Figure 30A, the suction sleeve 3046 includes the through-bore 262 that extends from the distal sleeve end 246Ato the proximal sleeve end 246B.

[0171] As shown in Figures 30A-30B, the noise mitigation element(s) 156 can include a distal tapered section 3062A of the through-bore 262 at which a diameter of the through-bore 262 tapers inwardly from the distal sleeve end 246A toward the proximal sleeve end 246B. Additionally, in Figures 30A-30B, the through-bore 262 can include a proximal tapered section 3062B at which the diameter of the through-bore 262 tapers outwardly along a direction from the distal sleeve end 246A toward the proximal sleeve end 246B. The reduction of the diameter provided by the distal tapered section 3062A near the inlet to the through-bore 262 can provide more gradual flow transition and reduction of pressure at the location (e.g., based on Bernoulli’s principle), which can result in noise reduction. As shown in Figure 30A, in some examples, the through-bore 262 can further include a cylindrical section 3062C that extends from the proximal tapered section 3062B. This can enable the suction sleeve 3146 to be assembled to the housing 124 across a range of positions along the longitudinal axis of the housing 124 (e.g., a range of positions over which the suction sleeve 3146 can be moved relative to the housing 124 to accommodate surgeon preferences as they use different electrodes or need more blade exposure to access the patient anatomy). Within examples, the through-bore 262 including the distal tapered section 3062A and the proximal tapered section 3062B can be combined with any of the other noise mitigation element(s) 156 illustrated and described above with respect to Figures 3A-18.

[0172] For instance, as another example, Figures 31 A-3 IB depict a suction sleeve 3146 as a modified implementation of the suction sleeve 746 shown and described above with respect to Figure 7. As shown in Figures 31 A-3 IB, the noise mitigation element(s) 156 of the suction sleeve 3146 can include the non-planar surface 774 at the distal sleeve end 246A described above with respect to Figure 7. Additionally, as shown in Figures 31 A-3 IB, the through-bore 262 of the suction sleeve 3046 includes the distal tapered section 3062A at which the diameter of the through-bore 262 tapers inwardly along a direction from the distal sleeve end 246A toward the proximal sleeve end 246B.

[0173] In Figures 30A-30B, the proximal tapered section 3062B extends proximally from the distal tapered section 3062 toward the proximal sleeve end 246B. However, in Figures 31 A-3 IB, the through-bore 262 includes an intermediate section 3162 that extends proximally from the distal tapered section, and the proximal tapered section 3062B extends proximally from the intermediate section 3162. At the intermediate section 3162, the diameter of the through-bore 262 remains constant (e.g., the intermediate section 3162 is cylindrical). This can reduce turbulence and promote the development of laminar flow.

[0174] Figures 32A-32C depict a suction sleeve 3246 according to another example. Figure 32A depicts a side view of the suction sleeve 3246, Figure 32B depicts a perspective view of the suction sleeve 3246, and Figure 32C depicts a cross-sectional view of a distal portion of the electrosurgical pencil 112 including the suction sleeve 3246, according to the example. As shown in Figures 32A-32B, the suction sleeve 3246 can have a length 3288A extending between the proximal sleeve end 246B and the distal sleeve end 246A, a diameter 3288B that is orthogonal to the length 3288A.

[0175] In this example, the suction sleeve 3246 includes a two-stage reduction in the diameter 3288B along a dimension of the length 3288A and in a direction from the proximal sleeve end 246B to a distal sleeve end 246A of the suction sleeve 3246. The two-stage reduction in the diameter 3288B along the length 3288A can help to provide more efficient suction and / or reduced noise.

[0176] As shown in Figure 32C, a first stage of the reduction of the diameter 3288B can occur along a proximal section 3213 A of the suction sleeve 3246, and a second stage of the reduction of the diameter 3288B can occur along a distal section 3213B of the suction sleeve 3246. The diameter 3288B can taper by a first amount along the proximal section 3213 A, and the diameter 3288B can taper by a second amount along the distal section 3213B. In some examples, the first amount of taper can be substantially equal to the second amount of taper. In other examples, the first amount of taper can be greater than or less than the second amount of taper.

[0177] The suction sleeve 3246 can also include an intermediate section 3213C between the proximal section 3213A and the distal section 3213B of the suction sleeve 3246. The intermediate section 3213C can provide a transitional region in which the intermediate section 3213 can (i) the diameter 3288B can remain substantially constant, (ii) the diameter 3288B can taper by a third amount of taper, which is less than the first amount of taper and the second amount of taper, or (iii) the diameter 3288B can slightly increase along the direction from the proximal section 3213 A towards distal section 3213B (i.e., a distal direction).

[0178] The first amount of taper, the second amount of taper, and the third amount of taper can be defined in terms of taper angles, a change of the diameter 3288B between endpoints of a respective section 3213A-3213C, and / or a rate of change of the diameter 3288B per unit of the length 3288A.

[0179] As shown in Figure 32C, the electrosurgical electrode 128 extends through the proximal section 3213A, the distal section 3213B, and the intermediate section 3213C of the suction sleeve 3246. In some examples, the electrosurgical electrode 128 can include a hub3228A that extends around a portion of an electrode substrate 3228B. The hub 3228A can be formed from an electrically insulating material, and the electrode substrate 3228B can be formed from an electrically conductive material. In this arrangement, the electrode substrate 3228B can be configured to conduct and apply the electrosurgical energy to a target tissue, and the hub 3228A can facilitate handling and / or coupling the electrosurgical electrode 128 to the electrosurgical device 112.

[0180] As shown in Figure 32C, the electrosurgical electrode 128 can have a diameter that is larger at the hub 3228B than a remainder of the electrosurgical electrode 128 (e.g., portions of the electrosurgical electrode 128 at which the hub 3228 does not extend around the electrode substrate 3228B). For instance, in the example shown in Figure 32C, the hub 3228B can have a diameter that tapers outwardly along the distal direction until a location of a maximum diameter, and then the diameter of the hub 3228B can taper inwardly along the distal direction. The hub 3228B can have a different shape in other examples, but the hub 3228B can generally define a maximum diameter of the electrosurgical electrode 128.

[0181] As shown in Figure 32C, when the electrosurgical electrode 128 is coupled to the electrosurgical device 112, the suction sleeve 3246 and the electrosurgical electrode 128 can be configured such that the maximum diameter of the hub 3228A and the electrosurgical electrode 128 is located at the intermediate section 3213C of the suction sleeve 3246. In this arrangement, the intermediate section 3213C can help to moderate the taper of the suction sleeve 3246 between the proximal section 3213A and the distal section 3213B so that the suction sleeve 3246 does not taper too closely to the electrosurgical electrode 128 before the distal section 3213B (and the second stage of reduction of the diameter 3288B).

[0182] In the example shown in Figure 32C, the diameter of the hub 3228 A increases along the proximal section 3213 A, reaches the maximum diameter at the intermediate section 3213C, and decreases from the maximum diameter to a distal end of the hub 3228A. In this example, the distal end of the hub 3228A is in the intermediate section 3213C such that the electrode substrate 3228B is in the distal section 3213B. As shown in Figure 32C, the suction sleeve 3246 and the electrosurgical electrode 128 are configured to maintain an appropriate spacing between the suction sleeve 3246 and the hub 3228A of the electrosurgical electrode 128 along an entire length of the suction sleeve 3246. Additionally, by providing the two stage reduction of the diameter 3288B, the suction sleeve 3246 can improve laminar flow and pressure drop while preforming smoke evacuation.

[0183] Within examples, the two-stage reduction of the diameter 3288B shown and described with respect to Figures 32A-32C can be implemented in combination with any of thesuction sleeves shown and described herein (e.g., including the suction sleeves shown and described with respect to Figures 2-18 and 30A-3 IB).

[0184] Referring now to Figure 33, a flowchart for a process 3300 of operating an electrosurgical device 3300 is shown, according to an example. As shown in Figure 33, the process 3300 includes, at block 3310, coupling an electrosurgical device to a smoke evacuation system.

[0185] The electrosurgical device includes a housing extending between a proximal end and a distal end. The housing defines an inner cavity. The housing includes one or more smoke evacuation channels that extend through the inner cavity from the distal end towards the proximal end of the housing. The electrosurgical device also includes an electrosurgical electrode extending from the distal end of the housing. The electrosurgical device further includes a suction sleeve at the distal end of the housing. The suction sleeve includes a through- bore that extends from a distal sleeve end to a proximal sleeve end. The one or more smoke evacuation channels are fluidly coupled to the through-bore such that a flow-path of a gas through the electrosurgical device includes at least the suction sleeve and the one or more smoke evacuation channels. Additionally, the electrosurgical device includes one or more noise mitigation elements that are configured to reduce a noise of the gas moving along the flow-path. The one or more noise mitigation elements are provided by at least one component selected from a group of components consisting of: the suction sleeve and the one or more smoke evacuation channels.

[0186] At block 3312, the process 3300 also includes applying suction to the one or more smoke evacuation channels and the suction sleeve to move a gas along the flow-path toward the smoke evacuation system. At block 3314, the process 3300 includes reducing, using the one or more noise mitigation elements, a noise of the gas moving along the flow-path.

[0187] The description of the different advantageous arrangements has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, and is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Further, different advantageous embodiments may provide different advantages as compared to other advantageous embodiments. The implementation or implementations selected are chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the embodiments, the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the disclosure for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

Claims

1. CLAIMSWHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. An electrosurgical device, comprising: a housing extending between a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the housing defines an inner cavity, wherein the housing comprises one or more smoke evacuation channels that extend through the inner cavity from the distal end towards the proximal end of the housing; an electrosurgical electrode extending from the distal end of the housing; a suction sleeve at the distal end of the housing, wherein the suction sleeve comprises a through-bore that extends from a distal sleeve end to a proximal sleeve end, wherein the one or more smoke evacuation channels are fluidly coupled to the through-bore such that a flow-path of a gas through the electrosurgical device comprises at least the suction sleeve and the one or more smoke evacuation channels; and one or more noise mitigation elements that are configured to reduce a noise of the gas moving along the flow-path, wherein the one or more noise mitigation elements are provided by at least one component selected from a group of components consisting of: the suction sleeve and the one or more smoke evacuation channels.

2. The electrosurgical device of claim 1, wherein the one or more noise mitigation elements comprise a plurality of flow straightener channels at a periphery of the through-bore.

3. The electrosurgical device of claim 2, wherein the plurality of flow straightener channels are substantially parallel with a longitudinal axis of the suction sleeve.

4. The electrosurgical device of any one of claims 2-3, wherein each flow straightener channel extends proximally from an aperture at the distal sleeve end of the suction sleeve to an intermediate point that is distal of the proximal sleeve end.

5. The electrosurgical device of claim 4, wherein the suction sleeve comprises a distal cylindrical portion and a conical portion that is proximal of the distal cylindrical portion, wherein the intermediate point is at an interface between the distal cylindrical portion and the conical portion such that the plurality of flow straightener channels extend entirely through the distal cylindrical portion.

6. The electrosurgical device of any of claims 1-5, wherein the one or more noise mitigation elements comprise a plurality of flow straightener channels that extend through an exterior surface of the suction sleeve at an intermediate location that is between the distal sleeve end and the proximal sleeve end.

7. The electrosurgical device of claim 6, wherein the plurality of flow straightener channels are positioned at spaced intervals around an entire circumference of the suction sleeve at the intermediate location.

8. The electrosurgical device of claim 7, wherein the plurality of flow straightener channels extend through a conical portion of the suction sleeve, and wherein, along a proximal direction, the conical portion has a diameter that increases.

9. The electrosurgical device of any one of claims 7-8, wherein the exterior surface of the suction sleeve comprises a plurality of fins that extend proximally from the distal sleeve end on the exterior surface of the suction sleeve.

10. The electrosurgical device of claim 9, wherein the plurality of fins extend at least to the plurality of flow straightener channels.

11. The electrosurgical device of any one of claims 1-10, wherein the one or more noise mitigation elements comprises a non-planar surface at the distal sleeve end.

12. The electrosurgical device of claim 11, wherein the non-planar surface comprises a plurality of peaks separated by a plurality of valleys.

13. The electrosurgical device of claim 12, wherein the plurality of peaks and the plurality of valleys are in a chevron shape.

14. The electrosurgical device of any one of claims 1-13, wherein the one or more noise mitigation elements comprise a spiral shaped projection on an inner surface of the suction sleeve.

15. The electrosurgical device of any one of claims 1-14, wherein the one or more noise mitigation elements comprise one or more baffles that are configured to reduce a speed of the gas flowing through the suction sleeve.

16. The electrosurgical device of any of claims 1-15, wherein the one or more noise mitigation elements comprise a plurality of dimples on an inner surface of the suction sleeve.

17. The electrosurgical device of any one of claims 1-16, wherein the one or more noise mitigation elements comprise a distal tapered section of the through-bore at which a diameter of the through- tapers inwardly from the distal sleeve end toward the proximal sleeve end.

18. The electrosurgical device of claim 17, wherein the through-bore comprises a proximal tapered section that extends proximally from the distal tapered section, and wherein, at the proximal tapered section, the diameter of the through-bore tapers outwardly along a direction from the distal sleeve end toward the proximal sleeve end.

19. The electrosurgical device of claim 17, wherein the through-bore comprises an intermediate section that extends proximally from the distal tapered section, and a proximal tapered section that extends proximally from the intermediate section, and wherein a diameter of the intermediate section remains constant.

20. The electrosurgical device of any one of claims 1-19, wherein the one or more noise mitigation elements comprise one or more side channels that branch off from the through-bore of the suction sleeve at a location that is proximal of the distal sleeve end, and merge back into the through-bore of the suction sleeve at a location that is distal of the proximal sleeve end.

21. The electrosurgical device of any one of claims 1-19, wherein the one or more noise mitigation elements comprise one or more side channels that branch off from the through-bore of the suction sleeve at a location that is proximal of the distal sleeve end and do not merge back into the through-bore of the suction sleeve.

22. The electrosurgical device of any one of claims 20-21, wherein the one or more side channels are configured to operate as a resonator.

23. The electrosurgical device of claim 22, wherein the resonator is a quarter wavelength resonator or a half wavelength resonator.

24. The electrosurgical device of any one of claims 1-23, wherein the one or more noise mitigation elements comprise a reflector at the distal sleeve end, wherein the reflector is a concave surface structure that is configured to reflect noise in a distal direction.

25. The electrosurgical device of any one of claims 1-24, wherein the one or more noise mitigation elements comprises a Venturi nozzle that defines a constriction in the through-bore.

26. The electrosurgical device of any one of claims 1-19, wherein the one or more noise mitigation elements comprise a plurality of flow straightener channels that extend between the proximal end of the housing and the distal end of the housing.

27. The electrosurgical device of claim 26, wherein at least one flow straightener channel of the plurality of flow straightener channels has a diameter that is different than a diameter of at least another flow straightener channel of the plurality of flow straightener channels.

28. The electrosurgical device of any one of claims 1-27, further comprising a distal connector that is configured to couple the housing to a suction tube, wherein the one or more noise mitigation elements are provided by at least one component selected from a group of components consisting of: the suction sleeve, the one or more smoke evacuation channels, and the distal connector, andwherein the distal connector comprises a plurality of flow straightener channels that extend between a distal connector end and a proximal connector end of the distal connector.

29. The electrosurgical device of any one of claims 1-28, further comprising a proximal connector and a suction tube, wherein a distal tube end of the suction tube is coupled to the proximal end of the housing, wherein a proximal tube end of the suction tube is coupled to the proximal connector, and wherein the proximal connector is configured to couple to a smoke evacuation system, and wherein the one or more noise mitigation elements are provided by at least one component selected from a group of components consisting of: the suction sleeve, the one or more smoke evacuation channels, and the proximal connector,.

30. The electrosurgical device of claim 29, wherein the one or more noise mitigation elements comprises a passive noise filter of the proximal connector.

31. The electrosurgical device of claim 30, wherein the passive noise filter comprises a cavity that is coupled to a through-bore of the proximal connector by a narrow passage, and wherein the cavity extends around at least a portion of a circumference of the proximal connector.

32. The electrosurgical device of claim 30, wherein the passive noise filter comprises a Helmholtz resonator tuned to a noise frequency range.

33. The electrosurgical device of claim 29, wherein the proximal connector comprises an active noise filter.

34. An electrosurgical device, comprising: a housing extending between a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the housing defines an inner cavity, wherein the housing comprises one or more smoke evacuation channels that extend through the inner cavity from the distal end towards the proximal end of the housing; an electrosurgical electrode extending from the distal end of the housing;a suction sleeve at the distal end of the housing, wherein the suction sleeve comprises a through-bore that extends from a distal sleeve end to a proximal sleeve end, wherein the one or more smoke evacuation channels are fluidly coupled to the through-bore such that a flow-path of a gas through the electrosurgical device comprises at least the suction sleeve and the one or more smoke evacuation channels; a distal connector that is configured to couple the housing to a suction tube; and a proximal connector, wherein a distal tube end of the suction tube is coupled to the proximal end of the housing, wherein a proximal tube end of the suction tube is coupled to the proximal connector, and wherein the proximal connector is configured to couple to a smoke evacuation system; and one or more noise mitigation elements that are configured to reduce a noise of the gas moving along the flow-path, and wherein the one or more noise mitigation elements are provided by at least one component selected from a group of components consisting of: the suction sleeve, the one or more smoke evacuation channels, the distal connector, and the proximal connector.

35. A method of operating an electrosurgical device, comprising: coupling an electrosurgical device to a smoke evacuation system, wherein the electrosurgical device comprises: a housing extending between a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the housing defines an inner cavity, wherein the housing comprises one or more smoke evacuation channels that extend through the inner cavity from the distal end towards the proximal end of the housing; an electrosurgical electrode extending from the distal end of the housing; a suction sleeve at the distal end of the housing, wherein the suction sleeve comprises a through-bore that extends from a distal sleeve end to a proximal sleeve end, wherein the one or more smoke evacuation channels are fluidly coupled to the through-bore such that a flow-path of a gas through the electrosurgical device comprises at least the suction sleeve and the one or more smoke evacuation channels; and one or more noise mitigation elements that are configured to reduce a noise of the gas moving along the flow-path,wherein the one or more noise mitigation elements are provided by at least one component selected from a group of components consisting of: the suction sleeve and the one or more smoke evacuation channels; applying suction to the one or more smoke evacuation channels and the suction sleeve to move a gas along the flow-path toward the smoke evacuation system; and reducing, using the one or more noise mitigation elements, a noise of the gas moving along the flow-path.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein applying suction comprises using a suction pump of the smoke evacuation system to generate a pressure difference that is applied to the one or more smoke evacuation channels and the suction sleeve to capture and evacuate the gas from an environment distal of the suction sleeve through the suction sleeve and the one or more smoke evacuation channels.

37. The method of any one of claims 35-36, wherein reducing the noise of the gas moving along the flow-path comprises moving the gas through a plurality of flow straightener channels of the suction sleeve.

38. The method of any one of claims 35-37, wherein reducing the noise of the gas moving along the flow-path comprises moving the gas through a plurality of flow straightener channels provided by the one or more smoke evacuation channels of the housing.

39. The method of any one of claims 35-38, wherein the one or more smoke evacuation channels are configured as a plurality of flow straightener channels in an inner cavity of the housing, and wherein reducing the noise of the gas moving along the flow-path comprises moving the gas through the plurality of flow straightener channels in the inner cavity of the housing.

40. The method of any one of claims 35-39, wherein a distal connector couples a suction tube to the housing, and wherein reducing the noise of the gas moving along the flow-path comprises moving the gas through a plurality of flow straightener channels of the distal connector.

41. The method of any one of claims 35-40, wherein coupling an electrosurgical device to a smoke evacuation system comprises coupling a proximal connector of the electrosurgical device to the smoke evacuation system, wherein the proximal connector is coupled to the housing by a suction tube, and wherein reducing the noise of the gas moving along the flow-path comprises moving the gas through a noise filter of a proximal connector.

42. The method of claim 41, wherein the noise filter comprises a passive noise filter.

43. The method of claim 42, wherein the noise filter comprises a Helmholtz resonator.

44. The method of claim 41, wherein the noise filter comprises an active noise filter.

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