Cauterization tools

Effective date : A surgical tool that can be used for both cauterizing and cutting during a surgical procedure. The surgical tool may include a tip having an edge for cutting and electrodes formed at or near the edge for cauterizing. The electrodes are configured to be in electrical contact with a contact electrode passing through a handle of the surgical tool. An electrical current may be passed through the contact electrode to the electrodes formed at or near the edge of the tip.

Provisional Patent Application No. The present invention relates generally to surgical tools, and more particularly, to surgical tools that can be used for cauterizing and cutting during a surgical operation. Bleeding commonly occurs during surgical procedures.

Typically, the bleeding emanates from a bleeding vessel during a cutting procedure using, for example, a scalpel.

The bleeding can greatly obscure surgeon's view. To control the bleeding, the vessel can be clamped with a surgical instrument to stop the flow of blood, and the vessel can be mended. The mending, however, tends to cause infection and improper healing. More recently, electrocautery systems have been used to control bleeding from a vessel. An electrocautery system delivers an electrical current through a cable to an electrode, which is positioned at the bleeding site.

A heat or energy source is used to gradually increase the temperature of the electrode, which heats the tissue in order to heat the tissue surrounding the bleeding vessel. By heating the tissue, cauterization occurs at the point of bleeding. Known electrocautery systems are separate and distinct from the cutting tools used during surgical procedures. This means that a surgeon must constantly switch between the cutting tool and the electrocautery system during an operation.

Accordingly, this increases the risk of mistakes, makes the surgery more complex, and delays the surgical procedure.

Thus, a need exists for surgical tools that allow a surgeon to perform cutting and cauterizing at an application site in which the cutting and cauterizing can be performed with the same surgical tool.

In general, the invention is directed to an apparatus for cutting and cauterizing during a surgical procedure. The apparatus includes a surgical tool having a tip with one or more edges for cutting, and at least one electrode coupled to at least a portion of the tip for cauterizing. A surgeon can thus perform cutting and cauterizing using the same surgical tool.

Accordingly, in one aspect, the invention is directed to a surgical tool having a tip with at least one mechanical cutting edge. At least one electrode is formed integral with the tip. In another aspect, the invention is directed to a method for manufacturing a surgical tool that includes coupling a tip to a handle. The method also includes forming one cutting edge on the tip, and forming at least one electrode integral with the tip.

In another aspect, the invention is directed to a surgical tool that includes a housing and a tip formed from an electrically conductive material.

A cutting edge is bonded to the tip. In yet another aspect, the invention is directed to a surgical tool that includes a tip having a mechanical cutting edge in which the tip is coupled to a handle.

In yet another aspect, the invention is directed to a system for cutting and cauterizing that includes a surgical tool having a tip coupled to a handle, the tip includes a mechanical cutting edge and an electrode formed integral with the tip; and an energy source coupled to the handle to deliver electrocautery energy to the tip via a contact electrode passing through the handle.

The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

The apparatus includes a surgical tool having a tip with one or more edges for cutting, and one or more electrodes formed on at least a portion of the tip for cauterizing.

The cutting edge preferably has a sharpness suitable for making incisions or for cutting tissue. The electrode can be used to pass electrocautery energy to an incision site to control bleeding.

The invention is based on a principle different from known surgical tools for cauterizing and cutting that are used in industrial and medical applications.

The apparatus does not use an electrode from a separate electrocautery system to cauterize an area around the incision site; rather, the apparatus includes an electrode formed on at least a portion of the tip to deliver electrocautery energy from an energy source virtually simultaneously during a cutting procedure.

The cautery and cutting can thus be performed using the same surgical tool. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have substantially the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although many methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or manufacturing of the present invention, suitable materials and configurations are described below.

Surgical tools for mechanical cutting can be made with tips with multiple facets to form multiple types of cutting edges. The edge 4 may be used for cutting during a surgical procedure. The edge 4 and the face 6 form an apex 8 , which may be used for piercing.

Preferably, the edge 4 has a sharpness suitable to cut tissue or make incisions. A portion of the tip 1 may be covered with one or more electrodes In one configuration, as shown in FIG. The electrodes 10 may be formed from current carrying metals, such as titanium, platinum, copper, nickel, tin, gold, chromium, iron, silver, or other similar conductive metals or alloys.

The electrodes 10 may also be formed from current carrying ceramic materials, such as titanium nitride, silicon carbide, or tungsten carbide. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. The electrical conductors 10 may be applied to one or more surfaces of the tip 1 by painting, vapor deposition, chemical coating, adhesively bonding or other similar techniques.

In another configuration, as shown in FIG. In this configuration, the portion 17 may be used to deliver energy to the incision site. The tip 1 , in FIG. In other configurations, the tip 1 may be formed from any combination of materials listed in Table 1 below.

Thus, for example, the tip 1 could be formed from a conductive steel and also include a cutting edge 4 made from, for example, diamond. In this case, the cutting edge 4 could be bonded to a conductive steel portion 17 of the tip 1 by glue. The tip 50 , however, includes two beveled edges 54 , 56 to form a lance or spear. The edges 54 , 56 can be used to cut, and the apex 58 can be used to pierce. One using the pen to get rid of moles must try on arms so that if there are any side effects you can take precaution.

Steps to use the pen are as follows:. People who are suffering from moles or spots must surely use a cauterizing pen to remove it. This pen is quite easy to operate and can be used by any individual even at home to remove these spots. Small and lighter spots are removed immediately while larger and deeper moles might require two-three treatments.

This type of pen is best for an individual who is fighting with moles and willing to remove it immediately. Your email address will not be published. Cauterization is performed at the hospital. Before the procedure, a healthcare professional might apply local anesthesia to control pain. Before electrocauterization , a medical professional will place a grounding pad on your body, typically on your thigh. The pad will protect you from the effects of the electricity. During the procedure, a healthcare professional will use a pencil-like instrument called a probe.

An electric current travels through the probe. When they apply the instrument to your tissue, the electricity heats and burns the skin. During the process, a medical professional will dip a small, pointed wooden stick into one of these chemicals. This will destroy the skin on contact.

This will promote proper wound healing and prevent complications. Cauterization is not the first choice of treatment. In most cases, the following methods will be used to close wounds before cauterization is considered:. After your wound has been cauterized, be sure to take care of it. Avoid picking at your scab or stretching the area. If you notice signs of infection, such as increasing pain or pus, contact a doctor. Electrocauterization is a routine surgical procedure that uses electricity to heat the body tissue.

When your skin gets cut or scraped, you begin to bleed. Bleeding serves a useful purpose because it helps to clean out a wound. But too much bleeding…. Find out what to do in case of hemorrhage, or bleeding. Discover how to recognize a medical emergency, the complications, and more. Are you interested in body branding? You're not alone.