IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,721,671
Granted Patent B2
US 12,721,671 · App. 16/662,814 · Granted Sep 1, 2026

Bi-polar surgical instrument

Inventors: Joseph L. Mark (Indianapolis, IN); Brian C. Dougherty (Terre Haute, IN)
Assignee: Stryker Corporation
A61B18/148A61B18/1482A61B18/1492A61B2018/00029A61B2018/00035A61B2018/00166A61B2018/00339A61B2018/00404A61B2018/00589A61B2018/00595A61B2018/00946A61B2018/126A61B2018/1422A61B2018/1465A61B2218/002A61B2218/007
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,721,671
App. No.
16/662,814
Granted
Sep 1, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A surgical device is disclosed that comprises a shaft member and a pair of electrodes. The shaft member has a pair of electrode channels that open at the distal end of the shaft member, wherein the electrode channels are positioned adjacent to one another. The pair of electrodes are configured to deliver energy, and one of the pair of electrodes is configured to be disposed in each electrode channel such that distal ends of each of the electrodes are arranged to protrude from the distal end of the shaft member. The shaft member further includes at least one lumen opening at the distal end of the shaft member. A lighting arrangement including a fiber optic cable configured to deliver light at the distal end of the fiber optic cable, the fiber optic cable positioned within the at least one lumen.

Claims (28)

1 . A surgical device, comprising:

a shaft member including first and second electrode channels and an irrigation lumen each extending between a proximal end and a distal of the shaft member and being open at the distal end of the shaft member;

first and second electrodes configured to deliver energy, wherein the first electrode is disposed in the first electrode channel and the second electrode is disposed in the second electrode channel such that distal ends of each of the first and second electrodes are arranged to protrude from the distal end of the shaft member;

a sheath member having a fluid chamber disposed in the sheath member, wherein the shaft member extends through the fluid chamber and includes an irrigation opening that is in communication with the irrigation lumen extending between the proximal end and the distal end of the shaft member to deliver fluid from the fluid chamber to the distal end of the shaft member through the irrigation lumen; and

a lighting arrangement including a fiber optic cable and a light element, the light element including a housing that houses a light source,

wherein the fiber optic cable extends from the light source and into the irrigation lumen through the fluid chamber and the irrigation opening to deliver light from the light source to a surgical site through the irrigation lumen, and

wherein the housing includes a heat sink and a cage defining at least one opening to allow for air flow therethrough and surrounding the heat sink, wherein the heat sink is configured to absorb heat created by the light element.

2 . The surgical device of claim 1 , wherein the shaft member includes an aspiration lumen extending between the proximal end and the distal end of the shaft member and being open at the distal end of the shaft member.

3 . The surgical device of claim 1 , further comprising a guide tube extending into the irrigation lumen through the fluid chamber and irrigation, the fiber optic cable being delivered to the irrigation lumen through the guide tube.

4 . The surgical device of claim 3 , further comprising a connection fitting and a mating connector, wherein the connection fitting is secured to the light element housing and the mating connector is releasably connected to the connection fitting.

5 . The surgical device of claim 4 , wherein the guide tube is fixed within the mating connector such that when the mating connector is connected to the connection fitting, the fiber optic cable is directed into the guide tube.

6 . The surgical device of claim 5 , wherein the connection fitting is a Tuohy Borst fitting.

7 . The surgical device of claim 3 , wherein the sheath member comprises an opening in fluid communication with the fluid chamber and formed between a proximal end and distal end of the sheath member, and the surgical device further comprises a cap member that is disposed within the opening, wherein the cap member further comprises a directional channel into which the guide tube is disposed.

8 . The surgical device of claim 7 , wherein the directional channel includes a first aperture and a second aperture and an entry point disposed therebetween, wherein sidewalls of the direction channel are angled inwardly from the first aperture to the entry point.

9 . The surgical device of claim 1 , wherein the diameter of the fiber optic cable is smaller than the diameter of the irrigation lumen.

10 . A surgical device assembly, comprising:

a handpiece;

a shaft member extending from a proximal end and through a distal end of the handpiece, the shaft member including first and second electrode channels and an aspiration lumen each extending between a proximal end and a distal of the shaft member and being open at the distal of the shaft member;

first and second electrodes configured to deliver energy, wherein the first electrode is disposed in the first electrode channel and the second electrode is disposed in the second electrode channel such that distal ends of each of the first and second electrodes are arranged to protrude from the distal end of the shaft member;

an aspiration tubing proximally extending from the proximal end of the handpiece, a proximal end of the aspiration tubing configured to be operatively connected to a vacuum generator, a distal end of the aspiration tubing being operatively connected to the aspiration lumen;

a connector element positioned between the aspiration tubing and the vacuum generator; and

a lighting arrangement including a fiber optic cable and a light element, the light element including a housing that houses a light source and is configured to releasably mount to the connector element,

wherein the fiber optic cable extends from the light source and into the aspiration lumen through the connector element to deliver light from the light source to a surgical site through the aspiration lumen, and

wherein the housing includes a heat sink and a cage defining a plurality of openings to allow for air flow therethrough and surrounding the heat sink, wherein the heat sink is configured to absorb heat created by the light element.

11 . The surgical device of claim 10 , wherein the connector element is a Y-connector having a first arm and a second arm that interests the first arm, wherein the fiber optic cable is introduced through the second arm to the aspiration lumen.

12 . The surgical device of claim 11 , wherein the second arm further comprises a normally closed valve element therein.

13 . The surgical device of claim 11 , further comprising a sealing adapter positioned proximal of the connector element, wherein the fiber optic cable extends through the sealing adapter and the sealing adapter is selectively operable to fix the fiber optic cable to the sealing adapter.

14 . The surgical device of claim 13 , wherein the sealing adapter is a Tuohy Borst fitting.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 30, 2025
From: NICO CORPORATION
To: STRYKER CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 071475/0696 →
Continuity (5)
Continuation In Part 15727994 · Oct 9, 2017
Continuation 13975486 · Aug 26, 2013
Continuation 13975494 · Aug 26, 2013
Provisional Application 61695411 · Aug 31, 2012
Related Publication 20200121384A1 · Apr 23, 2020
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