Electrosurgical Handpiece

Abstract

One embodiment of the present invention is a electrosurgical tool which includes a electrically powered handpiece with a detachable electrode at one end and a power connection at the other. The handpiece includes a feedback controller incorporated in tool to adjust operational characteristics of the electrosurgical tool.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device for conducting surgical procedures, comprising:
 a handpiece main body;   an electrical conduit passing through the handpiece main body;   an electrode attachment detachably connected to the handpiece main body;   a second electrical conduit passing through the electrode attachment that electrically connects to the electrical conduit when the electrode attachment is attached to the handpiece main body, wherein the electrical conduit and second electrical conduit provide an electrical path for passing electrical current to a surgical operative field;   a feedback mechanism positioned within the handpiece main body; and   a feedback electrical path between the electrode attachment and the feedback mechanism;   wherein the feedback mechanism is responsive to signals provided from the electrode attachment through the feedback electrical path to adjust operational characteristics of the device.   
     
     
         2 . The device according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an electrode affixed in the electrode attachment and in electrical connection with the second electrical conduit;   wherein the electrode is detachable from an end of the electrode attachment.   
     
     
         3 . The device according to  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a key structure disposed in the electrode attachment; and   a key receptacle disposed in the handpiece main body with an interior region adapted to receive the key structure;   wherein an outer surface of the key structure is in contact with the interior region of the key receptacle when the electrode attachment is connected to the handpiece main body.   
     
     
         4 . The device according to  claim 3 , wherein the key structure in the electrode attachment has a shape that interacts with the key receptacle in the handpiece main body to prevent rotation of the electrode attachment with respect to the handpiece main body when the key structure is in contact with the key receptacle. 
     
     
         5 . The device according to  claim 3 , further comprising:
 at least a first electrical contact situated on the interior region of the key receptacle;   at least a first electrical conductor connecting the first electrical contact to the feedback mechanism;   at least a second electrical contact positioned on the outer surface of the key structure; and   at least a second electrical conductor connecting the second electrical contact to an electrical ground;   wherein the first electrical contact electrically connects with the second electrical contact to transmit an electrical signal to the feedback mechanism to adjust the operational parameters of the device.   
     
     
         6 . The device according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a power generating unit in electrical communication with the feedback mechanism; and   a plug connected to the electrical conduit for providing electrical power to the electrical conduit and second electrical conduit, said plug detachably connectable with the power generating unit;   wherein the feedback mechanism is adapted to send a signal to the power generating unit to adjust the power settings for the device to adjust the operational characteristics of the device.   
     
     
         7 . The device according to  claim 3 , further comprising:
 a power generating unit in electrical communication with the feedback mechanism; and   a plug connected to the electrical conduit for providing electrical power to the second electrical conduit, said plug detachably connectable with the power generating unit;   at least a first electrical contact situated on the interior region of the key receptacle;   at least a first electrical conductor connecting the first electrical contact to the feedback mechanism;   at least a second electrical contact positioned on the outer surface of the key structure; and   at least a second electrical conductor connecting the second electrical contact to the plug;   wherein the first electrical contact is in electrical connection with the second electrical contact to provide an electrical signal to the feedback mechanism to adjust the operational parameters of the device.   
     
     
         8 . A device according to  claim 7 , further comprising:
 at least one alignment key positioned on the key structure of the electrode and said alignment key comprising a shape for positioning into an alignment key receptacle, and   at least one alignment key receptacle positioned on the key receptacle of the handpiece;   wherein the positioning of the alignment key structure into the alignment key receptacle aligns the first contact on the key structure into electrical connection with and the second contact on the key receptacle.   
     
     
         9 . A device according to  claim 7 , further comprising:
 an electrode tip disposed at one end of the electrode extending away from the handpiece;   wherein the electrode tip is one of a shape including a wire shape, a solid diamond shape, an open wire diamond shape, a small solid circular shape, an small open circular shape, a large solid circular shape, a large open circular shape, a pointed wire shape, or an angled wire shape.   
     
     
         10 . A device according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a tubular sheath enclosing the electrode with an open end at the electrode tip and said tubular sheath attached to the electrode at the opposing end;   a hose enclosed within the sheath positioned alongside the electrode with an one open hose end at the electrode tip and the opposing hose end connected to a liquid source and a portion of said hose between the open hose end and liquid source disposed within the handpiece;   wherein a portion of liquid from the liquid source is dispensed in the form of a mist from the open hose end at the electrode tip.   
     
     
         11 . A device according to  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a vibration mechanism in mechanical positioned in contact with an electrode tip of the electrode;   an electrical conductor connecting the vibration mechanism to the feedback mechanism;   wherein the vibrating mechanism is controlled by signals from the feedback mechanism to vibrate the electrode tip and adjust the operational characteristics.   
     
     
         12 . A device according to  claim 7 , further comprising:
 a visual display disposed on an outer surface of the handpiece;   wherein the visual display is in electrical communication with the feedback mechanism to receive a signal and to provide at least one of a plurality of visual indicators corresponding to a status of at least one operational parameter of the device.   
     
     
         13 . A device according to  claim 12 , further comprising:
 at least one light element positioned on the visual display;   wherein the light element provides a visual indication of the status of at least one operational parameter.   
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 13  further comprising:
 a display screen electrically disposed in the visual display; 
 wherein the display screen provides an indicator of at the status of at least one operational parameter. 
 
     
     
         15 . A device according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 at least one power prong receptacle positioned at an opposing end of the handpiece main body from the electrode attachment;   a detachable electrical power connector, said power connector formed in a recessed shape to attach to the opposing end of the handpiece main body from the electrode attachment;   at least one power prong positioned within the recessed shape of the electrical power connector; and   an electrical cord in electrical contact between the power generating unit and the detachable power connector providing electrical power to the handpiece main body;   wherein the power prongs in the electrical power connector are configured to provide a bipolar or a monopolar electrical connection.   
     
     
         16 . A device according to  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a sensor positioned at an end of the electrode attachment adjacent to a tip of the electrode for measuring at least one parametric characteristic from a surgical operative field adjacent the electrode tip;   an electrical conductor connecting the sensor to the feedback mechanism;   wherein the sensor transmits an electrical signal to the feedback mechanism and the feedback mechanism adjusts the operational characteristics of the device in response to the electrical signal from the sensor.   
     
     
         17 . A device according to  claim 16 , wherein the parametric characteristic measured by the sensor includes a temperature of the surgical operative field and the operational setting adjusted by the feedback mechanism is a current flow to the electrode. 
     
     
         18 . A device according to  claim 16 , wherein the sensor is positioned within the vibration mechanism and sends a signal to the feedback mechanism to adjust the settings of the vibration mechanism. 
     
     
         19 . A method for using a surgical device comprising the steps of:
 providing a handpiece with a plug receptacle disposed within;   providing a feedback mechanism positioned in the interior of the handpiece and configured to adjust at least one an operating parameter of the device and the feedback mechanism electrically connected to the handpiece;   providing an electrical plug disposed within an electrode;   inserting the plug into the plug receptacle to engage the handpiece and electrode in an electrical connection.   
     
     
         20 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the operational characteristics of the device is one of a device parameter including frequency, wavelength, amplitude, power level, power mode, power usage, amperage, voltage, temperature, resistance, and time.