Surgical instrument with tissue recognition

Abstract

An electrosurgical device for recognizing tissue by means of spectral analysis of the light generated at an electrode. An acoustic or optical indicator device displays the tissue type permanently or when detecting certain tissue. Indicators, in particular optical indicators, are arranged in the application field of view, so as to support the user in response to making an incision.

1 - 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . An electrosurgical instrument for impacting a biological tissue by means of an electrical discharge, the electrosurgical instrument comprising:
 an electrode;   at least one light inlet window and/or at least one light outlet window; and   a device assigned to the at least one light inlet window and/or to the at least one light outlet window, the device comprising at least one fluid channel for releasing a gas jet or fluid stream.   
     
     
         17 . The electrosurgical instrument of  claim 16 , wherein the at least one light inlet window and/or at least one light outlet window comprises distal ends of optical fibers. 
     
     
         18 . The electrosurgical instrument of  claim 16 , wherein the at least one light inlet window and/or at least one light outlet window comprises at least one lens. 
     
     
         19 . The electrosurgical instrument of  claim 18 , wherein the gas jet is directed to the at least one lens and configured to clean the at least one lens. 
     
     
         20 . The electrosurgical instrument of  claim 16 , wherein at least one fluid channel comprises a cleaning device. 
     
     
         21 . The electrosurgical instrument of  claim 16 , wherein a deflection nozzle is assigned to the at least one fluid channel for guiding the gas jet or fluid stream that exits the channel radially inwardly. 
     
     
         22 . The electrosurgical instrument of  claim 16 , wherein the at least one fluid channel is configured to release the fluid stream as long as the electrode is activated. 
     
     
         23 . The electrosurgical instrument of  claim 16 , wherein the at least one fluid channel is configured to release the fluid stream to control the temperature of the at least one light inlet window and/or at least one light outlet window. 
     
     
         24 . The electrosurgical instrument of  claim 16 , wherein the gas jet is adapted to prevent condensation and/or adhesion of the tissue. 
     
     
         25 . The electrosurgical instrument of  claim 16 , wherein the fluid stream is a fluid jet. 
     
     
         26 . A method of operating an electrosurgical device for impacting a biological tissue by means of an electrical discharge, the electrosurgical device having an electrode, at least one light inlet window and/or at least one light outlet window, and a device assigned to the at least one light inlet window and/or to the at least one light outlet window, the device having at least one fluid channel, the method comprising releasing a gas jet or fluid stream from the at least one fluid channel. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , further comprising directing the gas jet to at least one lens to clean the at least one lens. 
     
     
         28 . The electrosurgical instrument of  claim 26 , further comprising deflecting the gas jet or fluid stream that exits the channel radially inwardly. 
     
     
         29 . The electrosurgical instrument of  claim 26 , further comprising releasing the fluid stream as long as the electrode is activated. 
     
     
         30 . The electrosurgical instrument of  claim 26 , further comprising releasing the fluid stream to control the temperature of the at least one light inlet window and/or at least one light outlet window. 
     
     
         31 . The electrosurgical instrument of  claim 26 , further comprising using the gas jet to prevent condensation and/or adhesion of the tissue.