FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention is generally directed to an ultrapolar electrosurgery blade and an ultrapolar electrosurgery pencil for use in both monopolar mode and bipolar mode for cutting and coagulation. The ultrapolar electrosurgery blade has a non-conductive member with opposing planar sides, a cutting end, and an opposite non-cutting end, an active electrode located on one of the opposing planar sides of the non-conductive member, and a return electrode located on the other opposing planar side of the non-conductive member.

The present invention is ALSO directed to an ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil for use in both monopolar mode and bipolar mode for cutting and coagulation. The ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil includes a handpiece member having first and second ends, a hollow telescopic member having first and second ends where at least a portion of the hollow telescopic member is concentrically positioned within the first end of the handpiece member, and an electrosurgery blade positioned within the first end of the hollow telescopic member where the electrosurgery blade includes a nonconductive member with opposing planar sides and a cutting edge, an active electrode positioned on one of the opposing planar sides such that at least a portion of the opposing planar side is exposed near the cutting edge, and a return electrode positioned on the other opposing planar side such that at least a portion of the other opposing planar side is exposed near the cutting edge. The hollow telescopic member and the handpiece member may also form an evacuation channel for evacuating smoke and /or debris away from the surgical site.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Electrosurgery uses an RF electrosurgical generator (also known as an electrosurgical unit or ESU) and a handpiece with an electrode to provide high frequency, alternating radio frequency (RF) current input at various voltages to cut or coagulate biological tissue. The handpiece may be a monopolar instrument with one electrode or a bipolar instrument with two electrodes. When using a monopolar instrument, a return electrode pad is attached to the patient and the high frequency electrical current flows from the generator, to the monopolar instrument, through the patient to the patient return electrode pad, and back to the generator. Monopolar electrosurgery is commonly used due to its versatility and effectiveness. However, the excessive heat generated with monopolar electrosurgery can cause excessive tissue damage and necrosis of the tissue because the return electrode positioned on the back of the patient causes high voltage and high RF energy to pass through the patient.

In bipolar electrosurgery, active output and patient return functions both occur at the surgery site because both the active and return electrodes are contained in the bipolar instrument. Therefore, the path of the electrical current is confined to the biological tissue located between the active and return electrodes. Although bipolar electrosurgery enables the use of lower voltages and less energy and thereby reduces or eliminates the likelihood of tissue damage and sparking associated with monopolar electrosurgery, it has limited ability to cut and coagulate large bleeding areas.

Accordingly, there is a need for an electrosurgery blade and an electrosurgery pencil that can be used in both monopolar and bipolar modes for cutting and coagulation thereby allowing flexibility for cutting and coagulation of large areas of tissue without the tissue damage when used in monopolar mode and which eliminates passing of energy through the patient when used in bipolar mode. An ultrapolar electrosurgery blade having a sharp cutting end and an active electrode positioned on one opposing planar side of a non- conductive member and a return electrode positioned on the other opposing planar side of the non-conductive member would meet this need as well as an ultrapolar electrosurgery pencil and ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil that each include such an ultrapolar electrosurgery blade. The ultrapolar electrosurgery blades with a sharp cutting end and an active and return electrode positioned on opposing sides of the electrosurgery blade described with reference to the present invention (as well as the ultrapolar electrosurgery pencil and ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil that each contain the ultrapolar electrosurgery blade) can be used in both monopolar and bipolar modes thereby providing flexibility to a surgeon or operator. The ultrapolar electrosurgery blades described with reference to the preset invention can be used with an electrosurgery handpiece/pencil (telescopic or non-telescopic) that does not have smoke evacuation capability but they are also intended to be used with an electrosurgery pencil/handpiece (telescopic or non- telescopic) that is capable of smoke evacuation during the electrosurgery procedure. The ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil described with reference to the present invention which includes the ultrapolar electrosurgery blade also enables a user or surgeon to more easily and efficiently access the surgical site with enhanced viewing capability by extending the telescopic member of the pencil as well as the electrosurgery blade positioned within the telescopic member of the pencil.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to an ultrapolar electrosurgery blade which includes a non-conductive planar member having first and second opposite planar sides, a cutting end, and a non-cutting end, an active electrode located on the first opposite planar side wherein at least a portion of the first opposite planar side is exposed near the cutting end of the non- conductive planar member, and a return electrode located on the second opposite planar side wherein at least a portion of the second opposite planar side is exposed near the cutting end of the non-conductive planar member. In one exemplary embodiment of the ultrapolar electrosurgery blade of the present invention, the active electrode located on the first planar side mirrors at least a portion of the return electrode located on the second planar side.

The non-conductive planar member may comprise a ceramic and the active and return electrodes may comprise a stainless steel, a copper, and/or a tungsten. In another exemplary embodiment of the ultrapolar electrosurgery blade of the present invention, the active and return electrodes may each take the form of an elongated conductive layer that extends more than half the length of the non-conductive planar member. At least a portion of the elongated conductive layer of the active electrode may extend to, and along a partial length of, one or more of the opposing elongated edges of the first opposite planar side and at least a portion of the elongated conductive layer of the return electrode may extend to, and along a partial length of, one or more opposing elongated edges of the second opposite planar side.

In still another exemplary embodiment of the ultrapolar electrosurgery blade of the present invention, the ultrapolar electrosurgery blade includes a non-conductive planar member having first and second opposite planar sides with opposing elongated edges, a cutting end, and an opposite non-cutting end, an active electrode having a rounded or pointed hook-like shaped configuration located on the first opposite planar side of the non- conductive planar member, and a return electrode having a rounded or pointed hook-like shaped configuration located on the second opposite planar side of the non-conductive planar member. The hook-like shaped configuration of the active electrode and the return electrode may be located near the cutting end of the non-conductive planar member without covering at least a portion of the first and second opposite planar sides located near the cutting end of the non-conductive planar member. At least a portion of the hook-like shaped configuration of the active electrode located on the first opposite planar side may mirror at least a portion of the hook-like shaped configuration of the return electrode located on the second opposite planar side of the non-conductive planar member. The non-conductive planar member may comprise a ceramic and the first and second active electrodes and the first and second return electrodes may comprise a stainless steel, a copper, and/or a tungsten.

The cutting end of the non-conductive planar member is a sharp cutting end and may take the form/configuration of a sharp cutting edge with the active and return electrodes located on opposite planar sides of the non-conductive planar member each lying adjacent to the sharp cutting edge of the non-planar member while still leaving a portion of the non- conductive planar member closest to the sharp cutting edge exposed.

Further, a portion of each of the active and return electrodes may extend to the opposite non-cutting end of the non-conductive planar member. The ultrapolar electrosurgery blade of the present invention may further comprise a first conductive insert member in communication with the active electrode located near the non-cutting end of the non-conductive planar member and a second conductive insert member in communication with the return electrode located near the non-cutting end of the non-conductive planar member. The first and second conductive inserts may each comprise a metal contact member that is made of brass and/or copper.

The ultrapolar electrosurgery blade of the present invention can be used in both monopolar and bipolar modes when used to perform electrosurgery. The conductive insert in communication with the active electrode is connected to a circuit board contained within an electrosurgery pencil for activating the electrosurgery pencil (and the circuit board is in turn connected to an electrosurgery unit generator through an electrical connection means such as a wire) and the conductive insert in communication with the return electrode is connected to the electrosurgery unit generator through an electrical connection means such as wire so that the active and return contacts of the ultrapolar electrosurgery blade are connected to the electrosurgery unit generator. When the ultrapolar electrosurgery blade of the present invention is used in monopolar mode, the monopolar power output mode is selected on the electrosurgical unit generator. When the ultrapolar electrosurgery blade of the present invention is used in bipolar mode, the bipolar power output mode is selected on the electrosurgical unit generator.

The present invention is also directed to an ultrapolar electrosurgery pencil having a handpiece with a first and second end and an electrosurgery blade positioned in the first end of the handpiece where the electrosurgery blade includes a non-conductive planar member having opposing planar sides, a cutting end, and an opposite non-cutting end, an active electrode located on one opposing planar side where at least a portion of the opposing planar side is exposed near the non-conductive cutting end of the non-conductive planar member, and a return electrode located on the other opposing planar side where at least a portion of the other opposing planar side is exposed near the non-conductive cutting end of the noi> conductive planar member. The handpiece may further comprise a smoke evacuation channel contained therein for evacuating smoke and debris from the surgical site during activation of the electrosurgery pencil. In addition, the handpiece may further comprise only one activation button for coagulation since the sharp cutting end/edge of the nonconductive planar member can make precise cuts without having power applied to the ultrapolar electrosurgery blade. Alternatively, the handpiece may include more than one activation button for cutting and coagulation. The ultrapolar electrosurgery blade may also include a connector which functions to connect the ultrapolar electrosurgery blade to an electrosurgery pencil.

The present invention is further directed to an ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil which includes a handpiece member having first and second ends, a hollow telescopic member having first and second ends with the second end of the hollow telescopic member concentrically positioned within the first end of the handpiece member, and an electrosurgery blade positioned at least partially within the first end of the hollow telescopic member where the electrosurgery blade includes a non-conductive member with opposing planar sides and a cutting edge, an active electrode positioned on one of the opposing planar sides so that at least a portion of the opposing planar side is exposed near the cutting edge, and a return electrode positioned on the other opposing planar side so that at least a portion of the other opposing sides is exposed near the cutting edge. The ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil can be used in both a monopolar mode and a bipolar mode when used to perform electrosurgery. In addition, the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil of the present invention is capable of cutting and coagulating tissue at a low power level, namely a power level that is less than 20 watts.

The ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil may include a retaining member located within the hollow telescopic member for retaining at least a portion of the electrosurgery blade within the telescopic member. The handpiece member and the hollow telescopic member may form an evacuation channel for evacuating smoke and/or debris away from the surgical site where the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil is being employed. A nozzle member may be connected to the first end of the hollow telescopic member so that at least a portion of the electrosurgery blade is positioned in the nozzle member as well as within the first end of the hollow telescopic member. The ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil may also include a swivel member connected to the second end of the handpiece member to inhibit twisting and kinking of a vacuum tube connected to the electrosurgery pencil for evacuating smoke and/or debris from the surgical site. In embodiments of the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil of the present invention that accommodate evacuation of smoke and/or debris from the surgical site, the nozzle, hollow telescopic member, handpiece member, and swivel member may all form part of an evacuation channel for diverting smoke and/or debris away from the surgical site.

In one exemplary embodiment, the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil of the present invention includes a handpiece member having first and second ends, a hollow telescopic member having first and second ends with the second end of the hollow telescopic member concentrically positioned within the first end of the handpiece member, and an electrosurgery blade positioned at least partially within the first end of the hollow telescopic member where the electrosurgery blade includes a non-conductive member with opposing planar sides and a cutting edge, an active electrode positioned on one of the opposing planar sides so that at least a portion of the opposing planar side is exposed near the cutting edge, and a return electrode positioned on the other opposing planar side so that at least a portion of the other opposing sides is exposed near the cutting edge, a first insulated wire connected to the active electrode of the electrosurgery blade and a first retaining element for retaining at least a portion of the first insulated wire near a top interior of the handpiece member, and a second insulated wire connected to the return electrode of the electrosurgery blade and a second retaining element for retaining at least a portion of the second insulated wire near a bottom interior of the handpiece member. This exemplary embodiment may also include the nozzle and swivel members previously described above and the nozzle member, hollow telescopic member, handpiece member, and swivel member may form an evacuation channel for evacuating smoke and/or debris away from the surgical site.

In another exemplary embodiment, the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil of the present invention includes a handpiece member having first and second ends, a hollow telescopic member having first and second ends with the second end of the hollow telescopic member concentrically positioned within the first end of the handpiece member, and an electrosurgery blade positioned at least partially within the first end of the hollow telescopic member where the electrosurgery blade includes a non-conductive member with opposing planar sides and a cutting edge, an active electrode positioned on one of the opposing planar sides so that at least a portion of the opposing planar side is exposed near the cutting edge, and a return electrode positioned on the other opposing planar side so that at least a portion of the other opposing sides is exposed near the cutting edge, a conductive elongated contact member attached to a top interior surface of the handpiece member and a conductive contact member connected to the active electrode of the electrosurgery blade such that the conductive contact member can be slidably engaged with respect to the conductive elongated contact member, and a hollow conductive tube member contained within the hollow telescopic member that is connected to the return electrode of the electrosurgery blade and a solid conductive rod member connected to the handpiece member such that the solid conductive rod member can slide within and along a length of the hollow conductive tube member.

In this second exemplary embodiment, at least a portion of the conductive contact member may be positioned within and interior of the hollow telescopic member and at least a portion of the conductive contact member may be positioned on an exterior surface of the conductive contact member. In addition, instead of a hollow conductive tube member contained within the hollow telescopic member and connected to the return electrode of the electrosurgery blade, it could be a solid conductive rod contained within the hollow telescopic member and connected to the return electrode of the electrosurgery blade. In this case, instead of a solid conductive rod connected to the handpiece member, a hollow conductive tube member would be connected to the handpiece member so that the solid conductive rod contained within the hollow telescopic member could slide within the hollow conductive tube member contained within the handpiece member. Like the first exemplary embodiment described above, this second exemplary embodiment may also include the nozzle and swivel members previously described and the nozzle member, hollow telescopic member, handpiece member, and swivel member may form an evacuation channel for evacuating smoke and/or debris away from the surgical site.

The ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil of the present invention can be used in both monopolar and bipolar modes when used to perform electrosurgery. The insulated wire or conductive contact member in the electrosurgery pencil that is in communication with the active electrode of the electrosurgery blade is connected to a circuit board contained within the electrosurgery pencil for activating the electrosurgery pencil and the circuit board is in turn connected to an electrosurgery unit generator through an electrical connection means such as a wire. In addition, the insulated wire or conductive rod or hollow member that is in communication with the return electrode of the electrosurgery blade is also connected to the electrosurgery unit generator through an electrical connection means such as a wire so that both the active and return contacts of the ultrapolar electrosurgery blade in the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil are connected to the electrosurgery unit generator. When the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil of the present invention is used in monopolar mode, the monopolar power output mode is selected on the electrosurgical unit generator. When the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil of the present invention is used in bipolar mode, the bipolar power output mode is selected on the electrosurgical unit generator.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The subject invention will hereafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawing figures, wherein like nurnerals denote like elements, and

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an ultrapolar electrosurgery blade used in the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an opposite side view of the exemplary embodiment of the ultrapolar electrosurgery blade shown in FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view showing separate components of one exemplary embodiment of the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil of the present invention with the ultrapolar electrosurgery blade depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2 shown seated within the hollow telescopic member of the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view showing separate components of another exemplary embodiment of the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil of the present invention with the ultrapolar electrosurgery blade depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2 shown seated within the hollow telescopic member of the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a side cross-sectional view showing separate components of yet another exemplary embodiment of the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil of the present invention with the ultrapolar electrosurgery blade depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2 shown seated within the hollow telescopic member of the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil of the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is a side cross-sectional view of a non-telescopic ultrapolar electrosurgery pencil of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The exemplary embodiments of the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil for use in electrosurgical unit (ESU) monopolar and bipolar modes of the present invention enable a user or surgeon to perform cutting with the sharp non-conductive tip of the electrosurgery blade in the pencil as well as coagulation of large areas of biological tissue by using the electrical contacts of the electrosurgery blade. The ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil of the present invention may also perform cutting with the active and return electrodes of the electrosurgery blade. Exemplary embodiments of the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil of the present invention include an ultrapolar electrosurgery blade that has a non-conductive member having first and second opposite planar sides and a sharp cutting edge, an active electrode positioned on the first opposite planar side of the non- conductive member such that at least a portion of the first opposite planar side is exposed near the cutting edge, and a return electrode positioned on the second opposite planar side of the non-conductive member such that at least a portion of the second opposite planar side is exposed near the cutting edge. The cutting edge of the non-conductive planar member can form a sharp non-conductive cutting edge for cutting biological tissue while the active and return electrodes located on opposite planar side of the non-conductive member can be used to perform coagulation as well as cutting of biological tissue.

The present invention is directed to an ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil which includes a handpiece member having a first end and a second end, a hollow telescopic member having a first end and a second end where the second end of the hollow telescopic member is concentrically positioned within the first end of the handpiece member, and an electrosurgery blade positioned within the first end of the hollow telescopic member where the electrosurgery blade includes a non-conductive member with opposing planar sides and a cutting edge, an active electrode positioned on one of the opposing planar sides such that at least a portion of the opposing planar side is exposed near the cutting edge, and a return electrode positioned on the other opposing planar side such that at least a portion of the other opposing planar side is exposed near the cutting edge.

The active electrode located on an opposing planar side of the non-conductive member may mirror at least a portion of the return electrode located on the other opposing planar side. Active and return electrodes on the electrosurgery blade can be conductive layers having a same thickness throughout. The top of the non-conductive member can be wider than the sharp cutting edge of the non-conductive member and the non-conductive member may be tapered from at least a portion of its top to a portion of its bottom. The non-conductive planar member may comprise a ceramic and the active and return electrodes may comprise a stainless steel, a copper, and/or a tungsten. The active and return electrodes may each take the form of an elongated conductive layer that extends more than half the length of the non-conductive member. At least a portion of the elongated conductive layer of the active electrode may extend to, and along a partial length of, one or more opposing elongated edges of an opposing planar side of the non-conductive member and at least a portion of the elongated conductive layer of the return electrode may extend to, and along a partial length of, one or more opposing elongated edges of the other opposing planar side of the non-conductive member.

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an ultrapolar electrosurgery blade 10 used in the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil of the present invention. Ultrapolar electrosurgery blade 10 includes non-conductive member 12 having first and second opposite planar sides 14, 16, a top 18, a bottom 20, a cutting end 22 with a sharp cutting edge 26, and a non-cutting end 24, and an active electrode 30 positioned on the first opposite planar side 14 of the non-conductive member 12 such that at least a portion of the first opposite planar side 14 is exposed near the sharp cutting edge 26. Angle X of sharp cutting edge 26 relative to a bottom portion of blade 10 may be less than 20 degrees as shown in FIG. 1. Ultrapolar electrosurgery blade 10 also includes conductive insert members 80 that are in communication with active and return electrodes contained on the non-conductive member. FIG. 1 shows the active electrode 30 on first opposite planar side

14 in communication with one of the conductive insert members 80 thereby making that conductive insert member a top active conductive insert member. Active electrode 30 may be a conductive layer that is deposited on the first opposite planar side 14 of the non- conductive member 12 and may comprise stainless steel, copper, and/or tungsten. As shown in FIG. 1, active electrode 30 is an elongated conductive layer that extends along a length of the first opposite planar side 14 of the non-conductive member 12 near the top 18 of the non- conductive member 12 with a "V" shaped hook like shape that is positioned on the first opposite planar side 14 of the non-conductive member 12 near the cutting end 22 of the non- conductive member 12. The active electrode 30 also extends along an entire length of the first opposite planar side 14 of the non-conductive member 12 to the non-cutting end 24 of the non-conductive member 12 and then wraps around the non-cutting end 24 of non- conductive member 12 so that active electrode 30 is in communication with one of conductive insert members 80. Non-conductive member 12 also includes openings (not shown) within the non-cutting end 24 for insertion of conductive insert members 80 and a rounded portion 94 which lies adjacent to an inner circumference of the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil when the ultrapolar electrosurgery blade 10 is positioned within the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil.

FIG. 2 is an opposite side view of the exemplary embodiment of the ultrapolar electrosurgery blade 10 shown in FIG. 1. Ultrapolar electrosurgery blade 10 includes non- conductive member 12 having first and second opposite planar sides 14, 16, a top 18, a bottom 20, a cutting end 22 with a sharp cutting edge 26, and a non-cutting end 24, and a return electrode 32 positioned on the second opposite planar side 16 of the non-conductive member 12 such that at least a portion of the second opposite planar side 16 is exposed near the sharp cutting edge 26. Ultrapolar electrosurgery blade 10 also includes conductive insert members 80 that are in communication with active and return electrodes contained on the non-conductive member 12. FIG. 2 shows the return electrode 32 on second opposite planar side 16 in communication with one of the conductive insert members 80 thereby making that conductive insert member a bottom return conductive insert member. Return electrode 32 may be a conductive layer that is deposited on the second opposite planar side 16 of the non- conductive member 12 and may comprise stainless steel, copper, and/or tungsten. As shown in FIG. 2, return electrode 32 is an elongated conductive layer that extends along a length of the second opposite planar side 16 of the non-conductive member 12 near the top 18 of the non-conductive member 12 with a "V" shaped hook like shape that is positioned on the second opposite planar side 16 of the non-conductive member 12 near the cutting end 22 of the non-conductive member 12. The return electrode 32 also extends along an entire length of the second opposite planar side 16 of the non-conductive member 12 to the non-cutting end 24 of the non-conductive member 12 and then wraps around the non-cutting end 24 of non-conductive member 12 so that return electrode 32 is in communication with one of conductive insert members 80. Non-conductive member 12 also includes openings (not shown) within the non-cutting end 24 for insertion of conductive insert members 80 and a rounded portion 94 which lies adjacent to an inner circumference of the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil when the ultrapolar electrosurgery blade 10 is positioned within the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil. Active electrode 30 and return electrode 32 located on first and second opposite planar sides 14, 16 of non-conductive member 12, respectively, are opposing mirror images of one another.

FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view showing separate components of one exemplary embodiment of the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil 100 of the present invention with the ultrapolar electrosurgery blade 10 depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2 shown seated within the hollow telescopic member of the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil 100 of the present invention. The ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil 100 includes a handpiece member 102 with first and second ends 104, 106, a hollow telescopic member 112 with first and second ends 114, 116 where the second end 116 of the hollow telescopic member 112 is concentrically positioned within (and retained within) the first end 104 of the handpiece member 102 when the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil 100 is assembled for use. Ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil 100 also includes ultrapolar electrosurgery blade 10 positioned in the first end 104 of handpiece member 102. Ultrapolar electrosurgery blade 10 includes a non-conductive planar member 12 having opposing planar sides 14, 16, a cutting end 22 with a sharp cutting edge 26, an opposite non-cutting end 24, an active electrode 30 located on one opposing planar side 14 where at least a portion of the opposing planar side 14 is exposed near the non-conductive cutting end 22 of the non-conductive planar member 12, and a return electrode 32 (not shown as it is on the opposite side) located on the other opposing planar side 16 (not shown) where at least a portion of the other opposing planar side is exposed near the non-conductive cutting end 22 of the non- conductive planar member 12. Conductive insert members 80 are located at the non-cutting end 24 of the non-conductive planar member 12 and are in communication with the active and return electrodes 30, 32, respectively.

The ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil 100 also includes a conductive elongated contact member (which may take the form of a conductive channel) 120 attached to a top interior surface of handpiece member 102 and a conductive contact member 122 connected to the active electrode 30 of electrosurgery blade 10 through conductive insert member 80 such that a portion of the conductive contact member 122 is slidably engaged with conductive elongated contact member 120 contained within handpiece member 102 when the second end 116 of hollow telescopic member 112 is positioned within handpiece member 102. A portion of conductive contact member 122 may be positioned within an interior of hollow telescopic member 112 and a portion of conductive contact member 122 may be positioned on an exterior surface of hollow telescopic member 112. The ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil 100 also includes a hollow conductive tube member 140 contained within the hollow telescopic member 112 that is connected to return electrode (not shown) of electrosurgery blade 30 through conductive insert member 80 and a solid conductive rod member 142 contained within the handpiece member 102 so that solid conductive rod member 142 can slide within, and along a length of, hollow conductive tube member 140. A first support member 150 may be connected to hollow telescopic member 112 for retaining hollow conductive tube member 140 within hollow telescopic member 112 and a second support member 152 may be connected to handpiece member 102 for retaining solid conductive rod member 142 within handpiece member 102.

Conductive elongated contact member 120 is connected to a circuit board 160 via an electrical communication means such as a wire thereby connecting the active electrode 30 of ultrapolar electrosurgery blade 10 to circuit board 160. Communication means such as a wire 170 connects circuit board 160 to an electrosurgery unit (not shown) to provide power to the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil 100 which can be operated via activation buttons 164 located on a top 166 of the electrosurgery pencil 100. Communication means such as a wire 172 may also be used to connect return electrode (not shown) to the electrosurgery unit (not shown) via the hollow conductive tube member 140 and the solid conductive rod member 142. The slidable engagement of the conductive contact member 122 with the conductive elongated contact member 120 and the slidable engagement of the solid conductive rod member 142 within the hollow conductive tube member 140 enables telescoping of the hollow telescopic member 112 with respect to the handpiece member 102. This allows a surgeon or user to lengthen or shorten the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil to better facilitate its use depending on the type and area of the electrosurgery being performed.

The ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil 100 also includes a nozzle member 180 connected to the first end 114 of the hollow telescopic member 112 so that at least a portion of the ultrapolar electrosurgery blade 10 is contained within the nozzle member 180 and the first end 114 of the hollow telescopic member 112. Nozzle member 180 may be transparent and functions to funnel smoke and/or debris into a smoke evacuation channel of the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencils that include smoke evacuation channels such as those embodiments shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. Ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil

100 also includes a swivel member 186 connected to the second end 106 of the handpiece member 102.

FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view showing separate components of another exemplary embodiment of the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil 200 of the present invention with the ultrapolar electrosurgery blade 10 depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2 shown seated within the hollow telescopic member of the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil of the present invention. The main differences between the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 and this embodiment is that this embodiment of the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil 200 includes a smoke evacuation channel and the active and return contacts of the ultrapolar electrosurgery blade are eventually connected to active and return wires that are both contained within an insulated power cord which is used to connect the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil 200 to an electrosurgery unit/electrosurgery unit generator (ESU).

The ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil 200 includes a handpiece member 202 with first and second ends 204, 206, a hollow telescopic member 212 with first and second ends 214, 216 where the second end 216 of the hollow telescopic member 212 is concentrically positioned within (and retained within) the first end 204 of the handpiece member 202 when the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil 200 is assembled for use. Ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil 200 also includes ultrapolar electrosurgery blade 10 positioned in the first end 204 of handpiece member 202. Ultrapolar electrosurgery blade

10 includes a non-conductive planar member 12 having opposing planar sides 14, 16, a cutting end 22 with a sharp cutting edge 26, an opposite non-cutting end 24, an active electrode 30 located on one opposing planar side 14 where at least a portion of the opposing planar side 14 is exposed near the non-conductive cutting end 22 of the non-conductive planar member 12, and a return electrode 32 (not shown as it is on the opposite side) located on the other opposing planar side 16 (not shown) where at least a portion of the other opposing planar side is exposed near the non-conductive cutting end 22 of the non- conductive planar member 12. Conductive insert members 80 are located at the non-cutting end 24 of the non-conductive planar member 12 and are in communication with the active and return electrodes 30, 32, respectively.

The ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil 200 also includes , a conductive elongated contact member (which may take the form of a conductive channel) 220 attached to a top interior surface of handpiece member 202 and a conductive contact member 222 connected to the active electrode 30 of electrosurgery blade 10 through conductive insert member 80 such that a portion of the conductive contact member 222 is slidably engaged with conductive elongated contact member 220 contained within handpiece member 202 when the second end 216 of hollow telescopic member 212 is positioned within handpiece member 202. A portion of conductive contact member 222 may be positioned within an interior of hollow telescopic member 212 and a portion of conductive contact member 222 may be positioned on an exterior surface of hollow telescopic member 212. The ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil 200 also includes a hollow conductive tube member 240 contained within the hollow telescopic member 212 that is connected to return electrode (not shown) of electrosurgery blade 30 through conductive insert member 80 and a solid conductive rod member 242 contained within the handpiece member 202 so that solid conductive rod member 242 can slide within, and along a length of, hollow conductive tube member 240. A first support member 250 may be connected to hollow telescopic member 212 for retaining hollow conductive tube member 240 within hollow telescopic member 212 and a second support member 252 may be connected to handpiece member 202 for retaining solid conductive rod member 242 within handpiece member 202.

Conductive elongated contact member 220 is connected to a circuit board 260 via an electrical communication means such as a wire thereby connecting the active electrode 30 of ultrapolar electrosurgery blade 10 to circuit board 260. Communication means such as a wire 270 connects circuit board 260 to an electrosurgery unit (not shown) to provide power to the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil 200 which can be operated via activation buttons 264 located on a top 266 of the electrosurgery pencil 200. Communication means such as a wire 272 may also be used to connect return electrode (not shown) to the electrosurgery unit (not shown) via the hollow conductive tube member 240 and the solid conductive rod member 242. Wires 270 and 272 are contained within an insulated power cord 274 which provides for easier connection of the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil 200 to the different monopolar and bipolar connection modes on the electrosurgical unit (ESU). The slidable engagement of the conductive contact member 222 with the conductive elongated contact member 220 and the slidable engagement of the solid conductive rod member 242 within the hollow conductive tube member 240 enables telescoping of the hollow telescopic member 212 with respect to the handpiece member 202.

This allows a surgeon or user to lengthen or shorten the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil to better facilitate its use depending on the type and area of the electrosurgery being performed.

The ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil 200 also includes a nozzle member 280 connected to the first end 214 of the hollow telescopic member 212 so that at least a portion of the ultrapolar electrosurgery blade 10 is contained within the nozzle member 280 and the first end 214 of the hollow telescopic member 212. Nozzle member 280 may be transparent and functions to funnel smoke and/or debris into a smoke evacuation channel 292 from the area 290 within nozzle 280 surrounding blade 10. Ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil 200 also includes a swivel member 286 having one end connected to the second end 206 of the handpiece member 202 and the other end connectable to a vacuum tube 298 for evacuating smoke and debris from the surgical site. In this embodiment of the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil 200, the nozzle 280, the hollow telescopic member 212, the handpiece member 202, and the swivel member 286 together form a smoke evacuation channel contained within the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil 200.

FIG. 5 is a side cross-sectional view showing separate components of yet another exemplary embodiment of the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil 300 of the present invention with the ultrapolar electrosurgery blade depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2 shown seated within the hollow telescopic member of the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil 300 of the present invention. The main difference between the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 and this embodiment is that this embodiment of the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil 300 does not use any slidable engagement means within the hollow telescopic member and the handpiece member to connect to the active and return electrodes of the electrosurgery blade 10.

The ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil 300 includes a handpiece member 302 with first and second ends 304, 306, a hollow telescopic member 312 with first and second ends 314, 316 where the second end 316 of the hollow telescopic member 312 is concentrically positioned within (and retained within) the first end 304 of the handpiece member 302 when the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil 300 is assembled for use. Ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil 300 also includes ultrapolar electrosurgery blade 10 positioned in the first end 304 of handpiece member 302. Ultrapolar electrosurgery blade 10 includes a non-conductive planar member 12 having opposing planar sides 14, 16, a cutting end 22 with a sharp cutting edge 26, an opposite non-cutting end 24, an active electrode 30 located on one opposing planar side 14 where at least a portion of the opposing planar side 14 is exposed near the non-conductive cutting end 22 of the non-conductive planar member 12, and a return electrode 32 (not shown as it is on the opposite side) located on the other opposing planar side 16 (not shown) where at least a portion of the other opposing planar side is exposed near the non-conductive cutting end 22 of the non- conductive planar member 12. Conductive insert members 80 are located at the non-cutting end 24 of the non-conductive planar member 12 and are in communication with the active and return electrodes 30, 32, respectively.

The ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil 300 also includes a first insulated wire 322 connected to the active electrode of electrosurgery blade 10 and a first retaining element 325 for retaining at least a portion of the first insulated wire 322 near a top interior of the handpiece member 302 and a second insulated wire 324 connected to the return electrode of the electrosurgery blade 10 and a second retaining element 352 for retaining at least a portion of the second insulated wire 324 near a bottom interior of the handpiece member 302.

First insulated wire 322 is connected to a circuit board 360 thereby connecting the active electrode 30 of ultrapolar electrosurgery blade 10 to circuit board 360. Communication means such as a wire 370 connects circuit board 360 to an electrosurgery unit (not shown) to provide power to the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil 300 which can be operated via activation buttons 364 located on a top 366 of the electrosurgery pencil 300. Second insulated wire 324 connects return electrode (not shown) to the electrosurgery unit (not shown). First and second insulated wires 322, 324 move freely within the hollow telescopic member 312 and the handpiece member 302 when a surgeon or user lengthens or shortens the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil by extending or retracting the hollow telescopic member 322 from or into the handpiece member 302.

The ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil 300 also includes a nozzle member 380 connected to the first end 314 of the hollow telescopic member 312 so that at least a portion of the ultrapolar electrosurgery blade 10 is contained within the nozzle member 380 and the first end 314 of the hollow telescopic member 312. Nozzle member 380 may be transparent and functions to funnel smoke and/or debris into a smoke evacuation channel 392 from the area 390 within nozzle 380 surrounding blade 10. Ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil 300 also includes a swivel member 386 having one end connected to the second end 306 of the handpiece member 302 and the other end connectable to a vacuum tube 398 for evacuating smoke and debris from the surgical site. In this embodiment of the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil 300, the nozzle 380, the hollow telescopic member 312, the handpiece member 302, and the swivel member 386 together form a smoke evacuation channel contained within the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil 300.

It should be understood that variations of the separate components that comprise the different embodiments of the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil can be mixed and matched to create any number of embodiments of the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil of the present invention. For example, the power cord shown in FIG. 4 that contains insulated active and return electrode wires may be used in the embodiment of the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil shown in FIG. 3 as well as in the embodiment of the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil shown in FIG. 5 to create two more exemplary embodiments of the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil of the present invention. In yet another unlimiting example, the ultrapolar electrosurgery blade shown in FIG. 3 may be seated within the hollow telescopic member of the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil using a seating member like the one shown in FIG. 4 so that smoke and debris can be evacuated away from the surgical site, around the ultrapolar electrosurgery blade, and through the open channels in the hollow telescopic member and the handpiece member thereby creating still another exemplary embodiment of the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a side cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a non- telescopic ultrapolar electrosurgery pencil 400 of the present invention. The non-telescopic ultrapolar electrosurgery pencil 400 includes a handpiece 402 with a first and second end 404, 406 and an electrosurgery blade 410 positioned in the first end 404 of the handpiece 402 where the electrosurgery blade 410 includes a non-conductive planar member 412 having opposing planar sides 414, 416, a cutting end 422 with a sharp cutting edge 426, and an opposite non-cutting end 424, an active electrode 430 located on one opposing planar side 414 where at least a portion of the opposing planar side 414 is exposed near the non- conductive cutting end 242 of the non-conductive planar member 412, and a return electrode 432 (not shown as it is on opposite side) located on the other opposing planar side 416 (not shown) where at least a portion of the other opposing planar side is exposed near the non- conductive cutting end 422 of the non-conductive planar member 412. The handpiece 402 may further comprise a smoke evacuation channel 408 contained therein for evacuating smoke and debris from the surgical site during activation of the electrosurgery pencil 400. In addition, the handpiece 402 may further comprise only one activation button 409 for coagulation since the sharp cutting edge 426 of the nonconductive planar member 412 can make precise cuts without having power applied to the ultrapolar electrosurgery blade 410. Alternatively, the handpiece 402 may include more than one activation button 409 for cutting and coagulation. The ultrapolar electrosurgery blade 410 may also include a connector 490 which functions to connect the ultrapolar electrosurgery blade 410 to an electrosurgery pencil. The ultrapolar electrosurgery pencil 400 may also include a nozzle member 440, which may be transparent, connected to the handpiece 402 where the first end 404 of the handpiece 402 is then part of the nozzle member 440. The ultrapolar electrosurgery handpiece 400 also includes a conductive communication means, such as a wire 445, for connecting the active electrode 430 of the ultrapolar electrosurgery blade 410 to a circuit board 448 of the ultrapolar electrosurgery pencil 400 and a conductive communication means, such as wire 446, for connecting return electrode 432 of the ultrapolar electrosurgery blade 240 to a power cord (not shown) which contains the conductive wiring for the ultrapolar electrosurgery pencil 400. The ultrapolar electrosurgery pencil 400 may also include a swivel member 460 connected to the second end 406 of the handpiece 402 which is in turn connected to a vacuum tube for evacuating smoke and debris from the surgical site.

The handpiece member of the ultrapolar telescopic and non-telescopic electrosurgery pencils may include only one activation button for coagulation since the sharp cutting end/edge of the nonconductive planar member can make precise cuts without having power applied to the ultrapolar electrosurgery blade. Alternatively, the handpiece may include more than one activation button for cutting and coagulation.

The ultrapolar telescopic and non-telescopic electrosurgery pencils of the present invention may be used in a monopolar mode or a bipolar mode when used to perform electrosurgery. The ultrapolar telescopic and non-telescopic electrosurgery pencils may be capable of cutting and coagulating tissue at power levels of less than 20 Watts and may perform particularly well at 15 Watts. FEATURES AND ADVANTAGES OF THE ULTRAPOLAR TELESCOPIC ELECTROSURGERY PENCIL

The conductive layers that make up the active and return electrodes located on opposing sides of the non-conductive planar member may take on any number of configurations while still enabling the electrosurgery blade to function at very low power levels (such as 15-20 Watts or even less) while cutting and coagulating tissue. The ultrapolar telescopic and non-telescopic electrosurgery pencils of the present invention can operate and function using low power because the tissue resistance is greatly reduced by not having current go through the patient's body. Unlike other electrosurgery pencils, the ultrapolar telescopic and non-telescopic electrosurgery pencils of the present invention do not require the placement of a return electrode pad on the patient's body. As a result, no radio frequency current is passing through the patient's body so the body resistance is almost zero. Therefore, the present invention is much safer than other electrosurgery pencils because the patient is not at risk of being burned by the return electrode since no return electrode is placed on the patient and no current is passing through the body of the patient.

The sharp cutting edge of the ultrapolar electrosurgery blade of the ultrapolar telescopic and non-telescopic electrosurgery pencils can cut tissue without applying power to the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencils and can also cut and coagulate tissue when power is applied to the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencils. The ultrapolar telescopic and non-telescopic electrosurgery pencils of the present invention stop tissue from bleeding after cutting with minimal or no lateral damage to the tissue and without charring or burning of the tissue. Further, tissue does not stick to the ultrapolar electrosurgery blade of the ultrapolar telescopic and non-telescopic electrosurgery pencils while cutting and/or coagulating tissue. In addition, very little smoke is produced when using the ultrapolar telescopic and non-telescopic electrosurgery pencils due to the low or reduced power required for the ultrapolar telescopic and non-telescopic electrosurgery pencils to function and the minimal or non-existent charring of tissue.

The ultrapolar electrosurgey blade and ultrapolar telescopic and non-telescopic electrosurgery pencils of the present invention can be used in both monopolar and bipolar modes thereby providing an electrosurgery blade and electrosurgery pencils that can be used with almost any electrosurgical unit. In addition, the telescopic feature (i.e. the hollow telescopic member) of the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil enables a user or surgeon to extend or reduce the length of ultrapolar electrosurgery pencil depending on the particular surgical procedure being performed.

The above exemplary embodiments are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the invention in any way. Rather, the disclosure is intended to teach both the implementation of the exemplary embodiments and modes and any equivalent modes or embodiments that are known or obvious to those reasonably skilled in the art. Additionally, all included figures are non-limiting illustrations of the exemplary embodiments and modes, which similarly avail themselves to any equivalent modes or embodiments that are known or obvious to those reasonably skilled in the art.

Other combinations and/or modifications of structures, arrangements, applications, proportions, elements, materials, or components used in the practice of the instant invention, in addition to those not specifically recited, can be varied or otherwise particularly adapted to specific environments, manufacturing specifications, design parameters, or other operating requirements without departing from the scope of the instant invention and are intended to be included in this disclosure.