Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
247 words
A coagulating cannula which comprises: (a) a nonconductive cylindrical hollow shaft having a proximal and a distal end, the distal end terminating in a tapered tip, the tapered tip having one straight side along a longitudinal axis of the shaft and an opposed shortened side with a tapered region extending from the shortened side to the straight side, the shaft being dimensioned to receive shaving or deburring instruments; (b) a nonconductive hub portion securely attached to the proximal end of the shaft at a receiving base having a first opening of a diameter which is similar to a diameter of the hollow shaft and communicates with the hollow shaft, the hub portion additionally having a larger second opening on an opposed exiting hub surface to the shaft, the second opening continuously communicating with the first opening; and (c) an electrocautery which is manually operable by selectively activating an electrocautery circuit which enters the cannula at an electrical contact which protrudes from an outer surface of the hub portion and continuously runs within the hub and into a wall of the shaft terminating at the distal end of the shaft in a prominence at a tip of the straight side of the tapered tip of the shaft, the prominance having a small surface area on the tapered tip, such that the prominance provides a small electrical contact area with a surrounding saline environment, thereby providing a high resistance arcing to the surrounding tissue that needs to be coagulated.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
247 words
A coagulating cannula which comprises: (a) a nonconductive cylindrical hollow shaft having a proximal and a distal end, the distal end terminating in a tapered tip, the tapered tip having one straight side along a longitudinal axis of the shaft and an opposed shortened side with a tapered region extending from the shortened side to the straight side, the shaft being dimensioned to receive shaving or deburring instruments; (b) a nonconductive hub portion securely attached to the proximal end of the shaft at a receiving base having a first opening of a diameter which is similar to a diameter of the hollow shaft and communicates with the hollow shaft, the hub portion additionally having a larger second opening on an opposed exiting hub surface to the shaft, the second opening continuously communicating with the first opening; and (c) an electrocautery which is manually operable by selectively activating an electrocautery circuit which enters the cannula at an electrical contact which protrudes from an outer surface of the hub portion and continuously runs within the hub and into a wall of the shaft terminating at the distal end of the shaft in a prominence at a tip of the straight side of the tapered tip of the shaft, the prominance having a small surface area on the tapered tip, such that the prominance provides a small electrical contact area with a surrounding saline environment, thereby providing a high resistance arcing to the surrounding tissue that needs to be coagulated.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The cannula of claim 1 wherein the non-conductive shaft and non-conductive hub are an FDA-approved polymer for insertion into a human.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
11 words
The cannula of claim 2 wherein the polymer is a nylon.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
11 words
The cannula of claim 3 wherein the polymer is a nylon-6,6.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
The cannula of claim 1 wherein the prominance has a small surface area such that the prominance provides a small electrical contact area with a surrounding saline environment, thereby providing a high resistance arcing to the surrounding tissue that needs to be coagulated.