Electrosurgical instrument with closing tube for conducting RF energy and moving jaws
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Accused Products
Abstract
A bipolar electrosurgical instrument useful in harvesting blood vessels such as veins and arteries. The instrument has a pair of jaws and a central cutting element displaceable distally and proximally to dissect tissue contained between the jaws. The instrument has offset electrodes.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1-20. -20. (cancelled)
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21. a bipolar electrosurgical instrument comprising:
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a handle;
a first electrical conductor and a second electrical conductor mounted to the handle;
a first tissue-contacting surface and a second tissue-contacting surface, at least one of the first tissue-contact surface and the second tissue-contacting surface being operably connected to the handle, the first tissue-contacting surface and the second tissue-contacting surface movable relative to one another between an open position, for receiving tissue between the first tissue-contacting surface and the second tissue-contact surface, and a closed position for approximating tissue therebetween;
a first electrode electrically connected to the first electrical conductor, the first electrode having a first conducting surface for contacting tissue approximated between the first and second tissue-contacting surfaces, the first conducting-surface having a first electrical polarity; and
a member slidably mounted to the handle, the member comprising a second electrode electrically connected to the second electrical conductor and having a second conducting surface for contacting tissue approximated between the first and second tissue contacting surfaces, the second electrode-conducting surface being laterally offset with respect to the first electrode-conducting surface.
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Specification