Bipolar Scissors for Adenoid and Tonsil Removal

• US 20090198228A1
• Filed: 01/26/2009
• Published: 08/06/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Sartor, Joe D.
• Granted Patent: US 8,298,231 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/33
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1442 Probes having pivoting end effectors, e.g. forceps
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0088 ceramic
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00083 low, i.e. electrically insulating
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00107 Coatings on the energy applicator
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00601 Cutting
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/126 bipolar
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1412 Blade
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/146 Scissors

Abstract

A bipolar electrosurgical instrument is disclosed for use in excising tissues. The disclosed bipolar electrosurgical instrument includes a pair of jaws or legs having shearing surfaces, one of which is electrically nonconductive. The disclosed bipolar surgical instrument also includes conductive surfaces on the legs which allow energy flux to flow through tissue on a plane other than that defined by the relative shearing surfaces.

Claims

1. An electrosurgical instrument comprising:

a first leg having a first electrically conductive portion forming a first shearing surface and a first side surface; and

a second leg movably mounted relative to the first leg between an open position and a closed position, the second leg having a second electrically conductive portion and an electrically insulated portion, the electrically insulated portion forming a second shearing surface; and

wherein the first side surface is configured to be in electrical communication with the second electrically conductive portion as the first and second legs are moved toward the closed position, the second electrically conductive portion including a second electrically conductive surface projecting beyond the second shearing surface.

2. The electrosurgical instrument as recited in claim 1, wherein the first shearing surface cooperates with the second shearing surface to cut tissue.

3. The electrosurgical instrument as recited in claim 1, wherein the second electrically conductive portion includes a first electrically conductive surface, the second electrically conductive surface being insulated from the first electrically conductive surface.

4. The electrosurgical instrument as recited in claim 3, wherein the second electrically conductive surface is in electrical communication with the first side surface in the closed position.

5. The electrosurgical instrument as recited in claim 3, wherein the first electrically conductive surface is in electrical communication with the first electrically conductive portion as the first leg is moved toward the second leg to cut tissue.

6. The electrosurgical instrument as recited in claim 1, wherein the first leg includes an electrically insulated outer surface surrounding the first electrically conductive portion.

7. The electrosurgical instrument as recited in claim 1, wherein the second leg includes an electrically insulated outer surface surrounding the second electrically conductive portion.

8. The electrosurgical instrument as recited in claim 1, wherein the first and second legs are pivotally mounted for movement at a pin, the pin electrically isolating the first leg from the second leg.

9. The electrosurgical instrument as recited in claim 8, wherein the first leg has a first arm extending proximally from the pin.

10. The electrosurgical instrument as recited in claim 9, wherein the second leg has a second arm extending proximally from the pin.

11. The electrosurgical instrument as recited in claim 10, wherein at least one of the first and second arms has a finger ring adjacent a proximal end thereof.

12. The electrosurgical instrument as recited in claim 10, wherein the first and second arms each have an electrical connection at a proximal end thereof for connection to an electrical power source.

13. The electrosurgical instrument as recited in claim 12, wherein the electrical power source is an RF power source.

14. The electrosurgical instrument as recited in claim 3, wherein the first side surface of the first electrically conductive portion lies along a common plane with the first electrically conductive surface of the second electrically conductive portion.

15. The electrosurgical instrument as recited in claim 1, wherein the second shearing surface is formed of a ceramic.

16. The electrosurgical instrument as recited in claim 1, wherein the second electrically conductive surface includes a bulbous shape.

17. An electrosurgical instrument comprising:

a first leg having a first electrically conductive portion forming a first shearing surface and a first side surface; and

a second leg movably mounted relative to the first leg between an open position and a closed position, the first and second legs being pivotally mounted for movement at a pin electrically isolating the first leg from the second leg, the first leg having a first arm extending proximally from the pin and the second leg having a second arm extending proximally from the pin, the second leg having a second electrically conductive portion and an electrically insulated portion, the electrically insulated portion forming a second shearing surface, the second electrically conductive portion including a first electrically conductive surface and a second electrically conductive surface insulated from the first electrically conductive surface, wherein the first side surface is in electrical communication with the second electrically conductive surface as the first and second legs are moved toward the closed position, the second electrically conductive surface of the second electrically conductive portion including a surface projecting beyond the second shearing surface.

18. A method performing a surgical function, comprising:

providing an electrosurgical instrument, including;

a first leg having a first electrically conductive portion having a first shearing surface and a first side surface; and

a second leg movably mounted relative to the first leg between an open position and a closed position, the second leg having a second electrically conductive portion and a second shearing surface, the second electrically conductive portion including a second electrically conductive surface projecting beyond the second shearing surface;

positioning the electrosurgical instrument adjacent target tissue; and

moving at least one of the first leg and the second leg toward the other to sever the target tissue disposed therebetween.

19. The method of claim 18, further including the step of:

activating a source of electrosurgical energy to coagulate tissue adjacent the first leg and the second leg.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the second electrically conductive surface includes a bulbous shape.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein activating the source of electrosurgical energy causes electrosurgical energy to move between the first side surface and the second electrically conductive portion.