Bipolar Cutting End Effector

• US 20090234354A1
• Filed: 03/06/2009
• Published: 09/17/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/11/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Johnson, Kristin D., Couture, Gary M.
• Granted Patent: US 9,192,427 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/48
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1402 Probes for open surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00601 Cutting
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1412 Blade

Abstract

An electrosurgical instrument for cutting tissue includes a blade assembly. The blade assembly includes a first electrode having a first pre-selected shape and a first distal edge, and a second electrode disposed in spaced relation relative to the first electrode. The second electrode includes a second pre-selected shape and a second distal edge, where the first distal edge and the second distal edge form an electrically conductive tissue cutting surface extending along the distal end of the instrument. The tissue cutting surface is adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the tissue cutting surface is capable of conducting electrosurgical energy through tissue adjacent thereto to effectively cut tissue.

Claims

1. An electrosurgical instrument, comprising:

a blade assembly including;

a first electrode having a first pre-selected shape and including a first distal edge;

a second electrode disposed in spaced relation relative to the first electrode, the second electrode having a second pre-selected shape and a second distal edge, the first and second electrodes adapted to connect to an electrosurgical energy source; and

wherein the first distal edge and the second distal edge form an electrically conductive tissue cutting surface extending along a distal end of the electrosurgical instrument, the tissue cutting surface capable of conducting electrosurgical energy through tissue adjacent thereto to effectively cut tissue.

2. An electrosurgical instrument in accordance with claim 1, further comprising an insulator configured to support each electrode.

3. An electrosurgical instrument in accordance with claim 1, wherein the first electrode has a first length and the second electrode has a second length, the first length longer than said second length.

4. An electrosurgical instrument in accordance with claim 1, wherein the first electrode has a first length, and the second electrode has a second length, the first length shorter than said second length.

5. An electrosurgical instrument in accordance with claim 1, wherein the first electrode and second electrode are concentric.

6. An electrosurgical instrument in accordance with claim 5, wherein the first and second electrodes are substantially tube-shaped.

7. An electrosurgical instrument in accordance with claim 1, wherein the first and second electrodes are substantially square-shaped.

8. An electrosurgical instrument in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a gap between the first and second electrodes.

9. An electrosurgical instrument in accordance with claim 1, wherein the first and second electrodes are disposed in an angular relationship relative to one another.

10. An electrosurgical instrument in accordance with claim 1, wherein the first electrode is an active electrode and the second electrode is a return electrode.

11. An electrosurgical instrument in accordance with claim 1, wherein the second electrode is an active electrode and the first electrode is a return electrode.

12. An electrosurgical instrument in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a distal cover configured to cover the electrically conductive tissue cutting surface.

13. An electrosurgical instrument in accordance with claim 12, wherein the cover is connected to a handle of the electrosurgical instrument by a hinge.

14. A bipolar electrosurgical instrument, comprising:

an insulative housing,

a blade assembly having a pair of concentric first and second electrodes each having a different polarity and configured such that electrosurgical energy flows from the first electrode to the second electrode, the first and second electrodes disposed in a fixed spaced relation relative to one another, the blade assembly including an electrically conductive tissue cutting surface extending along the distal end thereof, the tissue cutting surface being adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the tissue cutting surface is capable of conducting electrosurgical energy through tissue contacted therewith to effect a cut; and

an insulator configured to support each electrode.

15. An electrosurgical instrument in accordance with claim 14, wherein the first electrode has a first length extending away from the insulative housing and the second electrode has a second length extending away from the insulative housing, the first length different than said second length.

16. An electrosurgical instrument in accordance with claim 14, wherein the first and second electrodes are substantially tube shaped.

17. An electrosurgical instrument in accordance with claim 14, wherein the insulator is configured to at least partially extend to a position that is at least substantially flush with the electrically conductive tissue cutting surface.