ELECTROSURGICAL INSTRUMENT

• US 20140276785A1
• Filed: 02/12/2014
• Published: 09/18/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gyrus ACMI, Inc. (Olympus Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Gyrus ACMI, Inc. (Olympus Corporation)
• Inventors: Batchelor, Kester J., Moe, Riyad
• Granted Patent: US 10,292,757 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/41
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1442 Probes having pivoting end effectors, e.g. forceps
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1445 at the distal end of a shaft, e.g. forceps or scissors at the end of a rigid rod
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00089 Thermal conductivity
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00607 Coagulation and cutting with the same instrument
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1253 monopolar
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/126 bipolar
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1467 using more than two electrodes on a single probe

Abstract

An electrosurgical instrument comprising a first arm carrying at least a first and optionally a second and third electrode, and a second arm opposing the first arm, the second arm carrying one of a nonconductor element or one or more conductive elements.

Claims

1. An electrosurgical instrument comprising:

a. a first arm carrying a first and second electrode and an optional third electrode;

b. a second arm opposing the first arm, the second arm carrying one or more electrodes;

wherein the first arm, the second arm or both include a plurality of electrodes free of direct contact with one another but in electrical connectivity with one another to pass energy in a monopolar mode and at least two of the first electrode, second electrode, or one or more electrodes of the second arm pass energy in a bipolar mode.

7. The electrosurgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the second arm includes a conductive element and an insulation portion located on an inner surface of the second arm so that bipolar energy travels through a larger portion of the tissue as compared to that of a second arm without the insulation portion.

8. The electrosurgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the first arm includes exactly two electrodes.

9. The electrosurgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the first arm includes exactly one electrode that passes energy in monopolar mode.

2. An electrosurgical instrument comprising:

a. a first arm carrying a first and second electrode;

b. a second arm opposing the first arm, the second arm carrying a conductive element;

wherein the conductive element is a floating electrode so that a preferential path is created for energy flow from one or more of the first and second electrode via the floating electrode in bipolar mode.

4. The electrosurgical instrument of claim 2, wherein the second arm carries an insulation portion.

5. The electrosurgical instrument of claim 4, wherein the insulation portion is located so that it extends at least the length of an energy path between the first and second electrode.

6. The electrosurgical instrument of claim 5, wherein the second arm includes an insulation portion that opposes an insulation portion between the first and second electrodes.

3. An electrosurgical instrument comprising:

a. a first arm carrying a first electrode;

b. a second arm opposing the first arm, the second arm carrying a second electrode;

wherein at least a portion of one or more of the first electrode and second electrode passes energy in a monopolar mode and at least a portion of one or more of the first electrode and second electrode pass energy in a bipolar mode

wherein the at least a portion of one or more of the first electrode and second electrode that passes energy in monopolar mode extends from a spine or side edge of at least one of the first or second arms.

10. The electrosurgical instrument of claim 3, wherein only one monopolar electrode is electrically connected to an energy source.