ELECTROSURGICAL INSTRUMENT

• US 20140276794A1
• Filed: 02/11/2014
• 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 9,763,730 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/42
• 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, wherein the first and second electrode are optionally two integrally formed discrete conductors;

b. a second arm opposing the first arm, the second arm carrying one of nonconductor element or one or more conductive elements;

wherein only one of the first electrode, second electrode, third electrode, or one or more conductive elements passes energy in a monopolar mode and at least two of the first electrode, second electrode, or one or more conductive elements pass energy in a bipolar mode.

3. The electrosurgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the first and second electrodes are formed from two integrally formed discrete conductors having a thermal joint therebetween.

4. The electrosurgical instrument of claim 3, wherein one of the first or second electrodes is formed of a low thermal dissipation material and the other is formed of a high thermal dissipation material.

5. The electrosurgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the electrode that passes energy in monopolar mode extends from a spine or side edge of one of the first or second arm.

6. The electrosurgical instrument of claim 1, wherein any electrode that passes energy in bipolar mode is located on the first arm only.

7. The electrosurgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the first arm includes exactly three electrodes.

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 both monopolar and bipolar mode.

10. The electrosurgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the first arm is free of any electrode that passes energy in monopolar mode.

11. The electrosurgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the first arm is free of any electrode that passes energy in both monopolar and bipolar mode.

12. The electrosurgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the first arm and second arm are free of any electrode that passes energy in both monopolar and bipolar mode.

13. The electrosurgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the electrode that passes energy in both monopolar and bipolar mode extends to contact at least two surfaces of the first arm.

14. The electrosurgical instrument of claim 1, including an electrode that passes energy in both monopolar and bipolar mode having a portion that extends outward from a side edge or spine of the first arm or second arm.

15. The electrosurgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the electrode that passes energy monopolar mode includes a portion that extends outward from a spine of the first arm or second arm.

2. 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 only one of the first electrode or second electrode passes energy in a monopolar mode and both of the first electrode and second electrode pass energy in a bipolar mode.