Bipolar instrument utilizing one stationary electrode and one movable electrode

• US 5,290,286 A
• Filed: 12/09/1992
• Issued: 03/01/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Everest Medical Corp. (Olympus Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Everest Medical Corp. (Olympus Corporation)
• Inventors: Parins, David J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cohen, Lee S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Parker, Marianne
• Application Number:
  US07/987,924
• Time in Patent Office: 447 Days
• Field of Search: 128/784, 128/786, 606/32, 606/37, 606/39-41, 606/45-50
• US Class Current: 606/50
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1402 Probes for open surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1442 Probes having pivoting end effectors, e.g. forceps
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00196 reciprocating lengthwise

Abstract

An electrosurgical instrument for the removal of tissue polyps and the like is disclosed. It features a bipolar pair of conductive electrodes for the cutting of tissue in which at least one electrode is moveable in relation to the other. These electrodes are mounted relative to an insulating plug, which is secured at the distal end of a tubular member. Pressure exerted on a thumb loop shifts the position of one electrode relative to the other. Upon application of RF voltage, the distance at which the electrodes are placed controls the amount of arcing which will occur between electrodes, when placed within a proper range. The electrodes are supplied with power from a standard RF energy source, controlled from a foot or hand switch. The insulating plug may further include metal traces disposed on the peripheral surface. When energized, these traces function as a bipolar pair of electrodes for effecting electrocoagulation of tissue and blood.

Claims

1. An electrosurgical instrument for the removal of tissue polyps and for steming the flow of blood following such removal, comprising:

(a) a tubular member having a distal end, a proximal end, and a lumen extending therebetween, and having a longitudinal axis extending between said distal and proximal ends;

(b) an insulating plug affixed to said tubular member at said distal end and having a distal surface generally perpendicular to said longitudinal axis;

(c) a rigid support member extending from said distal surface of said insulating plug, and projecting parallel to said longitudinal axis and having a distal end;

(d) a first electrode mounted on said distal surface of said insulating plug;

(e) a second, generally U-shaped metal wire electrode extending from said distal end of said rigid support member dimensioned to lie proximal of said first electrode, with said first electrode disposed coaxially with said second electrode, and positioned to enable electrical coaction with said first electrode;

(f) a pair of flexible conductive wires extending through said lumen of said tubular member and conductively joined, individually, to said first and second electrodes for allowing electrical energizing of said electrode;

(g) an actuator means for affecting translational movement of one of said first and second electrodes in a direction parallel to said longitudinal axis, for bringing said first and second electrode within a predetermined distance of one another; and

(h) a hand switch in electrical communication with one of said first and second electrodes.

2. An electrosurgical instrument as in claim 1, further including a pair of metal traces disposed upon said insulating plug for effecting electrocoagulation of tissue.

3. An electrosurgical instrument as in claim 1, wherein said plug is cylindrical.

4. An electrosurgical instrument as in claim 1, wherein said plug is an oval-ended cylinder.