Apparatus for radio frequency bipolar electrosurgery
First Claim
1. Apparatus for radio frequency (RF) bipolar electrosurgery comprising a radio frequency generator having first and second output terminals, and a cutting assembly which includes a support structure with at least two electrical supply conductors and, mounted at a distal end of the support structure, a tissue cutting head comprising an exposed length of electrically conducting material electrically connected between the two supply conductors, the material having a negative temperature coefficient (NTC) of resistance, and connection means for allowing RF electrical power to be fed from the output terminals of the generator to the supply conductors of the cutting assembly thereby to heat the cutting head and to permit tissue cutting by RF electrosurgical action.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Surgical apparatus for bipolar diathermy has a radio frequency generator connectible to a cutting assembly which includes a support structure having a pair of electrical supply conductors and, mounted at the distal end of the support assembly, a tissue cutting head. The cutting head comprises a loop of material which is electrically conducting and has a negative temperature coefficient (NTC) of resistance, such as silicon carbide. In operation, radio frequency power from the generator causes heating of the loop to a temperature at which its resistivity rises to level which exceeds that of living tissue with the result that diathermy currents pass through the tissue. Also disclosed is a pair of forceps with electrodes made of NTC material, for cauterization.
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Citations
14 Claims
- 1. Apparatus for radio frequency (RF) bipolar electrosurgery comprising a radio frequency generator having first and second output terminals, and a cutting assembly which includes a support structure with at least two electrical supply conductors and, mounted at a distal end of the support structure, a tissue cutting head comprising an exposed length of electrically conducting material electrically connected between the two supply conductors, the material having a negative temperature coefficient (NTC) of resistance, and connection means for allowing RF electrical power to be fed from the output terminals of the generator to the supply conductors of the cutting assembly thereby to heat the cutting head and to permit tissue cutting by RF electrosurgical action.
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14. Apparatus for radio frequency (RF) bipolar electrosurgery comprising a radio frequency generator having first and second output terminals, and a surgical instrument which includes a support structure with at least two electrical supply conductors and, mounted at a distal end of the support structure, a tissue treatment head comprising an exposed length of electrically conducting material electrically connected between the two supply conductors, the material having a negative temperature coefficient (NTC) of resistance, and connection means for allowing RF electrical power to be fed from the output terminals of the generator to the supply conductors of the instrument thereby to heat the treatment head and to permit tissue treatment by RF electrosurgical action.
Specification