Bipolar Electrosurgical scissors

• US 5,766,166 A
• Filed: 02/01/1996
• Issued: 06/16/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 03/07/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Atricure, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Enable Medical Corporation (Atricure, Inc.)
• Inventors: Hooven, Michael D.
• Primary Examiner(s): PEFFLEY, MICHAEL F
• Application Number:
  US08/593,148
• Time in Patent Office: 866 Days
• Field of Search: 606/41, 606/42, 606/45-52, 606/205, 346/346, 346/357, 346/173
• US Class Current: 606/45
• 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 18/1815 using microwaves
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0088 ceramic
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2945 Curved jaws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00107 Coatings on the energy applicator
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00136 with polymer
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/126 bipolar
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1412 Blade
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1432 curved
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/146 Scissors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1861 with an instrument inserted into a body lumen or cavity, e.g. a catheter

Abstract

Bipolar electrosurgical scissors are disclosed having a pair of blades joined for relative movement in a scissor-like action between open and closed positions. At least one of the blades comprises a tissue contacting surface and first and second spaced apart electrodes extending along the surface. Current flow between the first and second electrodes promotes hemostasis in tissue contacting the surface. Preferably, each blade of the scissors includes first and second spaced-apart electrodes.

Claims

1. A tissue cutting apparatus comprising:

first and second blades joined for relative motion in a scissor-like action between an open and a closed position;

each blade including a first electrode, a layer of insulative material deposited over said first electrode, and a second electrode deposited over said layer of insulative material, said first electrode, said layer of insulative material, and said second electrode being ground at a constant contact angle relative to said blade.

2. A tissue cutting apparatus comprising:

first and second blades joined for relative motion in a scissor-like action between an open an a closed position;

each said first and second blade having a cutting edge a shearing face, and a tissue contacting surface, said cutting edge and at least a portion of said tissue contacting surface of each said first and second blade being substantially coplanar and forming an obtuse angle with respect to said shearing face, so that each said tissue contacting surface is elevated with respect to its cutting edge.

3. The tissue cutting apparatus of claim 2 wherein the tissue contacting surface of each blade comprises an electrode.

4. A method of manufacturing a tissue cutting apparatus comprising at least one blade having a tissue contacting surface, said contacting surface including first and second spaced apart electrodes extending along said contacting surface, said method comprising the steps of:

providing said first electrode;

depositing a layer of insulative material over said first electrode;

depositing said second electrode over said insulative material; and

grinding said contacting surface across said first electrode, said insulative material, and said second electrode at a constant grind angle.

5. The method of manufacturing according to claim 4, wherein said grind angle is less than ninety degrees.