Hemostatic bi-polar electrosurgical cutting apparatus and methods of use
First Claim
1. A method of hemostatically cutting tissue, comprising the steps of:
- providing apparatus having first and second scissor blades having first and second cutting edges, respectively, the first and second scissor blades electrically insulated from one another along the first and second cutting edges and pivotally joined so that at least the first scissor blade moves relative to the second scissor blade in a scissors-like cutting motion, wherein the first and second scissor blades close together for shearing tissue located therebetween;
connecting the apparatus to a power supply that provides a high frequency alternating-current waveform;
contacting the first and second scissor blades to tissue;
moving at least the first scissor blade relative to the second scissor blade to sever tissue located therebetween and so that a current flows between the first and second scissor blades across the first and second cutting edges and through the tissue to cause hemostasis thereof.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A surgical instrument is described that incorporates bipolar electrodes on opposing shearing members for passing a high frequency current through the tissue for causing hemostasis of the tissue and for cutting the tissue. An electrically insulating material is interposed between the shearing members so that the electrodes are spaced apart from 0.002 to 0.050 inches and the current passes between the opposing electrodes through the tissue and not between the opposing shearing surfaces. The insulating material has a higher hardness than the opposing members to reduce wear of the insulation and provide a self-sharpening feature. Methods of simultaneously causing tissue and severing tissue are also provided. The use of a constant voltage high frequency power supply to deliver current to the tissue to cause hemostasis is described in conjunction with those methods.
-
Citations
14 Claims
-
1. A method of hemostatically cutting tissue, comprising the steps of:
-
providing apparatus having first and second scissor blades having first and second cutting edges, respectively, the first and second scissor blades electrically insulated from one another along the first and second cutting edges and pivotally joined so that at least the first scissor blade moves relative to the second scissor blade in a scissors-like cutting motion, wherein the first and second scissor blades close together for shearing tissue located therebetween; connecting the apparatus to a power supply that provides a high frequency alternating-current waveform; contacting the first and second scissor blades to tissue; moving at least the first scissor blade relative to the second scissor blade to sever tissue located therebetween and so that a current flows between the first and second scissor blades across the first and second cutting edges and through the tissue to cause hemostasis thereof. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
-
-
8. A method for hemostatically cutting tissue, comprising the steps of:
-
providing apparatus having a first shearing member comprising a first shearing surface, a first cutting edge, and a first electrode located adjacent to the first cutting edge, the first cutting edge having a first length, a second shearing member comprising a second shearing surface, a second cutting edge, and a second electrode located adjacent to the second cutting edge, and a layer of insulative material disposed for the first length to electrically isolate the first electrode from the second electrode, the first shearing member and the second shearing member pivotally connected so that the first shearing surface moves relative to the second shearing surface in a scissors-like cutting motion, wherein the first cutting edge and the second cutting edge close together for shearing tissue located therebetween; providing a power supply providing a high frequency alternating-current waveform; coupling the first and second electrodes to the power supply; contacting the first and second shearing members to tissue; and moving the first shearing member relative to the second shearing member to sever tissue located therebetween and so that a current flows between the first and second electrodes through the tissue and across the first and second cutting edges to cause hemostasis of the tissue. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
-
Specification