Bipolar instrument with multi-coated electrodes

• US 5,843,080 A
• Filed: 10/16/1996
• Issued: 12/01/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 10/16/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Megadyne Medical Products Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Megadyne Medical Products Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Isaacson, James D., Fleenor, Richard P.
• Primary Examiner(s): COHEN, LEE S
• Application Number:
  US08/729,352
• Time in Patent Office: 776 Days
• Field of Search: 606/57, 606/52
• US Class Current: 606/51
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/14 Probes or electrodes therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1442 Probes having pivoting end effectors, e.g. forceps
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00083 low, i.e. electrically insulating
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00148 with metal
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1462 Tweezers

Abstract

An improved bipolar electrosurgical instrument with multi-coated electrodes for use in performing medical procedures. The electrodes of the instrument include opposed electrically conductive working surfaces at the distal ends thereof which are coated with a thin layer of a nickel-free high chromium material. At least non-working exposed surfaces of the distal ends are coated with a coating of an insulating material so as to be electrically insulated.

Claims

1. A bipolar eletrosurgical instrument comprising a holding portion with a pair of electrodes extending therefrom, means for individually making electrical connections to said electrodes, two different coatings covering exposed surfaces of said electrodes, one of said coatings being metalized, nickel-free and having a thickness lying within a range of from about 0.0001 to 0.0005 inches covering electrically conductive inner working surfaces at distal ends of said electrodes, and the other of said coatings being a polytetrafluoroethylene and covering only non-working surfaces of said distal ends of said electrodes and being of a thickness sufficient to electrically insulate said non-working surfaces.

2. A bipolar electrosurgical instrument according to claim 1 wherein said electrodes are essentially parallel to each other.

3. A bipolar electrosurgical instrument according to claim 1 wherein said working surfaces are essentially parallel to each other.

4. A bipolar electrosurgical instrument according to claim 1 wherein said working surfaces are opposed to each other to define opposed working surfaces.

5. A bipolar electrosurgical instrument according to claim 4 wherein said opposed surfaces are essentially planar and parallel to each other.

6. A bipolar electrosurgical instrument according to claim 1 wherein said one of said coatings is a nickel-free high chromium composite having a thickness lying within a range of from about 0.0001 to 0.0005 inches.

7. A bipolar electrosurgical instrument according to claim 1 in which said electrodes are undulating ribbon-like members.

8. A bipolar electrosurgical instrument according to claim 7 in which said undulating ribbon-like members each have serrated surfaces.