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Auxiliary reference electrode and potential referencing technique for endoscopic electrosurgical instruments

  • US 5,868,742 A
  • Filed: 10/18/1995
  • Issued: 02/09/1999
  • Est. Priority Date: 10/18/1995
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A system for connecting a plurality of non-insulated, minimally invasive surgical instruments to an auxiliary electrode attached to a patient at a first location during minimally invasive electrosurgery during which high frequency energy is normally transferred from an electrosurgical generator to an active electrode extending into a patient cavity and applied at a surgical site within the patient cavity, said high frequency energy returning to the electrosurgical generator through a primary return electrode attached to the patient at a second location separated from the first location of the auxiliary electrode, said system comprising:

  • a plurality of instrument connectors, each instrument connector having a conductive surface adapted to be releasably connected to one of the plurality of non-insulated surgical instruments at a location outside the patient cavity;

    a plurality of instrument leads, each instrument lead attached at a first end to the conductive surface of one of the instrument connectors; and

    a junction block by which to electrically connect opposite ends of the plurality of the instrument leads to the auxiliary electrode to electrically reference each said non-insulated surgical instrument to the electrical potential of the patient through the auxiliary electrode; and

    wherein each instrument connector further comprises;

    a rounded end portion defining a channel for insertion of one of the non-insulated surgical instruments; and

    a tapered end portion attached to the rounded end portion, said tapered end portion attached to the first end of one of the instrument leads.

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