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Endoscopic surgical instrument with ability to selectively remove different tissue with mechanical and electrical energy

  • US 5,904,681 A
  • Filed: 02/10/1997
  • Issued: 05/18/1999
  • Est. Priority Date: 02/10/1997
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A method for performing a plurality of surgical operations on a patient at a desired surgical site, the method comprising the steps of:

  • (a) forming an access passageway from the exterior of the body of the patient to the surgical site;

    (b) providing a surgical instrument comprising;

    (i) a handle;

    (ii) an elongate hollow probe having a proximal end and a distal end and being attached to the handle at the proximal end;

    (iii) cutting means for mechanically cutting tissue, the cutting means including a rotatable cutting tool disposed at the distal end of the hollow probe and a rotatable drive shaft longitudinally disposed within the hollow probe and connected to the cutting tool, the drive shaft being able to rotate the cutting tool in order to sever tissue adjacent to the cutting tool;

    (iv) an electronic surgical device that operates in bipolar mode disposed at the distal end of the probe and including at least one positive electrode disposed at the distal end of the probe for providing a high frequency voltage and a common electrode separate from the positive electrode and also disposed at the distal of the probe that communicates with a ground for completing a circuit with the positive electrode during bipolar operation, wherein the electronic surgical device is can able of ablating tissue; and

    (v) power generating means for selectively providing the high frequency voltage to the positive electrode;

    (c) insert in the elongate hollow probe through the access passageway in order that the cutting means and the electronic surgical device are located at the surgical site;

    (d) excising a desired amount of tissue by means of the cutting means for mechanically cutting tissue; and

    (e) performing a desired surgical function using the electronic surgical device without completely withdrawing the surgical instrument from the access passageway.

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