Bipolar electrosurgical scissors

• US 6,179,837 B1
• Filed: 03/07/1995
• Issued: 01/30/2001
• 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): COHEN, LEE S
• Application Number:
  US08/399,421
• Time in Patent Office: 2,156 Days
• Field of Search: 606/48, 606/50, 606/51
• US Class Current: 606/50
• 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

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. An electrosurgical instrument for cutting and coagulating tissue, comprising:

(a) a pair of blades pivotally joined for relative movement in a scissors-like action between open and closed positions, each of said blades including a conductive blade member and a conductive electrode electrically isolated from the blade member, each blade member having a shearing surface, said shearing surfaces of said blade members being in face-to-face relationship;

(b) means coupled to said pair of blades for effecting relative movement of said blades in said scissors-like action; and

(c) means for applying a voltage across said conductive electrode and conductive blade member of each blade.

2. Tissue cutting apparatus comprising:

a pair of blades joined for relative movement in a scissor-like action between open and closed positions;

a handle operatively connected to at least one of said blades for effecting relative movement of said blades in a scissors-like action;

each of said blades comprising a tissue contacting surface for contacting tissue, said contacting surface of each blade including first and second spaced apart electrodes extending along said surface, said electrodes being adapted for connection to a voltage source having a pair of terminals of opposite polarity whereby current flow between said first and second electrodes of each blade promotes hemostasis in tissue contacting said surface,

said first electrode of each of said blades also defining a shearing surface and a cutting edge, said shearing surfaces of said blades being in face to face relationship, and both of said first electrodes being adapted for connection to the same terminal of the voltage source so that they are of like polarity.

3. Tissue cutting apparatus comprising:

a pair of blades joined for relative movement in a scissor-like action between open and closed positions;

a handle operatively connected to at least one of said blades for effecting relative movement of said blades in a scissors-like action;

each of said blades comprising a tissue contacting surface for contacting tissue, said contacting surface of each blade including first and second spaced apart electrodes extending along said surface, said electrodes being adapted for connection to a voltage source having a pair of terminals of opposite polarity whereby current flow between said first and second electrodes of each blade promotes hemostasis in tissue contacting said surface,

electrically insulative material disposed between said electrodes, and

said electrically insulative material of said blades substantially enclosing said first electrode to prevent tissue contact with said first electrode when the blades are in a fully closed position.

4. Tissue cutting apparatus comprising:

a pair of blades Joined for relative movement in a scissor-like action between open and closed positions;

a handle operatively connected to at least one of said blades for effecting relative movement of said blades in a scissors-like action;

each of said blades comprising a tissue contacting surface for contacting tissue, said contacting surface of each blade including first and second spaced apart electrodes extending along said surface, said electrodes being adapted for connection to a voltage source having a pair of terminals of opposite polarity whereby current flow between said first and second electrodes of each blade promotes hemostasis in tissue contacting said surface,

said tissue contacting surface comprising a tissue contacting edge, and each of said pair of blades further comprises an edge displaced from said tissue contacting edge, said first and second electrodes extending along said tissue contacting edge and said displaced edge.

5. The tissue cutting apparatus of claim 4 wherein said displaced edge is located opposite said tissue contacting edge for contacting adjacent tissue, said tissue contacting edge being disposed for contacting tissue between said blades and said displaced edge being disposed for contacting tissue outside said blades.

6. Electrosurgical scissors comprising:

an elongated shaft having proximal and distal ends;

a pair of blades carried at said distal end of said shaft and joined for relative movement in a scissor-like action between open and closed positions;

a handle carried at the proximal end of said shaft and a link extending through said shaft and operably connected to said blades and said handle for movement of said blades between said open and closed positions;

each of said blades including first and second electrodes, said first electrode defining a shearing surface and a cutting edge, said second electrode extending generally parallel to said cutting edge and being spaced from said first electrode;

said shearing surfaces of said first electrodes for each of said blades being in face-to-face relation;

an insulated conductor extending along said shaft for connecting said second electrodes to a first terminal of a bipolar RF energy source; and

said shaft or link being of conductive material for connecting said first electrodes to a second terminal of a bipolar RF energy source.

7. The electrosurgical scissors of claim 6, wherein said shaft includes an outer surface that is substantially of non-conductive material.

8. A method for dissecting tissue comprising:

providing tissue dissecting apparatus comprising a pair of blades joined for relative movement in a scissor-like fashion between open and closed positions, each of said blades comprising a rearward tissue contacting surface for contacting tissue as said blades are opened, the rearward tissue contacting surface of each blade comprising first and second electrodes extending along said contacting surface;

inserting the blades into tissue to be dissected;

applying a voltage between said first and second electrodes of each blade so that current passes between said first and second electrodes of each blade; and

opening the blades to spread the tissue.

9. Tissue cutting apparatus comprising:

a pair of blades movable in a scissor-like action between open and closed positions, each of said blades including a shearing surface, said shearing surfaces of said blades being in face-to-face relationship;

a handle operatively connected to at least one of said blades for effecting relative movement of said blades in a scissors-like action;

each of said blades comprising a pair of electrodes connectable to opposite terminals of a bipolar RF energy source, said shearing surface of each blade comprising one of said electrodes of like polarity.

10. Electrosurgical scissors for attachment to a bipolar electrical energy source including two terminals, said scissors comprising:

(1) a pair of blades, each blade including;

(a) a metal blade member comprising;

(i) an inside-facing surface defining a cutting edge and shearing surface,

(ii) an outside-facing surface, and

(iii) a proximal extension for joining said blades;

(b) a layer of insulation over said outside-facing surface;

(c) a layer of conductive material over said layer of insulation; and

(d) a handle operatively connected to at least one of said blades for effecting relative movement of said blades in a scissors-like action;

(2) said proximal extensions of said blade members being pivotally joined for movement of said blades in a scissor-like action;

(3) each of said metal blade members being connectable to one terminal of the bipolar electrical energy source, and

(4) each of said layers of conductive material being connectable to the other terminal of the bipolar electrical energy source.