Electrosurgical instrument which reduces effects to adjacent tissue structures
First Claim
1. A vessel or tissue sealing instrument having opposing end effectors and a handle for effecting movement of the end effectors relative to one another, comprising:
- a housing;
a pair of electrodes each including an electrically conductive surface each having a first radii and an insulating substrate each having a second radii, the outer radial dimensions of the insulating substrate being different from the outer radial dimensions of the electrically conductive surface to reduce thermal spread to adjacent tissue structures and the insulating substrate is made from a material having a Comparative Tracking Index of about 300 volts to about 600 volts to reduce the incidence of flashover during the sealing process; and
a compliant material disposed about an outer periphery of at least one of the electrically conductive surfaces.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An electrosurgical instrument which includes opposing end effectors and a handle for effecting movement of the end effectors relative to one another. The instrument includes a housing and a pair of electrodes. Each electode preferably includes an electrically conductive surface (e.g., which can be dimensioned for sealing, clamping and/or cutting) and an insulating substrate which is dimensioned to be engageable with the end effectors such that the electrodes reside in opposing relation relative to one another. The dimensions of the insulating substrate are different from the dimensions of the electrically conductive surface to reduce thermal spread to adjacent tissue structures. The insulating substrate is made from a material having a Comparative Tracking Index of about 300 volts to about 600 volts to reduce the incidence of flashover.
937 Citations
9 Claims
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1. A vessel or tissue sealing instrument having opposing end effectors and a handle for effecting movement of the end effectors relative to one another, comprising:
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a housing; a pair of electrodes each including an electrically conductive surface each having a first radii and an insulating substrate each having a second radii, the outer radial dimensions of the insulating substrate being different from the outer radial dimensions of the electrically conductive surface to reduce thermal spread to adjacent tissue structures and the insulating substrate is made from a material having a Comparative Tracking Index of about 300 volts to about 600 volts to reduce the incidence of flashover during the sealing process; and a compliant material disposed about an outer periphery of at least one of the electrically conductive surfaces. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A vessel or tissue sealing instrument having a handle and at least one shaft for effecting movement of a pair of opposing end effectors relative to one another, comprising:
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a housing; a pair of electrodes each having an electrically conductive surface having a first geometric shape and an insulating substrate having a second geometric shape, the electrodes being integrally associated with the end effectors of the instrument such that the electrodes reside in opposing relation relative to one another; and a compliant material disposed about an outer periphery of at least one of the electrically conductive surfaces, wherein the second geometric shape of the insulating substrate is different than the first geometric shape of the electrically conductive surface to reduce thermal spread to adjacent tissue structures and the insulating substrate is made from a material having a Comparative Tracking Index of about 300 volts to about 600 volts to reduce the incidence of flashover during the sealing process.
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Specification