Bipolar electrosurgical scissors

• US 7,419,490 B2
• Filed: 07/27/2006
• Issued: 09/02/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/27/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Applied Medical Resources Corporation (Applied Medical Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Applied Medical Resources Corporation (Applied Medical Corporation)
• Inventors: Brustad, John R., Falkenstein, Zoran, Brown, Blaze
• Primary Examiner(s): PEFFLEY, MICHAEL F
• Application Number:
  US11/460,292
• Publication Number:
  US 20080027427A1
• Time in Patent Office: 768 Days
• Field of Search: 606/40, 606/41, 606 45- 52
• 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 2018/00083 low, i.e. electrically insulating

Abstract

Bipolar electrosurgical scissors for treating biological tissue include first and second scissor blades. A shearing surface and cutting edge of each blade is electrically neutral. The scissors include a pair of electrical connections for receiving electrical currents of opposing polarities. Each blade includes at least one first electrode and at least one second electrode positioned on a surface opposite the shearing surface The at least one first electrode on the first blade and the at least one second electrode on the second blade are coupled to the first electrical connection. The at least one second electrode on the first blade and the at least one first electrode on the second blade are coupled to the second electrical connection. In a first energized state, the electrical connections deliver electrical current only to the first electrodes. In a second energized state, the electrical connections deliver electrical current to all of the electrodes.

Claims

1. A bipolar electrosurgical scissors for use in treating biological tissue, comprising:

a first scissor blade including a shearing surface, an opposed surface opposite the shearing surface, a cutting edge, a first, proximal end, and a second, distal end, the shearing surface and cutting edge being electrically neutral;

a second scissor blade including a shearing surface, an opposed surface opposite the shearing surface, a cutting edge, a first, proximal end, and a second, distal end, the shearing surface and cutting edge being electrically neutral;

a pivot pin pivotally coupling the first blade to the second blade at a position proximal the shearing surfaces of the first and second scissor blades;

a first electrical connection for receiving an electrical current of a first polarity;

a second electrical connection for receiving an electrical current of a second polarity, the second polarity being opposite the first polarity;

at least one exposed first electrode positioned on the opposed surface of the first scissor blade and coupled to the first electrical connection, the first electrode extending lengthwise along the length of the opposed surface of the first scissor blade;

at least one exposed second electrode positioned on the opposed surface of the first scissor blade and coupled to the second electrical connection, the second electrode extending lengthwise along the length of the opposed surface of the first scissor blade;

at least one exposed first electrode positioned on the opposed surface of the second scissor blade and coupled to the second electrical connection, the first electrode extending lengthwise along the length of the opposed surface of the second scissor blade; and

at least one exposed second electrode positioned on the opposed surface of the second scissor blade and coupled to the first electrical connection, the second electrode extending lengthwise along the length of the opposed surface of the second scissor blade,

wherein the shearing surface of the first blade and the shearing surface of the second blade face each other and interface with each other,

in a first energized state, the first electrical connection delivers electrical current only to the at least one first electrode on the first scissor blade and the second electrical connection delivers electrical current only to the at least one first electrode on the second scissor blade, and

in a second energized state, the first electrical connection delivers electrical current to the at least one first electrode on the first scissor blade and to the at least one second electrode on the second scissor blade and the second electrical connection delivers electrical current to the at least one second electrode on the first scissor blade and to the at least one first electrode on the second scissor blade.

2. The bipolar electrosurgical scissors of claim 1, wherein:

the distance between the at least one first electrode and the at least one second electrode on the opposed surface of the first scissor blade is sufficient to prevent electrical arcing between the electrodes, and small enough to permit simultaneous connection between the tissue and two respective electrodes having opposing polarity; and

the distance between the at least one first electrode and the at least one second electrode on the opposed surface of the second scissor blade is sufficient to prevent electrical arcing between the electrodes, and small enough to permit to simultaneous connection between the tissue and two respective electrodes having opposing polarity.

3. The bipolar electrosurgical scissors of claim 1, each of the first and second scissor blades comprising a laminated structure comprising:

a first layer coinciding with the shearing surface and cutting edge of the scissor blade, the first layer including a first, shearing surface and a second, opposed surface, the first surface of the first layer forming the shearing surface of the blade;

a second layer coupled to the second surface of the first layer, the second layer being electrically nonconductive and including a material that insulates against electrical current;

a third layer coupled to the second layer on the side opposite the first layer, the third layer being electrically conductive, exposed portions of the third layer forming the at least one first electrode of the scissor blade;

a fourth layer coupled to the third layer on the side opposite the second layer, the fourth layer being electrically nonconductive and including a material that insulates against electrical current; and

a fifth layer coupled to the fourth layer on the side opposite the third layer, the fifth layer being electrically conductive, exposed portions of the fifth layer forming the at least one second electrode of the scissor blade.

4. The bipolar electrosurgical scissors of claim 3, wherein:

the second layer of the first scissor blade completely separates the third layer from the first layer and provides insulation between the third layer and the first layer of the first scissor blade;

the fourth layer of the first scissor blade completely separates the third layer from the fifth layer and provides insulation between the third layer and the fifth layer of the first scissor blade;

the second layer of the second scissor blade completely separates the third layer from the first layer and provides insulation between the third layer and the first layer of the second scissor blade; and

the fourth layer of the second scissor blade completely separates the third layer from the fifth layer and provides insulation between the third layer and the fifth layer of the second scissor blade.

5. The bipolar electrosurgical scissors of claim 4, the electrically insulating material of the second and fourth layers of the first and second scissor blades having sufficient dielectric strength to substantially prevent electrical breakdown of the electrically insulating material.

6. The bipolar electrosurgical scissors of claim 4, wherein:

the exposed surfaces of the third layer of the first scissor blade form at least two first electrodes of the first scissor blade;

the exposed surfaces of the fifth layer of the first scissor blade form at least one second electrode of the first scissor blade;

the exposed surfaces of the third layer of the second scissor blade form at least two first electrodes of the second scissor blade; and

the exposed surfaces of the fifth layer of the second scissor blade form at least one second electrode of the second scissor blade.

7. The bipolar electrosurgical scissors of claim 6, wherein:

the exposed surfaces of the fifth layer of the first scissor blade form one second electrode positioned between the at least two first electrodes of the first scissor blade; and

the exposed surfaces of the fifth layer of the second scissor blade form one second electrode positioned between the at least two first electrodes of the second scissor blade.

8. The bipolar electrosurgical scissors of claim 4, wherein:

the first layer of the first scissor blade includes a first edge surface and a second edge surface, the first edge surface coinciding with the cutting edge of the first scissor blade, and

the first layer of the second scissor blade includes a first edge surface and a second edge surface, the first edge surface coinciding with the cutting edge of the second scissor blade.

9. The bipolar electrosurgical scissors of claim 8, further comprising:

an electrically insulating coating on the first layer of the first and second scissor blades, the electrically insulating coating covering the shearing surface, the cutting edge, the portion of the first edge surface proximate the shearing surface and the portion of the second edge surface proximate the shearing surface;

at least one first electrode positioned on the first edge surface of the first layer of the first scissor blade at the portion of the first edge surface proximate the opposed surface of the first layer;

at least one first electrode positioned on the second edge surface of the first layer of the first scissor blade at the portion of the second edge surface proximate the opposed surface of the first layer;

at least one first electrode positioned on the first edge surface of the first layer of the second scissor blade at the portion of the first edge surface proximate the opposed surface of the first layer; and

at least one first electrode positioned on the second edge surface of the first layer of the second scissor blade at the portion of the second edge surface proximate the opposed surface of the first layer, wherein

the portions of the first and second edge surfaces of the first layers on the first and second scissor blades that form the first electrodes on the first layers are not covered with the electrically insulating coating.

10. The bipolar electrosurgical scissors of claim 9, wherein the electrically insulating coating on the shearing surfaces of the first and second scissor blades comprises an amorphous diamond-like carbon.

11. The bipolar electrosurgical scissors of claim 9, wherein:

the exposed surfaces of the third layer of the first scissor blade form at least two second electrodes of the first scissor blade;

the exposed surfaces of the fifth layer of the first scissor blade form at least one first electrode of the first scissor blade;

the exposed surfaces of the third layer of the second scissor blade form at least one second electrodes of the second scissor blade; and

the exposed surfaces of the fifth layer of the second scissor blade form at least one first electrode of the second scissor blade.

12. The bipolar electrosurgical scissors of claim 11, wherein in the first energized state, the first electrical connection delivers electrical current only to the first electrical positioned on the first layer of the first scissor blade and the second electrical connection delivers electrical current only to the first electrodes positioned on the first layer of the second scissor blade.

13. The bipolar electrosurgical scissors of claim 11, wherein:

the distance between the first electrodes on the first scissor blade at the first and second edge surfaces of the first layer of the first scissor blade and the first electrodes on the second scissor blade at the first and second edge surfaces of the first layer of the second scissor blade, with the scissors in a closed condition, is sufficient to prevent electrical arcing between the first electrodes on the first scissor blade and the first electrodes on the second scissor blade, and

the distance between the first electrodes on the first scissor blade at the first and second edge surfaces of the first layer of the first scissor blade and the first electrodes on the second scissor blade at the first and second edge surfaces of the first layer of the second scissor blade, with the scissors in a closed condition, is small enough to permit simultaneous connection between the tissue and a first electrode on the first scissor blade and a first electrode on the second scissor blade on adjacent edge surfaces of the first layers of the first and second scissor blades.

14. The bipolar electrosurgical scissors of claim 1, each of the first and second scissor blades comprising:

an insulating body having a primary surface corresponding with the shearing surface of the blade and a secondary surface corresponding with the opposed surface of the blade;

a shearing layer having a first, shearing surface, a second, opposed surface, and the cutting edge, the opposed surface of the shearing layer being coupled to the primary surface of the insulating body; and

the at least one first electrode and the at least one second electrode being coupled to the secondary surface of the insulating body of each of the first and second scissor blades, the first and second electrodes being positioned in an alternating relationship with the first and second electrodes on the second scissor blade corresponding with the first and second electrodes on the first scissor blade.

15. The bipolar electrosurgical scissors of claim 14, wherein:

the distance between the at least one first electrode and the at least one second electrode on the first scissor blade is sufficient to prevent electrical arcing between the electrodes, and small enough to permit simultaneous connection between the tissue and two respective electrodes having opposing polarity; and

the distance between the at least one first electrode and the at least one second electrode on the second scissor blade is sufficient to prevent electrical arcing between the electrodes, and small enough to permit simultaneous connection between the tissue and two respective electrodes having opposing polarity.

16. The bipolar electrosurgical scissors of claim 14, wherein the material forming the electrically insulating body of the first and second scissor blades has sufficient dielectric strength to substantially prevent electrical breakdown of the electrically insulating body.

17. The bipolar electrosurgical scissors of claim 14, wherein:

the shearing layer of the first scissor blade includes a first edge surface and a second edge surface, the first edge surface coinciding with the cutting edge of the first scissor blade, and

the shearing layer of the second scissor blade includes a first edge surface and a second edge surface, the first edge surface coinciding with the cutting edge of the second scissor blade.

18. The bipolar electrosurgical scissors of claim 17, further comprising:

an electrically insulating coating on the shearing layer of the first and second scissor blades, the electrically insulating coating covering the shearing surface, the cutting edge, the portion of the first edge surface proximate the shearing surface and the portion of the second edge surface proximate the shearing surface;

at least one first electrode positioned on the first edge surface of the shearing layer of the first scissor blade at the portion of the first edge surface proximate the opposed surface of the shearing layer;

at least one first electrode positioned on the second edge surface of the shearing layer of the first scissor blade at the portion of the second edge surface proximate the opposed surface of the shearing layer;

at least one first electrode positioned on the first edge surface of the shearing layer of the second scissor blade at the portion of the first edge surface proximate the opposed surface of the shearing layer;

at least one first electrode positioned on the second edge surface of the shearing layer of the second scissor blade at the portion of the second edge surface proximate the opposed surface of the shearing layer, wherein

the portions of the first and second edge surfaces of the shearing layers on the first and second scissor blades that form the first electrodes on the shearing layers are not covered with the electrically insulating coating.

19. The bipolar electrosurgical scissors of claim 18, wherein the electrically insulating coating on the shearing surfaces of the first and second scissor blades comprises an amorphous diamond-like carbon.

20. The bipolar electrosurgical scissors of claim 18, wherein in the first energized state, the first electrical connection delivers electrical current only to the first electrodes positioned on the shearing layer of the first scissor blade and the second electrical connection delivers electrical current only to the first electrodes positioned on the shearing layer of the second scissor blade.

21. The bipolar electrosurgical scissors of claim 18, wherein:

the distance between the first electrodes on the first scissor blade at the first and second edge surfaces of the shearing layer of the first scissor blade and the first electrodes on the second scissor blade at the first and second edges of the shearing layer of the second scissor blade, with the scissors in a closed condition, is sufficient to prevent electrical arcing between the first electrodes on the first scissor blade and the first electrodes on the second scissor blade, and

the distance between the first electrodes on the first scissor blade at the first and second edge surfaces of the shearing layer of the first scissor blade and the first electrodes on the second scissor blade at the first and second edge surfaces of the shearing layer of the second scissor blade is small enough to permit simultaneous connection between the tissue and a first electrode on the first scissor blade and a first electrode on the second scissor blade on adjacent edge surfaces of the shearing layers of the first and second scissor blades.

22. The bipolar electrosurgical scissors of claim 1, each of the first and second scissor blades comprising:

an insulating body having a primary surface corresponding with the shearing surface of the blade and a secondary surface corresponding with the opposed surface of the blade;

a shearing layer having a first, shearing surface, a second, opposed surface, and the cutting edge, the opposed surface of the shearing layer being coupled to the primary surface of the insulating body; and

the at least one first electrode and the at least one second electrode being inlayed into the secondary surface of the insulating body of each of the first and second scissor blades, the first and second electrodes being arranged in an alternating relationship with the first and second electrodes on the second scissor blade corresponding with the first and second electrodes on the first scissor blade.

23. The bipolar electrosurgical scissors of claim 22, wherein:

the distance between the at least one first electrode and the at least one second electrode on the first scissor blade is sufficient to prevent electrical arcing between the electrodes, and small enough to permit simultaneous connection between the tissue and two respective electrodes having opposing polarity; and

the distance between the at least one first electrode and the at least one second electrode on the second scissor blade is sufficient to prevent electrical arcing between the electrodes, and small enough to permit simultaneous connection between the tissue and two respective electrodes having opposing polarity.

24. The bipolar electrosurgical scissors of claim 22, wherein the material forming the electrically insulating body of the first and second scissor blades has sufficient dielectric strength to substantially prevent electrical breakdown of the electrically insulating body.

25. The bipolar electrosurgical scissors of claim 22, wherein:

the shearing layer of the first scissor blade includes a first edge surface and a second edge surface, the first edge surface coinciding with the cutting edge of the first scissor blade, and

the shearing layer of the second scissor blade includes a first edge surface and a second edge surface, the first edge surface coinciding with the cutting edge of the second scissor blade.

26. The bipolar electrosurgical scissors of claim 25, further comprising:

an electrically insulating coating on the shearing layer of the first and second scissor blades, the electrically insulating coating covering the shearing surface, the cutting edge, the portion of the first edge surface proximate the shearing surface and the portion of the second edge surface proximate the shearing surface;

at least one first electrode positioned on the first edge surface of the shearing layer of the first scissor blade at the portion of the first edge surface proximate the opposed surface of the shearing layer;

at least one first electrode positioned on the second edge surface of the shearing layer of the first scissor blade at the portion of the second edge surface proximate the opposed surface of the shearing layer;

at least one first electrode positioned on the first edge surface of the shearing layer of the second scissor blade at the portion of the first edge surface proximate the opposed surface of the shearing layer;

at least one first electrode positioned on the second edge surface of the shearing layer of the second scissor blade at the portion of the second edge surface proximate the opposed surface of the shearing layer, wherein

the portions of the first and second edge surfaces of the shearing layers on the first and second scissor blades that form the first electrodes on the shearing layers are not covered with the electrically insulating coating.

27. The bipolar electrosurgical scissors of claim 26, wherein the electrically insulating coating on the shearing surfaces of the first and second scissor blades comprises an amorphous diamond-like carbon.

28. The bipolar electrosurgical scissors of claim 26, wherein in the first energized state, the first electrical connection delivers electrical current only to the first electrodes positioned on the shearing layer of the first scissor blade and the second electrical connection delivers electrical current only to the first electrodes positioned on the shearing layer of the second scissor blade.

29. The bipolar electrosurgical scissors of claim 26, wherein:

the distance between the first electrodes on the first scissor blade at the first and second edge surfaces of the shearing layer of the first scissor blade and the first electrodes on the second scissor blade at the first and second edges of the shearing layer of the second scissor blade, with the scissors in a closed condition, is sufficient to prevent electrical arcing between the first electrodes on the first scissor blade and the first electrodes on the second scissor blade, and

the distance between the first electrodes on the first scissor blade at the first and second edge surfaces of the shearing layer of the first scissor blade and the first electrodes on the second scissor blade at the first and second edge surfaces of the shearing layer of the second scissor blade is small enough to permit simultaneous connection between the tissue and a first electrode on the first scissor blade and a first electrode on the second scissor blade on adjacent edge surfaces of the shearing layers of the first and second scissor blades.

30. The bipolar electrosurgical scissors of claim 1, each of the first and second scissor blades comprising:

an insulating body having a primary surface corresponding with the shearing surface of the blade and a secondary surface corresponding with the opposed surface of the blade;

a shearing layer having a first, shearing surface, a second, opposed surface, and the cutting edge, the opposed surface of the shearing layer being coupled to the primary surface of the insulating body; and

the at least one first electrode and the at least one second electrode being deposited onto the secondary surface of the insulating body of each of the first and second scissor blades, the first and second electrodes being positioned in an alternating relationship with the first and second electrodes on the second scissor blade corresponding with the first and second electrodes on the first scissor blade.

31. The bipolar electrosurgical scissors of claim 30, wherein:

the distance between the at least one first electrode and the at least one second electrode on the first scissor blade is sufficient to prevent electrical arcing between the electrodes, and small enough to permit simultaneous connection between the tissue and two respective electrodes having opposing polarity; and

the distance between the at least one first electrode and the at least one second electrode on the second scissor blade is sufficient to prevent electrical arcing between the electrodes, and small enough to permit simultaneous connection between the tissue and two respective electrodes having opposing polarity.

32. The bipolar electrosurgical scissors of claim 30, wherein the material forming the electrically insulating body of the first and second scissor blades has sufficient dielectric strength to substantially prevent electrical breakdown of the electrically insulating body.

33. The bipolar electrosurgical scissors of claim 30, wherein:

the shearing layer of the first scissor blade includes a first edge surface and a second edge surface, the first edge surface coinciding with the cutting edge of the first scissor blade, and

the shearing layer of the second scissor blade includes a first edge surface and a second edge surface, the first edge surface coinciding with the cutting edge of the second scissor blade.

34. The bipolar electrosurgical scissors of claim 33, further comprising:

an electrically insulating coating on the shearing layer of the first and second scissor blades, the electrically insulating coating covering the shearing surface, the cutting edge, the portion of the first edge surface proximate the shearing surface and the portion of the second edge surface proximate the shearing surface;

at least one first electrode positioned on the first edge surface of the shearing layer of the first scissor blade at the portion of the first edge surface proximate the opposed surface of the shearing layer;

at least one first electrode positioned on the second edge surface of the shearing layer of the first scissor blade at the portion of the second edge surface proximate the opposed surface of the shearing layer;

at least one first electrode positioned on the first edge surface of the shearing layer of the second scissor blade at the portion of the first edge surface proximate the opposed surface of the shearing layer;

at least one first electrode positioned on the second edge surface of the shearing layer of the second scissor blade at the portion of the second edge surface proximate the opposed surface of the shearing layer, wherein

the portions of the first and second edge surfaces of the shearing layers on the first and second scissor blades that form the first electrodes on the shearing layers are not covered with the electrically insulating coating.

35. The bipolar electrosurgical scissors of claim 34, wherein the electrically insulating coating on the shearing surfaces of the first and second scissor blades comprises an amorphous diamond-like carbon.

36. The bipolar electrosurgical scissors of claim 34, wherein in the first energized state, the first electrical connection delivers electrical current only to the first electrodes positioned on the shearing layer of the first scissor blade and the second electrical connection delivers electrical current only to the first electrodes positioned on the shearing layer of the second scissor blade.

37. The bipolar electrosurgical scissors of claim 34, wherein:

the distance between the first electrodes on the first scissor blade at the first and second edge surfaces of the shearing layer of the first scissor blade and the first electrodes on the second scissor blade at the first and second edges of the shearing layer of the second scissor blade, with the scissors in a closed condition, is sufficient to prevent electrical arcing between the first electrodes on the first scissor blade and the first electrodes on the second scissor blade, and

the distance between the first electrodes on the first scissor blade at the first and second edge surfaces of the shearing layer of the first scissor blade and the first electrodes on the second scissor blade at the first and second edge surfaces of the shearing layer of the second scissor blade is small enough to permit simultaneous connection between the tissue and a first electrode on the first scissor blade and a first electrode on the second scissor blade on adjacent edge surfaces of the shearing layers of the first and second scissor blades.

38. A bipolar electrosurgical scissors for use in treating biological tissue, comprising:

a first scissor blade including a shearing surface, an opposed surface opposite the shearing surface, a cutting edge, a first, proximal end, and a second, distal end, the shearing surface and cutting edge of the first scissor blade being electrically neutral;

a second scissor blade including a shearing surface, an opposed surface opposite the shearing surface, a cutting edge, a first, proximal end, and a second, distal end, the shearing surface and cutting edge of the second scissor blade being electrically neutral, the shearing surface of the second scissor blade facing the shearing surface of the first scissor blade and interfacing with the shearing surface of the first scissor blade;

each of the first and second scissor blades including a laminated structure comprising,

a first layer coinciding with the shearing surface and cutting edge of the scissor blade, the first layer including a first, shearing surface and a second, opposed surface opposite the first surface, the first surface of the first layer forming the shearing surface of the blade;

a second layer coupled to the second surface of the first layer, the second layer being electrically nonconductive and including a material that insulates against electrical current,

a third layer coupled to the second layer on the side opposite the first layer with the second layer completely separating the third layer from the first layer, the third layer being electrically conductive,

a fourth layer coupled to the third layer on the side opposite the second layer, the fourth layer being electrically nonconductive and including a material that insulates against electrical current, and

a fifth layer coupled to the fourth layer on the side opposite the third layer with the fourth layer completely separating the fifth layer from the third layer, the fifth layer being electrically conductive;

a pivot pin pivotally coupling the first blade to the second blade at a position proximal the shearing surfaces of the first and second scissor blades;

a first electrical connection for receiving an electrical current of a first polarity;

a second electrical connection for receiving an electrical current of a second polarity, the second polarity being opposite the first polarity;

at least one first electrode on each of the first and second scissor blades formed by exposed portions of the third layer;

at least one second electrode on each of the first and second scissor blades formed by exposed portions of the fifth layer;

wherein each of the first and second electrodes on the first and second blades extends substantially lengthwise along the length of the opposed surface of the scissor blade,

the at least one first electrode on the first scissor blade being coupled to the first electrical connection;

the at least one second electrode on the first scissor blade being coupled to the second electrical connection;

the at least one first electrode on the second scissor blade being coupled to the second electrical connection; and

the at least one second electrode on the second scissor blade being coupled to the first electrical connection,

in a first energized state, the first electrical connection delivers electrical current only to the at least one first electrode on the first scissor blade and the second electrical connection delivers electrical current only to the at least one first electrode on the second scissor blade,

in a second energized state, the first electrical connection delivers electrical current to the at least one first electrode on the first scissor blade and to the at least one second electrode on the second scissor blade and the second electrical connection delivers electrical current to the at least one second electrode on the first scissor blade and to the at least one first electrode on the second scissor blade.

39. The bipolar electrosurgical scissors of claim 38, the distance between the at least one first electrode and the at least one second electrode on the opposed surface of each of the first and second scissor blades being sufficient to prevent electrical arcing between the electrodes and small enough to permit simultaneous connection between the tissue and two respective electrodes having opposing polarity.

40. The bipolar electrosurgical scissors of claim 38, the electrically insulating material of the second and fourth layers of the first and second scissor blades having sufficient dielectric strength to substantially prevent electrical breakdown of the electrically insulating material.

41. The bipolar electrosurgical scissors of claim 38, the exposed surfaces of the third layer of each of the first and second scissor blades forming at least two first electrodes and the exposed surfaces of the fifth layer of each of the first and second scissor blades forming one second electrode positioned between at the least two first electrodes of each of the first and second scissor blades.

42. A bipolar electrosurgical scissors for use in treating biological tissue, comprising:

a first scissor blade including a shearing surface, an opposed surface opposite the shearing surface, a cutting edge, a first, proximal end, and a second, distal end, the shearing surface and cutting edge of the first scissor blade being electrically neutral;

a second scissor blade including a shearing surface, an opposed surface opposite the shearing surface, a cutting edge, a first, proximal end, and a second, distal end, the shearing surface and cutting edge of the second scissor blade being electrically neutral, the shearing surface of the second scissor blade facing the shearing surface of the first scissor blade and interfacing with the shearing surface of the first scissor blade;

each of the first and second scissor blades comprising,

an insulating body having a primary surface corresponding with the shearing surface of the blade and a secondary surface corresponding with the opposed surface of the blade, and

a shearing layer having a first, shearing surface, a second, opposed surface, and the cutting edge, the opposed surface of the shearing layer being coupled to the primary surface of the insulating body;

a pivot pin pivotally coupling the first blade to the second blade at a position proximal the shearing surfaces of the first and second scissor blades;

a first electrical connection for receiving an electrical current of a first polarity;

a second electrical connection for receiving an electrical current of a second polarity, the second polarity being opposite the first polarity;

at least one first electrode coupled to the secondary surface of the insulating body of each of the first and second scissor blades such that the at least one first electrode is exposed; and

at least one second electrode coupled to the secondary surface of the insulating body of each of the first and second scissor blades such that the at least one second electrode is exposed;

wherein each of the first and second electrodes on the first and second blades extends substantially lengthwise along the length of the opposed surface of the scissor blade,

the at least one first electrode on the first scissor blade being coupled to the first electrical connection,

the at least one second electrode on the first scissor blade being coupled to the second electrical connection,

the at least one first electrode on the second scissor blade being coupled to the second electrical connection,

the at least one second electrode on the second scissor blade being coupled to the first electrical connection,

in a first energized state, the first electrical connection delivers electrical current only to the at least one first electrode on the first scissor blade and the second electrical connection delivers electrical current only to the at least one first electrode on the second scissor blade,

in a second energized state, the first electrical connection delivers electrical current to the at least one first electrode on the first scissor blade and to the at least one second electrode on the second scissor blade and the second electrical connection delivers electrical current to the at least one second electrode on the first scissor blade and to the at least one first electrode on the second scissor blade,

the first and second electrodes on each of the first and second scissor blades being positioned in an alternating relationship with the first and second electrodes on the second scissor blade corresponding with the first and second electrodes on the first scissor blade,

the distance between the at least one first electrode and the at least one second electrode on the opposed surface of each of the first and second scissor blades is sufficient to prevent electrical arcing between the electrodes, and small enough to permit simultaneous connection between the tissue and two respective electrodes having opposing polarity, and

the electrically insulating material forming the insulating body of the first and second scissor blades has sufficient dielectric strength to substantially prevent electrical breakdown of the electrically insulating body.

43. A bipolar electrosurgical scissors for use in treating biological tissue, comprising:

a first scissor blade including a shearing surface, an opposed surface opposite the shearing surface, a cutting edge, a first, proximal end, and a second, distal end, the shearing surface and cutting edge of the first scissor blade being electrically neutral;

a second scissor blade including a shearing surface, an opposed surface opposite the shearing surface, a cutting edge, a first, proximal end, and a second, distal end, the shearing surface and cutting edge of the second scissor blade being electrically neutral, the shearing surface of the second scissor blade facing the shearing surface of the first scissor blade and interfacing with the shearing surface of the first scissor blade;

each of the first and second scissor blades comprising,

an insulating body having a primary surface corresponding with the shearing surface of the blade and a secondary surface corresponding with the opposed surface of the blade, and

a shearing layer having a first, shearing surface, a second, opposed surface, and the cutting edge, the opposed surface of the shearing layer being coupled to the primary surface of the insulating body;

a pivot pin pivotally coupling the first blade to the second blade at a position proximal the shearing surfaces of the first and second scissor blades;

a first electrical connection for receiving an electrical current of a first polarity;

a second electrical connection for receiving an electrical current of a second polarity, the second polarity being opposite the first polarity;

at least one first electrode inlayed into the secondary surface of the insulating body of each of the first and second scissor blades such that the at least one first electrode is exposed; and

at least one second electrode coupled to the secondary surface of the insulating body of each of the first and second scissor blades such that the at least one second electrode is exposed,

wherein each of the first and second electrodes on the first and second blades extends substantially lengthwise along the length of the opposed surface of the scissor blade,

the at least one first electrode on the first scissor blade being coupled to the first electrical connection,

the at least one second electrode on the first scissor blade being coupled to the second electrical connection,

the at least one first electrode on the second scissor blade being coupled to the second electrical connection,

the at least one second electrode on the second scissor blade being coupled to the first electrical connection,

in a first energized state, the first electrical connection delivers electrical current only to the at least one first electrode on the first scissor blade and the second electrical connection delivers electrical current only to the at least one first electrode on the second scissor blade,

in a second energized state, the first electrical connection delivers electrical current to the at least one first electrode on the first scissor blade and to the at least one second electrode on the second scissor blade and the second electrical connection delivers electrical current to the at least one second electrode on the first scissor blade and to the at least one first electrode on the second scissor blade,

the first and second electrodes on each of the first and second scissor blades being positioned in an alternating relationship with the first and second electrodes on the second scissor blade corresponding with the first and second electrodes on the first scissor blade,

the distance between the at least one first electrode and the at least one second electrode on the opposed surface of each of the first and second scissor blades is sufficient to prevent electrical arcing between the electrodes, and small enough to permit simultaneous connection between the tissue and two respective electrodes having opposing polarity, and

the electrically insulating material forming the insulating body of the first and second scissor blades has sufficient dielectric strength to substantially prevent electrical breakdown of the electrically insulating body.

44. A bipolar electrosurgical scissors for use in treating biological tissue, comprising:

a first scissor blade including a shearing surface, an opposed surface opposite the shearing surface, a cutting edge, a first, proximal end, and a second, distal end, the shearing surface and cutting edge of the first scissor blade being electrically neutral;

a second scissor blade including a shearing surface, an opposed surface opposite the shearing surface, a cutting edge, a first, proximal end, and a second, distal end, the shearing surface and cutting edge of the second scissor blade being electrically neutral, the shearing surface of the second scissor blade facing the shearing surface of the first scissor blade and interfacing with the shearing surface of the first scissor blade;

each of the first and second scissor blades comprising,

an insulating body having a primary surface corresponding with the is shearing surface of the blade and a secondary surface corresponding with the opposed surface of the blade, and

a shearing layer having a first, shearing surface, a second, opposed surface, and the cutting edge, the opposed surface of the shearing layer being coupled to the primary surface of the insulating body;

a pivot pin pivotally coupling the first blade to the second blade at a position proximal the shearing surfaces of the first and second scissor blades;

a first electrical connection for receiving an electrical current of a first polarity;

a second electrical connection for receiving an electrical current of a second polarity, the second polarity being opposite the first polarity;

at least one first electrode deposited onto the secondary surface of the insulating body of each of the first and second scissor blades such that the at least one first electrode is exposed; and

at least one second electrode deposited onto the secondary surface of the insulating body of each of the first and second scissor blades such that the at least one second electrode is exposed;

wherein each of the first and second electrodes on the first and second blades extends substantially lengthwise along the length of the opposed surface of the scissor blade,

the at least one first electrode on the first scissor blade being coupled to the first electrical connection,

the at least one second electrode on the first scissor blade being coupled to the second electrical connection,

the at least one first electrode on the second scissor blade being coupled to the second electrical connection,

the at least one second electrode on the second scissor blade being coupled to the first electrical connection,

in a first energized state, the first electrical connection delivers electrical current only to the at least one first electrode on the first scissor blade and the second electrical connection delivers electrical current only to the at least one first electrode on the second scissor blade,

in a second energized state, the first electrical connection delivers electrical current to the at least one first electrode on the first scissor blade and to the at least one second electrode on the second scissor blade and the second electrical connection delivers electrical current to the at least one second electrode on the first scissor blade and to the at least one first electrode on the second scissor blade,

the first and second electrodes on each of the first and second scissor blades being positioned in an alternating relationship with the first and second electrodes on the second scissor blade corresponding with the first and second electrodes on the first scissor blade,

the distance between the at least one first electrode and the at least one second electrode on the opposed surface of each of the first and second scissor blades is sufficient to prevent electrical arcing between the electrodes, and small enough to permit simultaneous connection between the tissue and two respective electrodes having opposing polarity, and

the electrically insulating material forming the insulating body of the first and second scissor blades has sufficient dielectric strength to substantially prevent electrical breakdown of the electrically insulating body.