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Electrosurgical instrument employing multiple positive temperature coefficient electrodes

  • US 8,926,607 B2
  • Filed: 06/09/2010
  • Issued: 01/06/2015
  • Est. Priority Date: 06/09/2010
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A surgical instrument, comprising:

  • a handle; and

    an end effector, comprising;

    a first jaw;

    a second jaw, wherein said first jaw is movable relative to said second jaw between an open position and a closed position;

    a first electrode comprising a first positive temperature coefficient material interspersed throughout said first electrode, wherein said first positive temperature coefficient material comprises a first electrical resistance when the temperature of said first electrode is below a first switching temperature, and wherein said first positive temperature coefficient material comprises a second electrical resistance when the temperature of said first electrode is above said first switching temperature; and

    a second electrode comprising a second positive temperature coefficient material interspersed throughout said second electrode, wherein said second positive temperature coefficient material comprises a first electrical resistance when the temperature of the second electrode is below a second switching temperature, wherein said second positive temperature coefficient material comprises a second electrical resistance when the temperature of said second electrode is above said second switching temperature, and wherein said second switching temperature is higher than said first switching temperature.

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