Surgical instrument comprising an electrode
First Claim
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1. A surgical instrument configured to deliver electrical energy to the tissue of a patient, comprising:
- a first electrode, comprising;
a first elongate portion defined along a first axis; and
a first distal electrode portion configured to contact the tissue, said first distal electrode portion comprising a first distal electrode end;
a second electrode, comprising;
a second elongate portion defined along a second axis; and
a second distal electrode portion configured to contact the tissue, said second distal electrode portion comprising a second distal electrode end;
a sheath comprising a distal stop portion, wherein said sheath at least partially encompasses said first electrode, wherein said sheath at least partially encompasses said second electrode, wherein said distal stop portion of said sheath is movable between a series of positions relative to said first distal electrode portion and said second distal electrode portion, and wherein said series of positions comprises;
a distal most position, wherein said distal stop portion is aligned with said first distal electrode end and said second distal electrode end at said distal most position; and
a proximal most position;
a first insulator positioned around a length of said first electrode, wherein said first insulator is comprised of an electrically insulative material, wherein said first insulator comprises a first distal end, wherein said first distal electrode portion extends from said first distal end of said first insulator, wherein said first distal electrode portion is configured to penetrate the tissue, and wherein said first distal end of said first insulator comprises a first tissue stop configured to contact the tissue at a maximum insertion depth of said first electrode within the tissue; and
a second insulator positioned around a length of said second electrode, wherein said second insulator is comprised of an electrically insulative material, wherein said second insulator comprises a second distal end, wherein said second distal electrode portion extends from said second distal end of said second insulator, wherein said second distal electrode portion is configured to penetrate the tissue, wherein said second distal end of said second insulator comprises a second tissue stop configured to contact the tissue at a maximum insertion depth of said second electrode within the tissue, and wherein said first tissue stop and said second tissue stop are aligned with said distal stop portion of said sheath at said proximal most position.
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Abstract
A surgical instrument can comprise a first electrode, a second electrode, and a retractable sheath. At least one of the electrodes can comprise an insulative jacket extending along the length thereof which can comprise a tissue stop for limiting the progression of the electrode into tissue. In various embodiments, a surgical instrument can comprise a first electrode, a second electrode, and a displaceable arc guard positioned between the electrodes. In certain embodiments, a surgical instrument can comprise an electrode including a flexible mesh configured to conform to the tissue against which it is positioned.
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Citations
8 Claims
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1. A surgical instrument configured to deliver electrical energy to the tissue of a patient, comprising:
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a first electrode, comprising; a first elongate portion defined along a first axis; and a first distal electrode portion configured to contact the tissue, said first distal electrode portion comprising a first distal electrode end; a second electrode, comprising; a second elongate portion defined along a second axis; and a second distal electrode portion configured to contact the tissue, said second distal electrode portion comprising a second distal electrode end; a sheath comprising a distal stop portion, wherein said sheath at least partially encompasses said first electrode, wherein said sheath at least partially encompasses said second electrode, wherein said distal stop portion of said sheath is movable between a series of positions relative to said first distal electrode portion and said second distal electrode portion, and wherein said series of positions comprises; a distal most position, wherein said distal stop portion is aligned with said first distal electrode end and said second distal electrode end at said distal most position; and a proximal most position; a first insulator positioned around a length of said first electrode, wherein said first insulator is comprised of an electrically insulative material, wherein said first insulator comprises a first distal end, wherein said first distal electrode portion extends from said first distal end of said first insulator, wherein said first distal electrode portion is configured to penetrate the tissue, and wherein said first distal end of said first insulator comprises a first tissue stop configured to contact the tissue at a maximum insertion depth of said first electrode within the tissue; and a second insulator positioned around a length of said second electrode, wherein said second insulator is comprised of an electrically insulative material, wherein said second insulator comprises a second distal end, wherein said second distal electrode portion extends from said second distal end of said second insulator, wherein said second distal electrode portion is configured to penetrate the tissue, wherein said second distal end of said second insulator comprises a second tissue stop configured to contact the tissue at a maximum insertion depth of said second electrode within the tissue, and wherein said first tissue stop and said second tissue stop are aligned with said distal stop portion of said sheath at said proximal most position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A surgical instrument configured to deliver electrical energy to the tissue of a patient, comprising:
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a first electrode, comprising; a first elongate portion defined along a first axis; and a first distal electrode portion configured to contact the tissue, said first distal electrode portion comprising a first distal electrode end; a second electrode, comprising; a second elongate portion defined along a second axis; and a second distal electrode portion configured to contact the tissue, said second distal electrode portion comprising a second distal electrode end; a sheath comprising a distal stop portion, wherein said sheath at least partially encompasses said first electrode, wherein said sheath at least partially encompasses said second electrode, wherein said distal stop portion of said sheath is retractable between a series of positions relative to said first distal electrode portion and said second distal electrode portion, and wherein said series of positions comprises; a distal most position, wherein said distal stop portion is aligned with said first distal electrode end and said second distal electrode end at said distal most position; and a proximal most position; and a first jacket positioned around a length of said first electrode, wherein said first jacket is comprised of an electrically insulative material, wherein said first jacket comprises a distal end, wherein said first distal electrode portion extends from said distal end of said first jacket, wherein said first distal electrode portion is configured to penetrate the tissue, wherein said distal end of said first jacket comprises a first tissue stop configured to be positioned against the tissue to define a maximum insertion depth of said first electrode within the tissue, and wherein said first tissue stop is aligned with said distal stop portion of said sheath at said proximal most position. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6)
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7. A surgical instrument configured to deliver electrical energy to the tissue of a patient, comprising:
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a first electrode, comprising; a first elongate portion defined along a first axis; and a first distal end configured to penetrate the tissue; a second electrode, comprising; a second elongate portion defined along a second axis; and a second distal end configured to penetrate the tissue; and penetration stopping means, comprising; a first penetration stopping means configured to define a maximum insertion depth of said first electrode within the tissue; and a second penetration stopping means retractable between a series of positions, wherein said second penetration stopping means is configured to limit the penetration of at least one of said first electrode and said second electrode within the tissue, and wherein said series of positions comprises; a distal most position, wherein said first distal end and said second distal end are aligned with said second penetration stopping means at said distal most position; and a proximal most position, wherein said first penetration stopping means is aligned with said second penetration stopping means at said proximal most position. - View Dependent Claims (8)
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Specification