Surgical instrument with protective sheath
First Claim
1. A monopolar electrosurgical device adapted for use in performing operative procedures, the monopolar electrosurgical device comprising:
- a main body having a connection end and a working end, the working end having a proximal end adjacent the connection end, a distal end opposite the connection end, a first major surface, a second, opposing major surface, a first side joining the first major surface and the second, opposing major surface, a second, opposing side joining the first major surface and the second, opposing major surface, and at least one of the first side and second, opposing side forming one or more working surfaces adapted to be applied to patient tissue for performing operative procedures thereupon, at least one of the one or more working surfaces extending between the proximal end and the distal end of the working end; and
an electrically insulative sheath disposed around at least a portion of the working end such that the sheath covers at least a first portion of the at least one of the one or more working surfaces and leaves exposed a second portion of the at least one of the one or more working surfaces, at least a portion of the connection end extending proximally out of the sheath, the sheath having a leading edge that extends away from the working end at the at least one of the one or more working surfaces such that the junction between the leading edge and the at least one of the one or more working surfaces forms a generally obtuse angle, the leading edge being in generally uniform contact with the first major surface, the second, opposing major surface, the first side, and the second, opposing side of the working end such that substantially no void exists between the leading edge and the first major surface, the second, opposing major surface, the first side, and the second, opposing side of the working end.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An electrode tip for use in performing electrosurgical operative procedures is disclosed. The electrode tip includes a main body that can receive electrical energy from an electrosurgical generator. The main body includes a working surface that communicates the electrical energy to patient tissue during the operative procedure. An insulative sheath is disposed around a portion of the electrode tip to prevent electrical energy from being communicated from the covered portions of the electrode tip to patient tissue. The insulative sheath has a leading edge that is shaped to minimize resistance to the movement of the electrode tip through patient tissue. The leading edge can be arcuately shaped or angled relative to a longitudinal axis of the electrode tip to provide the resistance reducing characteristics.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A monopolar electrosurgical device adapted for use in performing operative procedures, the monopolar electrosurgical device comprising:
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a main body having a connection end and a working end, the working end having a proximal end adjacent the connection end, a distal end opposite the connection end, a first major surface, a second, opposing major surface, a first side joining the first major surface and the second, opposing major surface, a second, opposing side joining the first major surface and the second, opposing major surface, and at least one of the first side and second, opposing side forming one or more working surfaces adapted to be applied to patient tissue for performing operative procedures thereupon, at least one of the one or more working surfaces extending between the proximal end and the distal end of the working end; and an electrically insulative sheath disposed around at least a portion of the working end such that the sheath covers at least a first portion of the at least one of the one or more working surfaces and leaves exposed a second portion of the at least one of the one or more working surfaces, at least a portion of the connection end extending proximally out of the sheath, the sheath having a leading edge that extends away from the working end at the at least one of the one or more working surfaces such that the junction between the leading edge and the at least one of the one or more working surfaces forms a generally obtuse angle, the leading edge being in generally uniform contact with the first major surface, the second, opposing major surface, the first side, and the second, opposing side of the working end such that substantially no void exists between the leading edge and the first major surface, the second, opposing major surface, the first side, and the second, opposing side of the working end. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A monopolar electrode tip adapted for use in performing electrosurgical operative procedures, the monopolar electrode tip comprising:
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a main body, formed of a conductive material, adapted to be electrically connected to an electrosurgical generator to facilitate communication of electrical energy from the electrosurgical generator to the monopolar electrode tip, the main body comprising a connection end and a working end, the working end having a proximal end, a distal end, and first and second opposing working surfaces adapted to communicate the electrical energy from the main body to patient tissue for performing electrosurgical operative procedures thereupon, the first and second opposing working surfaces extending between the proximal and distal ends of the working end; an electrically insulative sheath, formed of an electrically insulative material, disposed around at least a portion of the working end such that the insulative sheath covers at least a portion of each of the first and second opposing working surface and leaves exposed at least a portion of each of the first and second working surfaces, at least a portion of the connection end extending proximally out of the sheath the insulative sheath having a first side disposed adjacent the first working surface, a second side disposed adjacent the second working surface, and a leading edge extending between the first and second sides, the leading edge having a generally arcuate shape such that a first end of the leading edge forms a generally obtuse angle with the first working surface and a second end of the leading edge forms a generally obtuse angle with the second working surface, an interior surface of the sheath having a size and a shape that correspond to a cross-sectional size and shape of the working end such that the leading edge is in contact with the first working surface and the second working surface and such that substantially no void exists between the leading edge and the first working surface or between the leading edge and the second working surface. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A monopolar electrosurgical device adapted for use in performing operative procedures, the monopolar electrosurgical device comprising:
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a main body having a connection end and a working end, the working end having first and second opposing sides that extend between proximal and distal ends of the working end, the first and second opposing sides defining respective first and second working surfaces that are adapted to be applied to patient tissue for performing operative procedures thereupon, the working end having a longitudinal axis that extends between the proximal and distal ends of the working end; an electrically insulative sheath disposed around at least a portion of the working end such that the sheath covers at least a portion of each of the first and second working surfaces and leaves exposed at least a portion of each of the first and second working surfaces, at least a portion of the connection end extending proximally out of the sheath the sheath having a first side disposed adjacent the first working surface, a second side disposed adjacent the second working surface, and a leading edge extending between the first and second sides of the sheath, the leading edge extending across the working end and forming a generally obtuse angle with the longitudinal axis and at the junction with each of the first and second working surfaces, an interior surface of the sheath having a size and a shape that correspond to a cross-sectional size and shape of the working end such that the leading edge is in uniform contact with the first working surface and the second working surface and such that substantially no void exists between the leading edge and the first working surface or between the leading edge and the second working surface. - View Dependent Claims (25)
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Specification