Electrosurgical laparoscopic cauterisation electrode

Claim 2

A laparoscopic cauterization electrode as in Claim 1 wherein said electrode shaft has a length within the range of about seven inches (about 18 cm) to about sixteen inches (about 41 cm).

Claim 3

A laparoscopic cauterization electrode as in Claim 1 wherein said electrode is adapted for use through a trocar or catheter placed in a body opening said trocar having a flexible sealing opening therethrough and said electrode shaft having a circular cross section with a continuous smooth outside diameter sized for sealing slip-fit through said flexible sealing opening in said trocar.

Claim 4

A laparoscopic cauterization electrode as in Claim 1 wherein said teflon coated operative means comprises: (a) A flat blade rigidly connected to said electrode shaft having substantially parallel flat sides, substantially parallel thin straight edges, and a blunt nose inter-connection with said straight edges at rounded corners; and (b) a smooth thin continuous layer of teflon covering said sides, edges, nose and corners.

Claim 5

A laparoscopic cauterization electrode as in Claim 4 wherein said insulating means is a smooth continuous coating of electrical and thermal insulation material extending along said electrode shaft termination adjacent to said proximal end so that a bare shaft is exposed at said proximal end for electrical connection and said insulation terminating adjacent said teflon-coated blade at said distal end so that said operative means is exposed for application of electrical energy during said deep surgical operation.

Claim 6

A laparoscopic cauterization electrode as in Claim 4 wherein said insulating means is a smooth continuous coating of electrical and thermal insulation material extending along said electrode shaft terminating adjacent said proximal end so that electrical connection can be made therewith and having an extension of said insulating material partially onto said teflon-coated blade such that only a short portion of said blade sides, edges, nose and corners are exposed for application of electrical energy during said deep surgical operation.

Claim 7

A laparoscopic cauterization electrode as in Claim 1 wherein: (a) said source of electrical power comprises a hand held pencil electrically connected to an RF electrical energy source and constructed for transmitting RF electrical energy therethrough and having a hand operated switch for selectively activating or deactivating said transmission of RF energy therethrough; and (b) said proximal end of said electrode is adapted for electrical connection to said hand held pencil thereby receiving said hand selectively activated RF electrical energy for conduction therefrom to said distal end and teflon-coated operative means.

Claim 8

A laparoscopic cauterization electrode for connection to a source of appropriate electrical power for performing deep surgical operations through an opening in a body such as deep thorax, abdominal perineal, deep rectum, deep gynecological and similar deep body operations, comprising: (a) An electrically conductive electrode shaft having a continuous smooth outside diameter sized for insertion through said body opening and having a proximal end and a distal end; (b) said proximal end of said electrode shaft adapted for electrical connection to said electrical power source; (c) a substantially rectangular shaped blade rigidly and electrically connected at said distal end of said electrode shaft, said blade having substantially parallel flat sides, substantially parallel thin straight edges, and a thin blunt nose inter-connected to said sides and straight edges at rounded corners; (d) smooth electrical insulation continuously along said electrode shaft between said proximal end and said blade at said distal end; and (e) said electrode shaft being of a sufficient length within a range of about 18 cm to about 41 cm to extend from the exterior into the interior of a body for performing deep surgical operations.

Claim 9

A laparoscopic cauterization electrode as in Claim 8 wherein said electrical insulation extends continuously partially and flatly along said blade such that only a short portion of said sides, edges and nose is exposed for application of electrical energy during said deep surgical operation.

Claim 10

A laparoscopic cauterization electrode as in Claim 8 wherein said proximal end of said electrode shaft is adapted for electrical connection to an RF electrical power source comprising a hand held pencil with a finger operated activation switch.

Claim 11

A laparoscopic cauterization electrode as in Claim 10 wherein said blade is coated with a thin layer of non-stick material through which RF electrical energy can be transmitted during said deep surgical operation.

Claim 12

A laparoscopic cauterisation electrode for connection to a source of appropriate electrical power for performing deep surgical operations through an opening in a body such as deep thorax, abdominal perineal, deep rectum, deep gynecological and similar deep body operations, comprising: an electrically conductive electrode shaft (10), having a proximal (12) and a distal end (16); said proximal end (12) of said electrode adapted for electrical connectivity to said power source and said distal end having non-stick coated operative means (16) associated therewith; insulating means (22) for providing both electrical and thermal insulation and abrasion resistance along said electrode shaft (10) between said proximal and distal ends of said electrode; and said electrode shaft (10) being of a sufficient length to extend from the exterior into the interior of a body for performing said deep surgical operations.