EP0624348A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Bipolar electrosurgical instruments
Assignee: United States Surgical Corp
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Filing: 1994-04-22
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2014-04-22
Abstract
Abstract A bipolar electrosurgical instrument (10) is provided having a handle assembly (12), an elongate body portion (18), and a tool mechanism (80). The body portion comprises an outer tubular member (20) and an inner rod member (22) coaxially slidable within the outer tubular member. Attached to a distal end of the body portion is the tool mechanism (80). The tool mechanism includes pivotally connected jaw members (82, 84) operatively connected to the inner rod member for movement by the handle assembly between open and closed positions. Each jaw member is fabricated from insulating material and is provided with a conductive pathway (62, 64). The conductive pathways are positioned to permit sparking between the pathways when the jaw members are open. As the jaw members are approximated, the insulating jaw member material blocks the electrical path between the conductive pathways to terminate electrical treatment of tissue positioned between the jaw members.
Inventors
- 👤 Corbett Stone
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 20:05
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/04; A61B18/12; A61B18/14; A61B18/1442; A61B18/1402; A61B17/00; A61B17/28; A61B17/29; A61B2017/2926; A61B2017/2945; A61B2018/00053; A61B2018/00107; A61B2018/00119; A61B18/1206; A61B2018/1246; A61B2018/126; A61B2018/1405; A61B2018/1412; A61B2018/1415; A61B2018/1425; A61B2018/1432; A61B18/18; A61B18/1815; A61B2018/1861; A61B2218/00; A61B2218/001; A61B2218/007; A61B2218/008
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
123 words
A bipolar electrosurgical instrument comprising: a handle assembly; an elongate body portion attached to said handle assembly and extending distally therefrom; a tool mechanism operatively associated with a distal end of said body portion, said tool mechanism including first and second jaw members, at least one of said jaw members movable between open and closed positions in response to movement of said handle assembly, said jaw members being fabricated from electrically insulating material; said first jaw member having a first conductive pathway formed thereon; said second jaw member having a second conductive pathway formed thereon; said first and second conductive pathways being electrically isolated from one another; and means for respectively connecting said first and second conductive pathways to an electrical power supply.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
35 words
A bipolar electrosurgical instrument according to claim 1 wherein said body portion comprises an inner rod coaxially slidable within an outer tube, said inner rod and said outer tube being fabricated from electrically conductive material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
A bipolar electrosurgical instrument according to claim 1 or 2 wherein said means for electrically connecting said first and second conductive pathways to an electrical power supply comprises first and second electrical receptacles in said handle assembly.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
A bipolar electrosurgical instrument according to claim 3 further comprising a first contact spring for connecting said first electrical receptacle to said inner rod and a second contact spring to connect said second electrical receptacle to said outer tube.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
A bipolar electrosurgical instrument according to claim 2, 3 or 4 wherein said inner rod electrically communicates with said first conductive pathway and said outer tube electrically communicates with said second conductive pathway.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
A bipolar electrosurgical instrument according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said first and second jaw members are pivotally connected to one another.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
70 words
A bipolar electrosurgical instrument according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said first and second conductive pathways are configured and dimensioned such that current flows between said first and second pathways when said first and second jaw members are in an open position and such that current does not flow between said first and second pathways when said first and second jaw members are in a closed position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
A bipolar electrosurgical instrument according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said first and second jaw members are scissors blades having angled cutting surfaces.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
A bipolar electrosurgical instrument according to of the preceding claims wherein said first and second conductive pathways are respectively formed within grooves on surfaces of the first and second jaw members.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
A bipolar electrosurgical instrument according to any one of the preceding claims further comprising a rotatable member for rotating said first and second jaw members about the longitudinal axis of the instrument.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
A bipolar electrosurgical instrument according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said first and second conductive pathways are, respectively, first and second conductive strips disposed on surfaces of the first and second jaw members.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US5151102A
Cited
EP0518230A1
Cited
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