High-frequency incision tool

Claim 1

A high-frequency incision tool for insertion into a body cavity through an endoscope to incise a desired region in the body cavity by means of a high-frequency current supplied from a high-frequency current source, comprising: a flexible sheath having an inside passage, and a suction port at a distal end thereof, said sheath being insulated electrically and insertable, along with the endoscope, into the body cavity; a wire inserted into the sheath of conduct the high-frequency current, said wire being exposed from a portion of the sheath which is closer to a proximal end thereof than the suction port, to form an incision section, and having a distal end portion fixed in the sheath; an operating section provided at the proximal end of the sheath, said operating section including operating means connected to the wire, for pushing and pulling the wire, and a suction mouthpiece communicating with the suction port through the inside passage of the sheath; and a reinforcing wire disposed in the sheath, for reinforcing the distal end portion of the sheath, said reinforcing wire having a straight portion extending axially within the distal end portion of the sheath over the entire length of the incision section, and a non-linear portion connected to the straight portion, fixed to the inside passage, and of a length considerably shorter that said straight portion so as to insure smooth flow of body fluids from said suction port through said incision section.