Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
205 words
An electrosurgical instrument for performing laparoscopic procedures comprising: (a) a generally rigid tube having a proximal end, a distal end, lumen means extending from said proximal end to said distal end for allowing passage of fluids therethrough, said tube having an outside diameter of a size allowing passage through a cannula and of a length sufficient to reach the internal tissue to be excised when said tube is inserted through the abdominal wall via said cannula; (b) first and second arcuate, hook-shaped electrodes extending beyond said distal end of said tube, said electrodes being spaced apart from one another by a predetermined insulating gap; (c) first and second conductors insulated from one another and extending through said lumen means, said first and second conductors being individually connected at one end to said first and second arcuate, hook-shaped electrodes; (d) a hub member affixed to said proximal end of said tube, said hub member including at least one passage in fluid communication with said lumen means; and (e) means connected to said first and second conductors for connecting said first and second conductors to a source of RF voltage such that a high intensity field is created in said gap effective to cut through said tissue.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
205 words
An electrosurgical instrument for performing laparoscopic procedures comprising: (a) a generally rigid tube having a proximal end, a distal end, lumen means extending from said proximal end to said distal end for allowing passage of fluids therethrough, said tube having an outside diameter of a size allowing passage through a cannula and of a length sufficient to reach the internal tissue to be excised when said tube is inserted through the abdominal wall via said cannula; (b) first and second arcuate, hook-shaped electrodes extending beyond said distal end of said tube, said electrodes being spaced apart from one another by a predetermined insulating gap; (c) first and second conductors insulated from one another and extending through said lumen means, said first and second conductors being individually connected at one end to said first and second arcuate, hook-shaped electrodes; (d) a hub member affixed to said proximal end of said tube, said hub member including at least one passage in fluid communication with said lumen means; and (e) means connected to said first and second conductors for connecting said first and second conductors to a source of RF voltage such that a high intensity field is created in said gap effective to cut through said tissue.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The electrosurgical instrument as in claim 1 and further including a second passage in said hub member in fluid communication with said lumen means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The electrosurgical instrument as in claim 1 and further including insulating spacing means disposed between said first and second hook-shaped electrodes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The electrosurgical instrument as in claim 3 wherein said gap is about 0.015 inch.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The electrosurgical instrument as in claim 4 wherein said hook-shaped electrodes comprise generally rigid wires of about 0.014 inch diameter.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
159 words
A bipolar electrosurgical instrument for performing laparoscopic cholecystectomy comprising: (a) a generally rigid tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end and a first lumen extending from said proximal end to said distal end, the outside diameter of said tubular member being sufficiently small to pass through a cannula; (b) first and second bipolar electrodes affixed to said distal end of said tubular member, said electrodes comprising hook-shaped wires projecting outward from said distal end of said tubular member with insulating spacing means for maintaining a parallel, spaced relation therebetween defining a cutting gap; (c) a handle member secured to said proximal end of said rigid tubular member, said handle member including first and second passages communicating with said first lumen; (d) conductor means extending through said first passage and said lumen for coupling a source of RF voltage across said first and second bipolar electrodes; and (e) means for coupling a vacuum to said second passage.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
159 words
A bipolar electrosurgical instrument for performing laparoscopic cholecystectomy comprising: (a) a generally rigid tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end and a first lumen extending from said proximal end to said distal end, the outside diameter of said tubular member being sufficiently small to pass through a cannula; (b) first and second bipolar electrodes affixed to said distal end of said tubular member, said electrodes comprising hook-shaped wires projecting outward from said distal end of said tubular member with insulating spacing means for maintaining a parallel, spaced relation therebetween defining a cutting gap; (c) a handle member secured to said proximal end of said rigid tubular member, said handle member including first and second passages communicating with said first lumen; (d) conductor means extending through said first passage and said lumen for coupling a source of RF voltage across said first and second bipolar electrodes; and (e) means for coupling a vacuum to said second passage.