Bipolar instrument utilizing one stationary electrode and one movable electrode

Claim 1

An electrosurgical instrument for the removal of tissue polyps and for steming the flow of blood following such removal, comprising: (a) a tubular member having a distal end, a proximal end, and a lumen extending therebetween, and having a longitudinal axis extending between said distal and proximal ends; (b) an insulating plug affixed to said tubular member at said distal end and having a distal surface generally perpendicular to said longitudinal axis; (c) a rigid support member extending from said distal surface of said insulating plug, and projecting parallel to said longitudinal axis and having a distal end; (d) a first electrode mounted on said distal surface of said insulating plug; (e) a second, generally U-shaped metal wire electrode extending from said distal end of said rigid support member dimensioned to lie proximal of said first electrode, with said first electrode disposed coaxially with said second electrode, and positioned to enable electrical coaction with said first electrode; (f) a pair of flexible conductive wires extending through said lumen of said tubular member and conductively joined, individually, to said first and second electrodes for allowing electrical energizing of said electrode; (g) an actuator means for affecting translational movement of one of said first and second electrodes in a direction parallel to said longitudinal axis, for bringing said first and second electrode within a predetermined distance of one another; and (h) a hand switch in electrical communication with one of said first and second electrodes.