US5540685A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Bipolar electrical scissors with metal cutting edges and shearing surfaces
Assignee: Everest Medical Corp
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Filing: 1995-05-05
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Granted: 1996-07-30
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Expires: 2015-05-05
Abstract
Abstract A bipolar electrosurgical scissors for use in open or endoscopic surgery has a pair of opposed metal blade members pivotally joined to one another and to the distal end of the scissors itself by a rivet. Each of the blade members comprises a cutting blade having an electrode on the non-shearing surface. An intermediate insulative coating is disposed between each cutting blade and its associated electrode coating. The cutting blade is preferably fabricated from metal such as stainless steel and the electrode coating comprises metal traces deposited thereon through a mask to yield a desired pattern extending along but separated from the blade's cutting edge. Cutting is performed, steel-on-steel, without causing a short circuit between the blades which themselves may function as one of the bipolar electrodes.
Inventors
- 👤 David J. Parins
- 👤 Richard K. Poppe
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 19:15
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/04; A61B18/12; A61B18/14; A61B18/1442; A61B17/00; A61B2017/00831; A61B2017/0088; A61B2018/00053; A61B2018/00107; A61B2018/00136; A61B2018/00148; A61B18/1206; A61B2018/1246; A61B2018/126; A61B2018/1405; A61B2018/1412
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
116 words
A bipolar electrosurgical instrument for cutting and coagulating tissue comprising: (a) first and second metal blades each having a cutting edge and a shearing surface and supporting an insulative layer on a surface other than the cutting edge and shearing surface thereof and an electrically conductive electrode member on the insulative layer; (b) means for pivotally joining said first and second blades together with their respective shearing surfaces facing one another; (c) means coupled to at least one of said first and second blades for imparting a scissors-like movement relative to the other of said first and second blades; and (d) means for applying a voltage between the electrode members of said first and second blades.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
116 words
A bipolar electrosurgical instrument for cutting and coagulating tissue comprising: (a) first and second metal blades each having a cutting edge and a shearing surface and supporting an insulative layer on a surface other than the cutting edge and shearing surface thereof and an electrically conductive electrode member on the insulative layer; (b) means for pivotally joining said first and second blades together with their respective shearing surfaces facing one another; (c) means coupled to at least one of said first and second blades for imparting a scissors-like movement relative to the other of said first and second blades; and (d) means for applying a voltage between the electrode members of said first and second blades.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The bipolar electrosurgical instrument as in claim 1 wherein said shearing surfaces of said first and second blades are curved.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
A bipolar electrosurgical instrument as in claim 1 wherein said insulative layer is a ceramic material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
A bipolar electrosurgical instrument as in claim 1 wherein said insulative layer has a thickness in the range of 1-5 mils.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The bipolar electrosurgical instrument as in claim 1 wherein said electrode members comprise a conductive coating including metal traces.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The bipolar electrosurgical instrument as in claim 5 wherein said conductive coating has a thickness in the range of 1-5 mils.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
168 words
The bipolar electrosurgical instrument for cutting and coagulating tissue comprising, in combination: (a) an elongated tubular member having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therebetween; (b) first and second blade members, each comprising a metal blade defining a shearing surface and a non-shearing surface, a conductive layer supported by said non-shearing surface, and an intermediate, electrically insulating layer supported by the blade and disposed between said conductive layer and said non-shearing surface; (c) means for pivotally joining said first and second blade members to the distal end of said elongated tubular member with said shearing surfaces facing one another; (d) a handle affixed to said proximal end of said tubular member; (e) means coupled to said handle and extending through said lumen for imparting a scissors-like movement to at least one of said first and second blade members relative to one another; and (f) means extending through said lumen for applying a voltage between said conductive layers of said first and second blade members.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
168 words
The bipolar electrosurgical instrument for cutting and coagulating tissue comprising, in combination: (a) an elongated tubular member having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therebetween; (b) first and second blade members, each comprising a metal blade defining a shearing surface and a non-shearing surface, a conductive layer supported by said non-shearing surface, and an intermediate, electrically insulating layer supported by the blade and disposed between said conductive layer and said non-shearing surface; (c) means for pivotally joining said first and second blade members to the distal end of said elongated tubular member with said shearing surfaces facing one another; (d) a handle affixed to said proximal end of said tubular member; (e) means coupled to said handle and extending through said lumen for imparting a scissors-like movement to at least one of said first and second blade members relative to one another; and (f) means extending through said lumen for applying a voltage between said conductive layers of said first and second blade members.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The bipolar electrosurgical instrument as in claim 7 wherein said intermediate electrically insulating layer is a ceramic material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The bipolar electrosurgical instrument as in claim 7 wherein said intermediate electrically insulating layer has a thickness in the range of 1-5 mils.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The bipolar electrosurgical instrument as in claim 7 wherein said first and second blade members are curved.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The bipolar electrosurgical instrument as in claim 7 wherein said layers comprise conductive coatings including metallic traces.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The bipolar electrosurgical instrument as in claim 11 wherein said conductive coating has a thickness in the range of 1-5 mils.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-07-30 | 2000-01-29 | 2000-07-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-07-30 | 2004-01-29 | 2004-07-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-07-30 | 2008-01-29 | 2008-07-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |