System and Method for Plasma Sealing of Tissue

摘要

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention is a plasma sealer attachment for an electrosurgical system. The attachment has a connector assembly, a cable, and a hand piece. The hand piece has a splitter, a pair of tubes and a pair of conductive wires. When used, an inert gas flows through the connector assembly, down the cable and out both tubes. One of the conductive wires is connected to a source of monopolar electrosurgical energy and acts as an active electrode. The other conductive wire is connected to a neutral or ground and acts as a return electrode.

主权项

1. A system for sealing vessels comprising:
a connector assembly having a fluid connector for connecting to a source of inert gas, a first electrical connector for connecting a wire to a source of monopolar electrosurgical energy and a second electrical connector for connecting to a ground; a cable assembly; and a hand piece, said hand piece comprising:
a splitter;first and second tubes; and a first conductive wire having a distal end connected to said first electrical connector, a first portion extending through said cable assembly, a second portion extending through said splitter and a third portion extending into and to at least within 1 cm of a distal end of said first tube; a second conductive wire having a distal end connected to said second electrical connector, a first portion extending through said cable assembly, a second portion extending through said splitter and a third portion extending into and to at least within 1 cm of a distal end of said second tube.