Bipolar electrosurgical cutter with position insensitive return electrode contact

摘要

A bipolar electrosurgical device includes a handle and an elongated end effector coupled to the handle. The end effector includes an elongated, insulating body having first and second electrodes disposed thereon. The first and second electrodes are separated at the distal end of the insulating body, and a cavity formed in the distal end of the effector is positioned between the first and second electrodes. A fluid-delivery tube is positioned on the body to deliver a conductive fluid to the distal end, adjacent the cavity. During use of the electrosurgical device, delivery of the conductive fluid facilitates formation of an electrical coupling between the electrodes via the tissue being treated.

主权项

1. An electrosurgical device comprising:
(a) a handle; and (b) an elongated end effector coupled to the handle, the elongated end effector having a proximal end, a distal end,
(i) an elongated insulating body having a proximal end coupled to the handle such that the elongated insulating body extends away from the handle toward a distal end,(ii) a first electrode disposed along the elongated insulating body, the first electrode being substantially entirely disposed and, when in use, substantially unconcealed on an exterior surface of the elongated end effector and extending from the proximal end to the distal end of the elongated end effector, the first electrode protruding a distance away from the elongated insulating body,(iii) a second electrode disposed along the elongated insulating body, wherein the first electrode and the second electrode are separated at the distal end of the elongated insulating body,(iv) a cavity formed in the distal end of the elongated end effector between the first and second electrodes, and(v) a fluid-delivery tube for delivering a fluid to the distal end of the elongated insulating body adjacent the cavity; delivery of the fluid facilitates formation of an electrical coupling between the first electrode and the second electrode through tissue adjacent the distal end of the elongated insulating body for performance of an electrosurgical procedure.