ASYMMETRICAL ELECTRODES FOR BIPOLAR VESSEL SEALING

摘要

Bipolar electrosurgical instrument having a first and a second opposing jaw member at a distal end thereof, wherein each jaw member includes an outer housing, and an inner tissue engaging surface corresponding to the inner tissue engaging surface of the opposing jaw. The instruments includes the ability to move the jaw members relative to one another from a first position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue. The jaws include asymmetrical electrodes disposed on the inner tissue engaging surfaces. A first contact region of the electrode has a greater surface area than that of the second contact region. During resection procedures wider electrodes impart improved sealing energy to the patient-side vessel while providing sufficient energy to resected tissue to effect hemostasis.

主权项

1. An electrosurgical instrument, comprising:
a first jaw member and a second opposing jaw member at a distal end of the electrosurgical instrument, wherein each jaw member includes an outer housing, and an inner tissue engaging surface; at least one of the jaw members movable from a first position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween; and an electrode disposed on the inner tissue engaging surface of at least one of the jaw members having a first contact region disposed adjacent to a first edge of the inner tissue engaging surface and a second contact region disposed adjacent to a second edge of the inner tissue engaging surface, wherein the surface area of the first contact region is greater than the surface area of the second contact region.