ELECTROSURGICAL SYSTEM HAVING GRASPER AND SNARE WITH SWITCHABLE ELECTRODE

摘要

An electrosurgical system includes a grasper and a snare that each includes electrodes. The grasper includes a first electrode that is attachable to a first output of an energy supply. The snare includes a second electrode that is attachable to a second output of the energy supply. When the first and second electrodes are coupled to the energy supply, the grasper and snare operate as a bipolar electrosurgical system. By grasping the tissue with the jaws of the grasper, the current path between the electrode on the snare and the electrode on the grasper is relatively short, and thus the system operates like a bipolar electrosurgical system. Accordingly, the applied energy can be focused to a small area, minimizing damage to surrounding tissue. In addition, energy suitable for coagulating the cut portion of the stalk of the removed tissue can be readily applied with the bipolar electrosurgical system.