Bipolar surgical morcellator

摘要

A device for morcellating tissue within a body cavity of a patient comprises a stationary tube (8) having a distal end portion, and a bipolar electrosurgical electrode assembly (13) located at the distal end of the tube. The electrosurgical electrode assembly (13) comprises first and second electrodes (14, 16) separated by an insulation member (15). When an electrosurgical cutting voltage is applied to the electrode assembly (13), and relative movement is initiated between the tube (8) and the tissue, a slug of resected tissue is formed within the tube such that it can be removed from the body cavity of the patient. The bipolar electrosurgical assembly (13) has a first circumferential region (A) and a second circumferential region (B), the first circumferential region (A) being longer than the second circumferential region (B), the bipolar electrosurgical assembly being adapted to cut tissue preferentially in the first circumferential region (A) as compared with the second circumferential region (B).

主权项

1. A device for morcellating tissue within a body cavity of a patient, the morcellating device comprising a stationary tube having a distal end portion, the distal end portion including a stationary bipolar electrosurgical electrode assembly including a first active electrode located at the distal end of the tube, and a second return electrode axially set back from the active electrode and separated from the active electrode by an insulation member, the arrangement being such that, when an electrosurgical cutting voltage is applied to the electrode assembly, tissue can be pulled against the distal end of the tube to form a slug of resected tissue within the tube, wherein the bipolar electrosurgical assembly has a first circumferential region and a second circumferential region, the first circumferential region extending continuously around at least 50% of the circumference of the tube, the return electrode being present in both the first and second circumferential regions, the active electrode being present in the first circumferential region but disabled in the second circumferential region such that the bipolar electrosurgical assembly is adapted to cut tissue preferentially in the first circumferential region as compared with the second circumferential region.