BIPOLAR ELECTROSURGICAL TOOL WITH ACTIVE AND RETURN ELECTRODES SHAPED TO FOSTER DIFFUSE CURRENT FLOW IN THE TISSUE ADJACENT THE RETURN ELECTRODE

摘要

A bipolar electrosurgical tool including a shaft to which active and return electrodes are mounted. The return electrode is mounted to the shaft and shaped to have an exposed surface that, in at least one direction has a substantially linear profile. A bore extends through the return electrode and opens into the portion of the exposed surface with the substantially linear profile. The active electrode is seated in the bore and extends forward from the exposed surface. A collar formed from electrically insulating material extends over the portion of the active electrode adjacent the return electrode. The collar extends both outwardly of the active electrode and forward of the exposed surface of the return electrode.