Inert gas enhanced electrosurgical apparatus

摘要

An inert gas enhanced electrosurgical apparatus is disclosed including a housing having at least one ridge formed therein. An electrode assembly has at least a portion thereof disposed within the housing. A support member has at least a portion thereof disposed within the housing and about at least a portion of the electrode assembly. The ridges of the housing are engageable with the support member such that a seal is formed therebetween. The housing can include a first opening adjacent a distal portion of the housing and a second opening adjacent a proximal portion of the housing. Ribs may be formed on an inner surface of the housing. An electrical spring contact may be disposed within the housing and configured to cooperate with the ribs to facilitate electrical communication with the electrode assembly. Wedge projections may be disposed on an outer surface of the housing. The electrode assembly can include an adjustment assembly coaxially disposed about an outer surface of the electrode assembly including a neck member that engages the wedge projections of the housing for incrementally adjusting an amount of movement of the electrode assembly relative to the housing. The support member may include a shroud and an attachment portion. The seal may comprise an O ring seal formed about the shroud. <IMAGE>