Patent ID: 8177784
Filing Date: 2012-05-15
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. An electrosurgical instrument comprising: a linear elongate conductive shaft having a longitudinal axis, a proximal end configured for connection to an electrosurgical power source and a distal end having a layered electrode assembly mounted at an angle thereto by means of a pair of parallel conductive members that facilitate the attachment of said electrosurgical instrument to a resectoscope, said conductive members having respective proximal ends affixed to the distal end of the shaft and respective distal ends affixed to said layered electrode assembly; wherein said layered electrode assembly has an upper surface and a lower surface and a vertical axis that extends between said surfaces and is transverse to said longitudinal axis, said assembly comprising (a) a planar insulator formed from a nonconductive dielectric material sandwiched between (b) an active electrode formed from an electrically conductive material and electrically connected to said conductive shaft and (c) a floating electrode formed from an electrically conductive material that is not directly connected to an electrosurgical power source, wherein the vertical axis of the electrode assembly forms an acute angle with a longitudinal axis of elongate shaft, further wherein: