Patent ID: 6645203
Filing Date: 2003-11-11
Classification: A61B,A61N

Abstract:
A surgical instrument, comprising:a handle; an elongated probe connected to the handle and having a terminus distal to the handle; at least one electrode including an electrode surface positioned on the terminus so that a line from a geometric center of the electrode surface and substantially perpendicular to the electrode surface intersects at an angle a longitudinal axis formed by the elongated probe; and a conductor for attaching the at least one electrode to the handle, the elongated probe further comprising an elongated probe member having proximal and distal extremities, the handle connected to the proximal extremity, and the at least one electrode carried by the distal extremity, the probe member including a shaft having proximal and distal ends and a distal opening, the at least one electrode including a flat perforated plate and a cap, the perforated plate being fixed to the distal end of the shaft and partially covering the distal opening, the cap enclosing the perforated plate and a portion of the distal end of the shaft, wherein the plate is affixed to the distal end by epoxy, the surgical instrument further comprising a thermal couple extending through the shaft and the perforated plate, the thermal couple including a terminus located adjacent the cap.