Patent ID: 6468275
Filing Date: 2002-10-22
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A bipolar electrosurgical instrument comprising:a handle; an elongated tube connected to a distal end of said handle; a jaw assembly connected to a distal end of said elongated tube, said jaw assembly having a bipolar end effector which is electrically connected to said handle by a plurality of conductors, said end effector comprising: a first tissue surface, wherein said first tissue surface comprises a first side and a second side; a second tissue surface separated from said first tissue surface by a tissue slot, said tissue slot being defined by a separation distance between said first tissue surface and said second tissue surface, wherein said separation distance is fixed; a plurality of elongated electrodes, wherein said elongated electrodes are located on at least one of said tissue surfaces and are electrically isolated from each other; a tissue separator positioned between said first and said second tissue surfaces, wherein said tissue separator comprises: a dividing edge at the distal end of said tissue separator; a first tissue guide extending proximally away from said dividing edge toward said first side; a second tissue guide extending proximally away from said dividing edge toward said second side.