Patent ID: 6358249
Filing Date: 2002-03-19
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A scissorlike electrosurgical cutting instrument comprising:a first member having at least one cutting edge; a second member having an anvil surface opposing the cutting edge; means for maintaining the cutting edge substantially parallel to the anvil surface in which at least one of the first and second members moves relative to the other member between an open and closed position such that the cutting edge comes into substantial contact with the anvil surface when the members are in their closed position; at least two electrodes of opposite polarity for providing electrical energy for cauterization of tissue; isolating means for electrically isolating the first member from the second member; and scissorlike actuation means for moving the first and second members between the open and closed positions; wherein the anvil surface is non-conductive and the first member having two cutting edges, each cutting edge comprises an electrode, one electrode being of opposite polarity to the other, the first member further having a non-conductive insulating layer disposed between the two cutting edges for electrically isolating one cutting edge from the other and wherein the anvil surface further having a recessed portion for acceptance of the cutting edges when the first and second members are in their closed position.