Patent ID: 7211084
Filing Date: 2007-05-01
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A bipolar blade comprising: first and second electrodes, and a first electrical insulator spacing apart the electrodes, the first electrode having a cross-sectional area which is less than the cross-sectional area of the second electrode, such that the first electrode is encouraged to become an active electrode and the second electrode is encouraged to become a return electrode, the spacing between the electrodes being between 0.25 mm and 1.0 mm, such that, when the electrodes are in contact with tissue and an electrosurgical cutting voltage is applied therebetween, arcing does not occur directly between the electrodes, a third electrode adapted to coagulate tissue, the third electrode being separated from the second electrode by a second electrical insulator, wherein the first, second and third electrodes are provided as layers in a sandwich structure with the first electrode being in the middle, there being layers of insulator between each of the electrodes, and wherein the first electrode protrudes slightly beyond the periphery of the first and second insulators, around the circumference thereof, such that there is a surface discontinuity between each of the side surfaces of the first electrode and the corresponding side surfaces of the insulators spacing the first electrode apart from the second and third electrodes.