Patent ID: 6139547
Filing Date: 2000-10-31
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A partially coated electrosurgical electrode for the application of electromagnetic energy in either a monopolar or a bipolar circuit through the tissue and the bodily fluids of an animal or human comprising:an electrically conductive electrode for connection to a source of electromagnetic electrosurgical energy and for transmission of the electromagnetic electrosurgical energy in the circuit to and through the tissue and the bodily fluids of the animal or human;a portion of the electrically conductive electrode having a medical grade biocompatible metallic material as a substrate thereof, the portion located for the application of electromagnetic energy in either a monopolar or a bipolar circuit to and through the tissue and the bodily fluids of an animal or human;conductive sites for passing electrosurgical energy, the conductive sites located on and in uninterrupted contact with the portion of the medical grade biocompatible metallic material substrate, the conductive sites including peaks and valleys and formed of conductive material, wherein the conductive sites on the substrate transmits energy in the form of electrons and wherein the medical grade biocompatible metallic material substrate is substantially an electric arc sprayed deposition of an alloy of stainless steel;a partial coating residing primarily in the valleys disposed for contact with the tissue and the bodily fluids of the animal or human during electrosurgical application of the partially coated electrosurgical electrode, the partial coating having a low surface free energy, wherein the partial coating is a fluorinated polymer and includes a compounded solid lubricant;a treated surface substantially across the peaks and generally over the filled valleys of the partially coated electrically conductive electrode, the treated surface being relatively smooth for non stick characteristics during application of electrosurgical effects to tissue and bodily fluids, andopenings in the treated surface through the partial coating, the openings formed in the treated surface at the peaks exposing the conductive material of the conductive sites, the openings located primarily among the valleys filled with the partial coating, wherein the treated surface is reduced to a level so the openings and the filled valleys of the partial coating form a generally smooth surface for reducing mechanical coupling of coagulum and lowering the surface free energy thereacross.