Patent ID: 8038676
Filing Date: 2011-10-18
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. An electrosurgical instrument comprising two branches which are joined to one another in an articulated manner and which are adapted to open and to close in a scissor-like manner; electrode parts located at distal ends of the branches and which are electrically insulated from one another and which are adapted to grasp tissue and to pass a coagulation current through the tissue for the purpose of coagulating the tissue; current-supply devices adapted to supply said coagulation current to said the electrode parts; a cutting section located on at least one said electrode part and adapted to operate as a cutting electrode whereby said one electrode part comprises said cutting section and a coagulation section; and a control unit adapted to control high frequency current in such a way that when a threshold value characterizing a particular property of grasped tissue has been reached, a cutting current different from said coagulation current is supplied to at least said cutting section, wherein the two branches are oppositeely situated, wherein the cutting section is constructed as a component that can be moved relative to the coagulation section by means of positioning devices, the positioning devices comprising a two-armed lever rotatably seated in one of the two branches, the two-armed lever having a first end and a second end, such that the first end is provided to accommodate the cutting section and the second end is provided to make contact with at least one of the oppositely situated other of said branches and a spacer disposed on the oppositely situated other of said branches, such that when contact is made, the cutting section can be moved in the direction of the opposite electrode part, and a readjustment device adapted to move said cutting section back into its initial position after said contact period has ended.