Patent ID: 7195630
Filing Date: 2007-03-27
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A bipolar electrosurgical instrument, comprising: a handle at a proximal end; an active electrode electrically coupled to an electrosurgical generator for providing electrosurgical energy thereto and a return electrodes said active and return electrodes being located at a distal end of the instrument and electrically insulated from one another; a shaft extending between the handle and the distal end; a converting element including an electrically conductive portion, the converting element being slidably movable between a first extended position wherein the electrically conductive portion is in electrical contact with the active electrode and not the return electrode so as to form part of the active electrode and thereby increase an effective surface area of the active electrode relative to the return electrode, and a second retracted position wherein the electrically conductive portion is not in electrical contact with the active electrode to thereby decrease the effective surface area of the active electrode relative to the return electrode as compared to the first position, wherein the instrument uses bipolar energy applied by the electrosurgical generator to the active electrode in both the first and second positions.