Patent ID: 6773432
Filing Date: 2004-08-10
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
An electrosurgical instrument adapted for use with an electrosurgical generator to sever an element of tissue from a patient at an operative site, comprising:a handle having an elongate configuration and extending between a proximal end and a distal end; an electrosurgical assembly extending from the distal end of the handle and forming a continuous loop disposed generally in a loop plane, the electrosurgical assembly being free of any obstruction on at least one side of the loop plane to facilitate placement of the continuous loop over the element of tissue to be severed; the electrosurgical assembly being moveable by operation of the handle between an enlarged state wherein the continuous loop has a first size facilitating engagement of the element of tissue and a contracted state wherein the continuous loop has a second size smaller than the first size facilitating severance of the element of tissue from the patient; an electrosurgical element bent back on itself to form the continuous loop in the assembly, the electrosurgical element having an outer surface, an axis, and a lumen extending along the axis; portions of the electrosurgical element defining a plurality of slots providing fluid communication between the lumen and the outer surface to facilitate passage of a fluid between the lumen of the electrosurgical element and the operative site.