Patent ID: 7137982
Filing Date: 2006-11-21
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. An electrosurgical instrument for excising of tissue, comprising: (a) an elongated handle portion having a longitudinal axis and comprising at a proximate end electrical contacts for receiving electrosurgical RF currents and a fitting for receiving suction, (b) a suction conduit within the handle portion and connected at one end to the fitting, (c) the handle portion having at a distal end a generally cup-shaped fixed member having an open top with an annular leading edge and an interior, the cup-shaped member having a closed rear portion, with the rear portion being electrically-insulating with respect to externally-contacted tissue. (d) an active electrode at the distal end of the handle portion, the active electrode comprising a bare annular electrically-conductive element provided at the annular leading edge of the cup-shaped member, (e) means for connecting the electrical contacts to the active electrode, (f) the suction conduit at its distal end opening from the rear portion and facing into the interior of the cup-shaped member providing access for the suction to the cup interior, (g) portions of said handle portion except for the active electrode being electrically insulating to prevent contact and passage of electrosurgical currents to areas adjacent to or surrounding the tissue to be excised when electrosurgical currents are supplied to the electrical contacts and suction applied to the fitting during a surgical procedure.