Patent ID: 6458128
Filing Date: 2002-10-01
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A bipolar electrosurgical instrument comprising:a handle, the handle having a proximal end, a distal end: an inner cavity, a top and a bottom; a first electrical conductor and a second electrical conductor mounted to the handle; a shaft having a distal end, a proximal end, a lumen, and a longitudinal axis, the proximal end of the shaft mounted to the distal end of the handle handle; a first jaw member and a second opposed jaw member extending from the distal end of said shaft, said second jaw member movable between an open position and a closed position relative to the first jaw member for approximating tissue therebetween in a tissue grasping region; a first electrode positioned on one of said first and second jaws and electrically connected to the first conductor, said first electrode having a first conducting surface for contacting tissue approximated between said first and second jaw members, said first conducting surface having a first electrical polarity; a first longitudinal lower channel in said first jaw member and a second longitudinal channel formed in the second jaw member, said first and second channels forming a cutting passage when said the second jaw member is in the closed position; an elongated cutting member having a blade member for cutting tissue approximated between said first and second jaw members when said blade member is moved within said cutting passage from a first distal position to a second proximal position, wherein said first distal position is distal to said tissue grasping region, and said second proximal position is proximal to said tissue grasping region; an elongated member slidably mounted in the lumen of the shaft, the member having a proximal end, a distal end, a top surface, opposed side surfaces and a bottom surface, said elongated member comprising a second electrode, said second electrode electrically connected to the second conductor, said second electrode having a second conducting surface for contacting tissue approximated between said upper and lower jaws when said cutting member is in said distal position, said second electrode surface having a second electrical polarity that is opposite of said first electrical polarity; a moving member having a distal end and a proximal end, said moving member being slidably mounted to the shaft; a first actuator mounted to said handle for moving the elongated member distally and proximally, said acuator having a distal mounting member mounted to the proximal end of the elongated member; and, a second actuator mounted to said handle for moving the second jaw to the open and closed positions, said actuator having a distal mounting member mounted to the proximal end of the moving member, wherein bipolar electrosurgical energy may be conducted between said first conducting surface and said second conducting surface through tissue approximated between the first and second jaw members, and wherein the second electrode surface does not contact said tissue when said cutting member is in said proximal position.