Patent ID: 6165175
Filing Date: 2000-12-26
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A bipolar electrosurgical instrument comprising:a handle;an elongated tube connected to a distal end of said handle;a jaw assembly connected to a distal end of said elongated tube, said jaw assembly having a bipolar end effector which is electrically connected to said handle by a plurality of conductors, said end effector comprising:a first tissue surface;a first elongated electrode on a first side of said first tissue surface;a second elongated electrode on a second side of said first tissue surface, wherein said second elongated electrode is substantially parallel to said first electrode;a first central insulation region separating said first electrode from said second electrode;a second tissue surface separated from said first and second electrodes by a tissue slot, said tissue slot being defined by a distance between said first tissue surface and said second tissue surface, wherein said distance is fixed;a tissue separator positioned between said first and second tissue surfaces, wherein said tissue separator comprises:a dividing edge at a distal end of said tissue separator;a first tissue guide extending proximally away from said dividing edge toward said first side;a second tissue guide extending proximally away from said dividing edge toward said second side.