Patent ID: 6348051
Filing Date: 2002-02-19
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A dissection instrument for surgical operations, comprising:a non-conductive, mechanical working instrument including a non-conductive working end portion for the mechanical cutting, opening, pushing or pulling of tissue; a holding device mounted to the non-conductive, mechanical working instrument for moving the non-conductive, mechanical working instrument and locating the non-conductive working end portion in contact with tissue; and a coagulation device comprising, (a) a gas-supply conduit extending through the holding device to supply an ionizable gas to a region at the site of the non-conductive working end portion and the tissue; and (b) a current conductor to conduct a coagulation current, said current conduct or extending through the gas-supply conduit and including an electrode end adjacent the non-conductive working end portion, and an opposite end for coupling to an HF current source, to produce an electrical current conducted from the electrode end through plasma to the tissue for the purpose of coagulating, in particular stanching bleeding; wherein the non-conductive, mechanical working instrument is electrically insulated from the electrode end such that the coagulation current can be applied to the tissue without being conducted through the non-conductive, mechanical working instrument, even while the non-conductive working end portion is in contact with the tissue.