Patent ID: 6565560
Filing Date: 2003-05-20
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
An electrosurgical instrument for the treatment of tissue in the presence of an electrically-conductive fluid medium, the instrument comprising:an instrument shaft, a tissue treatment electrode mounted at the distal end of the shaft, removal means comprising a channel formed within the instrument shaft, and an apertured portion through which matter can be aspirated by the removal means from the region surrounding the tissue treatment electrode, the removal means extending from the apertured portion, wherein the channel is provided with agitation means movable relative thereto, the agitation means being a rod mounted within and movable relative to the instrument shaft, the rod being rotatable within the channel and formed with a portion off-set from the longitudinal axis of the instrument shaft, whereby the off-set portion rotates within the channel around the longitudinal axis of the instrument shaft when the rod is rotated within the channel.