Patent ID: 8568411
Filing Date: 2013-10-29
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. An electrosurgical tool comprising: a first jaw; a second jaw pivotable with respect to the first jaw; a plurality of electrodes including: wherein the electrosurgical tool is selectively configurable in a coagulation configuration and a cutting configuration wherein in the coagulation configuration at least one of the first, second, and third electrodes is electrically coupled with a source of electrical energy having a first polarity and at least one other of the plurality of electrodes is electrically coupled with a source of electrical energy having a second polarity generally opposite the first polarity, and in the cutting configuration such that one of the first, second, and third electrodes is electrically coupled with a source of electrical energy having a cutting voltage and at least one other of the plurality of electrodes is configured to be a return electrode; further comprising a fourth electrode positioned on the second jaw and a fifth electrode positioned on the first jaw, the third and fifth electrodes are similar in dimensions and the first and second electrodes are similar in dimensions; wherein in the cutting configuration, the third and fifth electrodes are electrically coupled with the source of electrical energy having the cutting voltage and the first and second electrodes are configured to be return electrodes; wherein the third electrode is planar and is between the first and second electrodes both of which are hemispherical and the third electrode extends towards the second jaw and is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the first jaw; wherein the fifth electrode is planar aligned with the third electrode and is between the first and second electrodes and the fifth electrode extends away from the second jaw and is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the first jaw.