Patent ID: 6090108
Filing Date: 2000-07-18
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A bipolar electrosurgical instrument, comprising:a) a first blade member having an electrically conductive portion, a shearing surface and a cutting edge,b) a second blade member having an electrically conductive portion, a shearing surface and a cutting edge, said second blade member bearing a ceramic coating on at least part of its shearing surface, the cutting edge of said second blade member being defined by an obtuse included angle and lying in a first plane which is substantially coplanar with its shearing surface, said second blade member having no cutting edge lying outside said first plane, said second blade member having a second substantially planar surface lying in a second plane which intersects said first plane along said cutting edge, said second substantially planar surface including a substantially planar portion of said electrically conductive portion;c) means for pivotally joining said first and second blade members together with their respective shearing surfaces facing one another;d) means coupled to at least one of said first and second blade members for inpartinga scissors-like movement relative to the other of said first and second blade members; ande) means for applying a voltage between the electrically conductive portions of said first and second blade member.