Patent ID: 6395002
Filing Date: 2002-05-28
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
An electrosurgical bipolar electrode for punching a hole in the tympanic membrane of a patient, comprising;(a) an electrically-conductive member having a first end and a second end, (b) said second end having an active, electrically-conductive, end portion comprising a hollow tube terminating in a circular sharpened edge having a diameter of about 2-3 mm, (c) said active end portion being exposed electrically for applying electrosurgical currents to said tympanic membrane when the electrically-conductive member is connected to a source of electrosurgical currents, (d) portions of the electrically-conductive member adjacent said exposed end portion being electrically-insulating to prevent contact and passage of electrosurgical currents to tissue areas adjacent to or surrounding the hole to be punched, (e) the electrically-conductive member with its circular sharpened edge being split into two electrically-insulated semi-circular sharp edges, the electrosurgical currents being generated when an electrosurgical voltage is impressed across the two electrically-insulated semi-circular sharp edges, (f) whereby a 2-3 mm hole is punched in the tympanic membrane when the electrosurgical source is activated and the sharp edges of the electrode is placed against the tympanic membrane.