Patent ID: 7604635
Filing Date: 2009-10-20
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A fluid-assisted tissue grasping device configured to treat tissue in the presence of an electrically conductive fluid provided therefrom, the device comprising: a first jaw and a second jaw, at least one of the jaws being movable toward the other jaw; the first jaw comprising a first jaw tissue grasping surface and the second jaw comprising a second jaw tissue grasping surface, the tissue grasping surface of each jaw comprising an electrically insulative surface; a first electrode and a second electrode, the first and second electrodes configured to have opposite polarity when electrically coupled to a radio frequency power source and positioned for an electrical current from the first and second electrodes to flow in tissue grasped between the tissue grasping surfaces substantially parallel to the tissue grasping surfaces; the first jaw tissue grasping surface and the second jaw tissue grasping surface medial to the first electrode and the second electrode; at least one fluid delivery passage; a first fluid outlet and a second fluid outlet, at least one of the first fluid outlet and the second fluid outlet in fluid communication with the at least one fluid delivery passage; and at least one obstruction configured to inhibit a fluid shunt from forming between the first and second electrodes.