Abstract:
The bipolar modular forceps assembly is a disposable electrosurgical device utilized with an RF voltage supply to weld soft tissue to prevent bleeding when cut or excised. The device consists of two modularly constructed arms arranged in scissor configuration that clamp when the arms are apart and open when the arms are squeezed together. The wires enter from the rear of the device, behind the digit insertion of the upper arm, and run through the interior of the upper arm before reaching the pivot point. From the pivot joint, one wire continues to the bottom jaw and the other wire wraps around the pin bushing in the pivot joint and proceeds to the top jaw. At all times the wires are fully insulated by the insulative cover with the only exposed wire occurring where they enter the device. The bipolar voltage of each wire is transferred to an electrode on each jaw. The electrodes are insulated from surrounding tissue by the insulative jaw, which contains visible markings showing the beginning, middle and end of the electrode. Both the insulative jaw and the electrode are interchangeable and made from moldable material to allow for different sizes and shapes. When no voltage is applied the tool can be used as a blunt dissector.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The Bipolar Forceps Modular Assembly is an electrosurgical instrument used which when connected to an RF voltage supplying machine can be used sealing, welding, cutting, coagulation, fusing and transecting tissue. Tissue welding is a smokeless method to prevent bleeding without charring the soft tissue. 
         [0003]    RF voltage is utilized to weld soft tissue to prevent bleeding during incisions or excision of soft tissue. The system works through attachment of a bipolar tool to an RF voltage supply. The bipolar tool uses two electrodes of opposite polarity that clamp to each side of soft tissue. When the RF voltage is applied, the soft tissue is heated. Once the tissue has been heated to the appropriate temperature, the result is believed to include the albumin proteins apparently beginning to denature and forming tangled strands, resulting in coagulation. The welded tissue can then be cut without any bleeding occurring due to the coagulation effect of the tangled denatured albumin protein. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    The prior art includes hand tools that are made of metal and may include some type of insulative or non conductive insulation. Additionally, the prior art includes bipolar hand tools that includes wires that are connected to a power source and to a forceps type tool. The apparatus in US patent publication No. 20070066969A1 utilizes disposable jaw sections with a cable that is connected to opposing electrodes and a separate enclosure assembly attached to the hand piece to insulate the wires. 
         [0006]    The apparatus in US patent publication No. 20050101945A1 shows the wires supplying the bipolar RF voltage entering independently through each arm, distinct from the disclosed invention with supplies the wires through one arm. 
         [0007]    The apparatus in US patent publication No. 20060064086A1 utilizes a separate jaw assembly that independently attaches to each arm of the forceps. Additionally the apparatus in said invention uses microsealing pads. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The bipolar modular forceps assembly is a handheld electrosurgical instrument utilized to cut, weld, fuse and coagulate soft tissue, hereinafter referred to as soft tissue welding, and to prevent bleeding when tissue is cut or excised with use of an additional cutting tool. Attached to an RF power supply, the bipolar modular forceps assembly provides for an insulated, effective, safe and inexpensive instrument to facilitate soft tissue welding. 
         [0009]    The forceps are in a scissors-like configuration with the ability to be open and closed manually through manipulation of the user&#39;s own digits. Each arm is modularly constructed and comprising of opposing structural metal frame members having two pivoted arms and inner and outer cover members for each arm. Each structural metal frame member is partly enclosed by inner and outer cover members, leaving a leading tapered end of the structural frame. An insulative jaw cap attaches to and encloses each leading tapered end, but leaves an exposed portion on the non-clamping side. On the clamping side of each jaw, an electrode is attached and set into a holding cavity in each jaw. Insulated wires carry the bipolar RF voltage to the electrodes through only one arm and are enclosed by one of the sets of inner and outer covers of the forceps and enter from behind the digit insertion ring of the upper arm. The insulated wires run from the rear of the forceps assembly through the upper arm to the pivot joint. One wire passes directly through the arm along the stainless steel structural frame member and is connected to the jaw at the distal end of the arm that initially carried both wires from behind the digit insertion ring. The other wire passes from behind the digit insertion ring, then over or around the pivot joint and pin, through the inner covers and over to the leading edge of the stainless steel structural frame member of the other arm. Once past the pivot joint each wire carries electrical RF voltage to the opposing jaw members and to the electrodes attached to each jaw member. 
         [0010]    The electrodes are part of the electrically insulative jaw cap system and when not actuated by a bipolar RF voltage can be used as a blunt-end dissector. When clamped, the two jaws grasp the soft tissue. Once actuated, the voltage runs between the two conductive electrodes on both jaws and into the soft tissue to treat it. The insulative jaw caps contain markings show the operator the beginning, middle, and end of the electrode to ensure the exact location of tissue is being welded. Using a tapered jaw, or other useful shape, the forceps may be used as blunt dissectors by inserting the front end in the closed position into a gap or opening in the tissue and using the non-clamping side of each jaw to separate and dissect the tissue. 
         [0011]    The bipolar modular forceps assembly is inexpensive to make and as such can be used as a disposable device. The modular construction of the device allows for interchangeable parts such as increased handle size or different electrode configurations. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a side profile view of the invention with the jaws in the closed position. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a bottom profile view looking up at the lower arm of the invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a composite drawing of the modular construction of the invention as viewed from the side. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a cross sectional view of the invention taken from the perspective of the pivot joint viewing towards the jaws. 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is an angular cross sectional view showing the wire configuration around the pivot joint. 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a cross sectional view of the invention taken from the perspective of the interchangeable modular jaw members viewing towards the pivot joint. 
           [0018]      FIG. 7   a  is a bottom side perspective view of the electrode in one embodiment. 
           [0019]      FIG. 7   b  is a top side perspective view of the electrode. 
           [0020]      FIG. 8  is a top side angular view of the electrode in an alternative embodiment showing a cutting member. 
           [0021]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the stainless steel structural frame member showing the passage of the RF voltage carrying wires along the elongated portion of the frame. 
           [0022]      FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view of the upper arm showing the connection between the wires and the connector. 
           [0023]      FIG. 11  is a composite drawing of the construction of the connector. 
           [0024]      FIG. 12   a  is a top side perspective view of the interchangeable modular jaw member. 
           [0025]      FIG. 12   b  is a bottom side perspective view of the interchangeable modular jaw member. 
           [0026]      FIG. 13   a  is a cross sectional perspective view of the wire side plug 
           [0027]      FIG. 13   b  is a perspective view of the non-wire side plug. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0028]      FIG. 1  illustrates the side view structure of the bipolar modular forceps assembly. In an opposing scissors-like configuration, the upper arm member  21  and lower arm member  1  meet at pivot joint  43 , located proximal to the front of the forceps. Upper arm member  21  features a digit insertion ring  37 , finger grooves  66  and a first opposing jaw member  49  at extreme opposite ends with an elongate shaft  21   a  connecting the two functional features; the pivot joint  43  is proximally located to the bottom jaw member  49 . The first opposing jaw member holds a first opposing electrode in a holding cavity. Also, the upper arm member is comprised of a first and second opposed elongated cover members which partially enclose a first opposed structural frame member scissor arm. Lower arm member  1  features a digit insertion ring  17 , finger grooves  67  and a second opposing jaw member  53  at extreme opposite ends with an elongate shaft  1   a  connecting the two functional features; the pivot joint  43  is proximally located to the top opposing jaw member  53 . The second opposing jaw member holds a second opposing electrode in a holding cavity. Also, the upper arm member is comprised of a third and fourth opposed elongated cover members which partially enclose a second opposed structural frame member scissor arm. The first, second, third and fourth cover members are made of moldable material. The cover members, however, can but need not be made of insulative material. The pivot joint  43  connects the upper arm and lower arm together. Connected to the upper arm is a cable  77  and connector  79  which can be attached to an RF voltage source to power the electrodes. 
         [0029]    In the clamped but unlocked configuration as shown in  FIG. 1 , the bottom opposing jaw member  49  and top jaw member  53  clamp at two places; the first clamping point is between the clamp stops  64  and  63  and the second is between the electrodes,  51  and  55 . Clamp stops  64  and  63  on the bottom opposing jaw member  49  and top opposing jaw member  53 , respectively, provide a dead stop located at one end of each jaw, proximal to pivot joint  43 . Textures,  64   d  and  63   d  respectively, of clamp stops  64  and  63  are roughened for added friction (see  FIGS. 12 and 12   b ). The second clamping point occurs at the opposed end of the jaws, distal to pivot joint  43 , at the two electrodes  51  and  55  located on top opposing jaw member  53  and bottom opposing jaw member  49 , respectively. In the clamped configuration, with the two clamp stops  64  and  63  touching, the digit insertion ring  37  on the upper arm  21  and digit insertion ring  17  on the lower arm  1  are at the nearest point that these stops allow. Regulated by the height of the clamp stops, a gap of about 0.0025 to 0.006 inches is maintained between the two electrodes  51  and  55  so that they do not touch each other when the tool is closed. The clamp stops can be molded to increase or decrease the gap between electrodes by raising the height of the stop height  63   b  (shown in  FIG. 12   b ) and  64   b . It is a preferred practice, however, that the electrodes should not directly touch each other. To open the jaws of the bipolar modular forceps assembly, the operator&#39;s digits, inserted in the upper arm  21  at digit insertion ring  37  and lower arm  1  at digit insertion ring  17 , are spread apart to pivot both arms further apart and open the bottom jaw  49  and top jaw  53 . Arm stops, comprised of members  68 ,  68   a ,  69 , and  69   a , are built into the inner portions of the upper and lower arm to prevent over separation of the two arms and the bottom and top jaws. In the open configuration, tissue can then be placed in between the jaws and subsequently clamped by the operator squeezing the rings together, in the opposite manner of opening the bipolar modular forceps assembly. The ratchet teeth  35   a  on the locking member  35  on the upper arm  21  mate with ratchet teeth  15   a  on the locking member  15  on the lower arm  1  to form a releasable locking mechanism that allows the jaws to be locked together by closing the forceps and without having to maintain force on the forceps. The locking mechanism is overcome through the operator exerting downward and side-way pressure pulling the two locking members  15  and  35  laterally apart so that the ratchet teeth  35   a  disengage from the corresponding ratchet locking teeth  15   a . This locking mechanism is standard on many forceps. 
         [0030]    The use of opposing interchangeable modular jaw members and opposing interchangeable electrodes allows for the attachments of various shaped jaws and electrodes on the tool. For instance, the electrodes on the jaws could be sized and shaped for various forms of tissue treatment (see  FIGS. 6 and 8 ). Various sizes and shapes of jaws and electrodes could be used. Because the jaws may be moldable plastic or other insulative material the desired shape for a particular type of surgery can be used in combination with the other common components of the tool. The jaws could be various shapes such as a platypus, square, rectangular, circular, and oval depending on the type of surgery. 
         [0031]    When not used as a tissue treatment device, the apparatus can be used as a tissue dissector. The embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  shows the jaw members  53  and  49  having a tapered end. Also,  FIGS. 2 and 9  show that the non-clamping side of each jaw member has an exposed leading edge  33   d  and  13   d  (shown in  FIG. 3 ) of the stainless steel structural frame members,  27  and  7 , respectively. These exposed leading edges provide a dissection surface. Utilizing the pointed ends  52   a  and  49   a , the apparatus can be leveraged into an opening in tissue and dissected by opening the scissor arms. This widens the tissue opening and facilitates access to underlying tissue. 
         [0032]      FIGS. 12   a  and  12   b  illustrate the opposing interchangeable modular jaw member construction. The modular jaw members are constructed from insulative material to insulate and shield each exposed wire from the stainless steel structural member and the user. This construction electrically isolates the electrode from the frame and the user without the necessity of using covers made from insulative material. The opposing interchangeable modular jaw member is comprised of a front face  53   a , side external walls  53   b  and  53   c  which continue from the front face to the arm connecting end  53   g  of the jaw, an electrode holding cavity  50 , bottom surfaces  53   j  and  63   c , a clamp stop  63 , and the clamp stop bulge  63   a . The internal portion of the modular jaw is comprised of a channel member  53   k  with channel walls  53   e  and  53   d  and a channel bottom surface  53   h . The clamping side of the jaw member is the side comprising the electrode holding cavity  50 , the bottom surfaces  53   i  and  53   j , and the clamp stop  63 . The non-clamping side is the side comprising frame channel  53   k  where the stainless steel structural frame member slides in and forms top exposed leading edge  13   d  (not shown). This opposing modular jaw member accepts the structural frame member into the channel member, accepts the electrode into the electrode holding cavity, and accepts one RF voltage wire into the wire entrance. 
         [0033]    The desired shape of the electrode and the shape of the structural frame member leading edge factor in to shape the modular jaw member. The electrode holding cavity is shaped to accept the electrode and one wire that runs from the stainless steel structural frame member. The electrode holding cavity shown in  FIG. 7   a  is comprised of a front wall  50   d , side walls  50   b  and  50   c , a bottom surface  50   a , and a wire opening  50   e . The front wall and side walls are set into the jaw at edge line  53   n  which has a shaped to allow the electrode to snugly rest in the jaw to a depth corresponding to the height of front and side walls. This height is set to allow the electrode to protrude a desired amount and also to provide enough surface area to bond the electrode to the walls of the cavity. The intersection of the side and front cavity wall and the bottom surface form bottom edge line  50   f . At the wire entrance  50   e , located at the distal end from the front wall, the cavity is open to the interior of the modular jaw. This entrance allows the wire carrying RF voltage to enter the cavity and connect to the electrode. The edge line  53   n  and shape of the electrode determine the shape of jaw bottom edge line  53   o . This edge line extends from the arm-connecting portion  53   g  along the bulging portion  63   a , up towards the electrode holding cavity, along the contour of the edge line  53   n , and then back to  53   g . The purpose of the bulging portion  63   a  is to allow space within the jaw member to receive the conductor wire as it passes from the stainless steel member to the wire entrance. In turn, the modular jaw front face and side external walls extend vertically from the edge line  53   o . The height of these walls is variable to allow for different shapes to the opposing interchangeable modular jaw member. 
         [0034]    In its preferred embodiment, the electrode is molded from a conductive material.  FIGS. 7   a  and  7   b  illustrate the construction of electrode  51 . The electrode&#39;s shape can be variable to allow for different bonding and cutting scenarios. The electrode  51  is comprised of a top face  51   d , a top face edge line  51   h , side walls  51   b  and  51   c , a front face  51   e , a back face  51   f , a bottom face  51   a , and a wire inlay  70 . The shape of the bonding surface can be varied by reshaping the bonding surface edge  51   h . The side, front and back walls extend perpendicularly from this at a desired height to allow the electrode to attach in the electrode holding cavity. Except at the wire inlay portion of the electrode, the bottom edge line  51   g  follows the shape of the top edge line and forms the bottom face. The bottom edge line  51   g  is broken by the top cavity edge line  51   i  which forms the top of an inlay  70  into the solid electrode. The inlay is comprised of side walls  70   a  and  70   b , a front wall  70   d  and a bottom surface  70   c . These elements form the inlay opening  51   j  which is wide enough to house wire  47  and attach the exposed portion  47   a  so that it touches the electrode and conducts electrical current. 
         [0035]      FIG. 8  shows an alternative embodiment of the interchangeable electrode. The electrodes are interchangeable to allow for different surgical and medical techniques. In this embodiment the topography of the electrode  80  been varied by adding a cutting member  72  on its top face  80   d  with top face ledges  80   l  and  80   k . The cutting member is comprised of side cutting faces  72   a  and  72   b , a front face  72   e , a back face  72   d , and cutting edge  72   c . The cutting faces  72   a  and  72   b  may be angled from the horizontal top face  80   d  and the outer ledges  80   l  and  80   k  may be reduced in width to increase the cutting angle and cutting surface of the member. 
         [0036]      FIG. 6  illustrates the assembly of the opposing modular jaw member  53  with electrode  81 . The opposing modular jaw member  53  fits into the leading tapered edge  13  of the opposing structural frame member scissor arm  7  such that the leading edge fits fully into the channel member  53   k  and the front face of the leading edge  13   e  meets inner front face  53   p  (not shown). The channel walls  53   e  and  53   d  are bonded to the outer walls  13   a  and  13   b  of the stainless steel leading edge  13 , forming boundary  53   l . The bottom surface of the channel  53   h  is bonded to the bottom surface of the stainless steel leading edge  13   c . The top face of the leading edge  13   d  is left exposed. The wire  48  at its exposed end  48   a  enters the wire entrance  50   e  of the electrode cavity  50  such that the wire lies on the bottom surface  50   a  of the electrode cavity. Before bonding the electrode  81  to the electrode cavity, the exposed wire  48   a  is attached in the wire inlay  56  of the electrode. Then, the electrode&#39;s non-clamping surface  81   a  is set to face and bonded to cavity bottom surface  50   a  such that electrode cavity walls  50   b ,  50   c  and  50   e  (front wall) can be bonded to electrode side walls  81   b ,  81   c  and  81   e  (front surface). 
         [0037]    The marking lines  52  are shown on the side wall of bottom jaw  49  and indicate the beginning and end of the electrode  51  and a heavier marked line signifying the center of the electrode  51 . The marking indicator lines are displayed on both side walls of bottom jaw opposing modular jaw member  49  and on the exposed leading forward edge  33   d  of the opposing structural frame member scissor arm  27  that displays to the bottom of the invention (shown on  FIG. 2 ). A corresponding set of marking indicator lines  57  are displayed on top opposing modular jaw member  53  and leading forward edge  13  of the opposing structural frame  7  shown in  FIG. 3 . The marking indicator lines are useful to the operator so they can orient themselves as to the location of soft tissue being welded by the invention. 
         [0038]    Each scissor-like arm of the forceps is comprised of two mated cover members partially enclosing a structural metal frame member. In its preferred embodiment, the structural metal is stainless steel. Lower arm  1  comprises a first elongated cover member  2  which is mated and connected to second elongated cover member  14 , see  FIG. 3 , fully enclosing a first stainless steel structural frame member  7 , except at the tapered leading edge  13 , as shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  4 . The top opposing modular jaw member  53  at  53   f  is also attached to the tapered leading edge  13 , leaving the stainless steel structural frame member  7  exposed at  13   d  (see  FIG. 6 ). As shown in  FIG. 2 , the lower arm  1  also includes digit insertion ring  17  and finger grooves  66  located at the end distal from the modular jaw member. The lower arm is also comprised of a cylindrical entrance  88  which is plugged by the non-wire arm plug  74 . Upper arm  21  comprises a third opposed elongated cover member  22  which is mated and connected to a fourth opposed elongated cover member  34 , fully enclosing a second stainless steel structural frame member  27 , except at the tapered leading edge  33 . The bottom opposing modular jaw member  49  at  49   f  (not shown) is also attached to the tapered leading edge  33 , leaving the stainless steel structural frame member exposed  33   d . The upper arm  21  includes the digit insertion ring  37  and finger grooves  67  located at the rear of the device. 
         [0039]    On the lower arm  1 , the elongate shaft  1   a  extends from the digit insertion ring  17  to the bulging offset portion  1   b , which contains, in part, pivot joint  43 . Middle jutting portion  61  initiates the bulging offset portion distal to top jaw  53  and cap jutting portion  62  ends the bulging offset portion proximal to the top jaw  53  by returning the top jaw  53  to the same plane as the elongate shaft  1   a . The bulging offset portion  1   b  is broader than the elongate shaft  1   a  in order to encompass the pivot joint  43  and the bipolar wires  47  and  48  (shown on  FIGS. 4 and 5 ). On the upper arm  21 , the elongate shaft  21   a  extends from the digit insertion ring to the bulging offset portion  21   b  (shown on  FIG. 1 ), which contains pivot joint  43 . Middle jutting portion  59  initiates the bulging offset portion  21   b  distal to bottom modular jaw  49  and cap jutting portion  60  ends the bulging offset portion proximal to the bottom modular jaw  49  by returning the bottom jaw to the same plane as the elongate shaft  21   a . The bulging offset portion  21   b  is broader than the elongate shaft  21   a  in order to encompass the pivot joint  43  and the bipolar wires (shown on  FIGS. 3 ,  4  and  5 ). Additionally, the bulging offset portion, created by the middle and cap jutting portions, help establish both the upper arm  21  and lower arm  1  in the same vertical plane at the point of the digit insertion rings  17  and  37  and at the clamping point which assists in user-friendly operator control. 
         [0040]    The pivot joint  43  lays in the middle of the offset bulging portion of the upper arm  21  and the lower arm  1 . These bulging offset portions  21   b  and  1   b  lie parallel to the horizontal plane formed by the elongate shafts  21   a  and  1   a ; however these bulging offset portions have been offset from the elongate shaft horizontal plane to accommodate the pivot joint  45 . The middle jutting portion  61  of the lower arm  1  extends the elongate shaft  1   a  45 degrees away from the horizontal plane (see  FIG. 2 ). The lower arm continues horizontally through the pivot joint  43 , as the bulging offset  1   b , and then extends 45 degrees through end jutting portion  62  back towards the horizontal plane and to top jaw  53  (shown on  FIG. 1 ), returning the jaw  53  to the same horizontal plane as the elongate shaft and digit insertion ring of the lower arm. The middle jutting portion  59  of the upper arm  21  extends the elongate shaft  21   a  45 degrees away from the horizontal plane (see  FIG. 2 ). The upper arm continues horizontally through the pivot joint  43 , as the bulging offset  21   b , and then extends 45 degrees through end jutting portion  60  back towards the horizontal plane and to bottom jaw  49 , returning the jaw  49  to the same horizontal plane as the elongate shaft and digit insertion ring of the upper arm. 
         [0041]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , there is shown an exploded view of the components of the bipolar modular forceps assembly. The lower arm  1  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) comprises an elongated cover member  14 , elongated cover member  2 . The inner elongated cover member  14  may be a solid piece of molded material that comprises digit insertion ring  17 , locking member  15 , finger grooves  66 , elongated shaft  14   a , a circular opening that serves as part of the pivot joint  43 , bulging portions  18 ,  14   b , and  19 , and lip  20 . The lip  20  creates a U-shape with the legs of the lip  20  facing outwards and extending perpendicular from the inner surface  14   c . The U-shaped lip  20  extends the length of inner elongated cover member but does not encompass the digit insertion ring  17  but instead continues along the path of the elongated shaft  14   a  to the cylindrical opening  88  below digit insertion ring  17 . Molded cylindrical hollow female receptors  16  are located in the inner surface  14   c , with three located near the digit insertion ring and one in the bulging portion  16   b . The outer elongated cover member  2  is molded material with elongated shaft  2   a  that extends to the bulging offset portion  2   b . It also features a lip  4  that creates a U-shape with the lip facing inwards towards the lip  20  on inner cover member  14 . The outer elongated cover member  2  includes male cylindrical hollow female receptors  3  (not shown) on the inner surface  2   c  (not shown) that extend in the same manner as the lip  4  and correspond to cylindrical hollow female receptors  16 . The singular stainless steel structural frame member  7  of the lower arm  1 , fits within the lip  20  and lip  4 , and features inlet openings  8  spaced along the frame to correspond with the female joint receptors  16  on the inner surface  14   c  of inner elongated cover member  14 . In the bulge section  7   b  of the stainless steel structural frame member  7  is the entrance to pivot joint  9  which is surrounded on the exterior face with pin countersink  10 . The pin  41  passes through the entrance to pivot joint  9 . The outer cover member  2  of the upper arm is fastened to the apparatus by snapping the male connectors of the outer cover member  2  into the cylindrical hollow female receptors  16  on the inner cover member  14  inserting connecting directly to the male cylindrical pin connectors  3  on outer cover member. The lip  20  on the inner cover member  14  touches the lip  4  on inner cover member  2  forming seam  82  with the end result of stainless steel structural frame member  7  being fully enclosed by the inner cover member  14  and outer cover member  2  and having outer surfaces  14   d  and  2   d.    
         [0042]    The bulging offset portion  1   b  of the lower arm  1  comprises the bulging offset portion  14   b  of the inner cover member  14 ,  7   b  of the stainless steel structural frame member  7 , and  2   b  of the outer cover member  2 . The middle jutting portion  61  (shown on  FIG. 1 ) comprises middle jutting portion  18  on the inner cover member  14 , middle jutting portion  11  on stainless steel structural frame member  7 , and middle jutting portion  5  on outer cover member  2  (shown on  FIG. 3 ). The end jutting portion  62  (shown on  FIG. 1 ) comprises end jutting portion  19  on inner cover member  14 , end jutting portion  12  on stainless steel structural frame member  7 , and end jutting portion  6  on outer cover member  2  (shown on  FIG. 3 ). Inner cover member  14  and outer cover member  2  both terminate at the jaw connection point  62   a  (not shown) at the end of jutting portion  62 . The stainless steel structural frame member  7  continues through the end jutting portion  62 , emerging from the enclosed cover member as the leading tapered edge  13 . 
         [0043]    The leading tapered edge  13  of stainless steel structural frame member  7  features a platypus tapered profile with marking lines  57  displayed at its exposed end  13   d  and clamp stop  63  that when clamped touches bottom jaw  49 . The insulative top jaw  53  slides over the tapered leading edge  13  and abuts the cover (comprised of outer cover  14  and inner cover  2 ) at end jutting portion  62  (shown on  FIG. 1 ). The top jaw  53  is open at the top, exposing the leading tapered edge  13   d  with marking indicator lines  57  showing (not shown). On the clamping side of top jaw  53 , where it meets bottom jaw  49 , is an electrode  55 . The electrode  55  inserts into the top jaw  53  in cavity  54  (not shown). The electrode  55  has an inlay  56  (not shown) where wire  48  attaches and touches it, providing to the electrode RF voltage. The marking indicator lines  57  correspond to the beginning, middle, and end of the electrode  55 . The marking indicator lines  57  are located on both side walls of the top jaw  53  and on the top of the leading tapered edge  13   d  of the stainless steel structural frame member  7 . 
         [0044]    The upper arm  21  as shown in  FIG. 3  comprises elongated cover member  34 , elongated cover member  22  and enclosed stainless steel structural frame member  27 . The inner cover  34  is a solid piece of molded material that comprises a digit insertion ring  37 , a locking member  35 , finger grooves (figure numbers), elongated shaft  34   a , a circular opening that serves as the pivot joint  43 , bulging portions  38 ,  34   b , and  39 , and lip  40 . The U-shaped lip  40  extends the length of the inner elongated cover member but does not encompass the digit insertion ring  37  but instead continues along the path of the elongated shaft  34   a  to the cylindrical opening  58  below digit insertion ring  37 . Molded cylindrical hollow female receptors  36  (not shown) located in the inner surface  34   c  (not shown) and protrude out in the same direction as the lip  40 . The outer elongated cover member  22  is a singular molded piece with elongate shaft  22   a  that extends to the bulging offset portions  25 . It also features a lip  24  that creates a U-shape with the lip facing inwards towards the lip  40  on insulative inner cover  34 . The outer elongated cover member  22  includes male cylindrical pin connectors  23  on the inner surface  22   c  that protrude in the same manner as the lip  24  and correspond to cylindrical hollow female receptors  36 . The singular stainless steel structural frame member  27  of the upper arm  21  fits within the lip  40  and lip  24 . In the bulge section  27   b  of the stainless steel structural frame member  27  is the exit  29  to pivot joint. The pin  41  passes from the opening  43   a  of the inner cover member  34  and then through the exit to the pivot joint  29 , passing from frame member side  27   c  to  27   c . The pin&#39;s shoulder  41   a  passes through opening  29  and holds to the inner cover members  14  and  24  together with the stainless steel structural frame members  7  and  27 . The outer cover member  22  of the upper arm is fastened to the apparatus by snapping the male connectors  23  of the outer cover member  22  into the female joint connectors  36  on the insulative inner cover  34 . The lip  40  on the insulative inner cover  34  touches the lip  24  on insulative inner cover  22  forming seam  83  with the end result of stainless steel structural frame member  27  being fully enclosed by the inner insulative cover  34  and outer insulative cover  22  and having outer surfaces  34   d  and  22   d.    
         [0045]    The bulging offset portion  21   b  of the upper arm  21  comprises the bulging offset portions  34   b  of the outer cover member  34 ,  27   b  of the stainless steel structural frame member, and  22   b  of the outer cover  22 . The middle jutting portion  59  (shown on  FIG. 1 ) comprises middle jutting portion  38  on the inner cover member  34 , middle jutting portion  31  on stainless steel structural frame member  27 , and middle jutting portion  25  on insulative outer cover  22  (shown on  FIG. 3 ). The end jutting portion  60  (shown on  FIG. 1 ) comprises end jutting portion  39  on inner member cover  34 , end jutting portion  32  on stainless steel structural frame member  27 , and end jutting portion  26  on outer cover member  22  (shown on  FIG. 3 ). Inner cover member  34  and insulative outer cover  22  both terminate at the jaw connection point  60   a  (not shown) at the end of jutting portion  60 . The stainless steel structural frame member  27  through the end jutting portion  60  between the cover members and emerges from the enclosed insulative cover as the leading tapered edge  33 . 
         [0046]    The leading tapered edge  33  of stainless steel structural frame member  27  features a platypus tapered profile with marking indicator lines  52  displayed at its exposed end  33   d  and clamp stop  64  which, when the apparatus is fully closed, touches top jaw member  53  at clamp stop  63 . The insulative bottom jaw member  49  slides over the tapered leading edge  33  and abuts the cover member (comprised of outer cover member  34  and inner cover member  22 ) at end jutting portion  60  (shown on  FIGS. 1 and 5 ). The bottom jaw member  49  exposes the leading tapered edge  33   d  on the non-clamping side with marking lines  52  showing (not shown). On the clamping side of bottom jaw member  49  is an electrode  51 . The electrode  51  inserts into the bottom jaw  49  in electrode holding cavity  50 . The electrode  51  has an inlay  70  (see  FIG. 7 ) where wire  47  attaches and touches it, providing to the electrode RF voltage. The marking indicator lines  52  correspond to the beginning, middle, and end of the electrode  51 . The marking indicator lines  52  are located on both side walls of the bottom jaw member  49  and on the bottom of the leading tapered edge  33   d  of the stainless steel structural frame member  27 . 
         [0047]    Both conductor wires  47  and  48  enter the bipolar modular forceps assembly at cylindrical entrance passageway  58  of upper arm  21  located below the digit insertion ring  37  and extend through the passageway between mating set of cover members  34  and  22  and the stainless steel structural frame member  27  of the upper arm  21  until the conductor wires reach the pivot joint  43 . Wire  47  is insulated as it runs along and between the inner surface  27   c  of the member  27  and the inner surface  34   c  of the cover member  34 . Wire  47  is insulated throughout the apparatus except at  47   b , where the wire attaches to connector cable  77   a  through the joint insulator, heat shrink tubing  76  and at end  47   a , where the wire connects to the electrode. Similarly, wire  48  is insulated as it runs along and between the inner surface  27   c  of the member  27  and the inner surface  34   c  of the cover member  34 . Wire  48  is insulated throughout the apparatus except at  48   b , where the wire attaches to connector cable  77   a  through the joint insulator, heat shrink tubing  77  and at end  48   a , where the wire connects to the electrode. When wires  47  and  48  reach bulging portions  34   b  and  27   b , they run along and in the wire guide  78  of the stainless steel structural frame member  27  (see  FIG. 5 ). Conductor wire  47  continues over the pivot joint to bottom jaw  49  and connects to the inlay of electrode  51 . Conductor wire  48  wraps around the pivot pin  41  (illustrated on  FIG. 5 ) goes through the inner cover members, first  34 , then  14 , and proceeds out from the end jutting portion  60  along the leading tapered edge to the top jaw  49  and connects to the inlay  56  of electrode  55 . 
         [0048]    The upper  21  and lower arm  1  are connected by running a pin through first the stainless steel frame member  7 , then the inner cover member  14 , then the inner cover member  34  and finally the stainless steel frame member  27 . The inner cover members  16  and  34  together such that their exterior surfaces  34   d  and  14   d  face each other, the arm stops  68   a  and  69   a  fit into the opposing arm stop guides  69  and  68 , and the pivot gaps  43   a  and  43   b  align (see  FIG. 3 ). Then, the stainless steel structural frame member  7  is fitted into the U-shape inner surface  14   c  of the cover member  14  so that the bulging portions  7   b  and  14   b  fit snugly and the elongated portions  7   a  and  14   a  fit to fully cover side  7   c  of the stainless steel frame member Then, the stainless steel structural frame member  27  is fitted in the U-shape inner surface of the cover member  34  so that the bulging portions  27   b  and  34   b  fit snugly and the elongated portions  27   a  and  34   a  fit to fully cover side  27   c  of the stainless steel frame member. The wires  47  and  48  run between the inner cover member  34  and the stainless steel structural frame member  27  of the upper arm.  FIG. 4  shows a cross section at the center point of the pivot joint  43 , in the middle of the offset bulge  21   b  and  1   b , looking towards the bottom jaw member  49  and top jaw member  53 . The modular construction of each arm is visible with the upper arm  21  comprising outer cover member  22  and inner cover member  34  enclosing the stainless steel structural frame member  27  through lip  24  and lip  40 . The lower arm  1  comprises of outer cover member  2  and inner cover member  14 . Cover  2  comprises an interior surface  2   c  and an outer surface  2   d . Cover  14  comprises an interior surface  14   c  and an outer surface  14   d . The two covers enclose the stainless steel structural frame member  7  through lip  4  and lip  20  with their respective inner surfaces,  2   c  and  14   c , facing inward and toward the stainless steel structural frame member. The two covers connect to form seam  82  (see  FIG. 2 ) The pin  41  enters from stainless steel structural frame member  7 , with the pin shoulder  41   a  at end  46  inserted first into stainless steel frame member  7  at hole  9  on side  7   d . The pin passes through inner cover member  14 , through inner cover member  34  and is pushed through stainless steel frame member  27  at hole  29  on side  27   c  so that the pin shoulder  41   a  pops through and rests in countersink  10   a . The pin shoulder  41   a  and the pin head  44  should be spaced so that the two arms are free to rotate with only the arm stops as a limitation. Conductor wires  47  and  48  run along the inside of upper arm  21 , along the inner cover member  34  and the inner side of stainless steel structural frame member  27 . Wire  48  wraps around the pin bushing  42  beginning at the top of the bushing making one full revolution so that the wire exits the bushing emerging in the direction of the clamping side of the assembly. Pin  41  anchors the two stainless steel arms together, with outer cover member  2  covering the pin head  44  and outer cover member  22  covering the  46  end of pin  41 . The outer cover members  14  and  2  are connected to each stainless steel structural frame member by connecting the male connectors  23  and  3  placed on the inner surface  22   c  and  2   c  of the outer cover members directly to the female receptors  23  and  8  of the stainless steel structural frame member and then snapped into the female receptors  36  and  16  of the inner cover members. A glue or sealant may be added to the seam  83  and  82  between the inner and outer cover members to add rigidity and prevent fluids from entering the cavities formed by the cover members. 
         [0049]      FIG. 5  shows an angular side profile that illustrates how the wires emerge from pivot joint  43 . Conductor wire  47  extends from the upper arm  21  and passes over the top of pivot joint  43  into the bottom jaw  49 . Conductor wire  48  extends from the upper arm  21  and wraps around the pin  41 , making one complete revolution before emerging into the top jaw  53 . By wrapping conductor wire  48  around the pin, the conductor wires are contained for added safety by ensuring the wires remain inside the assembly and are not easily pulled out or dislodged from the electrodes. 
         [0050]    The inner cover members of each arm comprise an arm stop with an arm stop guide. On the cover of lower arm  14  the arm stop  69   a  is comprised of a solid cylindrical member located on the inner side of the cover and placed beside the pivot joint  43  proximal to the middle jutting portion  18 . Below the lower arm stop on the lower arm is the arm stop guide  69  which is comprised of an arch-shaped gap in the lower arm with a width to accept the arm stop of the upper arm and allow the stop to slide within it as the lower arm is rotated about the pivot joint  45 . The upper arm stop  68   a  is comprised of a male cylindrical member located on the inner side of the cover and placed beside the pivot joint proximal to the stainless steel middle jutting portion  38 . Above the arm stop, the arm stop guide  68  is located and comprised of a gap with a width to accept the arm stop of the upper arm and allow the stop to slide within it as the upper arm is rotated about the pivot joint  45 . When the upper and lower arms are rotated about the pivot joint  43  and placed in the open configuration, the arm stops rotate towards each other traveling along their guides. When the arm stops meet, they prevent further separation of the arms and jaws. The arm stops provide a maximum separation for the top and bottom jaws and prevent damage and breakage to the forceps assembly. 
         [0051]    The assembly comprises two plugs, preferably made from rubber or other flexible material. The wire side cable plug  73  is comprised of a cylindrical member  73   c , a grasping indentation  73   b  and a plug cap  73   a  (see  FIG. 13   a ). A cylindrical cable passageway runs through the members  73   a ,  73   b , and  73   c  to allow the cable to pass through the plug and into the rest of the assembly and attach to the exposed wires  48  and  47 . The plug is inserted into the cylindrical passageway  58  such that the indentation grasps the plug grasp  22   e  ( FIG. 10) and 34   e  (not shown). The plug  73   c  forms a seal with the cable and also seals the rest of the arm structure. The non-wire side plug  74  is similarly sized to  73 . It is comprised of a cylindrical member  74   c , a grasping indentation  74   b  and a plug cap  74   a  (see  FIG. 13   b ). The plug is inserted into cylindrical passageway on the non-wire carrying arm such that the plug grasps  14   e  and  2   e  fit into the indentation on the plug  74   b . This plug seals the end of the arm and prevents contaminants from entering the cavities formed by the connection of the cover members. 
         [0052]      FIG. 10  illustrates the connection between the wires  47  and  48  and the cable  77  leading to the disposable connector  79 . The wires  47  and  48  emerge from the cavity between the stainless steel structural frame member  27  and the inner cover member of the upper arm and enter the cylindrical entrance passageway. Each wire  47  and  48  having an exposed end  47   b  and  48   b  is connected by the joint insulators and heat shrink tubing  76  and  75 , respectively, to the cable exposed end  77   a  and  77   b . The cable passes through the cable plug  73  and out to the connector  79  ( FIG. 11 ). 
         [0053]      FIG. 11  illustrates the components that comprise the connector. The elements include an interface  91 , top shell  92 , bottom shell  93 , a bend relief  94 , and internal components  95 ,  96 , and  97 . Cable  77  enters the bend relief  94  and passes through component  94   f  and passes to  94   e . Ferrule  97  is inserted over cable end  77   d . Chip  19  is attached to cable end  77  placing the chip into the mouth-piece  97   a  of the ferrule. Peek contact block  95  is attached to the pins of the chip  96  so that the connectors  95   a  point away from the chip. The top shell and bottom shell are bonded together matching edges  93   c  and  93   d  with  92   c  and  92   d , respectively, to enclose the internal components so that the top shell ends  93   f  and  92   f  rest against and are bonded to surface  94   g  of the bend relief. Interface  91  at end  91   e  is then inserted into the cavity formed by shell entrance  92   e  and  93   e  so that the connectors  95   a  fit into end  91   e . Interface ring  91   b  is bonded to the shell ends  93   f  and  92   f  to seal all internal components between the bend relief  94  and the interface  91 . 
         [0054]    Before concluding, it is to be understood that the terminology employed in this application is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments. Unless the context clearly demonstrates otherwise, it is not intended to be limiting. In this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Conversely, it is contemplated that the claims may be drafted to exclude any optional element or be further limited using exclusive terminology as “solely,” “only” and the like in connection with the recitation of claim elements or by use of a “negative” limitation. It is also contemplated that any optional feature of the inventive variations described herein may be set forth and claimed independently, or in combination with any one or more of the features described herein. 
         [0055]    Although the foregoing specific details describe various embodiments of the invention, persons reasonably skilled in the art will recognize that various changes may be made in the details of the apparatus of this invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. Therefore, it should be understood that, unless otherwise specified, this invention is not to be limited to the specific details shown and described herein.