Patent Description:
Traditionally, sinus surgeons hold an endoscope in a dedicated hand ("scope hand") and exchange instruments of various forms and functions, such as cautery, with the other hand ("instrument hand"). These instrument exchanges can be time consuming and inconvenient. The instrument exchange can be particularly important when managing bleeding, such as when dissecting or resecting instruments are exchanged for a cauterizing instrument. The <CIT> discloses a surgical instrument attachable to an endoscope, the surgical instrument comprising a superelastic wire in a tube, which assumes a curved shape when the wire is extended beyond a distal end of the tube. The wire may be used as a monopolar electrode. The <CIT> discloses a surgical instrument for use with a fiberoptic endoscope, the surgical instrument comprising a cutting head rotatable about and translatable along a longitudinal axis. The <CIT> discloses a medical probe device with a guide housing for guiding a flexible stylet into target tissue in the viewing field of an optical viewing device.

The present disclosure provides an electrosurgical device according to the appending claims. These teachings can help overcome one or more of the problems discussed in the Background or elsewhere, such as by providing an endoscope with an electrosurgical device attachment that provides a cautery function All methods of using the device do not form part of the invention and are disclosed for illustrative purposes only.

For example, an electrosurgical device can include an elongated member configured to be attached to an elongated shaft of an endoscope. The elongated member can include a distal portion that, when axially extended beyond a distal end of the shaft, bends toward a longitudinal axis of the shaft. The electrosurgical device can include an electrode exposed at the distal portion of the elongated member. The electrosurgical device can include an electrical interconnect coupling the electrode to an electrosurgical energy connection at a proximal portion of the elongated member.

At least a portion of the elongated member is situated at least partially around the shaft. The electrosurgical device can be an electrocautery device. The elongated member can include a transparent or translucent distal portion. The elongated member can be configured to accommodate a variety of shaft widths of the shaft, the shaft width perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shaft. The elongated member can include a gap extending from a distal portion to a proximal portion thereof to accommodate the variety of shaft widths.

The electrosurgical device can include a trigger at a proximal portion of the elongated member for actuating, by a user, an extension or retraction of the elongated member with respect to the shaft. The elongated member can be keyed to inhibit rotation of the elongated member about a longitudinal axis of the elongated member. The electrosurgical device can include a male or female connection feature configured to mate with a female or male connection feature of the endoscope.

The electrode can be a first electrode and the electrical interconnect can be a first electrical interconnect. The electrosurgical device can include a second electrode exposed at a distal portion of the elongated member. The electrosurgical device can include a second electrical interconnect coupling the second electrode to another electrosurgical energy connection at the proximal portion of the elongated member. The first and second electrodes can be physically separated.

These teachings can provide an electrosurgical system. The electrosurgical system can include an endoscope and an electrosurgical device. The endoscope can include an elongated shaft. The endoscope can include an optical illumination carrier to provide light to a distal end of the shaft. The endoscope can include an optical carrier to provide light incident on the distal end of the shaft to a proximal portion of the endoscope. The electrosurgical device can include an elongated member configured to be attached to the shaft. The elongated member can include a distal portion that, when axially extended beyond a distal end of the shaft, bends toward a longitudinal axis of the shaft. The electrosurgical device can include an electrode on the elongated member and exposed at the distal portion of the elongated member. The electrosurgical device can include an electrical interconnect coupling the electrode to an electrosurgical energy connection at a proximal portion of the elongated member.

The shaft can be rigid compared to the distal portion of the elongated member. The elongated member can include a polymer material. The distal portion of the elongated member, when axially retracted toward a proximal end of the shaft, can move away from the longitudinal axis of the shaft. The elongated member can be configured to accommodate a variety of shaft widths, the shaft width perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the shaft. The elongated member can include a gap extending from a distal portion to a proximal portion thereof to accommodate the variety of shaft widths.

The electrosurgical device can include an extension feature mechanically coupled to a proximal portion of the elongated member. The extension feature can include a finger control and at least one of (a) a cam follower, (b) a spring, or (c) lever. The elongated member can be keyed to inhibit rotation of the elongated member about a perimeter of the shaft. The distal portion of the elongated member can be transparent or translucent.

These teachings can provide a non-claimed method of using an electrosurgical device. The method can include providing an elongated member. The elongated member can be attachable to and detachable from an elongated shaft of an endoscope. The elongated member can include an electrode exposed at a distal portion thereof. The elongated member, when axially extended beyond a distal end of the shaft, can bend toward a longitudinal axis of the shaft. The method can include causing electricity to flow through the electrode. The method can include axially extending the elongated member such that a portion of the electrode extends beyond a distal end of the shaft. The method can include axially retracting the elongated member such that a distal end of the elongated member moves away from the longitudinal axis of the shaft.

Some ear, nose, and throat (ENT) devices, such as an endoscope, can benefit from a cauterizing function to control bleeding, such as without having to remove the scope, introduce a cautery device to control bleeding, and re-introduce the scope. The bleeding, if not controlled, can negatively affect visibility using the ENT device. The ENT device can include a bipolar cautery function on a perimeter of a shaver blade cutting window or the cautery function can be a separate or independent device, such as a wand or bipolar forceps. The bipolar forceps can involve removal of the shaver from the surgical site before usage.

A bleeding tissue can at least partially block a view provided by the ENT device. A lens cleaner attachment can help clean the lens and improve the view. However, the cleaning attachment does not stop the bleeding. The cleaning device just cleans the lens of the ENT device.

It would be beneficial to reduce the number of steps or time it takes to perform an ENT procedure. The number of steps or time can be reduced by reducing instrument-swapping or other delays in controlling or stopping bleeding. It would also be beneficial to provide an improved view using the ENT device.

An electrosurgical device can be detachably coupled to a shaft of an endoscope. The combination of the electrosurgical device and endoscope can provide an electrosurgical system with endoscopic and cautery functions. The electrosurgical device can include an elongated member such as with one or more electrodes on, or at least partially in, the elongated member. The electrodes of the electrosurgical device can be exposed on a distal portion of the electrosurgical device. The electrosurgical device can be extended or retracted axially along the shaft of the endoscope. After extension, the distal portion of the elongated member can extend beyond a distal end of the endoscope shaft. A portion of the elongated member, including an exposed portion of the electrodes, can bend towards a longitudinal axis of the shaft. The electrode-carrying portion of the elongated member can be situated within a field of view of the endoscope, such as to permit viewing via the endoscope of cautery via the one or more electrodes.

The user of the electrosurgical device can electrically energize the electrodes to perform a cautery function. Since the elongated member is within the field of view, the user can be visually informed as to what is being cauterized, as it is being cauterized.

To extend the elongated member, the user can activate a trigger. The trigger can include a spring, lever, cam follower, or other extension or retraction device. The trigger, when activated, can cause the elongated member to translate axially such as along the shaft towards (and at least partially off) the distal end of the shaft. The trigger, when released, can cause the elongated member to retract axially along the shaft. The retraction can cause the elongated member to translate along the shaft such as towards a scope-to-camera attachment.

An endoscope can provide optical illumination and visualization, such as internal to a patient. An endoscope can include a slender and tubular instrument shaft, which can be rigid or flexible, depending upon the application. An endoscope can be used to look inside a patient. The procedure of viewing inside a patient body is called an endoscopy. The endoscope can be used to examine internal organs like a throat, sinus cavity, or esophagus. An endoscope can be specialized, such as to view a target organ. Such specialized endoscopes can be named after their target organ. For example, a sinuscope is specialized to provide a view of a sinus cavity, an otoscope is specialized to provide a view of an inner ear, a laryngoscope is specialized to provide a view of a larynx, a cystoscope is specialized to provide a view of the bladder, a nephroscope is specialized to view the kidney, a bronchoscope is specialized to view the bronchus, an arthroscope is specialized to view a joint, a colonoscope is specialized to view a colon, and a laparoscope is specialized to view an abdomen or pelvis.

The endoscope can be used to visually examine and diagnose. The endoscope can be used to assist in surgery or other medical procedures. This document explains, among other things, how to modify an endoscope to provide further surgical assistance, such as by providing an endoscope with an electrosurgical device that provides a cautery function.

An attachable and detachable coupling to the endoscope can provide flexibility to a user. An endoscope can be used in ENT and other types of surgeries, for example in arthroscopy and laparoscopy, among others. Having the electrosurgical device integrally formed with the endoscope can narrow down use and application of the endoscope. However, providing an attachable and detachable electrosurgical attachment can increase the number of applications of the endoscope. Further, the attachable and detachable electrosurgical attachment provides a user an option to add electrosurgical functionality to a wide variety of endoscopes, without having to purchase a new endoscope. Endoscopes can have different view angles, and a variety of endoscopes can be helpful to achieve the proper view angle in a surgery. Integrally forming a cautery function into each endoscope can be cost prohibitive.

<FIG> illustrates an example of an endoscope system. The endoscope system can include an endoscope <NUM>, an optical illumination device <NUM>, and an optional optical receiver device <NUM>. The optical illumination device <NUM> can convert an electrical signal to an optical signal. The optical illumination device <NUM> can provide the optical signal to an optic carrier <NUM> of the endoscope <NUM>. The optical illumination device <NUM> can include or be coupled to an optical emitter, such as a laser, light emitting diode (LED), or the like.

The optical receiver device <NUM> can convert an optical signal carried by the optic carrier <NUM> into an electrical signal. The optical receiver device <NUM> can include a charge coupled device (CCD), a fiber optic receiver, or the like. An optical portal <NUM> can include a lens such as can help magnify the signal. A user can then view what is in a field of view <NUM> of the endoscope <NUM> through the lens. The field of view angle can vary from about <NUM>° to about <NUM>°. When included, the optical receiver device <NUM> can provide electrical signals that can be converted to image pixel values and provided for viewing such as on a display device.

The endoscope <NUM> can include an optical portal <NUM> such as to receive optical illumination from the illumination device <NUM>. The optical portal <NUM> can include an illumination carrier <NUM> extending thereto. The illumination carrier <NUM> can communicate illumination light from the illumination device <NUM> to a distal end <NUM> of the endoscope <NUM>. The illumination light can illuminate an object in the field of view <NUM>. The illumination carrier <NUM> can include one or more optical fibers, mirrors, lenses, reflective surfaces, or the like, such as along a path that guides the light to the distal end <NUM>.

The endoscope <NUM> can include another optical portal <NUM>. The optic carrier <NUM> can carry incident light from within the field of view <NUM> to a proximal end <NUM> of the endoscope <NUM>. The optic carrier <NUM> can include one or more optic fibers, mirrors, lenses, reflective surfaces, or the like.

A shaft <NUM> of the endoscope <NUM> can house the illumination carrier <NUM> and the optic carrier <NUM>. The optic carrier <NUM> can be located within the illumination carrier <NUM> in the shaft <NUM>. The shaft <NUM> can be rigid, flexible, or a combination thereof. For example, the shaft <NUM> can be rigid, entirely flexible, or can include some rigid and some flexible portions.

The shaft <NUM> can define a central longitudinal axis <NUM> extending a length thereof. The longitudinal axis <NUM> can extend from the proximal end <NUM> to the distal end <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates an example of an endoscope system with a cautery function. The arrows near numbers in quotes indicate views provided in other FIGS. The endoscope system includes the endoscope <NUM> (not labelled in <FIG> so as to not confuse the endoscope and the components that provide the cautery function), and an electrosurgical device coupled to the endoscope. The electrosurgical device can include an elongated member <NUM>, a trigger <NUM>, an extension device <NUM>, one or more electrodes <NUM>, and an electrical interconnect <NUM>. The electrosurgical device can be electrically powered by an electrical generator <NUM>.

The elongated member <NUM> can include the electrode <NUM> on or at least partially therein. The elongated member <NUM> can include a polymer material, such as a resin, rubber, plastic, elastomer, a combination thereof, or the like. The polymer can be molded. An example of a moldable polymer material is a United States Pharmacopeial Convention, Incorporated (USP) class IV ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP), or the like. The polymer can be flexible, pliable, stretchable, or a combination thereof. The polymer can include a shape memory characteristic such as can permit a distal portion <NUM> of the elongated member <NUM> to bend, such as when extended, such as to resume a shape provided upon its formation at manufacture. The elongated member <NUM> can include a distal portion <NUM> and a proximal portion <NUM>.

The elongated member <NUM> can include a transparent or translucent distal portion <NUM>. The distal portion <NUM> can include a material different from other portions of the elongated member <NUM>. Such an elongated member <NUM> can allow a user to view the electrode <NUM> in the field of view <NUM>. The transparent or translucent distal portion <NUM> can help the user see the bleeding or other obstruction to be cauterized.

The distal portion <NUM>, when the elongated member <NUM> is in a retracted position (e.g., the position illustrated in <FIG>), can be situated on the shaft <NUM>. The proximal portion <NUM> can be mechanically coupled to a housing <NUM>. The distal portion <NUM>, when the elongated member <NUM> is in an extended position (e.g., the position illustrated in <FIG>) can extend beyond the distal end <NUM> of the shaft <NUM>. The distal portion <NUM>, when the elongated member <NUM> is in an extended position, can bend toward the longitudinal axis <NUM>, such as may result from a shape memory characteristic of its material of construction. The bending can cause the elongated member <NUM> to be within the field of view <NUM> (see <FIG>).

The elongated member <NUM> can provide additional rigidity to the shaft <NUM> when coupled around the shaft <NUM>. The elongated member <NUM> can be more rigid than the shaft <NUM> or less rigid than the shaft <NUM>. That is, the flexural modulus of the shaft <NUM> can be greater or lesser than the flexural modulus of the elongated member <NUM>. A higher flexural modulus corresponds to a stiffer or more rigid material.

The trigger <NUM> can be mechanically coupled to the housing <NUM>. The trigger, when activated, can cause the extension device <NUM> to extend towards the distal end <NUM>. The trigger <NUM> can be rotatable, pullable, pushable, or the like. The illustrated trigger <NUM> is rotatable. The trigger <NUM>, when released, can cause the elongated member <NUM> to retract, such as to the position illustrated in <FIG>.

The extension device <NUM> can include a pin, spring, lever, rod, cam follower, screw, a combination thereof, or the like. The extension device <NUM> can be mechanically coupled to the elongated member <NUM>. The extension device <NUM>, when extending (see <FIG>) can cause the elongated member <NUM> to translate axially towards the distal end <NUM>. The extension device <NUM>, when retracting, can cause the elongated to translate axially towards the proximal end <NUM>.

The housing <NUM> can be mechanically coupled to the optical receiver device <NUM>. The housing <NUM> can accommodate the optical portal <NUM> and the illumination device <NUM>. The housing <NUM> can provide protection for components situated at least partially therein, such as the extension device <NUM>. The protection can be from forces incident thereon or from the external environment. The elongated member <NUM> can be mechanically coupled to the housing <NUM>.

The one or more electrodes <NUM> are conductive elements. The electrode <NUM> conducts electricity from the electrical generator <NUM> to the distal portion <NUM>. The voltage level of the electrode <NUM> can be sufficient to cauterize a structure proximate the distal portion <NUM>. The electrode <NUM> can be made of gold, copper, silver, aluminum, zinc, nickel, brass, bronze, a combination thereof, or the like. The electrode <NUM> can be printed on the elongated member <NUM>.

The electrical interconnect <NUM> can electrically couple the electrode <NUM> to an electrosurgical energy connection <NUM> at the proximal portion <NUM> of the elongated member <NUM>. The electrical interconnect <NUM> can be electrically coupled between the electrode <NUM> and the electrical generator <NUM>. The electrical interconnect <NUM> can provide electrical energy from the electrical generator <NUM> to the electrode <NUM>.

The electrical generator <NUM> provides electrical power for use by the electrode <NUM>. The electrical generator <NUM> can include a user-selectable range of voltage levels, current levels, power levels, frequencies, amplitudes, or the like. The electrical generator <NUM> can be used for a monopolar, bipolar, or other electrode configuration. The voltage level required for a monopolar cauterization can be higher than that for a bipolar cauterization.

The electrosurgical device can be mechanically coupled to the endoscope <NUM> such as at a connection interface <NUM>. The optical receiver device <NUM> can include a male or female connection feature that is configured to mechanically mate with a female or male connection feature of the electrosurgical device, such as at the connection interface <NUM>. The male or female connection feature of the connection interface <NUM> can include a tab, clip, magnet, detent, screw, thread, ball, slot, slit, hole, or the like configured to mate with a corresponding female or male connection feature of the connection interface <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrate respective examples of electrode configurations. The electrode configuration in <FIG> includes a bipolar configuration. The electrode configuration in <FIG> includes a monopolar configuration. The view of <FIG> is from the arrow labelled "<NUM>/<NUM>" in <FIG>.

The bipolar configuration includes an elongated member 220A with multiple electrodes 226A, 226B. The electrodes 226A-226B can be on, or at least partially in, the elongated member 220A. The dashed lines can indicate locations where the electrodes 226A-226B are not exposed. The solid lines can indicate locations where the electrodes 226A-226B are exposed. The electrodes 226A-226B can be exposed at the distal portion <NUM> of the elongated member 220B. The electrodes 226A, 226B can be situated to define a gap <NUM> therebetween. Electrical energy can be provided by the electrical generator <NUM> to one of the electrodes 226A. The electrical energy can jump across the gap <NUM> to the other of the electrodes 226B and return to the electrical generator <NUM>. A tissue near the gap <NUM> can be cauterized by the electrical energy jumping across the gap <NUM>.

The monopolar configuration includes an elongated member 220B with a single electrode 226C. The electrode 226C can be on, or at least partially in, the elongated member 220C. The dashed lines can indicate locations where the electrode 226C is not exposed. The solid lines can indicate locations where the electrode 226C is exposed. The electrode 226C can be exposed at the distal portion <NUM> of the elongated member 220C. Electrical energy can be provided by the electrical generator <NUM> to the electrode 226C. The electrical energy can pass from the electrode 226C to proximate tissue, and through the tissue to a return pad. A tissue near the exposed portion of the electrode 226C can be cauterized by the electrical energy.

Since monopolar cautery has different energy requirements than bipolar cautery, an elongated member sufficient for bipolar cautery may not be sufficient for monopolar cautery. A material with a dielectric breakdown voltage characteristic sufficient for bipolar cautery may not be suitable for monopolar cautery. Some materials can break down and allow electrical energy to flow to the sheath <NUM>, or other portion of the endoscope <NUM>, or allow electrical energy to flow to a structure other than a structure that is to be cauterized. Thus, the material for the elongated member <NUM> can be an important consideration for proper operation of the electrosurgical device. Further, the thickness of the elongated member <NUM> can affect whether electricity will flow from the electrode <NUM> to the endoscope <NUM> or the patient. For greater voltages, a thicker elongated member <NUM> can help prevent electricity from flowing to the endoscope <NUM> or the patient at an undesired location.

A reference number with a letter suffix is a specific instance of a general component. For example, the electrode 226B is a specific instance of the one or more electrodes <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates an example of the endoscope system with the elongated member <NUM> in an extended position. In the extended position, the elongated member <NUM> has moved in the direction indicated by arrow <NUM>. In the extended position, the distal portion <NUM> of the elongated member <NUM> is bent towards the longitudinal axis <NUM>.

A user can activate the trigger <NUM> to cause the elongated member <NUM> to translate in direction indicated by the arrow <NUM>. In the example of <FIG>, the user rotates the trigger <NUM>, as indicated by arrow <NUM>, to translate the elongated member <NUM> in the direction indicated by the arrow <NUM>. As the elongated member <NUM> translates in the direction indicated by the arrow <NUM>, the distal portion <NUM> of the elongated member <NUM> will eventually translate beyond the distal end <NUM>. A shape memory of the elongated member <NUM> can cause the elongated member <NUM> to bend towards the longitudinal axis <NUM> of the shaft. This bending is indicated by arrow <NUM>. The bending of the elongated member <NUM> can cause the elongated member <NUM> to be within the field of view <NUM>. The elongated member <NUM> can be produced in the form illustrated in <FIG>, such as to give it the shape memory.

Activating the trigger <NUM> can cause the extension device <NUM> to push the elongated member <NUM> in the direction indicated by the arrow <NUM>. The extension device <NUM> can be mechanically coupled with one or more keys <NUM>. The one or more keys <NUM> can help prevent rotation of the housing <NUM> or the extension device <NUM> about a perimeter of the shaft <NUM>. The one or more keys <NUM> can include a spline, pin, magnet, divot, detent, clip, groove, bump, slot, or the like.

<FIG> illustrates an example of a portion of an endoscope system from the view indicated by the arrows labelled "<NUM>" in <FIG>. The trigger <NUM> can be activated by rotation in multiple directions as indicated by arrows <NUM>. The elongated member <NUM> can be configured to accommodate shafts <NUM> of varying sizes. The elongated member <NUM> can include a slit, gap, or other opening <NUM> that allows the elongated member <NUM> to stretch or deform to accommodate a variety of shaft sizes.

<FIG> illustrate examples of a view provided by an endoscope from the view indicated by the arrow labelled "<NUM>/<NUM>" in <FIG>. <FIG> illustrates a cautery target <NUM>. The user can translate the endoscope system with the elongated member coupled thereto near the cautery target <NUM>. The user can activate the trigger <NUM> to extend the elongated member <NUM> towards the target <NUM>. The elongated member <NUM> can bend towards the longitudinal axis <NUM> of the shaft <NUM> and be in the field of view <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates the elongated member <NUM> after activation of the trigger <NUM>. The user can then activate another trigger to cause electrical energy to flow through the electrodes <NUM> and cauterize the target <NUM>. The electrodes <NUM> can include or can be carried within a transparent or translucent distal portion <NUM>. The user can retract the elongated member <NUM> by releasing the trigger, activating the trigger again, or activating another trigger.

<FIG> illustrates an example of an endoscope system <NUM> that includes an electrosurgical device mechanically coupled about a perimeter of a lens cleaning device <NUM>. The electrosurgical device can be integrally formed with the lens cleaning device <NUM>.

The lens cleaning device <NUM> can include a fluid portal <NUM>. The fluid portal <NUM> can receive fluid from a fluid reservoir <NUM>. The lens cleaning device <NUM> can direct the fluid to the distal end <NUM> of the endoscope. The fluid can remove debris from the distal end <NUM> of the endoscope <NUM>, such as to clean the optic carrier <NUM>, illumination carrier <NUM> (see <FIG>), or a lens <NUM> on the distal end <NUM> of the endoscope. The lens <NUM> can alter a path of light incident thereon. From the perspective of light from the illumination carrier <NUM> the lens <NUM> can be concave and can spread the light. From the perspective of light outside the endoscope, the lens is convex and can focus the light on the optic carrier <NUM>.

The device <NUM> can include a stabilizer <NUM> such as can help retain the device <NUM> in a proper orientation and position relative to the endoscope <NUM>. The proper orientation and position is one that allows the fluid to be incident on the lens <NUM>. The stabilizer <NUM> can help prevent the device <NUM> from rotating by a mechanically coupling to an arm <NUM> of the endoscope coupled to the illumination device <NUM>. The device <NUM> can include an O-ring, grommet, or the like, that provides a friction or compression fit to the perimeter of the shaft <NUM>. The O-ring, grommet, or other mechanical coupling can help prevent the device <NUM> from translating along the shaft <NUM>.

The electrosurgical device can include the elongated member <NUM> situated around device <NUM>. As previously discussed, the elongated member <NUM> can be configured to fit around shafts <NUM> of various dimensions. The elongated member <NUM> can likewise be configured to fit around the shaft <NUM> and the cleaning device <NUM>. The opening <NUM> (see <FIG>) is one way of configuring the elongated member <NUM> to accommodate the various dimensions. The dimension can be a shaft width of the shaft <NUM>. The shaft width can be perpendicular to longitudinal axis <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates an example of a method <NUM> for operating an endoscope system that includes an electrosurgical function. The method <NUM> as illustrated includes providing an elongated member <NUM> that is attachable and detachable and that when axially extended beyond a distal end <NUM> of a shaft <NUM> of an endoscope <NUM>, bends towards a longitudinal axis <NUM> of the shaft <NUM>, at operation <NUM>; and causing electricity to flow through an electrode <NUM> of the elongated member <NUM>, at operation <NUM>. The electrode <NUM> of the elongated member <NUM> can be exposed at a distal portion <NUM> of the elongated member <NUM>.

The method <NUM> can further include axially extending the elongated member <NUM> such that a portion of the electrode <NUM> extends beyond a distal end <NUM> of the shaft <NUM>. The method <NUM> can further include axially retracting the elongated member <NUM> such that a distal portion <NUM> of the elongated member <NUM> moves away from the longitudinal axis <NUM> of the shaft <NUM>.

The method steps disclosed herein can be performed in any order except as specified otherwise. Moreover, one or more of the method steps can be combined with other steps; can be omitted or eliminated; can be repeated; and/or can separated into individual or additional steps.

The explanations and illustrations presented herein are intended to acquaint others skilled in the art with the invention, its principles, and its practical application. The above description is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Those skilled in the art may adapt and apply the invention in its numerous forms, as may be best suited to the requirements of a particular use.

Accordingly, the examples of the present invention as set forth are not intended as being exhaustive or limiting of the teachings. Further, components of the specific examples can be combined with components of other examples of the teachings.

Plural elements or steps can be provided by a single integrated element or step. Alternatively, a single element or step might be divided into separate plural elements or steps. The disclosure of "a" or "one" to describe an element or step is not intended to foreclose additional elements or steps. While the terms first, second, third, etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings.

Claim 1:
An electrosurgical device comprising:
an elongated member (<NUM>) configured to be attached to an elongated shaft (<NUM>) of an endoscope (<NUM>), the elongated member (<NUM>) including a distal portion (<NUM>) that, when axially extended beyond a distal end of the shaft (<NUM>), bends toward a longitudinal axis of the shaft (<NUM>);
an electrode (<NUM>) exposed at the distal portion (<NUM>) of the elongated member (<NUM>); and
an electrical interconnect (<NUM>) coupling the electrode (<NUM>) to an electrosurgical energy connection at a proximal portion (<NUM>) of the elongated member (<NUM>),
wherein at least a portion of the elongated member (<NUM>) is configured to be situated at least partially around the shaft (<NUM>).