Patent ID: 6852111

Claim:
An electrotome for use in laparoscopic surgery comprising: a core rod comprising a core rod shaft and a core rod handle, the shaft having a proximal and a distal end, the handle at the proximal end, an electrical conductor extending from an electric connector in the handle to the distal end, the outer surface of the core rod shaft comprised of an electrically nonconductive material, a tubular conductor comprising a tubular conductor shaft and a tubular conductor handle, the shaft and the handle having a bore, the shaft having a proximal and a distal end, the handle at the proximal end, an electrical connector near the proximal end, and a physical and electrical connector for a cutting electrode at the distal end, the tubular conductor shaft comprised of an electrically conductive material, the tubular conductor handle comprised of electrically nonconductive material, an outer sheath comprising an outer sheath shaft and an outer sheath handle, the shaft and the handle having a bore, the shaft having a proximal and a distal end, the handle at the proximal end, the outer sheath shaft comprised of an electrically nonconductive material, the tubular conductor shorter than the core rod, the outer sheath longer than the tubular conductor, and the outer sheath shorter than the core rod, the core rod, tubular conductor, and outer sheath coaxial with the core rod inserted in the tubular conductor and the tubular conductor inserted in the outer sheath, a flexible cutting electrode having a first and a second end, the electrode electrically connected at the first end to the core rod electrical conductor at the distal end of the core rod shaft, the electrode electrically connected at the second end to the tubular connector shaft at the distal end of the tubular connector shaft, the cutting electrode assuming a bow shape when the tubular conductor is slid toward the distal end of the core rod, the size and shape of the bow capable of modification by sliding the outer sheath toward the distal or the proximal end of the core rod, and electrical cables attaching the electrical connectors of the core rod and tubular conductor to a source of electrical current for heating the cutting electrode.