Patent ID: 7367973

Claim:
An end-effector device for use with an electrosurgical instrument for performing a minimally invasive surgical procedure, the end-effector device comprising: an electrode; a mechanism including at least one spring tab adapted to snap fit into a housing of an electrosurgical instrument for coupling the electrode to the electrosurgical instrument; an insulative rigid sleeve disposed at least partially around the electrode so as to inhibit surface conduction of electrical current flowing from the electrode to the electrosurgical instrument; first and second internal sealing rings respectively compressed against inner distal and proximal ends of the insulative rigid sleeve and disposed so as to inhibit fluid from entering into an interior of the insulative rigid sleeve through respectively the inner distal and proximal ends and making contact with any portion of the electrode disposed therein during a minimally invasive surgical procedure; and an insulation layer disposed at least partially around the electrode and one of the first and second internal sealing rings so as to additionally inhibit fluid from entering into the interior of the insulative rigid sleeve and making contact with any portion of the electrode disposed therein during the minimally invasive surgical procedure.