Electro-chemical surgical instrument

An electro-chemical surgical instrument for separating target tissues in an operating site, said electro-chemical surgical instrument comprising:

• (A) a chemically assisted mechanical dissector for removing the target tissues, comprising:
• (a) an electrically conductive mechanical dissector instrument configured for exerting a separation force on the target tissues to be dissected and having one of the following geometries:
• a blade, a spatula, a spoon, a forceps, or a Maryland dissector, the electrically conductive mechanical instrument being coupled to a distal end of,
• (b) a tube (It) which is non-conductive and extends over a length, L1, measured parallel to a longitudinal axis, Z, from a proximal end to the distal end;
• (c) a source (7) of a cleavage solution containing sodium 2-mercaptoethanesulfonate (MESNA) able to break disulphide bonds of polypeptide chains and proteins, which is fluidly coupled through a pump to an inlet (2i) of,
• (d) a channel (2) extending from the inlet (2i) to one or more channel outlets (2o), having a housed portion of length, L2, which is housed in the tube with said one or more channel outlets being located at or adjacent to the distal end, configured to wet a lateral surface of the electrically conductive mechanical instrument with the cleavage solution when the pump is activated;
• (e) a flow controller (8c) configured for activating the pump and thus feeding the cleavage solution to the one or more channel outlets;
• and
• (B) an electric knife for cutting and/or cauterizing the target tissues, comprising:
• (f) an electric conductor (3) extending from a connection end comprising a connector (4) for connecting the electric conductor to a source (5) of radio frequency AC electrical power, for feeding electrical power to an electrode end comprising an electrode (6) formed by the electrically conductive mechanical instrument, wherein a portion of said electric conductor is housed in the tube;
• and
• (g) an electric controller (5c) configured for controlling the feeding of the electrical power current to the electrode.