# US 2010/0168745 A1 · Composite fiber electrosurgical instrument > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2010/0168745 A1 - Document ID: US20100168745A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 12/452,428 - Filed: 2008-06-26 - Published: 2010-07-01 - Earliest claimed: 2007-06-29 - Inventors: Edward A. Loeser - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20100168745A1 ## CPC - A61B 17/30: Surgical pincettes, i.e. surgical tweezers {without pivotal connections (for holding suture needles or materials A61B17/0483)} - A61B 17/3211: Surgical scalpels, knives; Accessories therefor - A61B 18/1402: {Probes for open surgery} - A61B 90/92: coded with colour - C22C 47/04: by coating, e.g. with a protective or activated covering - C22C 47/08: by contacting the fibres or filaments with molten metal, e.g. by infiltrating the fibres or filaments placed in a mould {(C22C47/16 takes precedence)} - A61B 2017/00473: {Distal part, e.g. tip or head (A61B2017/00464 takes precedence)} - A61B 2018/00107: {Coatings on the energy applicator} - A61B 2018/00125: {with nanostructure} - A61B 2018/00595: {Cauterization} - A61B 2018/00922: {by switching or controlling the treatment energy directly within the hand-piece} - A61B 2018/1412: {Blade} - A61B 2090/3966: {Radiopaque markers visible in an X-ray image} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - C22C: ALLOYS (treatment of alloys C21D, C22F) ## Abstract Described is a surgical instrument for electrocauterization (e.g., an electric knife), the surgical instrument including: a body portion for holding and controlling the surgical instrument, and, physically attached thereto, a radio-opaque tip for cauterizing living body tissue, wherein at least the tip comprises a silicon material. In such an instrument, the tip is typically a tip electrode. Aspects of the invention may also comprise a tip (e.g., a tip electrode) made of a composite fiber and colored. Aspects of the invention may also comprise a tip made of at least one material selected from the group consisting of M60 pitch fiber, metal coated carbon fiber, metal impregnated into fiber, AS4 carbon fiber, polyacrylonitrile fiber, shaped vinyl carbon fiber, and combinations thereof. Also described are methods of making a surgical instrument for electrocauterization, as well as methods of electrocauterization. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A surgical instrument for electrocauterization comprising: a body portion for holding and manipulating the surgical instrument, and, physically associated therewith; and a tip for cauterizing living body tissue and comprising at least one radio-opaque material, wherein at least a portion of the tip is made of at least one material selected from the group consisting of a composite fiber together with a coloring agent, a doped electro-conductive silicon material, a conductive thermoplastic, silicon, composite fibers, M60 pitch fiber, metal coated carbon fiber, metal impregnated into fiber, AS4 carbon fiber, polyacrylonitrile fiber, shaped vinyl carbon fiber, polyimide, polyethylene sulfide (PES), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), a coloring agent, and/or combinations thereof. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the tip is a tip electrode. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the tip further comprises silane. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the tip further comprises an antibiotic anticlotting factor. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the tip further comprises a central support. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The surgical instrument of claim 5, wherein the central support is a wire. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the tip further comprises nano sized cross linked fibers. ### Claim 8 (depends on 2) The surgical instrument of claim 2, wherein the surgical instrument is an electric knife. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the tip comprises a metal impregnated into fiber. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) A kit comprising: a body portion of the surgical instrument of claim 1; multiple tips for receipt within the body portion, wherein each tip is a separate color and is radio-opaque; and a container comprising a receptacle structure for securing the body portion and tips. ### Claim 11 A composite fiber tip for use with a surgical instrument for electrocauterization, wherein the surgical instrument comprises a body portion for holding and manipulating the surgical instrument, and wherein the composite fiber tip is a radio opaque tip electrode physically associated with the body portion, and comprises a material that is electrically conductive, thermally conductive, and colored with at least one added coloring agent incorporated therein, and wherein at least a portion of the tip is made of at least one material selected from the group consisting of a composite fiber together with a coloring agent, a doped electro-conductive silicon material, a conductive thermoplastic, silicon, composite fibers, M60 pitch fiber, metal coated carbon fiber, metal impregnated into fiber, AS4 carbon fiber, polyacrylonitrile fiber, shaped vinyl carbon fiber, polyimide, polyethylene sulfide (PES), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), a coloring agent, and/or combinations thereof. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The composite fiber tip of claim 11, wherein the surgical instrument is an electric knife. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The composite fiber tip of claim 11, wherein the material comprises metal impregnated into fiber. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) Use of the surgical instrument of claim 1 for electrocauterization. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) A kit comprising: the surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the surgical instrument comprises a body portion capable of receiving at least one colored tip; at least one colored, radio-opaque tip; and a container, wherein the container comprises a receptacle of the same color as the colored tip and is specifically formed for receiving at least one colored tip.