# US 2019/0167337 A1 · Electrosurgical dissector with thermal management > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2019/0167337 A1 - Document ID: US20190167337A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/273,286 - Filed: 2019-02-12 - Published: 2019-06-06 - Earliest claimed: 2012-06-12 - Assignees: Covidien LP - Applicants: Covidien LP - Inventors: RONALD J. PODHAJSKY; KRISTEL L. AMBROSIUS - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190167337A1 ## CPC - A61B 18/082: {Probes or electrodes therefor} - A61B 18/085: {Forceps, scissors} - A61B 18/1445: {at the distal end of a shaft, e.g. forceps or scissors at the end of a rigid rod} - A61B 18/1477: {Needle-like probes} - A61B 18/18: by applying electromagnetic radiation, e.g. microwaves - A61B 2018/00095: {high, i.e. heat conducting} - A61B 2018/00101: {low, i.e. thermally insulating} - A61B 2018/00107: {Coatings on the energy applicator} - A61B 2018/00148: {with metal} - A61B 2018/00595: {Cauterization} - A61B 2018/0063: {Sealing} - A61B 2018/00994: {combining two or more different kinds of non-mechanical energy or combining one or more non-mechanical energies with ultrasound} - A61B 2018/1427: {with a beveled end} - A61B 2018/1467: {using more than two electrodes on a single probe} - A61B 2018/1497: {Electrodes covering only part of the probe circumference} - A61B 2018/162: {located on the probe body} - A61B 2018/165: {Multiple indifferent electrodes} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract An electrosurgical dissection apparatus is disclosed, and includes a thermally insulating body, a thermally conductive insert, at least one active electrode, and at least one return electrode. The at least one active electrode is disposed on the thermally conductive insert, and the at least one return electrode is spaced from the at least one active electrode by a portion of the thermally insulating body. The thermally conductive insert is configured to cauterize tissue dissected by radiofrequency energy passing from the at least one active electrode to the at least one return electrode. ## Claims ### Claim at position 1 1-16. (canceled) ### Claim 17 An electrosurgical dissection apparatus comprising: a proximal portion formed of a thermal conductor; a distal portion formed of a thermal insulator; at least one active electrode disposed on the thermal conductor; and at least one return electrode disposed on the thermal conductor, wherein the thermal conductor is configured to cauterize tissue dissected by radiofrequency energy passing from the at least one active electrode to the at least one return electrode. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The electrosurgical dissection apparatus of claim 17, wherein the distal portion includes a distal tip, wherein a shape of the distal tip is one of sharpened, rounded, or blunt. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The electrosurgical dissection apparatus of claim 17, wherein thermal energy is stored within the proximal portion when current is flowing between the at least one active electrode and the at least one return electrode. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The electrosurgical dissection apparatus of claim 19, wherein the thermal energy is released by the proximal portion when the current stops flowing. ### Claim 21 (depends on 17) The electrosurgical dissection apparatus of claim 17, wherein the at least one active electrode is formed of at least one of copper, silver, or gold. ### Claim 22 (depends on 17) The electrosurgical dissection apparatus of claim 17, wherein the thermal insulator is formed from an amorphous polyamide. ### Claim 23 (depends on 17) The electrosurgical dissection apparatus of claim 17, wherein the thermal conductor is formed from alumina. ### Claim 24 (depends on 17) The electrosurgical dissection apparatus of claim 17, wherein the at least one active electrode is formed from a coating of conductive material. ### Claim 25 (depends on 23) The electrosurgical dissection apparatus of claim 23, wherein the thermal conductor is formed from at least one of copper, silver, or gold. ### Claim 26 An electrosurgical dissection system comprising: an electrosurgical generator configured to generate electrosurgical energy; an electrosurgical dissection apparatus comprising: a proximal portion formed of a thermal conductor; a distal portion formed of a thermal insulator; at least one active electrode disposed on the thermal conductor; and at least one return electrode disposed on the thermal conductor, wherein the thermal conductor is configured to cauterize tissue dissected by radiofrequency energy passing from the at least one active electrode to the at least one return electrode; and a cable connecting the electrosurgical generator to the electrosurgical dissection apparatus. ### Claim 27 (depends on 26) The electrosurgical system of claim 26, wherein the distal portion of the electrosurgical dissection apparatus includes a distal tip, wherein a shape of the distal tip is one of sharpened, rounded, or blunt. ### Claim 28 (depends on 26) The electrosurgical dissection system of claim 26, wherein thermal energy is stored within the proximal portion when current is flowing between the at least one active electrode and the at least one return electrode. ### Claim 29 (depends on 26) The electrosurgical dissection system of claim 26, wherein the thermal energy is released by the proximal portion when the current stops flowing. ### Claim 30 (depends on 26) The electrosurgical dissection system of claim 26, wherein the at least one active electrode is formed of at least one of copper, silver, or gold. ### Claim 31 (depends on 26) The electrosurgical dissection system of claim 26, wherein the thermal insulator is formed from an amorphous polyamide. ### Claim 32 (depends on 26) The electrosurgical dissection system of claim 26, wherein the thermal conductor is formed from alumina. ### Claim 33 (depends on 27) The electrosurgical dissection system of claim 27, wherein the at least one active electrode is formed from a coating of conductive material. ### Claim 34 (depends on 27) The electrosurgical dissection system of claim 27, wherein the thermal conductor is formed from at least one of copper, silver, or gold.