Bipolar electrosurgical scissors and method of manufacture

Abstract

A bipolar electrosurgical scissors has an improved coagulation capability. Both poles of electrosurgical energy are exposed on the exterior surfaces of each shearing member so that the scissors can be used to coagulate tissue using only one shearing member. There may be two or more electrically conductive regions on the exterior surface of each shearing member. The conductive regions may be formed by laminating, depositing, or inlaying electrically conductive material on the exterior surfaces. The conductive regions are electrically insulated from each other. In one embodiment, the shearing surfaces are also electrically conductive and are each connected to the same electrical pole. In another embodiment, the conductive material that forms one of the conductive regions on each exterior surface also extends through the shearing member to also form a conductive shearing surface.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.