Electrosurgical cutting tool

An electrosurgical cutting device, comprising:

• a tool housing including a handle portion;
• a cutting portion, adjacent the handle portion, having substantially parallel first and second elongate tyne elements which define a tissue engaging space therebetween;
• a pathway within the first tyne member which defines a cutting path;
• a moveable curing element, electrically isolated from the remainder of the tool, said cutting element being adapted to move from a retracted position through the pathway in the first tyne to sever tissue;
• means for moving the cutting element through the pathway to effect cutting of tissue;
• selectively operable electrosurgical current supply means for communicating electrical energy through the cutting element to tissue to cauterize tissue simultaneous with the cutting action of the element;
• and
• a tissue contacting return electrode in electrical communication with the second tyne element and electrically isolated from the cutting element, forming a bipolar electrosurgical cutting device.

A method of conducting electrosurgical procedures, comprising the steps of:

• providing a bipolar electrosurgical cutting tool having as an active, energy delivering electrode a retractable cutting element selectively moveable along a predetermined cutting path, said cutting element being connected to one pole of a bipolar generator and being electrically isolated from a tissue contacting return electrode disposed on a cutting portion of the tool and adjacent the cutting element;
• placing tissue in the cutting path of the cutting element;
• activating the cutting element such that it passes through and severs the tissue;
• providing electrosurgical energy through the cutting element to tissue adjacent the incision simultaneously with the severing of tissue by the element such that the affected tissue is cauterized and bleeding associated with the incision is essentially eliminated;
• and
• deploying a plurality of surgical staples adjacent the incision, simultaneous with the steps of activating the cutting element and providing electrosurgical energy through the element to the tissue.

A bipolar electrosurgical cutting device, comprising:

• a handle means for grasping and manipulating the device;
• a cutting portion, adjacent to the handle means, having substantially parallel first and second elements that define a tissue engaging space therebetween;
• a cutting element disposed within the cutting portion of the device and adapted to be manipulated to sever tissue, the cutting element being electrically isolated from the remainder of the device and being in electrical communication with a remote generator which provides electrosurgical energy to the cutting element for delivery to tissue contacted by the cutting element;
• a tissue contacting return electrode provided on a tissue-contacting region of the cutting portion electrically isolated from the cutting element, forming a bipolar electrosurgical device;
• means for effecting the movement of the cutting element within the cutting portion of the device to sever tissue;
• and
• power control means for activating and regulating the electrosurgical energy supplied to the tool.

An electrosurgical cutting device, comprising:

• a tool housing including a handle portion;
• a cutting element, adjacent the handle portion, having substantially parallel first and second elongate tyne elements which define a tissue engaging space therebetween;
• a pathway within the first tyne member which defines a cutting path;
• a moveable cutting element, electrically isolated from the remainder of the tool, said cutting element being adapted to move from a retracted position through the pathway in the first tyne to sever tissue;
• means for moving the cutting element through the pathway to effect cutting of tissue;
• a cartridge means for housing a plurality of surgical staples, said cartridge means disposed on the first tyne member, on a side thereof facing the second tyne member and having a longitudinal groove therein to accommodate passage of the cutting element;
• a means for deploying the staples substantially simultaneously with the cutting action of the cutting element;
• anvil means for effecting closure of the staples, the mandrel means being disposed on a side of the second tyne member facing the first tyne member;
• and
• selectively operable electrosurgical current supply means for communicating electrical energy through the cutting element to tissue to cauterize tissue simultaneous with the cutting action of the cutting element.