Electrosurgical device and method

An electrosurgical instrument comprising:

• a shaft having a distal end and a longitudinal axis;
• an end effector located at the distal end of the shaft, said end effector adapted to receive electrosurgical energy therein, said end effector comprising:
• first and second pivotally connected elements comprising first and second opposed tissue contacting surfaces respectively, said surfaces moveable relative to each other from an open, spaced-apart position for positioning tissue therebetween, to a closed position for compressing the tissue, at least a portion of one of said surfaces being an elongated electrical conductor at least partially surrounded by electrically insulative regions which form a second portion of said surface and said electrical conductor being arranged to receive the electrosurgical energy;
• and
• a cutting element moveable within an enclosed cutting path to cut tissue positioned between said surfaces, wherein said first and second elements in said closed position define a compression zone.

An electrosurgical instrument comprising:

• a shaft having a distal end and a longitudinal axis:
• an end effector located at the distal end of the shaft, said end effector adapted to receive electrosurgical energy therein, said end effector comprising:
• first and second pivotally connected elements comprising first and second opposed tissue contacting surfaces respectively, said surfaces moveable relative to each other from an open, spaced-apart position for positioning tissue therebetween, to a closed position for approximating the tissue, at least a portion of said surfaces being an elongated electrical conductor at least partially surrounded by electrically insulating regions which form a second portion of said surface and said electrical conductor being arranged to receive the electrosurgical energy, and
• each of said first and second opposed tissue contacting surfaces having a proximal and distal portions;
• a cutting element moveable within an enclosed cutting path to cut tissue positioned between said surfaces, wherein said elements in said closed position define a closed area for compressing tissue to be treated with electrosurgical energy.

A method for electrosurgically treating tissue comprising:

• providing an electrosurgical instrument comprising:
• a shaft having a distal end and a longitudinal axis;
• an end effector located at the distal end of the shaft, adapted to receive electrosurgical energy therein, said end effector comprising:
• first and second pivotally connected opposed tissue contacting surfaces said surfaces moveable relative to each other from an open, spaced-apart position for positioning tissue therebetween, to a closed position for approximating the tissue, at least a portion of one of said surfaces being an elongated electrical conductor at least partially surrounded by electrically insulating regions which form a second portion of said surface said electrical conductor being and arranged to receive the electrosurgical energy, and
• a cutting element moveable along an enclosed cutting path to cut tissue between said surfaces;
• clamping tissue between said surfaces;
• applying electrosurgical energy to treat said tissue;
• and cutting said tissue with said cutting element after electrosurgically treating tissue.