Capacitively coupled cordless electrosurgical instrument

An endoscopic electrosurgical instrument wherein said electrosurgical instrument comprises:

• a) a handle;
• b) an end effector operatively connected to said handle and including at least a first electrode;
• c) an elongated tube connecting said end effector to said handle;
• d) a first capacitor plate positioned in said elongated tube wherein said first capacitor plate is electrically connected to said first electrode by an electrical conductor, said electrical conductor being positioned at least partially within said elongated tube.

An electrosurgical instrument wherein said electrosurgical instrument comprises:

• a) a handle including an actuator;
• b) an end effector including first and second electrodes wherein said end effector comprises a first grasping element and a second grasping element;
• c) an elongated tube, wherein said tube connects said end effector to said handle and includes a mechanism operatively connecting said end effector to said actuatior;
• d) a first capacitor plate positioned at least partially in said tube and extending along at least a portion of said tube wherein said first capacitor plate is electrically connected to said first electrode by an insulated wire positioned in said elongated tube;
• e) a second capacitor plate positioned in and extending along said tube distal to said first capacitor plate, wherein said second capacitor plate is electrically connected to said second electrode.

An electrosurgical instrument wherein said electrosurgical instrument comprises:

• a) a handle means for holding said instrument;
• b) an end effector means for treating tissue wherein said end effector means is operatively connected to said handle;
• c) an elongated tube means for connecting said end effector means to said handle means;
• d) a capacitive coupling means for capacitively coupling electrosurgical energy through said elongated tube means to said instrument, wherein capacitor means is electrically connected to said end effector.

An endoscopic electrosurgical instrument wherein said electrosurgical instrument comprises:

• a) a handle means for holding said instrument;
• b) an end effector means for treating tissue wherein said end effector means is operatively connected to said handle means and including at least a first electrode means for transmitting electrical energy to tissue contacted by said end effector;
• c) an elongated tube means for connecting said end effector to said handle;
• d) a first capacitive coupling means for capacitively coupling electrical energy to said first electrode wherein said first capacitive coupling means is positioned in said elongated tube means;
• and
• e) an electrical conductor means for conducting electricity from said first capacitive coupling means to said electrode means, said electrical conductor being positioned at least partially within said elongated tube.

An electrosurgical instrument wherein said electrosurgical instrument comprises:

• a) a handle means for holding said instrument;
• b) an actuator means attached to said handle for opening and closing said end effector;
• c) an end effector means for manipulating tissue, said end effector means including first and second electrodes;
• d) an elongated dielectric tube means for operatively connecting said handle to said end effector including a mechanism operatively connecting said end effector to said actuation trigger;
• e) a first capacitive coupling means positioned at least partially in said elongated tube wherein said first capacitive coupling means is electrically connected to said first electrode by an insulated wire positioned in said elongated tube;
• f) a second capacitive coupling means is positioned in and extending along said elongated tube, wherein said capacitive coupling means is electrically connected to said second electrode.