RF bipolar end effector for use in electrosurgical instruments
AssigneeEthicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
InventorsScott D. Wampler, William L. Collins, Jr., David C. Yates
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Abstract
The present invention is directed to a bipolar electrosurgical end effector for use in medical instruments. A bipolar end effector according to the present invention includes a tissue slot and electrodes arranged on either side of the tissue slot. The opposing electrodes are electrically connected such that tissue passing through the slot is electrically treated with electrosurgical current passing laterally through the tissue. An end effector according to the present invention further includes a tissue separator arranged at the end of the slot to divide tissue as it is passed through the slot and after it is treated.
Claims9
A bipolar end effector comprising:
- a first tissue surface, wherein said first tissue surface comprises a first and a second side;
- a second tissue surface separated from said first tissue surface by a tissue slot, said tissue slot being defined by a distance between said first tissue surface and said second tissue surface, wherein said distance is fixed;
- a plurality of elongated electrodes, wherein said elongated electrodes are located on at least one of said tissue surfaces and are electrically isolated from each other;
- a tissue separator positioned between said first and said second tissue surfaces, wherein said tissue separator comprises;
- a dividing edge at the distal end of said tissue separator;
- a first tissue guide extending proximally away from said dividing edge toward said first side;
- and
- a second tissue guide extending proximally away from said dividing edge toward said second side.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.