Surgical instrument with off-axis electrode
AssigneeOratec Interventions, Inc.
InventorsHugh R. Sharkey, Gary S. Fanton, Remberto J. Carranza, Douglas M. Lorang
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A surgical instrument comprising a handle and an elongated probe connected to the handle. The elongated probe has a terminus distal to the handle. At least one electrode that includes an electrode surface is positioned on the terminus so that a line from a geometric center of the electrode surface and substantially perpendicular to the electrode surface intersects at an angle a longitudinal axis formed by the elongated probe. A conductor is provided for attaching the at least one electrode to the handle.
Claims15
A surgical instrument, comprising:
- a handle;
- an elongated probe connected to the handle and having a terminus distal to the handle;
- at least one electrode including an electrode surface positioned on the terminus so that a line from a geometric center of the electrode surface and substantially perpendicular to the electrode surface intersects at an angle a longitudinal axis formed by the elongated probe;
- and
- a conductor for attaching the at least one electrode to the handle,
- the elongated probe further comprising an elongated probe member having proximal and distal extremities, the handle connected to the proximal extremity, and the at least one electrode carried by the distal extremity, the probe member including a shaft having proximal and distal ends and a distal opening, the at least one electrode including a flat perforated plate and a cap, the perforated plate being fixed to the distal end of the shaft and partially covering the distal opening, the cap enclosing the perforated plate and a portion of the distal end of the shaft,
- wherein the plate is affixed to the distal end by epoxy,
- the surgical instrument further comprising a thermal couple extending through the shaft and the perforated plate, the thermal couple including a terminus located adjacent the cap.
A surgical apparatus comprising:
- a handle including a distal portion;
- an elongated probe coupled to the distal portion of the handle and including a distal portion;
- a conductive plate including a face and a side wall, the conductive plate coupled to the distal portion of the elongated probe;
- and
- a conductive cap electrically coupled to the plate and enclosing the plate by extending over a portion of the face and along a portion of the side wall, the cap forming an electrode surface and configured to deliver energy to tissue.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.