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US 8,475,455 B2Granted
Fluid-assisted electrosurgical scissors and methods
AssigneeMedtronic Advanced Energy LLC
InventorsMichael E. McClurken, Roger D. Greeley, John W. Berry
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An electrosurgical scissors comprising an end effector comprising a first blade member and a second blade member, the first blade member and the second blade member pivotally connected; an electrical connector configured to couple the scissors to a power source; and a fluid passage in fluid communication with at least one fluid outlet.
Claims20
A fluid-assisted electrosurgical scissors to treat tissue, the scissors comprising:
- an end effector comprising a first blade member and a second blade member, the first blade member and the second blade member pivotally connected and arranged to cut tissue;
- at least one of the first blade member and the second blade member electrically coupled to an electrical connector connectable to a radio frequency power source;
- the first blade member comprising a first blade member shearing edge extending to a distal end of the first blade member and the second blade member comprising a second blade member shearing edge extending to a distal end of the second blade member;
- the first blade member comprising a first blade member distal portion and the second blade member comprising a second blade member distal portion, wherein at least one of the distal portions further comprises a bulbous portion protruding from a respective one of the first blade member or second blade member, the bulbous portion being bulbous relative to a remainder of the respective one of the first blade member or the second blade member, wherein the bulbous portion has an exposed electrically-conductive surface;
- a fluid passage in fluid communication with at least one fluid outlet, wherein the at least one fluid outlet is positioned to expel fluid to the end effector;
- a shaft having a first lumen, wherein the end effector is connected to the shaft;
- and
- a rod having a second lumen providing a portion of the fluid passage, wherein a portion of the rod is positioned in the first lumen.
5 more elements
A fluid-assisted electrosurgical scissors to treat tissue, the scissors comprising:
- an end effector comprising a first blade member and a second blade member, the first blade member and the second blade member pivotally connected and arranged to cut tissue;
- at least one of the first blade member and the second blade member electrically coupled to an electrical connector connectable to a radio frequency power source;
- the first blade member comprising a first blade member shearing edge extending to a distal end of the first blade member and the second blade member comprising a second blade member shearing edge extending to a distal end of the second blade member;
- the first blade member comprising a first blade member distal portion and the second blade member comprising a second blade member distal portion, wherein at least one of the distal portions further comprises a bulbous portion protruding from an exterior side of a respective one of the first blade member or second blade member, the bulbous portion being bulbous relative to a remainder of the respective one of the first blade member or second blade member, wherein:
- the bulbous portion has an exposed electrically-conductive surface serving as an electrode pole configured to operate in a monopolar configuration, the exposed electrically-conductive surface facing opposite of an interior side surface of the respective blade member which is provided with the shearing edge;
- a fluid passage in fluid communication with at least one fluid outlet;
- and
- the at least one fluid outlet positioned to expel a fluid to the end effector to create a fluid coupling between the end effector and tissue at a treatment site and wherein the at least one fluid outlet is obstructed from contact with tissue by at least one of the blade members.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.