Surgical instrument with protective sheath

A monopolar electrode tip adapted for use in performing electrosurgical operative procedures, the monopolar electrode tip comprising:

• a main body, formed of a conductive material, adapted to be electrically connected to an electrosurgical generator to facilitate communication of electrical energy from the electrosurgical generator to the monopolar electrode tip, the main body comprising a connection end and a working end, the working end having a proximal end, a distal end, and first and second opposing working surfaces adapted to communicate the electrical energy from the main body to patient tissue for performing electrosurgical operative procedures thereupon, the first and second opposing working surfaces extending between the proximal and distal ends of the working end;
• an electrically insulative sheath, formed of an electrically insulative material, disposed around at least a portion of the working end such that the insulative sheath covers at least a portion of each of the first and second opposing working surface and leaves exposed at least a portion of each of the first and second working surfaces, at least a portion of the connection end extending proximally out of the sheath the insulative sheath having a first side disposed adjacent the first working surface, a second side disposed adjacent the second working surface, and a leading edge extending between the first and second sides, the leading edge having a generally arcuate shape such that a first end of the leading edge forms a generally obtuse angle with the first working surface and a second end of the leading edge forms a generally obtuse angle with the second working surface, an interior surface of the sheath having a size and a shape that correspond to a cross-sectional size and shape of the working end such that the leading edge is in contact with the first working surface and the second working surface and such that substantially no void exists between the leading edge and the first working surface or between the leading edge and the second working surface.

A monopolar electrosurgical device adapted for use in performing operative procedures, the monopolar electrosurgical device comprising:

• a main body having a connection end and a working end, the working end having first and second opposing sides that extend between proximal and distal ends of the working end, the first and second opposing sides defining respective first and second working surfaces that are adapted to be applied to patient tissue for performing operative procedures thereupon, the working end having a longitudinal axis that extends between the proximal and distal ends of the working end;
• an electrically insulative sheath disposed around at least a portion of the working end such that the sheath covers at least a portion of each of the first and second working surfaces and leaves exposed at least a portion of each of the first and second working surfaces, at least a portion of the connection end extending proximally out of the sheath the sheath having a first side disposed adjacent the first working surface, a second side disposed adjacent the second working surface, and a leading edge extending between the first and second sides of the sheath, the leading edge extending across the working end and forming a generally obtuse angle with the longitudinal axis and at the junction with each of the first and second working surfaces, an interior surface of the sheath having a size and a shape that correspond to a cross-sectional size and shape of the working end such that the leading edge is in uniform contact with the first working surface and the second working surface and such that substantially no void exists between the leading edge and the first working surface or between the leading edge and the second working surface.