Plasma bipolar forceps

An electrosurgical bipolar forceps for use with an electrosurgical controller, comprising:

• a first leg and a second leg, each leg having a proximal and distal end portion and a respective leg length therebetween, wherein the first leg distal end portion comprises an active electrode;
• wherein the second leg distal end portion comprises a return electrode;
• wherein the first leg and second leg lengths are configured to move relative to each other upon application of pressure on an outer surface of each of the first and second leg lengths so as to move the first and second legs between an open first position and a closed second position;
• and
• wherein the active electrode and the return electrode are electrically connected to an electrical first lead and a second lead respectively for delivering electrosurgical energy to tissue adjacent to one of the first leg or the second leg;
• and
• wherein the forceps comprise a fluid aspiration element associated with at least one of the legs having an aspiration aperture disposed distal to both the active and return electrode, configured such that fluid is drawn distally along an elongate gap having a length defined by both the active and return electrodes before being aspirated through the aspiration aperture;
• wherein the fluid is drawn distally at a rate configured to improve the wetting of the active and return electrode with an electrically conductive fluid delivered adjacent the distal end portions, configured to enable more uniform ionized gas formation along the elongate gap when the forceps are in the closed position.

An electrosurgical bipolar forceps for use with an electrosurgical controller, comprising:

• a first leg and a second leg, each leg having a proximal and distal end portion and a respective leg length therebetween, wherein the first leg distal end portion comprises an active electrode;
• wherein the second leg distal end portion comprises a return electrode;
• wherein the first leg and second leg lengths are configured to move relative to each other between an open first position and a closed second position;
• and wherein the active electrode and the return electrode are electrically connected to an electrical first lead and a second lead respectively for delivering electrosurgical energy to tissue adjacent to one of the first leg or the second leg;
• and
• wherein the forceps comprise a fluid delivery element associated with at least one of the legs having an aperture disposed adjacent a proximal end of the active and return electrode and a fluid aspiration element associated with at least one of the legs having an aspiration aperture disposed distal to both the active and return electrode, configured such that fluid flows from the fluid delivery aperture and is drawn distally along an elongate gap between the active and return electrodes towards the aspiration aperture.