Importance

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Abstract

An electrosurgical instrument which includes an inner, insulated, elongated switching core integrally molded about an elongated main contact wire which extends continually throughout the core and extends from both the proximal and distal ends of the core. An electrode blade is connected to the distally extending portion of the main contact wire. Two selectively operable electrical contact switches are easily mounted on the core in a longitudinally spaced apart relation. Two windows are provided in the core, each exposing a portion of the main contact wire. Each window is respectively positioned beneath a portion of each of the contact switches so that one or the other of the switches may be selectively moved into engagement with the main contact wire. One of the switches provides a suitable electrical cutting signal to the electrode blade when in contact with the main contact wire, while the other switch provides a suitable electrical coagulation signal to the blade when in contact with the main contact wire. A resilient tubular sleeve member may be mounted with a tight sealing fit over the inner core to encapsulate the switching core in order to prevent fluid from entering the switching area of the electrosurgical instrument.

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First Claim