Importance

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Abstract

An endoscopic surgical instrument includes a housing, single access conduit formed in the housing, an irrigation port and an evacuation port, each port being connected through independent valves to the single access conduit. The single access conduit has a first end and a second end which is terminated in an aperture formed in the housing. A closure is provided for the aperture. A viewing device, such as an endoscope, is insertable through the aperture and the single access conduit, and is extended slightly beyond the first end. An electrode assembly having two or more retractable RF electrodes spaced a predetermined distance and angle apart, is also insertable through the aperture and the single access conduit, and is extendable beyond the first end. Each RF electrode is in electrical communication with a means for supplying R.F. energy and for continuously measuring impedance across the electrodes. Also, each RF electrode is extendable beyond and completely retractable into a guiding sheath. Each RF electrode is extendable beyond its guiding sheath by a predetermined length. Also, each RF electrode may be extended in such a manner to form a predetermined angular value with the longitudinal centerline of the single access conduit.

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First Claim