Importance

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Abstract

A safety shield for use in laparoscopic or like electrosurgical procedures where the shield surrounds the active electrode and extends from a trocar or the like to the field of view of the surgical procedure. The shield is connected to the return lead via a low impedance path which includes monitor circuitry for determining whether the shield current is associated with an abnormal condition. The shield may also serve as a structural element of the instrument and be connected to the instrument body so that the instrument is maintained at or near patient potential. Moreover, a unitary connector is provided whereby connection to the active electrode and shield may be made by a single connector. Attached to the connector is a cable in which both the active and shield conductors are contained for at least a distance sufficient to minimize clutter in the operative site. Articulatable instruments incorporating the above features are also disclosed where different implementations are utilized to absorb the longitudinal reactive forces generated upon articulation of the tips. An adjustable insulating sheath for use with the articulatable instruments is also utilized so that the tips can be exposed more or less depending upon the particular surgical application.

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First Claim