Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

An electrosurgical instrument having a safety shield for use in laparoscopic or like electrosurgical procedures designed to receive a plurality of electrosurgical instrument inserts. The electrosurgical inserts are designed so as to provide quick and easy attachment to the electrosurgical apparatus while still providing enhanced resistance to rotation forces encountered during an electrosurgical procedure, and to distribute actuation forces occurring during use. The safety shield includes a crimped portion for transferring forces that occur during operation of an articulating instrument inserted therein to a handle assembly of the electrosurgical instrument. The electrosurgical instrument has a seal that reduces or prevents electrical current from flowing between the active electrode and shield assemblies. The electrosurgical instrument further includes a connector assembly for receiving a mating cable connector and providing a fail-safe interconnection therewith. A second preferred embodiment of the electrosurgical instrument is adapted to be removably connected with a replaceable shield/connector assembly through which the instrument is inserted. Furthermore, position of the shield with respect to the electrosurgical instrument can easily be accomplished.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim