Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

An electrosurgical instrument for sequentially cutting and coagulating tissue, including methodology for electrosurgical procedures incorporating principles of the inventive instrument. The instrument comprises a cutting electrode connectable to a first power source having a first power signal sufficient to cut tissue, and a coagulating electrode connectable to a second power source having a second power signal sufficient to coagulate tissue. The electrodes may be separated by an electrical insulator to maintain the electrodes in a spaced relationship such that the coagulating electrode can immediately follow the cutting electrode during movement of the instrument, thereby providing sequential yet substantially simultaneous cutting and coagulating of tissue. Methodology for performing an electrosurgical procedure in tissue includes providing the above described instrument with power delivery to the electrodes. The power signal to the cutting electrode differs from that supplied to the coagulation electrode in accord with required respective values to accomplish cutting or coagulation. The distal ends of the electrodes are introduced to tissue to be cut and moved therethrough with a single stroke to thereby effectuate tissue cutting followed by substantially simultaneous coagulation. The electrodes may be formed having differing cross-sectional configurations and may be vertically offset to maximize cutting and coagulation of tissue. An in-dwelling dispersive electrode may be utilized to concentrate electrosurgical energy at a desired tissue size.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim