Patent · US Expired

Combination monopolar-bipolar electrosurgical instrument system, instrument and cable

US6113596A · kind A · utility

665Cited by
43References
46Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateOct 10, 1997
Grant dateSep 5, 2000
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 10, 2017

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61B2018/00178
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

An electrosurgical instrument system including an RF energy source that has two bipolar terminals of opposite polarity and two monopolar terminals, one being active and the other being passive. Switches are provided for selectively energizing the bipolar terminals and the monopolar terminals. The system includes an electrosurgical instrument that has two tissue-contacting members and at least two electrodes. One electrode may be associated with each of the tissue-contacting members, or both electrodes may be associated with one of the tissue-contacting members. Two conductors are provided for connecting the two electrodes to the positive and negative bipolar terminals respectively. A third conductor is provided for connecting either of the electrodes or one of the tissue-contacting members to the active monopolar terminal. The system also includes a patient return electrode pad which is in electrical communication with the pass of monopolar terminal. Consequently, the instrument may be selectively used in the either the monopolar mode or the bipolar mode by engagement of the appropriate switch. In addition, an instrument for use in such a system as disclosed, which comprises any of…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.