Electrosurgical system
US6241723A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 21, 1999 |
| Grant date | Jun 5, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 21, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B2018/0066
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An electrosurgical system is disclosed that applies electrical energy to obtain a predetermined surgical effect, while also reducing eschar deposits on a working surface of an electrosurgical instrument, producing an eschar deposit which is easily removed from the working surface and/or facilitating removal of eschar deposits during a cleaning procedure. Such benefits may be realized by providing a negative bias on the working surface relative to a return path to source during electrosurgical procedures and/or during a cleaning procedure which may include contacting the working surface with an electrically conductive liquid. To reduce smoke generation at a surgical site, the electrosurgical instrument may comprise a metal body having an outer insulating layer to reduce thermal/electrical discharge from non-functional portions of the instrument. An insulating layer having a thermal conductance of about 1.2 W/cm.sup.2.degree. K and a dielectric withstand strength of at least about 50 volts may be employed. Such insulating layer may advantageously comprise silicon and/or carbon. The metal body may be provided to have a thermal conductivity of at least about 0.35 W/cm.degree. K, and ma…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.