Electrosurgical instrument
US6533781B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 29, 2000 |
| Grant date | Mar 18, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 20, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B2018/1412
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An improved electrosurgical instrument and method is disclosed for reducing smoke generation at a surgical site. The electrosurgical instrument comprises a metal body having an outer insulating layer to reduce thermal/electrical discharge from non-functional portions of the instrument. In one aspect of the invention, an insulating layer having a thermal conductance of about 1.2 W/cm2° K and a dielectric withstand strength of at least about 50 volts is employed. Such insulating layer may advantageously comprise silicon and/or carbon. In another aspect of the invention, the metal body is provided to have a thermal conductivity of at least about 0.35 W/cm° K, and may advantageously comprise a metal selected from the group: gold, silver, aluminum, copper tantalum, tungsten, columbium and molybdenum. In yet a further aspect, the metal body may include an intermediate layer that defines a peripheral edge portion of reduced cross-section (e.g., about 0.001 inches thick or less) for electrosurgical signal transmission. Such intermediate layer may comprise a metal having a melting point of at least about 2600° F. Heat sink means may be included in various embodiments to establis…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.