Patent · US Expired

Fluid-assisted electrosurgical instrument with shapeable electrode

US7967816B2 · kind B2 · utility

35Cited by
600References
17Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJan 25, 2002
Grant dateJun 28, 2011
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 25, 2022

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61B2018/1472
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

An electrosurgical instrument including an elongated shaft and a non-conductive handle. The shaft defines a proximal section, a distal section, and an internal lumen extending from the proximal section. The distal section forms an electrically conductive tip and defines at least one passage for distributing fluid. Further, the shaft is adapted to be transitionable from a straight state to a first bent state. The shaft is capable of independently maintaining the distinct shapes associated with the straight state and the first bent state. The handle is rigidly coupled to the proximal section of the shaft. With this in mind, an exterior surface of the shaft distal the handle and proximal the distal section is electrically non-conductive. In one preferred embodiment, the shaft is comprised of an elongated electrode body surrounded by an electrical insulator.

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