Electrosurgical instrument employing an electrode

US8888776B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Timothy G. Dietz · Wayne, US
• David A. Witt · Maineville, US
• Jeffrey L. Aldridge · Lebanon, US
• Zhifan F. Huang · Mason, US
• Mary E. Mootoo · Cincinnati, US
• Raymond M. Banks · Cupertino, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 9, 2010
• Grant date: Nov 18, 2014
• Expiry date: Aug 29, 2033

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61B2018/1455
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

An electrosurgical surgical instrument can comprise a handle and an end effector, wherein the end effector can comprise first and second jaws which can be opened and closed in order to capture tissue therebetween. In various embodiments, the first and second jaws can comprise one or more electrodes configured to apply a voltage across the tissue, wherein at least one of the electrodes can comprise a conductive material positioned within a non-conductive, or high-resistance, material. In use, current flowing through the conductive material can heat the conductive material and cause it to evaporate and leave behind the non-conductive material. In such circumstances, the current flowing through the electrode may cease or may be substantially reduced.