Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

An electrosurgical instrument includes a hand piece, an electrode assembly comprising one or more electrodes attached to the hand piece, and connection means for connecting the hand piece to an electrosurgical generator. The hand piece comprises a housing, fluid supply lines for directing a cooling fluid to and from the electrode assembly, and a pump for driving cooling fluid through the fluid supply lines. An electrosurgical cutting blade comprises a first electrode, a second electrode, and an electrical insulator separating the first and second electrodes. The first and second electrode have dissimilar characteristics, such that the first electrode is encouraged to become an active electrode and the second electrode is encouraged to become a return electrode. In use, a thermal differential is established between the first and second electrodes, either by thermally insulating the second electrode from the first electrode, and/or by transferring heat away from the second electrode.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim