Importance

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Abstract

A bipolar electrosurgical cutting and coagulating instrument for cutting and coagulating tissue in open surgery. The instrument comprises a handle member from which an electrically conductive first forceps rod and an electrically conductive second forceps rod extend in opposing relationship to each other. An electrically conductive wire extends from the handle member to reside within a longitudinal lumen of the second forceps rod. The first forceps rod is partially movable proximally within the handle member wherein a movable electrical conduit resides. Proximal movement of the first forceps rod causes the rod to contact and move the conduit which, in turn, causes distal movement of the conductive wire with which the conduit is in contact. Such distal wire movement causes the distal end of the wire to extend distally from the second forceps rod. When the wire is extended, the distal end thereof functions as a scalpel since bipolarity is established between the distal end of the wire and the second forceps rod. When the wire is retracted, a coagulation mode results since bipolarity is established between the first and second forceps rods.

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First Claim