Importance

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Abstract

An electrosurgical system is provided for the treatment of tissue, the system comprising an electrosurgical generator (1) and an instrument (3) comprising an instrument shaft (10) having a longitudinal axis, and an electrode assembly (12) at one end of the shaft. The electrode assembly (12) comprises a first tissue treatment electrode (11), a second tissue treatment electrode (14), and first and second return electrodes (24, 25) electrically insulated from the first and second tissue treatment electrodes by means of insulation members (12, 15). The first and second tissue treatment electrodes (11, 14) each have an exposed surface for treating tissue, the exposed surface of the first tissue treatment electrode (11) being such as to treat tissue disposed on the longitudinal axis, and the exposed surface of the second tissue treatment electrode (14) being such as to treat tissue disposed laterally of the longitudinal axis. The instrument has a first set of connections (62A, 62C) by which the first tissue treatment electrode (11) can be placed in circuit with the first return electrode (24) such that, in use, a current path is established between the first tissue treatment electrode (11) and the first return electrode (24). The instrument has a second set of connections (62B, 62D) by which the second tissue treatment electrode (14) can be placed in circuit with the second return electrode (25) such that, in use, a current path is established between the second tissue treatment electrode (14) and the second return electrode (25).

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First Claim