United States Patent [19] [li] Patent Number: 5,688,270
Yates et al. [45] Date of Patent: *Nov. 18, 1997
[54] ELECTROSURGICAL HEMOSTATIC
DEVICE WITH RECESSED AND/OR OFFSET
ELECTRODES
[75] Inventors: David C. Yates, West Chester; James Voegele, Cincinnati, both of Ohio
[73] Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgeryjnc, Cincinnati, Ohio
[ * ] Notice: The term of this patent shall not extend beyond the expiration date of Pat. No. 5,403,312.
[21] Appl. No.: 374,012
[22] Filed: Jan. 18,1995
Related U.S. Application Data
[63] Continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 95,797, Jul. 22, 1993, Pat No. 5,403,312, and a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 96,154, Jul. 22, 1993, abandoned.
[51] Int CI.6 A61B 17/39
[52] U.S. CI 606/51; 606/50; 606749;
606/46; 606/41
[58] Field of Search 606/37-42, 45-52,
606/205-209, 142, 143
[56] References Cited
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
An electrosurgical instrument is provided for cauterization and/or welding of tissue of varying impedances, thicknesses and vascularity especially in the performance of endoscopic procedures. The instrument compresses the tissue between an electrode associated with a first pole of a bipolar energy source located on one interfacing surface off a first element, and a second interfacing surface of a second element. The first and second elements are used to engage and compress tissue between the first and second interfacing surfaces. A second electrode associated with a second pole is located one of the two interfacing surfaces. The first electrode is either recessed into the first tissue contacting surface and/or offset from the second electrode on the same or opposing surfaces. A preferred application of the invention is in a cutting instrument wherein a hemostatic line is formed along a cut line using RF energy.
32 Claims, 14 Drawing Sheets
