Method and apparatus for performing an electrosurgical procedure

Claim 1

A method of performing electrosurgery within a body cavity and characterized by the absence of a ground plate in contact with the exterior body surface of the patient and comprising the steps of applying an electrosurgical current to tissue within the lower peritoneal cavity of the body, and while grounding the current through a terminal positioned within and contacting the uterine cavity so as to be located in the proximity of the tissue to which the current is applied and such that the current travels a relatively short distance through the body.

Claim 2

A method of performing electrosurgery within a body cavity and characterized by the absence of a ground plate in contact with the exterior body surface of the patient and comprising the steps of applying an electrosurgical current to tissue within the lower peritoneal cavity of the body, and while grounding the current through a terminal positioned within and contacting the uterine cavity so as to be located in the proximity of the tissue to which the current is applied and such that the current travels a relatively short distance through the body.

Claim 4

A method of sterilizing a human female by electrosurgically cutting and coagulating the fallopian tubes, and comprising the steps of inserting an electrically conductive elongate member into the uterine cavity and so as to contact the same, inserting the active terminal of an electrosurgical instrument through the abdominal wall and into the lower peritoneal cavity, applying a surgical current to each of the fallopian tubes by contacting the same with the active terminal to thereby cut and coagulate the tubes, and grounding the surgical current through the member positioned within the uterine cavity.

Claim 5

A method of sterilizing a human female by electrosurgically cutting and coagulating the fallopian tubes, and comprising the steps of inserting an electrically conductive elongate member into the uterine cavity and so as to contact the same, inserting the active terminal of an electrosurgical instrument through the abdominal wall and into the lower peritoneal cavity, applying a surgical current to each of the fallopian tubes by contacting the same with the active terminal to thereby cut and coagulate the tubes, and grounding the surgical current through the member positioned within the uterine cavity.

Claim 16

An apparatus for moving a retroverted uterus to an anterior position to facilitate visualization of the uterus during a laparoscopic procedure or the like, and characterized by the ability to serve as the ground terminal during an electrosurgical procedure in the lower peritoneal cavity, and comprising an elongate rod having a forward end adapted to extend into the vagina, and a rearward end, a manipulating arm of an electrically conductive material pivotally mounted at said forward end of said rod, said arm having a configuration and length which permits the same to extend a substantial distance into the uterine cavity, means carried at said rearward end of said rod and operatively connected to said arm for selectively pivoting said arm between a first position substantially coaxial with said rod and a second generally upright position which is angularly disposed with respect to said rod, means for releasably holding said arm in said upright position, and an electrical terminal mounted adjacent the rearward end of said rod and electrically connected to said manipulating arm, whereby a retroverted uterus may be moved to and maintained in an anterior position by inserting said arm into the uterine cavity and pivoting the same to its upright position to thereby facilitate visualization of the uterus and fallopian tubes through a laparoscope or the like, and wherein the current employed in an electrosurgical procedure within the lower peritoneal cavity may be collected by said manipulating arm and grounded through said electrical terminal.

Claim 17

An apparatus for moving a retroverted uterus to an anterior position to facilitate visualization of the uterus during a laparoscopic procedure or the like, and characterized by the ability to serve as the ground terminal during an electrosurgical procedure in the lower peritoneal cavity, and comprising an elongate rod having a forward end adapted to extend into the vagina, and a rearward end, a manipulating arm of an electrically conductive material pivotally mounted at said forward end of said rod, said arm having a configuration and length which permits the same to extend a substantial distance into the uterine cavity, means carried at said rearward end of said rod and operatively connected to said arm for selectively pivoting said arm between a first position substantially coaxial with said rod and a second generally upright position which is angularly disposed with respect to said rod, means for releasably holding said arm in said upright position, and an electrical terminal mounted adjacent the rearward end of said rod and electrically connected to said manipulating arm, whereby a retroverted uterus may be moved to and maintained in an anterior position by inserting said arm into the uterine cavity and pivoting the same to its upright position to thereby facilitate visualization of the uterus and fallopian tubes through a laparoscope or the like, and wherein the current employed in an electrosurgical procedure within the lower peritoneal cavity may be collected by said manipulating arm and grounded through said electrical terminal.