US5281216A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrosurgical bipolar treating apparatus
Assignee: Covidien AG
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Filing: 1992-03-31
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Granted: 1994-01-25
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Expires: 2012-03-31
Abstract
Abstract An electrosurgical bipolar treating apparatus comprising a handpiece to which is connected a first active electrode and a second return electrode having exposed distal ends which define a bipolar tip for electrosurgically treating tissue at an operational site on a patient, which tip is structured so that both distal ends simultaneously contact said tissue and wherein the active electrode has a higher tissue to electrode impedance than the return electrode.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael S. Klicek
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 22:00
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/04; A61B18/12; A61B18/14; A61B18/1402
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
179 words
An electrosurgical bipolar treating apparatus comprising a handpiece adapted to be connected to a generator which provides high frequency electrical energy for performing an electrosurgical operation, which handpiece has mounted thereon a first active electrode having a proximal end and a distal end and a second return electrode having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of each electrode being connected to the handpiece and the distal end of each electrode being exposed and being close to but spaced apart from the distal end of the other electrode, said exposed distal ends defining a bipolar tip for electrosurgically treating tissue at an operational site on a patient, which tip is structured so that both distal ends simultaneously contact said tissue and wherein the exposed distal end of the active electrode is substantially the same size as the exposed distal end of the return electrode and the exposed distal end of the active electrode is coated with a high impedance material so that the active electrode has a higher tissue to electrode impedance than the return electrode.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
179 words
An electrosurgical bipolar treating apparatus comprising a handpiece adapted to be connected to a generator which provides high frequency electrical energy for performing an electrosurgical operation, which handpiece has mounted thereon a first active electrode having a proximal end and a distal end and a second return electrode having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of each electrode being connected to the handpiece and the distal end of each electrode being exposed and being close to but spaced apart from the distal end of the other electrode, said exposed distal ends defining a bipolar tip for electrosurgically treating tissue at an operational site on a patient, which tip is structured so that both distal ends simultaneously contact said tissue and wherein the exposed distal end of the active electrode is substantially the same size as the exposed distal end of the return electrode and the exposed distal end of the active electrode is coated with a high impedance material so that the active electrode has a higher tissue to electrode impedance than the return electrode.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 which includes hand-operated switching means mounted on the handpiece for activating said electrodes.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus according to claim 2, in which the electrosurgical operation includes blend and coag and said switching means also includes switches for activating the generator in the blend and coag modalities.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-01-24 | 1997-07-26 | 1998-01-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-01-24 | 2001-07-26 | 2002-01-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-01-24 | 2005-07-26 | 2006-01-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |