The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 05, 2000
Filed:
Oct. 10, 1997
Michael D Hooven, Cincinnati, OH (US);
Theodore A Richardson, Cincinnati, OH (US);
Enable Medical Corporation, West Chester, OH (US);
Abstract
An electrosurgical instrument system including an RF energy source that has two bipolar terminals of opposite polarity and two monopolar terminals, one being active and the other being passive. Switches are provided for selectively energizing the bipolar terminals and the monopolar terminals. The system includes an electrosurgical instrument that has two tissue-contacting members and at least two electrodes. One electrode may be associated with each of the tissue-contacting members, or both electrodes may be associated with one of the tissue-contacting members. Two conductors are provided for connecting the two electrodes to the positive and negative bipolar terminals respectively. A third conductor is provided for connecting either of the electrodes or one of the tissue-contacting members to the active monopolar terminal. The system also includes a patient return electrode pad which is in electrical communication with the pass of monopolar terminal. Consequently, the instrument may be selectively used in the either the monopolar mode or the bipolar mode by engagement of the appropriate switch. In addition, an instrument for use in such a system as disclosed, which comprises any of a variety of bipolar electrosurgical instruments, including scissors, graspers, and forceps. A separate conductor assembly is also disclosed. In a further embodiment, switching circuitry is disclosed that senses bipolar or monopolar current and automatically connects the electrosurgical instrument to contact with the leads for the sensed current.