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:
Oct. 02, 2001
Filed:
Feb. 02, 1999
Scott D. Wampler, West Chester, OH (US);
William L. Collins, Jr., Cincinnati, OH (US);
David C. Yates, West Chester, OH (US);
Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc., Cincinnati, OH (US);
Abstract
The present invention is directed to a bipolar electrosurgical end effector for use in medical instruments. A bipolar end effector according to the present invention includes a tissue slot and electrodes arranged on either side of the tissue slot. The opposing electrodes are electrically connected such that tissue passing through the slot is electrically treated with electrosurgical current passing laterally through the tissue. An end effector according to the present invention further includes a tissue separator arranged at the end of the slot to divide tissue as it is passed through the slot and after it is treated.