Raymond M Morrison

US Patent:

59250453, Jul 20, 1999

Filed:

Apr 2, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/831924

Inventors:

Harry G. Reimels - Braintree MA
Raymond Morrison - Scituate MA

Assignee:

Mentor Corporation - Santa Barbara CA

International Classification:

A61B 1738
A61B 1736

US Classification:

606 48

Abstract:

An electrosurgical instrument having a first electrode that includes an elongated, electrically conductive member and a second electrode that includes a layer of electrically conductive material adhered over at least a portion of a distal region of the elongated member and separated therefrom by an insulator. The electrodes receive electrical power in a proximal region of the instrument and apply the power to an object in the body by inducing current flow between the electrodes at the distal region. In a related aspect, the second electrode is configured so that the outer diameter of the distal region is substantially the same as the outer diameter of the distal end of the first electrode. In another aspect, one of the electrodes has a reduced circumferential extent relative to the other electrode to limit an area of current flow between the electrodes and thus restrict the size of the region in which cauterization occurs. Still another aspect of the invention features a process for fabricating the electrode assembly.

US Patent:

59724161, Oct 26, 1999

Filed:

Jan 23, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/591953

Inventors:

Harry G. Reimels - Braintree MA
Raymond Morrison - Scituate MA

Assignee:

Mentor Corporation - Santa Barbara CA

International Classification:

A61L 3100
B05D 300
A61B 1736

US Classification:

427 212

Abstract:

An electrosurgical instrument having a first electrode that includes an elongated, electrically conductive member and a second electrode that includes a layer of electrically conductive material adhered over at least a portion of a distal region of the elongated member and separated therefrom by an insulator. The electrodes receive electrical power in a proximal region of the instrument and apply the power to an object in the body by inducing current flow between the electrodes at the distal region. In a related aspect, the second electrode is configured so that the outer diameter of the distal region is substantially the same as the outer diameter of the distal end of the first electrode. In another aspect, one of the electrodes has a reduced circumferential extent relative to the other electrode to limit an area of current flow between the electrodes and thus restrict the size of the region in which cauterization occurs. Still another aspect of the invention features a process for fabricating the electrode assembly.