MIS electrosurgical handpiece

Abstract

An electrosurgical handpiece comprising a squeezable handle connected to extend and retract bipolar electrodes from a rigid tubular member. The bipolar electrodes comprise active separable distal ends and connecting links configured such that when the handle is unsqueezed, the active distal ends protrude from the distal end of the first tubular member and are adjacent one another, and when the handle is fully squeezed, the active distal ends are fully extended outwardly from the first tubular member and separate, and when the handle is relaxed but still partially squeezed, the active distal ends come together and touch first at their extreme ends and then touch over a broader area in a position to grasp tissue for receiving electrosurgical currents.

1 - 10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . An electrosurgical handpiece comprising:
 (a) a first main body,   (b) a second main body axially aligned with and coupled to the first main body,   (c) a squeezable handle connected to the first and second main bodies such that, when the handle is unsqueezed, the first and second main bodies assume a first axial position relative to one another, and when the handle is squeezed, the first and second main bodies assume a second axial position relative to one another,   (d) means for biasing the first and second main bodies into their first position,   (e) a first member having a first end and a second end and connected to one of the first and second main bodies,   (f) an active electrosurgical electrode connected to the first member and movable into an active position at the second end of the first member and connected to the other of the first and second main bodies, the electrosurgical electrode having a contact end and at least one electrically active end adjacent the second end of the first member,   (g) electrical terminal means at one of the first and second main bodies and electrically connected to the electrically active end of the electrosurgical electrode, whereby, when the electrical terminal means is activated and the handle squeezed, the first and second main bodies assume their second position and the electrically active end of the electrode can be moved into its active position at the second end of the first member and is capable of supplying electrosurgical currents when applied to a patient,   characterized in that:   the squeezable handle comprises:   (h) a first rigid arm member pivotably connected at a midpoint to the first main body and having a first arm portion extending below its connected midpoint and a second arm portion extending above its connected midpoint,   (i) a second rigid arm member pivotably connected at a midpoint to the second main body and having a first arm portion extending below its connected midpoint and a second arm portion extending above its connected midpoint,   (j) the second arm portions of the first and second arm members being joined together above their connected midpoints to form a pivotable fulcrum axis and form at the fulcrum an angle such that obstruction of a user's view of the active electrosurgical electrode is reduced.   
     
     
         12 . An electrosurgical handpiece as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the first and second arm portions are provided with concave portions configured to receive fingers of a user. 
     
     
         13 . An electrosurgical handpiece as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the second arm portions of the first and second arm members form at the fulcrum an angle of just below 180°. 
     
     
         14 . An electrosurgical handpiece as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the first and second arm portions are dimensioned to provide a mechanical advantage of about 2:1 for the user.