Electrosurgical midline clamping scissors

Abstract

The electrosurgical midline clamping scissors includes a pair of elongate arms pivotal about each other at a common axis. Each arm includes a finger loop at one end and a jaw at the opposite end. Each jaw includes a midline cutting section and a grasping section on either side of a cutting blade in the cutting section. A wire is operatively connected from a generator to each arm to transmit electricity or radio frequency through electrical conductors inside the arms. The electrical conductors extend into the jaws to form a bipolar configuration. During use, as the jaws close, the jaws complete the circuit and simultaneously clamp, cut and electrocoagulate the target tissue.

I claim: 
     
         1 . An electrosurgical midline clamping scissors, comprising:
 a pair of arms including first and second substantially elongate arms, each of the arms having a proximal end and a distal end;   a pivot joint connecting the first and second arms medially, the pivot joint defining a common axis for pivoting movement of the first and second arms with respect to each other;   a finger loop disposed at the proximal end of each of the arms, the finger loop being adapted for receiving thumbs and fingers of a user for manipulating the elongate arms;   a jaw connected to the distal end of each of the arms, each of the jaws having an elongate midline cutting section for cutting target tissue and an elongate grasping section disposed on both lateral sides of the cutting section, the jaws being movable between a spaced, open position and a closed position by pivotal movement of the first and second arms, the grasping sections being adapted for holding and clamping the target tissue during use;   a locking mechanism disposed between the finger loops of the elongate arms;   a generator for producing an electric current, each of the arms having a terminal, the generator having lines to each of the terminals; and   an electrical conductor disposed inside each of the scissor arms, each of the electrical conductors extending from the terminals through the arms to the respective jaws;   wherein closing of the jaws about the target tissue completes an electric circuit and simultaneously clamps, cuts and electrocoagulates the target tissue.   
     
     
         2 . The electrosurgical midline clamping scissors according to  claim 1 , wherein said jaws comprise complementary first and second jaws; the midline cutting section of the first jaw having an elongate cutting blade and an adjacent longitudinal groove, the cutting blade having an elongate cutting edge; the midline cutting section of the second jaw having an elongate cutting blade and an adjacent longitudinal groove, the cutting blade having an elongate cutting edge; wherein the first blade extends into the second longitudinal groove and the second blade extends into the first longitudinal groove when said jaws are closed to complete cutting the target tissue between the blades. 
     
     
         3 . The electrosurgical midline clamping scissors according to  claim 2 , wherein said grasping sections have serrated surfaces. 
     
     
         4 . The electrosurgical midline clamping scissors according to  claim 1 , wherein each of said first and second arms is bent near said pivot joint. 
     
     
         5 . The electro surgical midline clamping scissors according to  claim 1 , further comprising an insulating coating disposed over said finger loops, said elongate arms, said pivot joint, and an outer surface of said jaws to prevent electric shock and electrical bums. 
     
     
         6 . An electrosurgical midline clamping scissors, comprising:
 a pair of arms including first and second substantially elongate arms, each of the arms having a proximal end and a distal end;   a pivot joint connecting the first and second arms medially, the pivot joint defining a common axis for pivoting movement of the first and second arms with respect to each other;   a finger loop disposed at the proximal end of each of the arms, the finger loops being adapted for receiving thumbs and fingers of a user for manipulating the elongate arms;   a jaw disposed at the distal end of each of the arms, each of the jaws having an elongate midline cutting section for cutting target tissue and an elongate grasping section disposed on both lateral sides of the cutting section, the jaws being movable between a spaced, open position and a closed position by pivotal movement of the first and second arms, the grasping sections holding and clamping the target tissue during use;   a locking mechanism disposed between the finger loops and the elongate arms;   a generator for producing electric current or radio frequency, the generator having a line connected to one of the arms; and   a conductive body plate electrode disposed remotely from the arms, the generator having a second line connected to the conductive body plate electrode;   wherein at least one of the arms and jaws is conductive, and wherein closing the jaws about the target tissue simultaneously clamps, cuts and electrocoagulates the target tissue.   
     
     
         7 . The electrosurgical midline clamping scissors according to  claim 6 , wherein said jaws comprise complementary first and second jaws; the midline cutting section of the first jaw having an elongate cutting blade and an adjacent longitudinal groove, the cutting blade having an elongate cutting edge; the midline cutting section of the second jaw having an elongate cutting blade and an adjacent longitudinal groove, the cutting blade having an elongate cutting edge; wherein the first blade extends into the second longitudinal groove and the second blade extends into the first longitudinal groove when said jaws are closed to complete cutting the target tissue between the blades. 
     
     
         8 . The electrosurgical midline clamping scissors according to  claim 7 , wherein said grasping sections have serrated surfaces. 
     
     
         9 . The electrosurgical midline clamping scissors according to  claim 6 , wherein each said first and second arms is bent near said pivot joint. 
     
     
         10 . The electrosurgical midline clamping scissors according to  claim 6 , further comprising an insulating coating over said finger loops, said elongate arms, said pivot joint, and an outer surface of said jaws to prevent electric shock and electrical burns.