Electrosurgical Biopsy Instrument

Abstract

Embodiments are directed to various monopolar and bipolar electrosurgical scissor instruments. A monopolar electrosurgical scissor instrument includes one scissor blade that has an electrically conductive tapered edge, where the tapered edge is insufficiently sharp to shear or otherwise mechanically cut tissue. The scissors also include another electrically insulated scissor blade movably mounted to the first scissor blade. The second scissor blade includes a flat contact surface that is aligned with the tapered edge of the first scissor blade. The scissors further include a scissor body that includes a conductor that transfers electrical energy from an energy source to the tapered edge of the first electrically conductive scissor blade to electrically cut interlaying tissue located between the first electrically conductive scissor blade and the second electrically insulated scissor blade.

We claim: 
     
         1 . An electrosurgical biopsy cutter instrument, comprising:
 a first half comprising a cup portion and a tapered edge that extends about at least a portion of the cup portion, wherein the tapered edge is configured to concentrate electrical energy transmitted from the electrosurgical biopsy cutter to patient tissue during an electrosurgical procedure, the tapered edge being insufficiently sharp to shear or mechanically cut tissue;   a second half hingedly coupled to the first half such that the first half and the second half can be moved between open and closed positions, the second half comprising a cup portion that cooperates with the cup portion of the first half to define an interior space in which a tissue sample may be received, the second half further comprising a contact surface that extends about at least a portion of the cup portion of the second half; and   a conductive body that transfers electrical energy from an energy source to at least one of the tapered edge of the first half or the contact surface of the second half to electrically cut tissue located between the first half and the second half.   
     
     
         2 . The electrosurgical biopsy cutter instrument of  claim 1 , wherein the tapered edge of the first half has a width of about 0.2 mm or less. 
     
     
         3 . The electrosurgical biopsy cutter instrument of  claim 1 , wherein the first half and the second half are connected together by a hinge. 
     
     
         4 . The electrosurgical biopsy cutter instrument of  claim 1 , wherein the contact surface of the second half comprises a tapered edge that is insufficiently sharp to shear or mechanically cut tissue. 
     
     
         5 . The electrosurgical biopsy cutter instrument of  claim 4 , wherein the tapered edge of the second half has a width of about 0.2 mm or less. 
     
     
         6 . The electrosurgical biopsy cutter instrument of  claim 1 , wherein the contact surface of the second half comprises a substantially flat surface. 
     
     
         7 . The electrosurgical biopsy cutter instrument of  claim 1 , wherein the contact surface of the second half is aligned with the tapered edge of the first half. 
     
     
         8 . The electrosurgical biopsy cutter instrument of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the tapered edge of the first half or the contact surface of the second half is electrically insulative. 
     
     
         9 . The electrosurgical biopsy cutter instrument of  claim 1 , wherein the contact surface of the second half is electrically conductive. 
     
     
         10 . An electrosurgical biopsy cutter instrument, comprising:
 an electrically conductive first half comprising a cup portion and a tapered edge that extends about at least a portion of the cup portion, wherein the tapered edge concentrates electrical energy transmitted from the electrosurgical biopsy cutter to patient tissue during an electrosurgical procedure, the tapered edge being insufficiently sharp to shear or mechanically cut tissue;   a second half, at least one of the first half and the second half being movable relative to the other half, the second half comprising a cup portion that cooperates with the cup portion of the first half to define an interior space in which a tissue sample may be received, the second half further comprising a contact surface that extends about at least a portion of the cup portion of the second half and that is aligned with the tapered edge of the first half; and   a conductive body that transfers electrical energy from an energy source to the tapered edge of the first half to electrically cut tissue located between the first half and the second half.   
     
     
         11 . The electrosurgical biopsy cutter instrument of  claim 10 , wherein the tapered edge of the first half has a width of about 0.2 mm or less. 
     
     
         12 . The electrosurgical biopsy cutter instrument of  claim 10 , wherein the first half is movable relative to the second half. 
     
     
         13 . The electrosurgical biopsy cutter instrument of  claim 10 , wherein the contact surface of the second half comprises a tapered edge that is insufficiently sharp to shear or mechanically cut tissue. 
     
     
         14 . The electrosurgical biopsy cutter instrument of  claim 13 , wherein the tapered edge of the second half has a width of about 0.2 mm or less. 
     
     
         15 . The electrosurgical biopsy cutter instrument of  claim 10 , wherein the contact surface of the second half is electrically insulative. 
     
     
         16 . The electrosurgical biopsy cutter instrument of  claim 10 , wherein the contact surface of the second half is electrically conductive. 
     
     
         17 . An electrosurgical biopsy cutter instrument, comprising:
 an electrically conductive first half comprising a cup portion and a tapered edge that extends about at least a portion of the cup portion, the tapered edge being configured to concentrate electrical energy transmitted from the electrosurgical biopsy cutter instrument to patient tissue during an electrosurgical procedure, the tapered edge being insufficiently sharp to shear or mechanically cut tissue, and the electrical energy comprising a monopolar output signal;   an electrically conductive second half movably mounted to the first half, the second half comprising a cup portion and a contact surface that is aligned with the tapered edge of the first half, wherein the first half and the second half are electrically insulated from one another and wherein a minimum clearance space exists between the first half and the second half to prevent the first half and the second half from touching; and   a scissor body comprising a conductor that transfers electrical energy from an energy source to the tapered edge of the first half in a first polarity and transfers electrical energy to the contact surface of the second half in a second polarity that is opposite from the first polarity, wherein the transferred energy electrically cuts interlaying tissue located between the first half and the second half.   
     
     
         18 . The electrosurgical biopsy cutter instrument of  claim 17 , wherein the electrical energy is returned via the second half. 
     
     
         19 . The electrosurgical biopsy cutter instrument of  claim 17 , wherein the contact surface of the second half comprises a tapered edge that is insufficiently sharp to shear or mechanically cut tissue. 
     
     
         20 . The electrosurgical biopsy cutter instrument of  claim 17 , wherein the contact surface of the second half comprises a substantially flat edge. 
     
     
         21 . The electrosurgical scissor of  claim 17 , wherein at least one of the tapered edge of the first half or the contact surface of the second half has a width of about 0.2 mm or less.