Flexible Bipolar Sheath

Abstract

A medical instrument sheath including an elongated hollow tube having a wall comprised of polymeric material; and at least one electrical lead embedded inside the wall, wherein the at least one electrical lead is configured to be connected with a respective electrode disposed in a member located inside the sheath and extending from a distal end of the sheath.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A medical instrument apparatus comprising:
 an elongated hollow tube having a wall;   a first electrical conductor extending from the elongated hollow tube;   an electrical insulator abutting the first electrical conductor;   at least one electrical lead extending along the wall, wherein the at least one electrical lead is configured to provide radiofrequency (RF) energy for a surgical operation; and   a leg including a electrically conductive portion extending between the first electrical conductor and the at least one electrical lead, wherein the at least one electrical lead is configured to electrically couple with the first electrical conductor via the leg.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , the apparatus comprising
 a second electrical conductor, wherein the second electrical conductor abuts the electrical insulator; and   a debrider, wherein the second electrical conductor forms an outer blade for the debrider.   
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one electrical lead comprises a single electrical lead along a length of the elongated hollow tube. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one electrical lead comprises two electrical leads extending along a length of the elongated hollow tube. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein opposite ends of the at least one electrical lead are located at opposite ends of the elongated hollow tube. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the electrically conductive member comprises at least a portion of a bipolar trace for bipolar cutting. 
     
     
         7 . A method of manufacturing a medical device comprising:
 extruding an elongated hollow tube having a wall;   locating a first electrical conductor extending from the elongated hollow tube;   forming an electrical insulator such that the electrical insulator abuts the first electrical conductor;   forming at least one electrical lead along the wall;   configuring the at least one electrical lead to provide radiofrequency (RF) energy for a surgical operation and   forming a leg including an electrically conductive portion between the first electrical conductor and the at least one electrical lead, wherein the at least one electrical lead is configured to electrically couple with the first electrical conductor via the leg.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , the method further comprising forming a second electrical conductor such that the second electrical conductor abuts the electrical insulator and the medical device includes a debrider, wherein the second electrical conductor forms an outer blade for the debrider. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the at least one electrical lead comprises a single electrical lead along a length of the elongated hollow tube. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the at least one electrical lead comprises two electrical leads extending along a length of the elongated hollow tube. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 7 , the method further comprising exposing opposite ends of the at least one electrical lead at opposite ends of the elongated hollow tube. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the electrically conductive member comprises a portion of a bipolar trace for bipolar coagulation. 
     
     
         13 . A medical instrument apparatus comprising:
 a sheath;   an elongated hollow tube having a wall and extending from the sheath;   a first electrical conductor extending from the elongated hollow tube and the sheath;   an electrical insulator abutting the first electrical conductor;   at least one electrical lead extending along the wall and through the sheath, wherein the at least one electrical lead is configured to provide radiofrequency (RF) energy for a surgical operation; and   a leg including a electrically conductive portion extending between the first electrical conductor and the at least one electrical lead, wherein the at least one electrical lead is configured to electrically couple with the first electrical conductor via the leg.   
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , the apparatus comprising:
 a second electrical conductor, wherein the second electrical conductor abuts the electrical insulator; and   a debrider, wherein the second electrical conductor forms an outer blade for the debrider.   
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one electrical lead comprises a single electrical lead along a length of the elongated hollow tube. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one electrical lead comprises two electrical leads extending along a length of the elongated hollow tube. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein opposite ends of the at least one electrical lead are located at opposite ends of the elongated hollow tube and wherein the electrically conductive member comprises at least a portion of a bipolar trace for bipolar cutting.