Claims
- 1. A bipolar electrosurgical instrument comprising:
a pair of first and second members each having a jaw member extending from a distal end thereof and a handle disposed at a proximal end thereof for effecting movement of the jaw members relative to one another; at least one electrode having an electrically conductive seal surface and an insulating substrate, the insulative substrate being overmolded to capture the electrically conductive seal surface; and at least one mechanical interface extending from the insulative substrate which engages a corresponding mechanical interface disposed on one of the jaw members to secure the electrode to the jaw member.
- 2. A bipolar electrosurgical instrument according to claim 2 wherein the insulative substrate includes a forked extension which engages a corresponding recess in one of the jaw members to secure the electrode to the jaw member.
- 3. A bipolar electrosurgical instrument according to claim 2 wherein the recess is dimensioned to engage the forked extension.
- 4. A bipolar electrosurgical instrument according to claim 1 wherein the insulative substrate further includes an alignment pin which engages a corresponding socket disposed within one of the jaw members.
- 5. A bipolar electrosurgical instrument according to claim 1 wherein the electrically conductive seal surface of the electrode is generally flat to limit current concentration along an edge of the electrode.
- 6. A bipolar electrosurgical instrument according to claim 1 wherein the electrode is removably mounted to at least one of the jaw members.
- 7. A bipolar electrosurgical instrument according to claim 1 including a pair of electrodes each removably engage a corresponding jaw members, the pair of electrodes including first and second wires which are bundled along at least one of the first and second members.
- 8. A bipolar electrosurgical instrument according to claim 1 wherein the electrode includes a strain relief member.
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/387,883 filed on Sep. 1, 1999 which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 08/968,496 filed on Nov. 12, 1997 both of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.
Continuations (2)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
09387883 |
Sep 1999 |
US |
Child |
09885673 |
Jun 2001 |
US |
Parent |
08968496 |
Nov 1997 |
US |
Child |
09387883 |
Sep 1999 |
US |