Bipolar surgical instruments having focused electrical fields

Abstract

A bipolar surgical device comprises a pair of actuable jaws. A first electrode member which optionally includes a line of electrically coupled tissue-penetrating elements is formed on one of the jaws, and a second electrode member which optionally includes a line of electrically coupled tissue-penetrating elements is formed on the same or the other jaw. The electrode members are laterally spaced-apart and arranged in a parallel, usually linear manner so that the lateral distance therebetween remains generally constant. In operation, tissue may be grasped between the jaws so that the electrode members contact and/or the tissue-penetrating elements enter into the tissue. By energizing the electrode members at opposite polarities using a high frequency energy source, tissue between the jaws will be heated, coagulated, and/or necrosed, while heating of tissue outside of the lines will be minimized.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A bipolar surgical instrument comprising: 
 a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end;    a pair of opposed jaws at the distal end of the shaft;    a first electrode member comprising a first line of tissue-penetrating elements on one of the jaws;    a second electrode member comprising a second line of tissue-penetrating elements on one of the jaws, wherein the first and second electrode members are electrically isolated and laterally spaced-apart from each other; and    a linkage attaching at least one of the jaws to the shaft, wherein the linkage maintains opposed surfaces of the jaws in a generally parallel orientation as the jaws are moved between an opened and closed configuration by the linkage.