Monopolar and bipolar electrosurgical instruments

Abstract

An electrosurgical pencil with integrated tweezers includes-an elongated housing having an open distal end and an actuator operatively associated therewith. First and second jaw members extend distally through the open distal end of the elongated housing and are transitionable between a closed position and an open position upon actuation of an actuator. One or both of the jaw members is configured to treat tissue with monopolar energy and both jaw members are configured to treat tissue with bipolar energy. One or more switches is operably coupled to a controller disposed in the housing and configured to activate the first and second jaw members to treat tissue with monopolar and bipolar energy.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . An end effector assembly of a surgical instrument, comprising:
 a monopolar assembly configured to apply monopolar energy to tissue; and   first and second jaw members configured to conduct bipolar energy through tissue grasped therebetween, the first and second jaw members movable from an open position to a closed position to grasp tissue therebetween, the first and second jaw members further movable to an isolated position wherein the first jaw member is at least partially received within a cavity defined within the second jaw member to isolate the first jaw member from the monopolar element.   
     
     
         22 . The end effector assembly according to  claim 21 , wherein the second jaw member is part of the monopolar assembly, the second jaw member configured to deliver monopolar energy to tissue. 
     
     
         23 . The end effector assembly according to  claim 21 , wherein the monopolar assembly includes an electrode operably coupled to the second jaw member. 
     
     
         24 . The end effector assembly according to  claim 21 , wherein the monopolar assembly includes an electrode extending distally from the second jaw member. 
     
     
         25 . The end effector assembly according to  claim 21 , wherein both of the first and second jaw members are movable between the open position, the closed position, and the isolated position. 
     
     
         26 . The end effector assembly according to  claim 21 , wherein one of the first jaw member or the second jaw is stationary while the other of the first jaw member or the second jaw member is movable between the open position, the closed position, and the isolated position. 
     
     
         27 . The end effector assembly according to  claim 21 , wherein the first and second jaw members are electrically isolated from one another. 
     
     
         28 . The end effector assembly according to  claim 21 , further comprising a sensor configured to sense whether tissue is disposed between the first and second jaw members, the sensor configured to provide a signal to disable monopolar activation if tissue is sensed between the first and second jaw members. 
     
     
         29 . The end effector assembly according to  claim 21 , further comprising a sensor configured to sense whether tissue is disposed between the first and second jaw members, the sensor configured to provide a signal to disable bipolar activation in the absence of tissue sensed between the first and second jaw members. 
     
     
         30 . A surgical instrument configured for both monopolar and bipolar use, the surgical instrument comprising:
 a housing;   an actuator operably coupled to the housing;   at least one energy activation switch operably coupled to the housing; and   an end effector assembly operably coupled to the housing and positioned distally thereof, the end effector assembly including:
 a monopolar assembly configured to apply monopolar energy to tissue; and 
 first and second jaw members configured to conduct bipolar energy through tissue grasped therebetween, the first and second jaw members movable from an open position to a closed position to grasp tissue therebetween, the first and second jaw members further movable to an isolated position wherein the first jaw member is at least partially received within a cavity defined within the second jaw member to isolate the first jaw member from the monopolar assembly. 
   
     
     
         31 . The surgical instrument according to  claim 30 , wherein the energy activation switch is configured to supply bipolar energy to the end effector assembly in a first mode of operation and to supply monopolar energy to the end effector assembly in a second mode of operation. 
     
     
         32 . The surgical instrument according to  claim 30 , wherein the at least one energy activation switch includes a first activation switch configured to supply bipolar energy to the end effector assembly and a second activation switch configured to supply monopolar energy to the end effector assembly. 
     
     
         33 . The surgical instrument according to  claim 31 , wherein the monopolar assembly includes an electrode extending distally from the second jaw member. 
     
     
         34 . The surgical instrument according to  claim 31 , wherein the second jaw member is part of the monopolar assembly, the second jaw member configured to deliver monopolar energy to tissue. 
     
     
         35 . The surgical instrument according to  claim 31 , wherein both of the first and second jaw members are movable between the open position, the closed position, and the isolated position. 
     
     
         36 . The surgical instrument according to  claim 31 , wherein one of the first jaw member or the second jaw is stationary while the other of the first jaw member or the second jaw member is movable between the open position, the closed position, and the isolated position. 
     
     
         37 . The surgical instrument according to  claim 31 , wherein the first and second jaw members are electrically isolated from one another. 
     
     
         38 . The surgical instrument according to  claim 31 , further comprising a sensor configured to sense whether tissue is disposed between the first and second jaw members, the sensor configured to provide a signal to disable monopolar activation if tissue is sensed between the first and second jaw members. 
     
     
         39 . The surgical instrument according to  claim 31 , further comprising a sensor configured to sense whether tissue is disposed between the first and second jaw members, the sensor configured to provide a signal to disable bipolar activation in the absence of tissue sensed between the first and second jaw members. 
     
     
         40 . The surgical instrument according to  claim 31 , wherein the actuator is operably coupled to the end effector assembly and configured to move the first and second jaw members between the open position, the closed position, and the isolated position.