Non-stick bipolar forceps

Abstract

Disposable, bipolar electrosurgical forceps are designed to prevent the sticking of body tissue to the tips of the forceps and include a pair of electrode arms having lengths with opposite proximal and distal ends, with thin layers of biocompatible metal on the forceps arm distal ends and bipolar electrical conductors permanently secured to the forceps arm proximal ends.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A tissue-sticking resistant forceps comprising:
 first and second elongate pincers, each pincer having an intermediate body portion that is shaped and dimensioned to be held in a single hand, and each pincer having a proximal end portion and a distal portion at opposite ends of the intermediate body portion, the pincer distal end portions extending from the intermediate body portions to pointed end tips of the pincers, the first and second pincers consisting of an aluminum alloy;   an electrically conductive cord permanently connected to the proximal end portion of at least one pincer, the cord having a flexible length that extends from the at least one pincer to an electrical connector from the at least one pincer; and   a layer of biocompatible metal on each pincer tip, the layer of biocompatible metal having a thickness being not more than 0.010 inches.   
     
     
         2 . The tissue-sticking resistant forceps of  claim 1 , wherein the layer of biocompatible metal comprises silver. 
     
     
         3 . The tissue-sticking resistant forceps of  claim 2 , wherein the layer of biocompatible metal is pure silver. 
     
     
         4 . The tissue-sticking resistant forceps of  claim 1 , wherein the layer of biocompatible metal comprises gold. 
     
     
         5 . The tissue-sticking resistant forceps of  claim 1 , further comprising electrically insulating coatings over the intermediate body portions of the first and second pincers. 
     
     
         6 . The tissue-sticking resistant forceps of  claim 1 , wherein the thickness of the layer of biocompatible metal on each pincer tip being in a range of 0.0005 of an inch to 0.005 of an inch. 
     
     
         7 . The tissue-sticking resistant forceps of  claim 1 , wherein the thickness of the layer of biocompatible metal on each pincer tip being in a range of 0.002 of an inch to 0.005 of an inch. 
     
     
         8 . A tissue-sticking resistant forceps comprising:
 first and second elongate pincers, each pincer having an intermediate body portion that is shaped and dimensioned to be held in a single hand, and each pincer having a proximal end portion and a distal portion at opposite ends of the intermediate body portion, the pincer distal end portions extending from the intermediate body portions to pointed end tips of the pincers, the first and second pincers comprising aluminum;   a cord connected to the proximal end portions of the proximal end portion of the first pincer, the cord comprising a wire, the wire permanently secured to the proximal end portion of the first pincer;   a base that connects the pincers to one another and further secures the wire to the proximal end portion of the first pincer, the base comprising a cup-shaped cap having a hollow interior, the cap including a hole, the cord passing through the hole, the interior of the cap being potted with a material, and the cord originating at the back of the cap; and   a layer of biocompatible metal on each pincer tip, the layer of biocompatible metal having a thickness being not more than 0.010 inches.   
     
     
         9 . The tissue-sticking resistant forceps of  claim 8 , wherein the wire is crimped to the proximal end portion of the first pincer to secure the cord mechanically and electrically to the first pincer. 
     
     
         10 . The tissue-sticking resistant forceps of  claim 8 , wherein the proximal end portion of the first pincer defines a hole, and the wire is inserted into the hole and crimped. 
     
     
         11 . The tissue-sticking resistant forceps of  claim 8 , wherein the wire comprises multiple strands. 
     
     
         12 . The tissue-sticking resistant forceps of  claim 8 , wherein the cap comprises an electrically-insulating material. 
     
     
         13 . The tissue-sticking resistant forceps of  claim 8 , wherein the material for potting comprises epoxy. 
     
     
         14 . The tissue-sticking resistant forceps of  claim 8 , wherein the first and second pincers comprises an aluminum alloy. 
     
     
         15 . The tissue-sticking resistant forceps of  claim 8 , wherein the first and second pincers consist of an aluminum alloy. 
     
     
         16 . The tissue-sticking resistant forceps of  claim 8 , wherein the layer of biocompatible metal comprises silver. 
     
     
         17 . The tissue-sticking resistant forceps of  claim 16 , wherein the layer of biocompatible metal is pure silver. 
     
     
         18 . The tissue-sticking resistant forceps of  claim 8 , wherein the layer of biocompatible metal comprises gold. 
     
     
         19 . The tissue-sticking resistant forceps of  claim 8 , wherein the thickness of the layer of biocompatible metal on each pincer tip being in a range of 0.0005 of an inch to 0.005 of an inch. 
     
     
         20 . The tissue-sticking resistant forceps of  claim 8 , wherein the thickness of the layer of biocompatible metal on each pincer tip being in a range of 0.002 of an inch to 0.005 of an inch. 
     
     
         21 . The tissue-sticking resistant forceps of  claim 8 , further comprising electrically insulating coatings over the intermediate body portions of the first and second pincers. 
     
     
         22 . A tissue-sticking resistant forceps comprising:
 first and second elongate pincers, each pincer having an intermediate body portion that is shaped and dimensioned to be held in a single hand, and each pincer having a proximal end portion and a distal portion at opposite ends of the intermediate body portion, the pincer distal end portions extending from the intermediate body portions to pointed end tips of the pincers, the first and second pincers consisting of an aluminum alloy;   an electrically conductive cord permanently connected to the proximal end portion of at least one pincer, the cord having a flexible length that extends from the at least one pincer to an electrical connector from the at least one pincer; and   a layer of biocompatible metal at each pincer tip, the layer of biocompatible metal having a thickness being not more than 0.010 inches.   
     
     
         23 . The tissue-sticking resistant forceps of  claim 22 , wherein the layer of biocompatible metal comprises silver. 
     
     
         24 . The tissue-sticking resistant forceps of  claim 23 , wherein the layer of biocompatible metal is pure silver. 
     
     
         25 . The tissue-sticking resistant forceps of  claim 22 , wherein the layer of biocompatible metal comprises gold. 
     
     
         26 . The tissue-sticking resistant forceps of  claim 22 , further comprising electrically insulating coatings over the intermediate body portions of the first and second pincers. 
     
     
         27 . The tissue-sticking resistant forceps of  claim 22 , wherein the thickness of the layer of biocompatible metal on each pincer tip being in a range of 0.0005 of an inch to 0.005 of an inch. 
     
     
         28 . The tissue-sticking resistant forceps of  claim 22 , wherein the thickness of the layer of biocompatible metal on each pincer tip being in a range of 0.002 of an inch to 0.005 of an inch. 
     
     
         29 . A method of manufacturing and using a disposable, tissue sticking resistant forceps, said method comprising:
 manufacturing forceps comprising first and second elongate pincers, each pincer having an intermediate body portion that is shaped and dimensioned to be held in a single hand, and each pincer having a proximal end portion and a distal portion at opposite ends of the intermediate body portion, the pincer distal end portions extending from the intermediate body portions to pointed end tips of the pincers, the first and second pincers consisting of an aluminum alloy, an electrically conductive cord permanently connected to the proximal end portion of at least one pincer, the cord having a flexible length that extends from the at least one pincer to an electrical connector from the at least one pincer, and a layer of biocompatible metal on each pincer tip, the layer of biocompatible metal having a thickness being not more than 0.010 inches;   using the forceps in a single electrosurgical procedure; and   disposing of the forceps after the single use.