Single-handed operable surgical instrument including loop electrode with integrated pad electrode

Abstract

A bipolar electrosurgical instrument includes a handle portion, a shaft extending from the handle portion, a pad electrode coupled to the distal end of the shaft, and a loop electrode configured to be selectively transitioned from a deployed configuration, wherein the loop electrode extends outwardly from a distal end of the shaft in a manner capable of receiving tissue, to a non-deployed configuration, wherein the loop electrode is disposed proximate to the distal end of the shaft, to treat tissue.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A bipolar electrosurgical instrument, comprising:
 a shaft;   a pad electrode assembly movably coupled to the shaft, the pad electrode assembly including an actuator member and at least one arm member extending from the actuator member; and   a loop electrode extending over the pad electrode assembly and configured to selectively transition relative to the shaft between a deployed position and a non-deployed position to treat tissue.   
     
     
         2 . The bipolar electrosurgical instrument of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator member includes an electrically non-conductive material. 
     
     
         3 . The bipolar electrosurgical instrument of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator member includes an electrically-conductive tissue-engaging surface. 
     
     
         4 . The bipolar electrosurgical instrument of  claim 1 , wherein the pad electrode assembly includes:
 an elongated slot defined in a side portion of the at least one arm member; and   a pin operably engaged with the elongated slot.   
     
     
         5 . The bipolar electrosurgical instrument of  claim 4 , further comprising an attachment member coupled to the pin. 
     
     
         6 . The bipolar electrosurgical instrument of  claim 5 , wherein the attachment member is coupled to the shaft and includes an elastomeric material. 
     
     
         7 . The bipolar electrosurgical instrument of  claim 6 , wherein at least a portion of the attachment member is slidably receivable within a lumen defined through the shaft. 
     
     
         8 . The bipolar electrosurgical instrument of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a first tubular member at least partially disposed within a lumen of the shaft; and   a second tubular member at least partially disposed within the lumen of the shaft, wherein the first and second tubular members enable the loop electrode to move therethrough.   
     
     
         9 . The bipolar electrosurgical instrument of  claim 8 , wherein the actuator member defines a longitudinal axis that is substantially parallel to a traverse axis defined by the first and second tubular members. 
     
     
         10 . The bipolar electrosurgical instrument of  claim 8 , wherein the actuator member defines a longitudinal axis that is substantially perpendicular to a traverse axis defined by the first and second tubular members. 
     
     
         11 . A bipolar electrosurgical instrument, comprising:
 a handle portion;   a shaft extending from the handle portion;   a pad electrode coupled to the shaft, the pad electrode defining a first opening and a second opening therethrough; and   a loop electrode configured to selectively transition between a deployed position and a non-deployed position to treat tissue, the loop electrode having a first end and a second end, the first end extending through the first opening of the pad electrode, the second end extending through the second opening of the pad electrode.   
     
     
         12 . The bipolar electrosurgical instrument of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a first tubular member at least partially disposed within a lumen defined by the shaft; and   a second tubular member at least partially disposed within the lumen defined by the shaft, wherein the first and second tubular members are configured to receive the loop electrode therein.   
     
     
         13 . The bipolar electrosurgical instrument of  claim 12 , wherein the first tubular member and the second tubular member are moveable within the shaft. 
     
     
         14 . The bipolar electrosurgical instrument of  claim 12 , wherein the first tubular member includes an end portion that extends from a distal end of the shaft. 
     
     
         15 . The bipolar electrosurgical instrument of  claim 14 , wherein the second tubular member includes an end portion that extends from the distal end of the shaft. 
     
     
         16 . The bipolar electrosurgical instrument of  claim 15 , wherein the end portions of the first and second tubular members are configured to electrically-isolate the loop electrode from the pad electrode. 
     
     
         17 . The bipolar surgical instrument of  claim 11 , wherein the handle portion includes a sensor configured to indicate a position of the loop electrode. 
     
     
         18 . The bipolar surgical instrument of  claim 14 , wherein in the non-deployed configuration, the loop electrode is disposed proximate to the distal end of the shaft. 
     
     
         19 . The bipolar surgical instrument of  claim 11 , further comprising a torsion spring configured to exert a force on the loop electrode. 
     
     
         20 . The bipolar surgical instrument of  claim 19 , wherein the torsion spring is disposed in the handle portion.