Reconfigurable electrosurgical device

Abstract

A device including forceps having first and second working arms, a blade, and an arm securing mechanism having an electromagnetic latch. Distal ends of the first and second arms are biased toward each other by a first force when the electromagnetic latch is energized. The device is switchable between a first configuration where the distal ends of the arms are biased away from each other and the blade is proximal to the distal ends of the arms; a second configuration where the distal ends of the arms are biased toward each other by the first force and the blade is proximal to the distal ends of the arms; and a third configuration where the distal ends of the arms are biased toward each other by the first force and the blade is substantially flush with or extends beyond the distal ends of the arms.

1 - 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A device comprising:
 forceps including:
 a first working arm; and 
 a second working arm; 
   a blade; and   an arm securing mechanism comprising a selectively engageable electromagnetic latch, wherein distal ends of the first working arm and second working arm are biased toward each other by a first force when the electromagnetic latch is energized with a first polarity;   wherein the device is switchable between:
 a first mechanical configuration where the distal ends of the first working arm and second working arm are biased away from each other and the blade is in a first position proximal to the distal ends of the first working arm and second working arm; 
 a second mechanical configuration where the distal ends of the first working arm and second working arm are biased toward each other by the first force and the blade is in a second position proximal to the distal ends of the first working arm and second working arm; and 
 a third mechanical configuration where the distal ends of the first working arm and second working arm are biased toward each other by the first force and the blade is in a third position that is substantially flush with or extends beyond the distal ends of the first working arm and the second working arm. 
   
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein the distal ends of the first working arm and second working arm are biased away from each other by a second force when the electromagnetic latch is energized with a second polarity. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein in the first mechanical configuration, the distal ends of the first working arm and second working arm are biased away from each other by the second force. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein the first and second positions of the blade are the same position. 
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 16 , further comprising a biasing device that biases the distal ends of the first working arm and second working arm away from each other. 
     
     
         21 . The device of  claim 16  wherein the electromagnetic latch comprises a first electromagnet on the first working arm and a second electromagnet on the second working arm. 
     
     
         22 . The device of  claim 16 , the electromagnetic latch comprises an electromagnet on one of the first working arm and second working arm and a magnetic material on the other of the working arm and second working arm. 
     
     
         23 . The device of  claim 16 , further comprising a pivot point operably connecting the first and second working arms and facilitating movement of the distal ends of the first and second working arms toward and away from each other. 
     
     
         24 . The device of  claim 23 , wherein the electromagnetic latch is located on a proximal side of the pivot point. 
     
     
         25 . The device of  claim 23 , wherein the electromagnetic latch is located on a distal side of the pivot point. 
     
     
         26 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein the blade is substantially flush with the distal ends of the first and second working arms in the third position, and wherein the device is further switchable into a fourth mechanical configuration where the distal ends of the first working arm and second working arm are biased toward each other by the first force and the blade extends beyond the distal ends of the first and second working arms. 
     
     
         27 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein the device is configured to:
 deliver a bipolar current between the first working arm and the second working arm and prevent current from flowing from the blade when the device is in the first and second mechanical configurations; and   deliver current through the blade when the electrosurgical device is in the third mechanical configuration.   
     
     
         28 . A device comprising:
 forceps including:
 a first working arm; and 
 a second working arm; 
   a blade; and   an arm securing mechanism comprising a selectively engageable electromagnetic latch, wherein distal ends of the first working arm and second working arm are biased toward each other by a first force when the electromagnetic latch is energized with a first polarity;   wherein the device is switchable between:
 a first mechanical configuration where the distal ends of the first working arm and second working arm are free to move toward and away from each other and the blade is in a first position proximal to the distal ends of the first working arm and second working arm; 
 a second mechanical configuration where the distal ends of the first working arm and second working arm are biased toward each other by the first force and the blade is in a second position proximal to the distal ends of the first working arm and second working arm; and 
 a third mechanical configuration where the distal ends of the first working arm and second working arm are biased toward each other by the first force and the blade is in a third position that is substantially flush with or extends beyond the distal ends of the first working arm and the second working arm. 
   
     
     
         29 . The device of  claim 28 , wherein the first and second positions of the blade are the same position. 
     
     
         30 . The device of  claim 28 , wherein the electromagnetic latch comprises a first electromagnet on the first working arm and a second electromagnet on the second world arm. 
     
     
         31 . The device of  claim 28 , wherein the electromagnetic latch comprises an electromagnet on one a the first working arm second working arm and a magnetic material on the other of the first working arm and second working arm. 
     
     
         32 . The device of  claim 28 , further comprising a pivot point operably connecting the first and second working arms and facilitating movement of the distal ends of the first and second working arms toward and away from each other. 
     
     
         33 . The device of  claim 32 , wherein the electromagnetic latch is located on a proximal side of the pivot point. 
     
     
         34 . The device of  claim 32  wherein the electromagnetic latch is located on a distal side of the pivot point. 
     
     
         35 . The device of  claim 28 , wherein the device is configured to:
 deliver a bipolar current between the first working arm and the second working arm and prevent current from flowing from the blade when the device is in the first and second mechanical configurations; and   deliver current through the blade when the electrosurgical device is in the third mechanical configuration.