End effector for electrosurgical instrument with irrigation

Abstract

An apparatus includes a shaft assembly and an end effector. The shaft assembly includes an outer sheath, at least one irrigation conduit, and at least one suction conduit. The end effector includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and a web. The electrodes extend distally relative to a distal end of the outer sheath. The electrodes are operable to apply bipolar RF energy to tissue. The web extends laterally between the first and second electrodes. The web is positioned distal to the distal end of the outer sheath.

1 .- 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . An apparatus, comprising:
 (a) a shaft assembly, wherein the shaft assembly comprises an outer sheath having a distal end; and   (b) an end effector located at the distal end of the outer sheath, wherein the end effector comprises:
 (i) a first electrode extending distally relative to the distal end of the outer sheath, wherein the first electrode defines a first lateral recess, 
 (ii) a second electrode extending distally relative to the distal end of the outer sheath, wherein the second electrode defines a second lateral recess, wherein the first and second electrodes are operable to apply bipolar RF energy to tissue, 
 (iii) a first irrigation tube positioned in the first lateral recess, wherein the first irrigation tube is configured to dispense irrigation fluid adjacent to the first electrode, and 
 (iv) a second irrigation tube positioned in the second lateral recess, wherein the second irrigation tube is configured to dispense irrigation fluid adjacent to the second electrode. 
   
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the outer sheath further comprises a proximal end, wherein the outer sheath defines a full length extending between the distal end and the proximal end, wherein the first and second irrigation tubes extend along the full length of the outer sheath. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the shaft assembly further comprises a first electrode rod and a second electrode rod, wherein the first electrode is formed at a distal end of the first electrode rod, wherein the second electrode is formed at a distal end of the second electrode rod, wherein the first and second electrode rods extend through the outer sheath. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , further comprising a proximal suction port located at a proximal end of the shaft assembly, wherein the proximal suction port is configured to couple with a source of suction, wherein the end effector further includes at least one distal suction port, wherein the shaft assembly is configured to communicate suction from the proximal suction port to the distal suction port. 
     
     
         20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein a first electrode sheath is positioned about a portion of the first electrode and configured to insulate the portion of the first electrode sheath. 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , further comprising a cap at the distal end of the outer sheath, the cap being configured to separate the first electrode and the second electrode by a gap. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 22 , wherein the cap includes an opening into the outer sheath, wherein the opening is configured to apply suction at the distal end of the outer sheath. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , further comprising a body positioned around the outer sheath and configured to provide suction to an inner lumen of the outer sheath. 
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 24 , wherein the outer sheath includes an opening, wherein the body is positioned over the opening, wherein a port of the body is configured to be in fluid communication with a suction source and with the opening to thereby provide suction to the inner lumen of the outer sheath. 
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 25 , further comprising a plug positioned radially around each of the first and second electrodes and configured to seal the outer sheath at a proximal end. 
     
     
         27 . The apparatus of  claim 26 , further comprising a seal positioned between the plug and the body, wherein the seal is configured to seal the outer sheath at a proximal end. 
     
     
         28 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein each of the first and second electrodes includes a tip protruding distally from the outer sheath. 
     
     
         29 . The apparatus of  claim 28 , wherein each of the first and second irrigation tubes are positioned laterally to the tip of their respective first and second electrodes. 
     
     
         30 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein each of the first and second electrodes includes a pair of flat surfaces configured to taper toward each other along a distal direction. 
     
     
         31 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , the apparatus being configured to provide irrigation fluid to a surgical site through the first and second irrigation tubes and for the outer sheath to then suction the irrigation fluid out of the surgical site. 
     
     
         32 . An apparatus, comprising:
 (a) an outer sheath defining a central longitudinal axis, the outer sheath being configured to provide suction at a distal end;   (b) a pair of electrode members extending throughout the outer sheath, wherein each electrode member of the pair of electrode members includes a distal tip positioned distally to the distal end of the outer sheath, wherein each electrode member of the pair of electrode members is positioned opposite to each other about the central longitudinal axis, wherein the distal tips of the electrode members are operable to apply bipolar RF energy to tissue; and   (c) an irrigation tube extending throughout the outer sheath and including a distal opening, the distal opening being positioned distally to the distal end of the outer sheath but proximal to each distal tip of the pair of electrode members, wherein the irrigation tube is configured to provide irrigation fluid to the distal end of the outer sheath.   
     
     
         33 . The apparatus of  claim 32 , further comprising a suction port at a proximal end of the outer sheath, wherein the suction port is in fluid communication with the distal end of the outer sheath. 
     
     
         34 . The apparatus of  claim 32 , further comprising a plug positioned between the outer sheath and each electrode member of the pair of electrode members, the plug being configured to seal a proximal end. 
     
     
         35 . The apparatus of  claim 32 , wherein each electrode member of the pair of electrode members comprises a rod. 
     
     
         36 . An apparatus, comprising:
 (a) an outer sheath configured to provide suction at a distal end;   (b) a pair of electrodes extending throughout the outer sheath, wherein each electrode of the pair of electrodes includes a distal tip positioned distally to the distal end of the outer sheath, wherein each electrode of the pair of electrodes includes a sheath about a portion of the electrode and configured to insulate the portion of the electrode, wherein the pair of electrodes are operable to apply bipolar RF energy to tissue; and   (c) an irrigation tube extending throughout the outer sheath and including a distal opening, the distal opening being positioned distally to the distal end of the outer sheath but proximal to each distal tip of the pair of electrodes, wherein the irrigation tube is configured to provide irrigation fluid to the distal end of the outer sheath.