Electrosurgical blade with minimally exposed edge, alternative to coated blade

Abstract

A cutting element for an electrosurgical device. The cutting element includes an elongate non-conductive body having a first face opposite a second face, the first face and the second face defining an edge there between. A conductive element is disposed only along the edge, the conductive element being configured to cut tissue with monopolar radiofrequency energy.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A cutting element for an electrosurgical device, comprising:
 a conductive shaft;   an elongate non-conductive body defining a major longitudinal axis having a first face opposite a second face, the first face and the second face joining to define an edge:   a conductive element configured to cut tissue with monopolar radiofrequency energy; and   the elongate non-conductive body includes a soldering strip disposed only on the first face and the edge, the soldering strip spanning an entire width of a proximal portion of the elongate non-conductive body transverse to the major longitudinal axis, the soldering strip being configured to electrically couple the conductive element to the conductive shaft of the electrosurgical device.   
     
     
         2 . The cutting element of  claim 1 , wherein the edge is a chamfered edge. 
     
     
         3 . The cutting element of  claim 1 , wherein the first face and the second face are flat. 
     
     
         4 . The cutting element of  claim 1 , wherein the conductive element is composed of one from the group consisting of silver allow and gold alloy. 
     
     
         5 . The cutting element of  claim 1 , wherein the elongate non-conductive body is composed of zirconium toughened alumina (ZTA). 
     
     
         6 . The cutting element of  claim 1 , wherein a distal end of the elongate non-conductive body is curved. 
     
     
         7 . The cutting element of  claim 1 , wherein the conductive element is etched onto the elongate non-conductive body. 
     
     
         8 . The cutting element of  claim 7 , wherein the elongate non-conductive body defines a perimeter and wherein the conductive element is disposed around the perimeter. 
     
     
         9 . A cutting element for an electrosurgical device, comprising:
 a conductive shaft;   an elongate non-conductive body having a first face opposite a second face and defining a major longitudinal axis, the first face and the second face joining to define a double chamfered edge:   a conductive element configured to cut tissue with monopolar radiofrequency energy; and   the elongate non-conductive body includes a soldering strip disposed only on the first face and the double chamfered edge, the soldering strip spanning an entire width of a proximal portion of the elongate non-conductive body and transverse to the major longitudinal axis, the soldering strip being configured to electrically couple the conductive element to the conductive shaft of the electrosurgical device.   
     
     
         10 . The cutting element of  claim 9 , wherein the conductive element is one from the group consisting of gold alloy ink and silver alloy ink printed on the double chamfered edge. 
     
     
         11 . The cutting element of  claim 9 , wherein the first face and the second face are flat. 
     
     
         12 . The cutting element of  claim 9 , wherein the elongate non-conductive body is composed of ZTA. 
     
     
         13 . The cutting element of  claim 9 , wherein the conductive shaft is composed of stainless steel. 
     
     
         14 . An electrosurgical device, comprising:
 a handle;   a conductive elongate shaft extending from the handle and defining a major longitudinal axis, the conductive elongate shaft defining a proximal end coupled to the handle and a distal end opposite the proximal end;   a cutting element coupled to the distal end of the conductive elongate shaft;   a conductive element configured to cut tissue with monopolar radiofrequency energy; and   the elongate non-conductive body includes a soldering strip disposed only on the first face and the double chamfered edge, the soldering strip spanning an entire width of a proximal portion of the elongate non-conductive body transverse to the major longitudinal axis, the soldering strip being configured to electrically couple the conductive element to the conductive elongate shaft of the electrosurgical device.   
     
     
         15 . The electrosurgical device of  claim 1 , wherein the edge is a double chamfered edge and the double chamfered edge has a thickness of 0.006″. 
     
     
         16 . The electrosurgical device of  claim 15 , wherein the thickness of the conductive element and the double chamfered edge is between 0.003″ and 0.10″.