[54] ELECTRODES HAVING UPPER AND LOWER OPERATING SURFACES FOR ELECTROCAUTERY PROBES FOR USE WITH A RESECTOSCOPE
[75] Inventors: Kevin F. Hahnen, Pleasanton, Calif.; Boris Kesler, Hialeah, Fla.
[73] Assignee: Symbiosis Corporation, Miami, Fla.
[21] Appl. No.: 08/794,998 [22] Filed: Feb. 5, 1997
[51] Int. CI.6 A61B 17/39
[52] U.S. CI 606/46; 606/49
[58] Field of Search 606/41, 45, 46,
606/49; 219/233
[56] References Cited
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26880 of 1905 United Kingdom .
OTHER PUBLICATIONS
Gorsch, "Biopsy in Proctology," American Journal of Surgery, p. 484. (copy 606/45) Jun. 1936.
Primary Examiner—Lee Cohen
Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Testa, Hurwitz & Thibeault, LLP [57] ABSTRACT
Electrodes for electrocautery probes for use with a resectoscope include full loop electrodes wherein the full loop has a working surface which extends below the axis of the cautery probe and a working surface which extends above the axis of the cautery probe, composite full loop electrodes wherein the upper working surface and the lower working surface have different morphology, combined full loop and roller electrodes wherein one of the upper or lower portions of the loop serves as the axle for a roller electrode, and bifurcated full loop electrodes wherein the upper working surface and the lower working surface can be independently energized. The electrodes according to the invention permit resection of upper and lower prostate lobes without requiring inversion of the resectoscope, thereby shortening the time for the procedure. In addition, the full loop electrodes with different upper and lower morphology provide additional treatment options while also reducing the time for the procedure. Furthermore, the bifurcated full loop electrodes provide the ability to use different power settings for the upper and lower working surfaces.
4 Claims, 4 Drawing Sheets
