(19)
(11) EP 1 561 430 A8

(12) CORRECTED EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION
Note: Bibliography reflects the latest situation

(15) Correction information:
Corrected version no 1 (W1 A1)

(48) Corrigendum issued on:
09.11.2005 Bulletin 2005/45

(43) Date of publication:
10.08.2005 Bulletin 2005/32

(21) Application number: 05002257.3

(22) Date of filing: 03.02.2005
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: A61B 18/00
(84) Designated Contracting States:
AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU MC NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR
Designated Extension States:
AL BA HR LV MK YU

(30) Priority: 03.02.2004 US 541326 P

(71) Applicant: Sherwood Services AG
8200 Schaffhausen (CH)

(72) Inventors:
  • Sartor, Joe Don
    Longmont, CO 80504 (US)
  • Reschke, Arlan J.
    Boulder, CO 80301 (US)
  • Arts, Gene H.
    Berthoud, CO 80513 (US)
  • Podhajsky, Ronald J.
    Boulder, CO 80301 (US)
  • Hogan, Michael
    Boulder, CO 80304 (US)

(74) Representative: HOFFMANN EITLE 
Patent- und Rechtsanwälte Arabellastrasse 4
81925 München
81925 München (DE)

   


(54) Self contained, gas-enhanced electro-surgical instrument


(57) An electrosurgical apparatus for coagulating tissue includes an elongated housing and an electrode located adjacent the distal end of the housing. The electrode can be connected to a source of electrosurgical energy. At least one actuator is included which electrosurgically energizes the electrode. The apparatus also includes a relatively small gas cylinder which contains a pressurized gas consisting of inert gas and which is selectively seated in the housing. Upon actuation of the actuator, gas is dispersed under pressure from the gas cylinder to the electrode and is ionized prior to the distribution of the gas into the operating field.