Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument comprising a handle which holds a blade assembly comprising a plurality of electrodes and insulation members positioned between the electrodes.The blade assembly comprises a center electrode of specified thickness, insulation members secured to the center electrode and a plurality of side electrodes secured to the insulation members. The center electrode and insulation members are cut to form a cutting edge having a composite angle of less than 120.degree. thus allowing easier electrosurgical performance.The electrodes are connected inside the nonconductive handle to a circuit whose output consists of a high frequency electrical current which forms a circuit through tissue intervening between and in contact with the electrodes when the instrument is used.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument for cutting, spot coagulation and point coagulation comprising a nonconductive handle which holds a blade assembly comprising a plurality of electrodes and an insulation member separating the electrodes.The blade assembly comprises an active center electrode of specified thickness with a recessed tip and is mounted to an extruded insulation member so that it extends outwardly from the insulation member to form a cutting edge.Split side return electrodes are symmetrically mounted to the insulation member and separated from the center electrode by the insulation member. The electrode area ratio of the return electrode area to the active electrode area falls between 0.70 and 2.0 allowing consistent bipolar operation.The electrodes are connected inside the nonconductive handle to a circuit whose output consists of a high frequency electrical current which forms a circuit through tissue intervening between and in contact with the electrodes when the instrument is used.

Abstract: The securing of cable, and particularly the securing of laid light weight submarine telephone cable during repair operations, is difficult in that if the cable is merely gripped it tends to fillet and slip away. The invention seeks to overcome this problem by belaying a bight of the cable about an axis thus to secure the cable generally in the manner of a rope upon a windlass. Apparatus embodying the invention may be drawn over ground supporting the cable, in the manner of a trawl, with flukes ploughing the ground. When the apparatus crosses the path of the cable to be secured, the cable is ploughed up and guided into a lateral line, triggering an hydraulic circuit to cause an axially mounted spool to rotate and belay the bight of cable by wrapping the cable upon the spool. A second hydraulic circuit is then activated to cause the cable to be severed on one side of the spool axis and clamped on the other side, whereupon the secured section of cable can be raised for repair.