Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument is manufactured by presenting an electrode, and attaching a sacrificial portion to the electrode to form a first electrode assembly. An insulating material is molded over the first electrode assembly to form a second electrode assembly, and the second electrode assembly is subjected to a further process which is capable of removing the sacrificial portion without removing the insulating material. The sacrificial portion is removed to form at least one cavity within the electrosurgical instrument.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument is manufactured by presenting an electrode, and attaching a sacrificial portion to the electrode to form a first electrode assembly. An insulating material is moulded over the first electrode assembly to form a second electrode assembly, and the second electrode assembly is subjected to a further process which is capable of removing the sacrificial portion without removing the insulating material. The sacrificial portion is removed to form at least one cavity within the electrosurgical instrument.

Abstract: An electrosurgical system includes an electrosurgical instrument and an electrosurgical generator, the instrument having a longitudinal axis and including at least first, second and third electrodes. The electrodes are spaced from each other by one or more insulating members therebetween, the spacing between the first and third electrodes being greater than that between the first and second electrodes. The electrosurgical generator includes a source of radio frequency energy capable of producing either a coagulating RF waveform or a cutting RF waveform and has first second and third output connections connected to the first, second and third electrodes respectively of the electrosurgical instrument. The generator further includes a switching means, and a controller, the controller being such that when a cutting RF waveform is selected, the switching means directs the cutting RF waveform between the first and second output connections and hence the first and second electrodes.

Abstract: An electrosurgical system includes an electrosurgical instrument and an electrosurgical generator, the instrument having a longitudinal axis and including at least first, second and third electrodes. The electrodes are spaced from each other by one or more insulating members therebetween, the spacing between the first and third electrodes being greater than that between the first and second electrodes. The electrosurgical generator includes a source of radio frequency energy capable of producing either a coagulating RF waveform or a cutting RF waveform and has first second and third output connections connected to the first, second and third electrodes respectively of the electrosurgical instrument. The generator further includes a switching means, and a controller, the controller being such that when a cutting RF waveform is selected, the switching means directs the cutting RF waveform between the first and second output connections and hence the first and second electrodes.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument is manufactured by presenting an electrode (1), and attaching a sacrificial portion (6) to the electrode (1) to form a first electrode assembly. An insulating material (9) is moulded over the first electrode assembly to form a second electrode assembly, and the second electrode assembly is subjected to a further process which is capable of removing the sacrificial portion (6) without removing the insulating material (9). The sacrificial portion (6) is removed to form at least one cavity within the electrosurgical instrument.

Abstract: An electrosurgical system includes an electrosurgical instrument and an electrosurgical generator, the instrument having a longitudinal axis and including at least first, second and third electrodes. The electrodes are spaced from each other by one or more insulating members therebetween, the spacing between the first and third electrodes being greater than that between the first and second electrodes. The electrosurgical generator includes a source of radio frequency energy capable of producing either a coagulating RF waveform or a cutting RF waveform and has first second and third output connections connected to the first, second and third electrodes respectively of the electrosurgical instrument. The generator further includes a switching means, and a controller, the controller being such that when a cutting RF waveform is selected, the switching means directs the cutting RF waveform between the first and second output connections and hence the first and second electrodes.