Dismantalable medical instrument

DETAILED DESCRIPTION We claim: 1.
A radio-frequency surgical instrument capable of being dismantled comprising: a central working rod having proximal and distal ends and a longitudinal axis therebetween, the distal end forming at least one electrode and the proximal end being adapted for connection to a source of radio-frequency voltage; a guide tube surrounding the working rod and having distal and proximal ends, the guide tube being axially movable relative to the working rod to actuate the electrode; a handle coupled to the proximal ends of the working rod and the guide tube, the working rod being releasably attached to the handle at a release point near the proximal end of the working rod; and a guide sleeve disposed within the handle and surrounding a portion of the guide tube, the guide sleeve coupling the guide tube to the handle distal of the release point, the guide sleeve including external means for releasing the guide tube from the handle.
2.
The instrument of claim 1 wherein the guide tube further includes a plurality of latch tongues extending from the proximal end of the guide tube, the latch tongues engaging a proximal end of the guide sleeve to prevent distal movement of the guide tube relative to the handle and the guide sleeve, the handle further including a cam track positioned proximally from the guide sleeve such that, when the guide sleeve is axially displaced in the proximal direction a predetermined distance relative to the handle, the cam track engages the latch tongues and displaces the latch tongues radially inwardly such that the latch tongues disengage from the guide sleeve.
3.
The instrument of claim 1 wherein the handle includes an abutment and a spring, the spring biasing the guide tube in the distal direction against the abutment.
4.
The instrument of claim 2 wherein the handle further includes an axial slot for receiving a portion of the guide sleeve such that the guide sleeve and the guide tube together are axially movable over a first displacement range with respect to the handle, the handle further including a releasable catch mounted to an outside surface of the handle and movable between a first position, where the guide sleeve and the guide tube are prevented from moving further than the first displacement range, and a second position, where the guide sleeve and guide tube are axially movable over a second displacement range, the second displacement range being further than the first displacement range