EROSION FUSE TO REDUCE RISK OF RF TIP DETACHMENT

An RF hand instrument wherein the RF ablation function ceases to operate prior to any RF tip detachment occurring, in order for the hand instrument to fail gracefully and thus be considered fail-safe. A mechanical retention mechanism which is separate to the RF power delivery means so the power is delivered by a separate electro/mechanical connection. The electrical connection used to deliver RF power to the active tip erodes at a faster rate than the active tip and the active tip retention mechanism so the electrical connection geometry erodes to the point where RF power is no longer delivered to the RF tip, and the user will be made aware of this loss in RF function. Thus, the geometry of the used/eroded RF tip, with no remaining electrical connection is still mechanically strong enough to be removed from the patient or cannula without RF tip detachment from the electrode assembly.