Abstract: A cable assembly and methods for indicating an electrical measurement in an electrosurgical instrument are disclosed. The assembly has a circuit having a voltage sensor, a current sensor, and a processing device operatively coupled to the at least one active conductor. The assembly also has a substantially electrically non-conductive housing enclosing the circuit and a portion of at least one active conductor, and exposing a contact portion of the at least one active conductor, the at least one active conductor configured to conduct power to an electrosurgical instrument. The assembly also has an indicator operatively coupled to the processing device.

Abstract: A device and method for detecting faults in a shield of an electrosurgical instrument is described. The device has a relay configured to selectively interrupt power to the electrosurgical instrument, monitoring circuitry configured to monitor a shield in the electrosurgical instrument, control circuitry to control the relay, and a battery power source. The monitoring circuitry has an envelope detector and a detected average shield current detector. The monitoring circuitry is configured to compare a shield current peak value to a shield current peak threshold value, and to compare a detected average shield current value to a detected average shield current threshold value. The device is further configured to operatively couple an active electrode of an electrosurgical instrument and a return electrode to an electrosurgical generator.

Abstract: A boot for an electrosurgical instrument has a conductive boot shield substantially enclosed by one or more insulating layers. The boot shield has a flexible conductive medium. The flexible conductive medium has a plurality of conductive components suspended in at least one of a first liquid or a first gel, whereby the boot is configured to bend with a bend radius of about 10 millimeters or less without a loss in conductivity of the boot shield. A related method and system are also provided.

Abstract: A device and method for detecting faults in a shield of an electrosurgical instrument is described. The device has a relay configured to selectively interrupt power to the electrosurgical instrument, monitoring circuitry configured to monitor a shield in the electrosurgical instrument, control circuitry to control the relay, and a battery power source. The monitoring circuitry has an envelope detector and an detected average shield current detector. The monitoring circuitry is configured to compare a shield current peak value to a shield current peak threshold value, and to compare an detected average shield current value to an detected average shield current threshold value. The device is further configured to operatively couple an active electrode of an electrosurgical instrument and a return electrode to an electrosurgical generator.

Abstract: An active electrode probe for an enhanced control surgery system is disclosed. The probe has a flexible conductor for delivering electrosurgical energy during an electrosurgical procedure, and is adapted for connection to an electrosurgical generator. The probe also has a flexible electrical insulation substantially surrounding the conductor. The probe also has a flexible conductive shield substantially enclosing the electrical insulation, the flexible conductive shield electrically connected to a reference potential, whereby any current which flows in the flexible conductive shield from the conductor is conducted to the reference potential. The flexible conductive shield is formed from a conductive wire.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting faults within an electrosurgical instrument having a shield and an active electrode uses multiple possible fault conditions. In one embodiment the monitoring system comprises an electrosurgical generator coupled to the electrosurgical instrument and adapted to deliver power to the active electrode of the electrosurgical instrument, monitoring circuitry coupled to the electrosurgical generator and the electrosurgical instrument.

Abstract: A surgical tool having proximal and distal ends and adapted to transverse a curved passageway comprises an end effector disposed on the distal end of the surgical tool, the end effector having a first body section and a second body section and a releasable connector joining the end effector first body section with the end effector second body section. The connector is operable to reversibly engage the first and second end effector body sections in a first fixed position and in a second movable position. The surgical tool further comprises an actuation device for moving the first and second end effector body sections from the first fixed position to the second movable position. The end effector is adapted to maneuver through a larger radius of curvature in the second movable position than in the first fixed position.

Abstract: A surgical system comprises a device adapted to deliver a plurality of surgical instruments to a site within a patient's body, a first surgical instrument comprising an active electrode probe, a second surgical instrument for performing a non-electrosurgical procedure, a conductive shield surrounding the active electrode probe of the first surgical instrument and connected to a reference potential, and a cold instrument monitor connected to the second surgical instrument and to the reference potential.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting faults within an electrosurgical instrument having a shield and an active electrode uses multiple possible fault conditions. In one embodiment the monitoring system comprises an electrosurgical generator coupled to the electrosurgical instrument and adapted to deliver power to the active electrode of the electrosurgical instrument, monitoring circuitry coupled to the electrosurgical generator and the electrosurgical instrument.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods for monitoring electrosurgical systems are disclosed. In one variation, an electrosurgical monitoring apparatus includes at least two monitoring channels. Each of the monitoring channels in this embodiment are configured to monitor fault current between at least two separate conductive components of an electrosurgical system, and the at least two monitoring channels are each configured to send a control signal so as to control an application of power to an electrosurgical device responsive to the fault currents.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods for monitoring electrosurgical systems are disclosed. In one variation, an electrosurgical monitoring apparatus includes at least two monitoring channels. Each of the monitoring channels in this embodiment are configured to monitor fault current between at least two separate conductive components of an electrosurgical system, and the at least two monitoring channels are each configured to send a control signal so as to control an application of power to an electrosurgical device responsive to the fault currents.

Abstract: A surgical tool having proximal and distal ends and adapted to transverse a curved passageway comprises an end effector disposed on the distal end of the surgical tool, the end effector having a first body section and a second body section and a releasable connector joining the end effector first body section with the end effector second body section. The connector is operable to reversibly engage the first and second end effector body sections in a first fixed position and in a second movable position. The surgical tool further comprises an actuation device for moving the first and second end effector body sections from the first fixed position to the second movable position. The end effector is adapted to maneuver through a larger radius of curvature in the second movable position than in the first fixed position.

Abstract: A surgical system comprises a device adapted to deliver a plurality of surgical instruments to a site within a patient's body, a first surgical instrument comprising an active electrode probe, a second surgical instrument for performing a non-electrosurgical procedure, a conductive shield surrounding the active electrode probe of the first surgical instrument and connected to a reference potential, and a cold instrument monitor connected to the second surgical instrument and to the reference potential.

Abstract: A surgical instrument and actuation mechanism comprises an end effector, the end effector including opposing faces, and a positioning slot. The positioning slot includes a linear portion and a radial portion. In accordance with one aspect, the surgical instrument further comprises an actuation mechanism engaged with the positioning slot, wherein the opposing faces of the end effector move in a parallel manner when the actuation mechanism moves within the linear portion of the positioning slot, and wherein the opposing faces of the end effector move in an angular manner when the actuation mechanism moves within the radial portion of the positioning slot.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting faults within an electrosurgical instrument having a shield and an active electrode uses multiple possible fault conditions. In one embodiment the monitoring system comprises an electrosurgical generator coupled to the electrosurgical instrument and adapted to deliver power to the active electrode of the electrosurgical instrument, monitoring circuitry coupled to the electrosurgical generator and the electrosurgical instrument.

Abstract: A surgical tool having proximal and distal ends and adapted to transverse a curved passageway comprises an end effector disposed on the distal end of the surgical tool, the end effector having a first body section and a second body section and a releasable connector joining the end effector first body section with the end effector second body section. The connector is operable to reversibly engage the first and second end effector body sections in a first fixed position and in a second movable position. The surgical tool further comprises an actuation device for moving the first and second end effector body sections from the first fixed position to the second movable position. The end effector is adapted to maneuver through a larger radius of curvature in the second movable position than in the first fixed position.

Abstract: A surgical system comprises a device adapted to deliver a plurality of surgical instruments to a site within a patient's body, a first surgical instrument comprising an active electrode probe, a second surgical instrument for performing a non-electrosurgical procedure, a conductive shield surrounding the active electrode probe of the first surgical instrument and connected to a reference potential, and a cold instrument monitor connected to the second surgical instrument and to the reference potential.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting faults within an electrosurgical instrument having a shield and an active electrode uses multiple possible fault conditions. In one embodiment the monitoring system comprises an electrosurgical generator coupled to the electrosurgical instrument and adapted to deliver power to the active electrode of the electrosurgical instrument, monitoring circuitry coupled to the electrosurgical generator and the electrosurgical instrument, wherein the monitoring circuitry comprises an active electrode voltage sensor an active electrode current sensor and a shield current sensor. The monitoring circuitry measures at least two of the active voltage, the active or return electrode current, and the shield current.