Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument is provided for the treatment of tissue, the instrument comprising an instrument shaft (10) having a longitudinal axis, and an electrode assembly at one end of the shaft. The electrode assembly comprises first and second active electrodes (11), (14) and at least one return electrode (25), the electrodes being electrically insulated one from another by means of one or more insulation members (12). The first and second active electrodes (11, 14) each have an exposed surface for treating tissue, the exposed surface (19) of the first active electrode being such as to treat tissue disposed laterally of the longitudinal axis at a first radial position with respect to the instrument shaft. The exposed surface (15) of the second active electrode is such as to treat tissue disposed laterally of the longitudinal axis at a second radial position with respect to the instrument shaft.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument is provided for the treatment of tissue, the instrument comprising an instrument shaft (10) having a longitudinal axis, and an electrode assembly at one end of the shaft. The electrode assembly comprises first and second active electrodes (11), (14) and at least one return electrode (25), the electrodes being electrically insulated one from another by means of one or more insulation members (12). The first and second active electrodes (11, 14) each have an exposed surface for treating tissue, the exposed surface (19) of the first active electrode being such as to treat tissue disposed laterally of the longitudinal axis at a first radial position with respect to the instrument shaft, The exposed surface (15) of the second active electrode is such as to treat tissue disposed laterally of the longitudinal axis at a second radial position with respect to the instrument shaft.

Abstract: An electrosurgical system includes an electrosurgical instrument and a user alert means (78). The electrosurgical instrument includes an elongate body (1) having a proximal end (2) and a distal end (3), and a pair of jaws (12) carried by the elongate body and disposed at the distal end. An actuator mechanism (5) at the proximal end of the elongate body (1) is movable by the user of the instrument to open and close the jaws (12). The instrument includes first and second electrodes (13), (14) carried by the jaws (12), and at least one strain gauge (75) adapted to provide a signal representative of the closure force applied by the jaws (12). The strain gauge (75) sends signals to the user alert means (78), the user alert means supplying the user of the instrument with an indication (82) of the closure force being applied by the instrument.

Abstract: A syringe pump has a plunger head retainer with two retainer arms mounted on shafts extending parallel to the syringe axis. Each shaft carries a gear, which is engaged by common gear wheel mounted on a threaded shaft. Initially, the shaft is rotated to displaces the gear and hence the retainer arms axially forwardly, and thereafter swing the retainer arms outwardly to an open position. After the syringe has been loaded in the pump, the plunger head retainer is driven forwards until a pad coupled with a force sensor detects contact with the head. This causes the retainer arms to be swung in across the forward side of the plunger head and to be pulled rearwardly against the plunger head. The pump then reduces the force applied by the retainer arms to ensure that the force sensor can respond to force on the plunger during expulsion of liquid from the syringe.