Abstract: A surgical access port and assembly are disclosed for providing access for a medical instrument into an intracorporeal cavity of a patient undergoing surgery. The access port comprises a cannula and a first passage which extends along the cannula and along which a medical instrument is arranged to pass, the passage comprising a first entrance portion disposed at a proximal region the of the cannula and a first exit portion disposed at a distal region of the cannula. The cannula further comprises a second passage which extends along the cannula and along which an electrode is arranged to pass, the second passage comprising a second entrance portion disposed at a proximal region of the cannula and a second exit portion disposed at a distal region of the cannula.

Abstract: A surgical assembly and system are disclosed for use in performing a surgical procedure on a patient. The assembly comprises a surgical tool, the tool being arranged to receive a first signal for use in cutting or cauterizing tissue of the patient during the surgical procedure and an electrode disposed upon the tool. The assembly further comprises an electrical generator communicatively couplable with the electrode, for generating a second signal for use in generating an electrical field from the electrode proximate a site of the surgical procedure, for removing particles suspended proximate the surgical site. The assembly further comprises a controller for controlling the application of the second signal to the electrode, a sensing arrangement for sensing an activation status of the first signal, the sensing arrangement being communicatively coupled with the controller and arranged to output a sensing signal to the controller in dependence of the activation status of the first signal.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is disclosed which comprises a surgical device actuatable for performing a surgical procedure, the device having an electrically conductive portion, and an ion-generating electrode integrally arranged with respect to the surgical device, the ion-generating electrode having an ion emission zone. The ion emission zone of the ion-generating electrode and the electrically conductive portion of the surgical device are moveable relative to each-other between a first position and a second position.

Abstract: A surgical assembly and system are disclosed. The system comprises a first generator for generating a first signal for use in generating an electrical field proximate a site of a surgical procedure for removing particles suspended proximate the surgical site. The assembly further comprises a surgical tool comprising a tool-piece communicatively couplable with the first generator and a second generator, the second generator being arranged to generate a second signal for use in cutting or cauterizing biological tissue of the patient during the surgical procedure, the assembly further comprising a switching assembly for switching the application of the first signal and second signal to the tool-piece and a controller for controlling the application of the first signal and second signal to the tool-piece.

Abstract: A surgical spray instrument is disclosed comprising a main body connectable to a transfer tube; a propellant actuator for selectively releasing propellant from the main body and along the transfer tube and out through a distal end thereof. An ion emitter is arranged along the tube, the ion emitter having an ion emission zone. This enables the directed and concentrated delivery of therapeutic, pharmacological and diagnostic agents to tissues inside or outside of the body. There is further disclosed a surgical assembly for enabling uniform deposition of a particulate material to a surface of an intracorporeal cavity of a patient. The surgical assembly comprises an ion emitter; a dispenser having an outlet locatable within the cavity and for dispensing the particulate material therefrom, and a processor for determining a location of the ion emission zone of the ion emitter in dependence upon the position of the outlet of the distributor within the cavity to provide for the uniform deposition.

Abstract: Apparatus (100) and method are disclosed for removing or reducing the number of particles in an enclosed atmosphere during intracorporeal procedures. The apparatus comprises a housing (180) adapted to be placed against the body on which a procedure is to be formed, a first electrode (140) external to the housing for contacting the body, an elongated electrically insulated probe (130) extending from the housing (180) and being insertable into an intracorporeal body cavity (C) in which a procedure is to be performed, a second electrode (150) at the free end of the probe, and circuit means (110) for generating voltage between said first and second electrodes. The method comprises applying a voltage between the electrodes sufficient to cause local ionization of particles within the body cavity such that they migrate away from the second electrode, thereby removing or reducing the number of particles generated during the procedure from the enclosed atmosphere at or around the site of the procedure.

Abstract: A surgical spray instrument is disclosed comprising a main body connectable to a transfer tube; a propellant actuator for selectively releasing propellant from the main body and along the transfer tube and out through a distal end thereof. An ion emitter is arranged along the tube, the ion emitter having an ion emission zone. This enables the directed and concentrated delivery of therapeutic, pharmacological and diagnostic agents to tissues inside or outside of the body. There is further disclosed a surgical assembly for enabling uniform deposition of a particulate material to a surface of an intracorporeal cavity of a patient. The surgical assembly comprises an ion emitter; a dispenser having an outlet locatable within the cavity and for dispensing the particulate material therefrom, and a processor for determining a location of the ion emission zone of the ion emitter in dependence upon the position of the outlet of the distributor within the cavity to provide for the uniform deposition.

Abstract: A surgical access port and assembly are disclosed for providing access for a medical instrument into an intracorporeal cavity of a patient undergoing surgery. The access port comprises a cannula and a first passage which extends along the cannula and along which a medical instrument is arranged to pass, the passage comprising a first entrance portion disposed at a proximal region the of the cannula and a first exit portion disposed at a distal region of the cannula. The cannula further comprises a second passage which extends along the cannula and along which an electrode is arranged to pass, the second passage comprising a second entrance portion disposed at a proximal region of the cannula and a second exit portion disposed at a distal region of the cannula.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is disclosed which comprises a surgical device actuatable for performing a surgical procedure, the device having an electrically conductive portion, and an ion-generating electrode integrally arranged with respect to the surgical device, the ion-generating electrode having an ion emission zone. The ion emission zone of the ion-generating electrode and the electrically conductive portion of the surgical device are moveable relative to each-other between a first position and a second position.

Abstract: Apparatus (100) and method are disclosed for removing or reducing the number of particles in an enclosed atmosphere during intracorporeal procedures. The apparatus comprises a housing (180) adapted to be placed against the body on which a procedure is to be formed, a first electrode (140) external to the housing for contacting the body, an elongated electrically insulated probe (130) extending from the housing (180) and being insertable into an intracorporeal body cavity (C) in which a procedure is to be performed, a second electrode (150) at the free end of the probe, and circuit means (110) for generating voltage between said first and second electrodes. The method comprises applying a voltage between the electrodes sufficient to cause local ionisation of particles within the body cavity such that they migrate away from the second electrode, thereby removing or reducing the number of particles generated during the procedure from the enclosed atmosphere at or around the site of the procedure.