Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments describing finger calipers with a pair of lever arms pivotally attached to a hand plate via a pivot point at their respective proximal ends. Each of the lever arms extend along the length of a finger and attach to the end of the respective finger via a finger cuff or some other attachment means. Accordingly, the lever arms can open and close, or otherwise splay apart, in a scissor like manner when the fingers that they are attached to open and close or otherwise splay apart. A ratchet system comprised by one of the lever arms and the hand plate allow for one-way motion of the ratcheted lever arm. The other lever arm freely pivots across the hand plate. When a medical examiner is using the finger calipers, they can reliably measure a dilated cervix by reading a corresponding dilation measurement indicium associated with the ratcheted lever arm.

Abstract: A forceps includes an end effector assembly having first and second jaw members movable between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween. A knife assembly having a cutting blade disposed at a distal end thereof is also provided. The knife assembly is translatable relative to the end effector assembly between a retracted position and an extended position, wherein the cutting blade extends between the jaw members to cut tissue grasped therebetween. The knife assembly includes a proximal component and a first distal component that includes the cutting blade. The proximal and first distal components are removably coupled to one another to facilitate replacement of the first distal component. Methods of preparing such forceps for reuse are also provided.

Abstract: A sutureless chest tube adhesion assembly configured to quickly and easily anchor a chest tube is described. The assembly generally comprises a notched flexible substrate adapted to adhere to human skin 415. A chest tube incision in a notched region of the substrate provides an entry point for the chest tube which is anchored to the substrate by way of an intermediate flexible membrane that covers and adheres to the chest tube and substrate. The intermediate flexible membrane has a matching notched region adapted to accommodate the chest tube. The chest tube and incision are adapted to be covered by a transparent cover sheet which covers and adheres to a portion of the substrate, the intermediate flexible membrane and to a portion of the human skin 415.

Abstract: A sutureless chest tube adhesion assembly configured to quickly and easily anchor a chest tube is described. The assembly generally comprises a notched flexible substrate adapted to adhere to human skin 415. A chest tube incision in a notched region of the substrate provides an entry point for the chest tube which is anchored to the substrate by way of an intermediate flexible membrane that covers and adheres to the chest tube and substrate. The intermediate flexible membrane has a matching notched region adapted to accommodate the chest tube. The chest tube and incision are adapted to be covered by a transparent cover sheet which covers and adheres to a portion of the substrate, the intermediate flexible membrane and to a portion of the human skin 415.

Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments describing finger calipers with a pair of lever arms pivotally attached to a hand plate via a pivot point at their respective proximal ends. Each of the lever arms extend along the length of a finger and attach to the end of the respective finger via a finger cuff or some other attachment means. Accordingly, the lever arms can open and close, or otherwise splay apart, in a scissor like manner when the fingers that they are attached to open and close or otherwise splay apart. A ratchet system comprised by one of the lever arms and the hand plate allow for one-way motion of the ratcheted lever arm. The other lever arm freely pivots across the hand plate. When a medical examiner is using the finger calipers, they can reliably measure a dilated cervix by reading a corresponding dilation measurement indicium associated with the ratcheted lever arm.

Abstract: A bipolar electrosurgical instrument is provided. The bipolar electrosurgical instrument includes first and second shafts each having a jaw member extending from a distal end thereof and a handle disposed at a proximal end thereof for effecting movement of the jaw members relative to one another. A first conductive lead is adapted to connect to a first electrical potential and a second conductive lead is adapted to connect to a second electrical potential. One of the first and second conductive leads extends through the pivot to connect to a respective jaw member.

Abstract: A bipolar electrosurgical instrument is provided. The bipolar electrosurgical instrument includes first and second shafts each having a jaw member extending from a distal end thereof and a handle disposed at a proximal end thereof for effecting movement of the jaw members relative to one another. A first conductive lead is adapted to connect to a first electrical potential and a second conductive lead is adapted to connect to a second electrical potential. One of the first and second conductive leads extends through the pivot to connect to a respective jaw member.

Abstract: A surgical forceps includes a first shaft member including a proximal portion having a handle at a proximal end thereof and a distal portion having a jaw member at a distal end thereof. The proximal and distal portions are pivotable between an aligned position and an angled position. A second shaft member includes a jaw member at a distal end thereof and a handle at a proximal end thereof. The shaft members are pivotable relative to one another between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for moving the jaw members relative to one another between an open position and a closed position to grasp tissue therebetween. The proximal portion of the first shaft member is pivoted relative to the distal portion of the first shaft member from the aligned position to the angled position upon movement of the first and second shaft members towards the spaced-apart position.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument includes a housing including an elongated shaft. A stationary actuation member is axially disposed within the elongated shaft and includes a cam pin. An actuating mechanism is operably coupled to the elongated shaft and is moveable relative to the housing to selectively cause movement of the elongated shaft. An end effector includes a pair of opposing first and second jaw members operably coupled about a common pivot. One or both of the jaw members includes a camming slot configured to engage the cam pin. Each jaw member includes an electrically conductive tissue sealing surface adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy. A knife blade is supported in the elongated shaft and moveable in a longitudinal direction to cut tissue disposed between the jaw members. A switch is configured to be engaged by the actuating mechanism to initiate delivery of electrosurgical energy to tissue.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument includes a housing including an elongated shaft. A stationary actuation member is axially disposed within the elongated shaft and includes a cam pin. An actuating mechanism is operably coupled to the elongated shaft and is moveable relative to the housing to selectively cause movement of the elongated shaft. An end effector includes a pair of opposing first and second jaw members operably coupled about a common pivot. One or both of the jaw members includes a camming slot configured to engage the cam pin. Each jaw member includes an electrically conductive tissue sealing surface adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy. A knife blade is supported in the elongated shaft and moveable in a longitudinal direction to cut tissue disposed between the jaw members. A switch is configured to be engaged by the actuating mechanism to initiate delivery of electrosurgical energy to tissue.

Abstract: An integrated chest evacuation tube that is specifically configured to function as a closed tube when inserted and retained inside of a chest cavity to provide enhanced benefits over the state of the art. The integrated chest evacuation tube generally includes a fluid impermeable membrane fixedly attached to a single flexible hollow tube. The fluid impermeable membrane is interposed between an inlet port and an outlet port or optionally at said outlet port of a chest tube. The membrane is configured to seal the tube's passageway from any transfer of the fluid. The impermeable membrane is adapted to be ruptured by a force other than pressure from said fluid.

Abstract: An integrated chest evacuation tube that is specifically configured for being a closed system when inserted and retained inside of a chest cavity provides enhanced benefits over the state of the art. The integrated chest evacuation tube generally includes a valve that is made up of a hollow elastomeric housing having a collar at an output end of the housing which provides an aperture into the housing, a valve input end at an input end of the housing, and an elongated slit at the valve input end. The slit is configured to close together in a spring-like manner when in a closed position. The valve is integrated and at least partially inside of a chest evacuation tube that has a tube inlet port and a tube outlet port. The tube inlet port is adapted to drain fluid and/or air from a human chest cavity.

Abstract: A sutureless chest tube adhesion assembly configured to quickly and easily anchor a chest tube is described. The assembly generally comprises a notched flexible substrate adapted to adhere to human skin 415. A chest tube incision in a notched region of the substrate provides an entry point for the chest tube which is anchored to the substrate by way of an intermediate flexible membrane that covers and adheres to the chest tube and substrate. The intermediate flexible membrane has a matching notched region adapted to accommodate the chest tube. The chest tube and incision are adapted to be covered by a transparent cover sheet which covers and adheres to a portion of the substrate, the intermediate flexible membrane and to a portion of the human skin 415.

Abstract: A pliable arc-shaped chest tube that is specifically configured for being inserted and retained inside of a chest cavity provides enhanced benefits over the state of the art. The tube creates a passageway through which effluent can escape from a chest cavity, typically following trauma. The pliable arc-shaped tube can be bent to conform to a hand-held scalpel probe shaft when slid over the probe shaft. After being inserted into the chest cavity, the handheld scalpel is discarded while the chest cannula is retained or otherwise deployed within the chest cavity such that the pliable arc-shaped tube is arced towards the rib cage to enhance comfort following deployment.

Abstract: An actuating scalpel device that is adapted to deploy a curved scalpel blade in an elliptical or circular pathway is described in detail. The actuating scalpel generally comprises a scalpel blade that possesses a curved cutting edge, a probe tip housing that fully contains said scalpel blade when in a retracted position, a slot in said housing through which said curved cutting edge is adapted to extend and a driving member connected to said scalpel blade. The linkages are configured to move said scalpel blade in an elliptical path when said scalpel blade is deployed to extend outside of said probe tip housing.

Abstract: A forceps includes an end effector assembly having first and second jaw members movable between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween. A knife assembly having a cutting blade disposed at a distal end thereof is also provided. The knife assembly is translatable relative to the end effector assembly between a retracted position and an extended position, wherein the cutting blade extends between the jaw members to cut tissue grasped therebetween. The knife assembly includes a proximal component and a first distal component that includes the cutting blade. The proximal and first distal components are removably coupled to one another to facilitate replacement of the first distal component. Methods of preparing such forceps for reuse are also provided.

Abstract: A forceps includes an end effector assembly having first and second jaw members movable between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween. A knife assembly having a cutting blade disposed at a distal end thereof is also provided. The knife assembly is translatable relative to the end effector assembly between a retracted position and an extended position, wherein the cutting blade extends between the jaw members to cut tissue grasped therebetween. The knife assembly includes a proximal component and a first distal component that includes the cutting blade. The proximal and first distal components are removably coupled to one another to facilitate replacement of the first distal component. Methods of preparing such forceps for reuse are also provided.

Abstract: A bipolar electrosurgical instrument is provided. The bipolar electrosurgical instrument includes first and second shafts each having a jaw member extending from a distal end thereof and a handle disposed at a proximal end thereof for effecting movement of the jaw members relative to one another. A first conductive lead is adapted to connect to a first electrical potential and a second conductive lead is adapted to connect to a second electrical potential. One of the first and second conductive leads extends through the pivot to connect to a respective jaw member.

Abstract: A bipolar electrosurgical instrument is provided. The bipolar electrosurgical instrument includes first and second shafts each having a jaw member extending from a distal end thereof and a handle disposed at a proximal end thereof for effecting movement of the jaw members relative to one another. A first conductive lead is adapted to connect to a first electrical potential and a second conductive lead is adapted to connect to a second electrical potential. One of the first and second conductive leads extends through the pivot to connect to a respective jaw member.

Abstract: A forceps includes an end effector assembly having first and second jaw members movable between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween. A knife assembly having a cutting blade disposed at a distal end thereof is also provided. The knife assembly is translatable relative to the end effector assembly between a retracted position and an extended position, wherein the cutting blade extends between the jaw members to cut tissue grasped therebetween. The knife assembly includes a proximal component and a first distal component that includes the cutting blade. The proximal and first distal components are removably coupled to one another to facilitate replacement of the first distal component while the end effector assembly remains in a substantially assembled condition, i.e., without requiring substantial disassembly of the end effector assembly.