Abstract: An improved electrosurgical instrument for use with a specially adapted electrosurgical trocar. The improved electrosurgical instrument including a handle, an end effector and an elongated closure tube connecting the handle to the end effector. The elongated closure tube including one or more electrical contacts adapted to provide electrical contact to the interior of a trocar cannula as the electrosurgical instrument is passed through the cannula. The contacts being electrically connected to the end effector of the electrosurgical instrument such that electrosurgical energy passes through the contacts to the end effector.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a surgical instrument such as, for example, an ultrasonic surgical cutting and coagulating device, wherein the gripping movement of the surgeon is mechanically translated into lateral movement for actuating, for example, an actuating rod. One embodiment of the present invention includes a camming pivot for use in surgical instruments, wherein the camming pivot comprises an actuation mechanism, including; a lever arm; a first cam at a distal end of the lever arm; and a second cam positioned distally from the first cam.

Abstract: In the present invention, a cordless capacitively coupled electrosurgical instrument is adapted to receive electrosurgical energy from a specially designed trocar or trocar adapter. In one embodiment of the present invention, a capacitively coupled electrosurgical instrument includes a handle, an elongated tube and an electrosurgical end effector. The handle may include an actuator such as a trigger which is operatively connected to the end effector through the elongated tube. The elongated tube may be a closure tube which is adapted to close the end effector when the handle actuator is moved. Alternatively, the closure tube may include a mechanism connecting the handle actuator to the end effector, which mechanism acts to close the end effector when the handle actuator is moved. The electrosurgical end effector is adapted to apply electrosurgical energy to biological tissue in order to effect treatment of the tissue.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical clamp coagulator apparatus is configured to effect cutting, coagulation, and clamping of tissue by cooperation of a clamping mechanism of the apparatus with an associated ultrasonic end-effector. The ultrasonic waveguide of the apparatus is preferably provided with an improved support member at the distal-most node thereof, which support member desirably functions to resist bending moments created in the waveguide, attendant to operation of the clamping mechanism, while sealing the region adjacent to the waveguide.

Abstract: A bipolar electrosurgical instrument comprising a handle, an end effector and an elongated hollow tube. The handle includes first and second grip members. The end effector includes first, second and third electrodes. The first electrode is substantially triangular in shape. The first electrode is adapted to pivot between an open position and a closed position. The first electrode also pivots around its proximal to distal axis and includes a coagulating surface and a cutting edge. The second and third electrodes are arranged substantially parallel to the first electrode when the first electrode is in the closed position. The elongated hollow tube includes a mechanism connecting the handle to the end effector such that movement of the first and second grip members relative to one another causes the first electrode to move relative to the second and third electrodes.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument is described for use in medical procedures to, for example, dissect or cut living organic tissue. The ultrasonic surgical instrument includes an outer sheath, a waveguide, and an improved acoustic isolation element. The acoustic isolation element is bonded to both the ultrasonic waveguide and the interior surface of the outer sheath, creating an acoustic isolation seal. The improved acoustic isolation element seals the distal end of the ultrasonic instrument, substantially improving its ability to reduce or eliminate penetration by liquids or other contaminants during, for example, soaking or steam autoclave sterilization.

Abstract: In the present invention, a surgical trocar is adapted to inductively couple electrosurgical energy to specially adapted cordless electrosurgical instruments. In one embodiment of the present invention, an electrosurgical trocar includes a cannula, an inductive electrosurgical adapter and a locking connector adapted to connect the cannula to the inductive electrosurgical adapter. The cannula is an elongated tube which may be inserted into a body cavity, duct or vessel. The inductive electrosurgical adapter includes a housing with an elongated central aperture, a primary inductor coil positioned around and extending axially along the elongated aperture, first and second inductor leads, first and second conductors, an outer housing and an electrical cord.

Abstract: A therapeutic ultrasound instrument is described for cutting, dissecting, or cauterizing tissue. Ultrasonic vibrations, when transmitted to organic tissue at suitable energy levels and using a suitable end-effector, may be used for the safe and effective treatment of many medical conditions. An ultrasonic surgical instrument is described which incorporates an articulating end-effector. The instrument comprises an ultrasonic signal generator, an ultrasonically actuated end-effector, and a substantially solid ultrasonic waveguide which connects the ultrasonic signal generator to the end-effector. The waveguide comprises a transmission section extending from the signal generator to a fixed node, and an articulation section extending from the fixed node to an pivoting node. The end-effector includes a waveguide segment. A handle is adapted to hold the signal generator. An outer sheath extends from the handle to the end-effector and surrounds the waveguide.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical clamp coagulator apparatus is configured to effect cutting, coagulation, and clamping of tissue by cooperation of a clamping mechanism of the apparatus with an associated ultrasonic end-effector. Selective, indexed rotational positioning of the clamping mechanism and end-effector is achieved by the provision of a detent mechanism incorporated into the clamp drive mechanism of the apparatus. An improved clamping mechanism permits the desired clamping force to be applied to tissue positioned against the end-effector in an instrument having a desirably small cross-section.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument is provided for cauterization and/or welding of tissue of varying impedances, thicknesses and vascularity especially in the performance of endoscopic procedures. The instrument compresses the tissue between one pole of a bipolar energy source located on one interfacing surface, and a second interfacing surface. A second pole is located one of the two interfacing surfaces. In a preferred embodiment, the second pole is located on the same interfacing surface as the first pole and an insulator electrically isolates the two poles. A preferred application of the invention is in a cutting instrument wherein a hemostatic line is formed along a cut line using RF energy.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument according to the present invention includes a handle, an elongated tube, an end effector, a pair of wireform conductors extending through the elongated tube from the handle to the end effector and a working tool such as, for example, a knife blade. The working tool being connected to the handle through a push bar which passes through the elongated tube. In an electrosurgical instrument according to the present invention, the push bar is positioned between the wireform conductors and is axially moveable with respect to the wireform conductors. In addition, in an electrosurgical instrument according to the present invention, the handle includes a coupling element to allow the wireform conductors and push bar to rotate with respect to the handle and to allow the push bar to move axially with respect to the wireform conductors and the handle.

Abstract: An improved electro surgical instrument is provided for cauterization and/or welding of tissue of varying impedances, thicknesses and vascularity especially in the performance of endoscopic procedures. The instrument compresses the tissue between one pole of a bipolar energy source located on one interfacing surface, and a second interfacing surface. A second pole is located on one of the two interfacing surfaces. In a preferred embodiment, the second pole is located on the same interfacing surface as the first pole and an insulator electrically isolates the two poles. A preferred application of the invention is in a cutting instrument wherein a hemostatic line is formed along a cut line using RF energy.

Abstract: A surgical instrument according to the present invention includes a handle, an elongated closure tube, an end effector, a pair of wireform elements which may be, for example, wireform conductors, extending through the elongated tube from the handle to the end effector and a knife blade at the end effector and a tissue stop adapted to shield the knife blade when the knife blade is in its proximal most position. In a surgical instrument according to the present invention, the wireform elements are positioned within wireform guide channels formed in the tissue stop. In a surgical instrument according to the present invention, the closure tube includes a tissue stop including a distal end and a proximal end. The tissue stop further includes a body, a neck a knife housing and knife channel, the knife channel being adapted to support the shank of the knife as it moves within the knife channel.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is provided for clamping and cutting during surgical procedures, particularly for use with tissues of varying thicknesses. The instrument in a preferred embodiment compresses tissue between electrodes associated with jaws of the clamping device and applies electrosurgical energy to the tissue. The invention provides an expandable cutting element which is adapted to compensate for various thicknesses in tissue and contractible by providing a knife which can be contained within the jaws and expand as needed for thicker tissues. The cutting element is preferably actuated as or after the electrosurgical energy has been applied, to cut tissue engaged and treated by the jaw members.

Abstract: An electrosurgical hemostatic instrument including a curved end effector. A preferred embodiment of the invention provides a bipolar endoscopic clamping, coagulation and cutting device. In this device, a substantially straight, axially flexible knife is used to cut tissue grasped by the jaws of the end effector. The end effector includes a knife channel which is wider than the knife. The knife may include sacrificial contact points adapted to contact the walls of the knife channel as the knife moves through the channel, protecting the cutting edges of the knife blade from damage.

Abstract: A surgical instrument including an improved handle and latching mechanism is described. The handle comprises an instrument trigger pivotally connected to an instrument body with a toggle link connecting the instrument trigger to an actuating mechanism in the handle. The toggle link includes a latch notch or latch stop which is adapted to receive a latch link which is pivotally connected to the handle at a first end and contacts the toggle link at a second end. A latch trigger is adapted to contact the latch link.

Abstract: A surgical instrument including a handle, an end effector including jaws, an elongated tube connecting the handle to the end effector, a connector within the tube connecting the handle to the jaw members; and a first slot in the first jaw and a second slot in the jaw wherein the first and second slots are arranged such that only a portion of the slots overlap when the first and second jaws are closed to create a hole in the jaw which may be used for positioning a suture in the tissue. The first slot in the first jaw extends to a side of the first jaw and the second slot in the second jaw extends to a side of the second jaw creating pathways for removing the suture when the jaws are opened. The surgical instrument may also include a retractable tying pin adjacent the end effector and a knot pusher at the distal end of the end effector.

Abstract: A method of performing endometrial ablation comprising heating entire surface of the endometrium to a temperature of between 45.degree. C. and 70.degree. C. to destroy the cells of the endometrial lining while maintaining the average temperature of the myometrium at a temperature below approximately 42.degree. C. An apparatus for performing an endometrial ablation comprising an expandable membrane such as a balloon adapted to fit within the uterus and contact the endometrial lining when expanded. A web of light diffusing fiber-optic cables arranged on the outer surface the balloon such that the web contacts the endometrial lining of the uterus when the balloon is expanded. The fiber-optic web is connected to an array of high intensity lamps via a series of fiber-optic cables. The temperature of the endometrium is monitored by a of a series of temperature sensors arranged upon the surface of the balloon.

Abstract: An electrosurgical hemostatic instrument is provided in which the coagulation status of tissue engaged by two elements delivering electrosurgical energy to tissue may be observed. A preferred embodiment of the invention provides a bipolar endoscopic clamping, coagulation and cutting device. The end effector of the device includes interleaved winged electrodes which act to support the tissue and to provide visual access to the tissue as it is being treated. The winged electrodes are interspersed along the outside of the end effector.