Abstract: A trocar system includes a cannula having a cannula head and a cannula tube, and an obturator having a cap and either a rounded tip or a cutting blade. The head and cap form an ergonomically shaped bulbous handle. At least a portion of an outer surface of the cannula head may include a resilient non-slip material. The cannula head may also include a monolithic housing having a port with a Luer Lock fitting and an integrally formed passageway for receiving a stopcock valve.

Abstract: A surgical trocar device having an obturator and cannula that requires less force to insert and remove from tissue. The cannula includes a head assembly and the obturator includes a cap assembly that have cooperating surfaces that bear against each other so that when the obturator is rotated about its axis the obturator is axially deflected within the cannula and thus more easily removed from the tissue into which the obturator is inserted. The tip of the obturator and the end of the cannula are designed to minimize tissue damage and insertion effort by providing a smooth, unencumbered surface transition. In one aspect of the invention, the tip of the cannula is smooth, continuous, and flexible and can radially deflect when the larger-diameter obturator is inserted or withdrawn though the cannula.

Abstract: A stainless steel electrosurgical blade has a single uniform layer of release material comprising substantially silicone (polysiloxane) applied directly onto the stainless steel blade portion without the necessity of one or more coatings of primer material(s), or multiple layering of the release material or mechanical roughening of the metallic blade body. Adherence of the release coating is achieved by thermally oxidizing the blade body, after cleaning it. The uniform layer is created by dipping the blade body. The release material is preferably thermally cured and non-blooming.

Abstract: An electrosurgical coagulating and cutting instrument employing pairs of clamping arms having wrist portions proximal to closing ramps and jaws and configured to close at their wrists first, then their distal tips and lastly, their heels. The instrument includes mechanisms for preventing the advancement of a cutting blade when the jaws are not closed. An actuator for closing the jaws includes an actuator handle and a drive head having teeth formed therein and a pawl mounted in the handle for engaging the teeth, these latter structures forming a ratcheting mechanism. Said mechanism is controllably releaseable.

Abstract: A universal suction canister pour spout adaptor for use with suction canisters of various designs to fit onto the internal or external pour spout of various standard suction canisters so that such canisters can receive materials through their pour spouts during surgical procedures. The suction canister adaptor has a series of stepped external and internal diameters sized for engaging the various sized pour spouts of various suction canisters.

Abstract: An electrosurgical coagulating and cutting instrument employing pairs of clamping arms having wrist portions proximal to closing ramps and jaws and configured to close at their wrists first, then their distal tips and lastly, their heels. The instrument includes mechanisms for preventing the advancement of a cutting blade when the jaws are not closed. An actuator for closing the jaws includes an actuator handle and a drive head having teeth formed therein and a pawl mounted in the handle for engaging the teeth, these latter structures forming a ratcheting mechanism. Said mechanism is controllably releaseable.

Abstract: A perforated biomedical electrode having a detachable portion which allows a clinician to remove a portion of the electrode to thereby reduce the effective contact size of the electrode, e.g., the effective surface area for adhering the electrode to the patient's skin and/or the effective surface area for establishing electrical contact or ground with the patient's skin depending on the particular application, e.g., for use on an adult or a child. The biomedical electrode includes a pad comprising a first portion and a predefined line of separation along which a second portion of the pad is detachable from the pad so that the pad initially comprises a first surface area for contacting a patient's skin and upon detaching the second portion from the pad, the pad comprises a second surface area for contacting the patient's skin. An electrode attaches to the first portion of the pad.

Abstract: A bipolar electrosurgical instrument for cutting and coagulating tissue is disclosed. Also disclosed is a method for using the bipolar electrosurgical instrument. The instrument includes particular patterns of electrically conductive portions and electrically non-conductive portions on the interior surfaces of the shearing members such that the electrical current is localized in the tissue to be treated without causing a short circuit in the instrument. Other advantages of the device include an improved cutting ability aided by the localized electrical current and reduced manufacturing costs as compared to similar, prior art devices.

Abstract: Non-insulated surgical instruments are referenced to the electrical potential of a patient during minimally invasive electrosurgery to prevent unintentional patient burns, should the surgical instruments become accidentally energized during the electrosurgical procedure. An auxiliary safety electrode separate from the primary return electrode is attached to the patient at a location separate from the attachment point of the primary return electrode. Each non-insulated surgical instrument is preferably attached to the auxiliary electrode by a separate electrical conductor. The electrical conductor transfers to the auxiliary electrode any electrical energy which is accidentally applied to the instrument during the course of the electrosurgical procedure. The size of the auxiliary electrode is sufficient to safely disperse the electrical charge without burning the patient.

Abstract: A locking device for a protective sleeve of an endoscopic electrode assembly having a connector for connecting the electrode assembly to a control handle, wherein the locking device comprises a post extending longitudinally from the connector and surrounding the elongated electrode, and a sleeve grip connected to the proximal end of the protective sleeve, surrounding the post. The sleeve grip has an unlocked position wherein the sleeve grip is movable longitudinally with respect to the post and a locked position wherein the sleeve grip is restricted from moving longitudinally with respect to the post.

Abstract: A trocar device, comprising a trocar cutting element, a surrounding insulating sheath, and a cannula surrounding the sheath, also includes an arrangement providing a substantially smooth transition between the sheath and cannula at the distal end of the cannula during the insertion of the trocar device into a patient so as to reduce drag on the device at the transition. In one embodiment, the sheath includes a shaped portion of enlarged diameter, and the cannula includes, at the distal end thereof, inwardly directed slits forming corresponding resilient leaf members which engage the shaped portion to provide the smooth transition. The shaped portion includes oppositely tapered surfaces meeting at a common apex. In another embodiment, an expandable section, when expanded, provides the smooth transition.

Abstract: A surgical device includes a pair of end effector members. Rotation of one or both of the members about the longitudinal axis thereof enables a section of tissues to be inserted between the members and then grasped and compressed thereby. In use in laparoscopy, the members are rotated (or biassed) to the closed position to enable insertion of the members through a cannula, and, once inside the patient, the members are rotated from the closed position so that tissue can be inserted therebetween for gripping purposes. Electrosurgical current is applied to the members to provide coagulation of tissue held between the members. By simply rotating the rotating member between two opposed positions, coagulation can be carried out at two spaced zones. A third cutting member may then be used to cut the tissue along a midline between the coagulation zones.

Abstract: An insufflation needle apparatus which creates a pneumoperitoneum during the preparation of a patient for endoscopic surgical procedures is disclosed. The insufflation needle apparatus is characterized by a helical needle having a central helical passageway for gas therethrough. The helical needle is associated with a guide support member which maintains the helical needle in position for insertion into a patient while at the same time permitting free rotation of the helical needle about the central longitudinal axis of the support member independent of movement of the support member. In this manner, an upward traction force can be exerted on the support member to gently pull the wall of a patient's body cavity upwardly away from vulnerable internal organs while at the same time a downward force can be exerted on the helical needle while it is rotated in order to penetrate the peritoneum with the needle.

Abstract: A bipolar electrosurgical instrument including four shearing members is disclosed. The shearing members are movable to an open position for grasping tissue, a closed position for desiccating tissue by application of electrical current and a cutting position for shearing tissue. The electrical current may be applied in an X-shaped pattern to thereby localize desiccation to the maximum extent possible. A method of using the bipolar electrosurgical instrument is also disclosed.

Abstract: An electrosurgical generator system includes an electrosurgical handpiece including an active electrode for receiving electrosurgical power from a generator, and cut and coagulation mode switches and a foot activated switch device also including cut and coagulation mode switches. A signal processor associated with the generator and connected to the handpiece and foot activated switch device monitors the states of the cut and coagulation mode switches so as to detect activation of any of these switches and, responsive to two successive activations of a single switch of the switches being monitored, provides control of the power produced by the electrosurgical generator by further activation of the single switch.

Abstract: An electrosurgical device provides the electrical energy from an electrosurgical generator to an electrode for cutting, coagulation, and the like, and further provides suction and irrigation to a cannula for the electrode. The device comprises a handle assembly adapted to be held in the hand of a user. The handle assembly is connected to suction and irrigation supplies as well as to the electrosurgical generator. An instrument port at the distal end of the handle assembly has a finger wheel for rotating the instrument port in relation to the handle assembly. Cutting and coagulation current are controlled by thumb switches located on the proximal side of the handle assembly. Suction and irrigation are controlled by thumb actuated buttons also located on this proximal side. A safety switch disconnects the cutting or coagulation current from the instrument port when either the suction or the irrigation button is actuated.

Abstract: A trocar assembly includes an elongate trocar device and a surrounding cannula. The trocar device incorporates an electrosurgical cutting element which is used to make a guide hole for the cannula and thus enables the remainder of the trocar assembly to enlarge the puncture. An electronic control circuit senses the current flow to the cutting element and, when the trocar device breaks through the wall of the organ being cut, this circuit cuts off the connection to the associated electrosurgical generator. Further control circuitry prevents a surgeon from resuming electrosurgery until a predetermined time period has elapsed. Multiple trocars of different diameters are provided for the same assembly.

Abstract: The cutting surfaces of electrosurgical instruments are provided with an electroconductive coating of an inorganic silicon-containing non-stick material such as amorphous silica deposited thereon by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition.

Abstract: An self-releasing suction and irrigation apparatus for providing surgical suction and irrigation to a body cavity such that, upon obstruction of the suction port by body tissue, the resulting increased vacuum pressure is automatically vented, thereby releasing the suction hold on the obstructing tissue. In a preferred embodiment, the suction apparatus has a soft, flexible tip made from an elastomeric material that is releasably attached to a rigid tube. The flexible tip is designed to deform under a predetermined threshold vacuum pressure. A vent through the wall of the deformable portion of the tip is substantially closed during normal operating pressures, but opens in response to the deformation of the tip at the threshold vacuum pressure, thereby venting the interior of the tip and reducing the vacuum pressure. Rounded lips form sharp channels at the suction port to maximize the flow of fluids into the port while minimizing the likelihood of tissue obstruction.