Abstract: A surgical instrument 10 suitable for sealing tissue includes a tool 15 with at least one branch 16 comprising an electrode unit 35, which consists of a sheet metal part 35. The part 35 is anchored in a positive manner in a plastic body 34. Strip sections 40, 41 of the metal part 35 extend into the plastic body 34, encompassing openings 42, 42 or slits 43, 43a, through which the plastic body 34 extends. A positive anchoring of the sheet metal part 35 in the plastic body 34 and minimizing of the heat introduction into the plastic body 34 is thus attained. The thermal capacity of the sheet metal part 35 and the thermal conductivity of the plastic body 34 are low, so that consistently positive coagulation results are reached even after repeated use in short succession, regardless of the initial temperature of the tissue contact surfaces 36.

Abstract: An electrosurgical device for recognizing tissue by means of spectral analysis of the light generated at an electrode. An acoustic or optical indicator device displays the tissue type permanently or when detecting certain tissue. Indicators, in particular optical indicators, are arranged in the application field of view, so as to support the user in response to making an incision.

Abstract: A device for the fluid-conveying connection of at least one application probe. The device comprising at least two coaxially extending application line elements, with a supply tubing set, said tubing set comprising at least two parallel-extending supply line elements, in a grip element of a surgical instrument such as a cryosurgical instrument, such that, in a connected state, each supply line element is in fluid communication with at least one associated application line element. A fluid-diverting element is provided and arranged, or can be arranged, in the grip element in fluid communication with an application line connecting region for the connection of the application line elements and with a supply line connecting region for the connection of the supply line elements. At least two transfer line elements designed as an integral part of the fluid-diverting element are in fluid communication with the application line connecting region via the application line connecting region.

Abstract: The pump unit (10) has a particularly simple design, which includes just two housing parts (14, 15) and also four valve closure members (37) and pump pistons (25, 29). The valve closure members (37) are preferably identical to one another and are trapped in a pocket between both housing parts (14, 15). The housing parts (14, 15) are preferably permanently interconnected by an ultrasonic weld seam. The valve closure members are formed by disc-like or plate-like plastic parts, which are resilient per se and which may optionally have a central pin (42) as an assembly and orientation aid. As desired, the valve closure members bear against their respective valve seat (43) with or without bias and form valves which open and close particularly reliably, are responsive to the slowest flow velocities and can be easily sterilized.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument, in particular for argon plasma coagulation, includes a handpiece 10, an electrode (11) connected to the handpiece (10), a shaft (12) which surrounds the electrode (11) and is held in the handpiece (10), and an operating mechanism (13), which comprises at least one rotary knob (14) arranged on the handpiece (10). The shaft (12) is axially movable relative to the electrode (11) and a shear force can be applied to it by operating the rotary knob (14). The handpiece (10) has a brake device which exerts a braking force on the shaft (12), and the operating mechanism (13) forms a transmission gear (15) which is connected to the shaft (12) for transferring the shear force.

Abstract: A device for detecting metal with sparking electrosurgical instruments. The device contains a metal detector, which decides, on the basis of the current and voltage delivered to the instrument, whether a spark originating from the instrument contacts biological tissue or a metal part. The component of the current is determined that is inconsistent with a linear equivalent circuit. The elements of the linear equivalent circuit may be determined in a regression calculation. As first decision criterion, the spark characteristic variable Frel is determined from the current. As second decision criterion, a resistance characteristic variable R is determined, which characterizes the tissue resistance. Both characteristic variables are compared with threshold values. If the tissue resistance falls below the resistance threshold value and the spark characteristic variable exceeds the spark size threshold value, a signal is generated that characterizes the activation of the spark against a metal part.

Abstract: The instrument according to the invention for electrosurgically impacting biological tissue comprises an electrode (18) as well as a light guide (21), which is connected to a light inlet window (19), which is formed by means of a fluid body (27). The light guide is connected to a light analysis device (13), so as to absorb the light, which is generated at the electrode (18) in response to the HF surgery and so as to supply it to the light analysis device (13). The light inlet window (19) is arranged at the point of origin of the light, namely immediately at the electrode, that is, at the spark, which is generated. An adulteration of the absorbed light by means of smoke or particle deposition on the light inlet window (19) can virtually be avoided.

Abstract: A sealing instrument (10) including two branches (15, 16) with sealing jaws (19, 20, 36, 37) acted on by a sealing voltage preferably between 80 and 120 volts. Tissue receptacles (53, 54) are separated from one another by a wall-like extension (24), which at its lower edge carries a cutting electrode (31), are defined between the branches (15, 16). A cutting voltage from 300 to 500 volts is applied between a branch (16) and the cutting electrode. When the branches are closed the grasped tissue is sealed simultaneously between the sealing jaws (19, 36 and 20, 37) and is severed by the cutting electrode (31). Even though the tissue is severed completely; for example after 0.3 to 0.5 seconds and the sealing requires more time, the rolls of tissue grasped in the tissue receptacles (53, 54) act as form-fitting protection of the vessel edges in the tool (12).

Abstract: An instrument (10) according to the invention comprises a cam mechanism drive comprising a locking cam mechanism (31) and a cam mechanism (40), which serves power-transfer and control purposes, so as to initially create a tractive movement at traction elements (20, 21) and then a sliding movement at a sliding element (23). The concept allows for a tolerance-insensitive, functionally reliable design.

Abstract: A multifunctional instrument for HF surgical treatment of tissue, in particular for optional cutting, injecting and coagulating tissue is proposed. The multifunctional instrument has the following elements: at least one fluid chamber for receiving a fluid; a temperature control device communicating with said at least one fluid chamber for warming, heating or evaporating a fluid present in said fluid chamber; a temperature controller for controlling the temperature of the fluid present in the said fluid chamber, and at least one fluid outlet port arranged at a distal end of the multifunctional instrument and communicating with the said at least one fluid chamber.

Abstract: An HF surgical appliance comprising an HF generator having an output circuit, which contains an output transformer and has an output impedance. Output terminals, to which an HF surgical instrument can be connected, are provided, said instrument supplying a high-frequency current with a specific frequency into tissue to treat the same. An additional output circuit containing an additional transformer, which is connected between the output circuit and the output terminals to reduce the output impedance is also provided. In this way, the HF surgical appliance can be operated with a high power output even on loads having low impedance.

Abstract: A method for the selective elevation and separation of tissues comprised of multiple layers and a surgical instrument for performing the method. The method may be performed without the requirement of a solid mechanical device insertion or transection through the mucosal layer. In particular, the method and surgical instrument may be used for the selected separation and/or resection of selected portions of benign or malignant tissues (e.g. defining tissue planes, polyp elevation and removal, submucosal tissue tunneling, endoscopic mucosa resection, etc).

Abstract: To achieve a safe transition from the ignition of a plasma in incision mode to the combustion of the plasma during a cutting mode, an electromedical device to supply an instrument with electrical power is equipped with an ignition recognition mechanism formed by a sensor device. This ignition recognition mechanism switches the HF generator provided in the device from an incision operating mode to a cutting operating mode as soon as ignition is recognized. The switching is brought about by the switching of an HF modulation from a low crest factor in the incision operating mode to a high crest factor in the cutting operating mode.

Abstract: A handle for a surgical instrument, in particular a cryosurgical instrument, comprising a grip element and at least one sheathing tube that is inserted into the grip element and connected with said grip element in a fluid-tight manner in a connecting region. At least one support element is coaxially configured and arranged in the cavity of the sheathing tube such that the sheathing tube is clamped in place between the grip element and the support element in the connecting region.

Abstract: A device (10) for tissue coagulation, in particular for fusion, encompasses an electric source (18), which is connected or which can be connected to electrodes (12, 13) for influencing biological tissue (11) with current. A control unit (22) controls the source (18) during phases I and II of the tissue fusion. These phases I and II correspond to operating phases I, II and III of the device (10). During operating phase I, a monitoring unit (23) determines the energy E1, which is applied into the tissue (11). In the subsequent operating phases II and III, the control unit (22) controls the source (18) by means of the determined energy E1. Such a device turns out to be particularly reliable and to be robust in use.

Abstract: The method disclosed herein permits the operator of an electrosurgical device to move a safety switch-off threshold for a contact resistance at a neutral electrode from a first value to a second and slightly higher value. This way, for patients with a relatively high resistance yielding a somewhat elevated contact resistance despite correct attachment of the neutral electrode, uninterrupted operation of the device is achievable.

Abstract: A surgical device having a step-up converter, a power supply unit and a control arrangement. The step-up converter converts a mains AC voltage to an intermediate circuit voltage and energizes a DC intermediate circuit. The power supply unit includes an inverter connected to the intermediate circuit. The power supply unit also includes a transformer that has a primary coil connected to the inverter and a secondary coil for energizing a load. The control arrangement includes a PFC control circuit connected in a controlling manner to the step-up converter. The control arrangement further includes an operation control circuit connected in a controlling manner to the power supply unit. The PFC control circuit and operation control circuit are connected to each other via a digital communication interface.

Abstract: To provide the user of an RF-surgical instrument with a non-hazardous short test operation, for example so as to test the ignitability of an argon plasma probe, provision is made for an instrument test arrangement, which is installed into a feeding medical device or into a neutral conductor connecting cable or which is provided as plug adapter, which is to be plugged between the device and the neutral conductor connecting cable. The instrument test arrangement comprises at least one or, better yet, two ignition test electrodes, which are connected to conductors of the device or of the neutral conductor cable, preferably via impedance components. The ignition test electrodes can be accessed insofar as a spark can be created simultaneously to both ignition test electrodes by means of an operational probe or an instrument.