Abstract: A medical device sterile barrier system that is easier for surgical personnel to use by allowing easier opening and removal of the medical device from the sterile packaging, includes a sterile bag within which a medical device is held secure via a removable holster, the holster being fashioned with a hinge feature such that the holster has a clamshell arrangement and folds in half along the hinge feature to clamp the medical device parts in place between the two halves of the clamshell. To remove the medical device the holster is simply unfolded about the hinge feature to reveal the parts of the device, which can then be lifted out of the holster and assembled in the usual way. There are thus no polymer tab features forming part of the holster and interacting with the device to secure it in place that need removal before the device can be used.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a rotary shaver arrangement for a surgical instrument, the rotary shaver arrangement comprising an outer tubular member; and an inner tubular member rotatably mounted in a central passageway of the outer tubular member, the inner tubular member providing a central suction lumen. Wherein the inner tubular member further comprises one or more longitudinal grooves that run from the distal end to the proximal end of the rotary shaver arrangement to create a suction lumen passageway between the inner tubular member and the outer tubular member. This rotary shaver arrangement optimises the balance between shaver performance and RF thermal performance, by providing a defined minimum gap between the inner and outer tubular members in the form of longitudinal grooves, to provide an additional pathway for saline used to cool the RF suction lumen.

Abstract: A bipolar surgical instrument comprises a body, first and second opposed jaws located at the distal end of a shaft, the first jaw being movable with respect to the second jaw between an open position in which the first and second jaws are spaced apart from one another, and a closed position in which the first and second jaws are adjacent one another. The first and second elongate jaw members have respective first and second electrodes. A controller is operable to detect a short circuit between the first and second electrodes when in use.

Abstract: A surgical device includes a handpiece having a socket, including a distal opening providing access to a passage having a longitudinal axis, and first and second electrical contacts located therein, wherein the contacts are displaced along the longitudinal axis so the first contact is more distal than the second. Also, a surgical instrument includes an elongate shaft having distal and proximal ends, wherein an end effector at the distal end is for treating tissue. Further, a connecting portion includes third and fourth electrical contacts, wherein the contacts are displaced along the shaft so the third contact is more distal than the fourth. The surgical instrument is coaxially coupled to the handpiece by the connecting portion received in the passage, so the first contact is aligned with the third and the second is aligned with the fourth to provide an electrical power signal from the handpiece to the surgical instrument.

Abstract: A rotary shaver arrangement for a surgical instrument includes an outer tubular member with a first cutting window at the distal end thereof, an inner tubular member providing a central suction lumen and rotatably mounted in a central passageway of the outer tubular member, and the inner tubular member having a second cutting window at the distal end of the inner tubular member. The first and second cutting windows are arranged such that: (i) when the inner tubular member is rotated to a first range of angular positions, the first and second cutting windows overlap to form an opening of the central suction lumen; and (ii) when the inner tubular member is rotated to a second range of angular positions, the first and second cutting windows do not overlap. The first and/or second cutting window includes a spline-shaped region to permit the second range of angular positions to be greater than if the spline-shaped region was notch-shaped having angular discontinuities.

Abstract: A rotary shaver component for a surgical instrument or an end effector for an electrosurgical instrument which has a thermally insulating component on an inner surface of a tubular member. The thermally insulating component is particularly useful for electrosurgical instruments which combine rotary shaver arrangements and RF electrode arrangements, where suction is used to remove RF heated saline from the surgical site. Without the presence of the thermally insulating component, there is a risk of burning the patient if the RF heated saline becomes too hot as the electrosurgical instrument may not be adequately insulated. The thermally insulating component prevents or reduces the effect of hot saline heating at least a portion of the inner tubular member, thereby preventing or reducing damage to non-target tissue during use of the radio frequency function.

Abstract: A surgical instrument having an end effector mounted on the end of an elongate shaft extending from a handle. The end-effector is capable of different operations, including grasping, cutting, and sealing and/or coagulating tissue, and one of the operations is controlled by a trigger mechanism contained within the handle. In some embodiments, the end effector includes a pair of curved jaw members and blade assembly having a cutting blade at its distal end. The trigger mechanism drives blade assembly longitudinally within the elongate shaft such that the cutting blade protrudes between the jaw members. To help the trigger mechanism push blade assembly around the curved jaws, the distal end of blade has a graduated flexibility that easily bends to the shape of the jaw members. The distal end of the blade may be provided with a low friction coating so that it can easily slide between the jaw members.

Abstract: A connection portion for a surgical instrument provides an improved means of connection between a surgical instrument and a hose. The hose may supply irrigation fluid or may be connected to a suction source. The connection portion includes a part which is connected to and movable with the hose, ensuring that the connection between the connection portion and the hose does not limit the flow of fluid through the hose even as the hose moves. This further reduces the apparent feeling of weight caused by the hose on the surgical instrument.

Abstract: An RF hand instrument wherein the RF ablation function ceases to operate prior to any RF tip detachment occurring, in order for the hand instrument to fail gracefully and thus be considered fail-safe. A mechanical retention mechanism which is separate to the RF power delivery means so the power is delivered by a separate electro/mechanical connection. The electrical connection used to deliver RF power to the active tip erodes at a faster rate than the active tip and the active tip retention mechanism so the electrical connection geometry erodes to the point where RF power is no longer delivered to the RF tip, and the user will be made aware of this loss in RF function. Thus, the geometry of the used/eroded RF tip, with no remaining electrical connection is still mechanically strong enough to be removed from the patient or cannula without RF tip detachment from the electrode assembly.

Abstract: A bipolar surgical instrument comprises a body first and second opposed jaws located at the distal end of a shaft, the first jaw being movable with respect to the second jaw between an open position in which the first and second jaws are spaced apart from one another, and a closed position in which the first and second jaws are adjacent one another. The first and second elongate jaw members have respective first and second electrodes. A controller is operable to determine a boiling point for tissue between the jaws using a measure of impedance therebetween.

Abstract: The present disclosure seeks to address the problem of carbon tracking in electrosurgical instruments caused by a build-up of saline by providing the hand-piece of the instrument with a drainage system, for example, in the form of a lumen leading to an opening in the outer casing of the hand-piece. Any trapped saline between the sealing surfaces thereby drains from the cavity within the hand-piece, ensuring that an air-gap is formed between the contacts, and thus preventing the possibility of carbon tracking between the contacts.

Abstract: An improved surgical instrument having an end effector mounted on the end of an elongate shaft extending from a handle. The end-effector is capable of different operations, including grasping, cutting, and sealing and/or coagulating tissue, and one of the operations is controlled by a trigger mechanism contained within the handle. In some embodiments, the end effector includes a pair of curved jaw members and blade assembly having a cutting blade at its distal end. The trigger mechanism drives blade assembly longitudinally within the elongate shaft such that the cutting blade protrudes between the jaw members. To help the trigger mechanism push the blade assembly around the curved jaws, the distal end of blade has a graduated flexibility that easily bends to the shape of the jaw members. The distal end of the blade may also be provided with a low friction coating so that it can easily slide between the jaw members.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an electrode assembly provided with a lead-in feature that gradually increases the diameter of the outer shaft to that of the insulation sleeve. In doing so, there is no blunt edge formed by the insulation used to secure the electrode assembly to the instrument handle. This prevents a user catching this edge on the cannula, therefore reducing the force needed to insert the device, and the risk of causing damage to the insulation or entry site of the patient.

Abstract: A bipolar surgical instrument comprises a body first and second opposed jaws located at the distal end of a shaft, the first jaw being movable with respect to the second jaw between an open position in which the first and second jaws are spaced apart from one another, and a closed position in which the first and second jaws are adjacent one another. The first and second elongate jaw members have respective first and second electrodes. A controller is operable to determine a boiling point for tissue between the jaws using a measure of impedance therebetween.

Abstract: A surgical instrument, comprising a motor drive unit comprising a motor drive unit; a rotary surgical end effector arranged to be coupled to the motor drive unit; and a coupling means for coupling the motor drive unit and the rotary surgical end effector, the coupling means being configured such that there is only one possible rotational alignment between the rotary surgical end effector and the motor drive unit when coupled. This arrangement guarantees the rotational position of the rotary surgical end effector in relation to the rotational position of the motor drive unit. This enables quick and easy control of the rotational position of the rotary surgical end effector.

Abstract: A handpiece for a surgical instrument, having a lumen for the provision of suction or fluids to the surgical instrument, the lumen being formed from at least two concentrically arranged tubes, one of the tubes being formed from metal, and the other of the tubes being formed from an electrically insulating material, the arrangement being such as to prevent electrical charge carried by any fluid within the lumen from leaking to an external surface of the lumen. In one example the at least two concentrically arranged tubes define a tube connector having a distal end and a proximal end, wherein the proximal end is located within a receiving formation in the handpiece and the distal end protrudes outwardly from the handpiece.

Abstract: A plug comprising: a plurality of pins or a plurality of sockets; a body portion housing the plurality of pins or the plurality of sockets and the body portion extending parallel to a longitudinal axis of the plurality of pins or the plurality of sockets; a connection section connected to the body portion and extending from the body portion at an obtuse angle; and a cord connected to an end of the connection section; wherein the body portion and the connection section are connected at a joint and the joint includes a sub-flush radius on an underside of the joint.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is configured to consist of two separable parts. The first part includes a disposable end effector unit, including an electrosurgical end effector and mechanical drive componentry. The second part includes a reusable electronics unit, containing the RF electronic circuitry of the instrument. A user-releasable complementary interface is provided on each part, allowing the parts to be connected in use. Providing a division of components in this manner improves the sterility of the device, providing easier cleaning of the reusable part of the instrument.

Abstract: When surgical devices operate on tissue (e.g. cutting or ablating tissue), tissue and other debris is typically sucked away from the operating site along a suction pathway through the device. In some cases, this debris may accumulate at certain points within the device. This can lead to blockages forming in the suction pathway, which reduces the flow of debris through the device and hinders effective removal of debris from the operating site. The present invention addresses these issues by providing an apparatus which is configured to drive the end effector of a surgical instrument in an operational mode that causes tissue debris to be dislodged from the surgical instrument.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument end effector comprises a rotary shaver arrangement, and an active electrode for supplying radio-frequency (RF) power to a surgical site. The rotary shaver arrangement comprises a rotatable shaver blade, and a stator that partially surrounds the rotatable shaver blade. At least part of the stator is electrically non-conductive.