Abstract: A bipolar surgical instrument (1) comprises a body (2), first and second opposed jaws (18, 20) located at the distal end of a shaft (10), the first jaw (18) being movable with respect to the second jaw (20) between an open position in which the first and second jaws (18, 20) are spaced apart from one another, and a closed position in which the first and second jaws (18, 20) are adjacent one another. The first and second elongate jaw members (18, 20) have respective first and second electrodes. A controller is operable to determine a mode of operation depending upon a measurement of impedance between the first and second jaws.

Abstract: A monopolar ionisable gas plasma coagulation applicator includes: an elongate shaft extending from a proximal end to a distal end, and defining a hollow inner volume and a longitudinal axis of the applicator; an applicator tip mounted on the distal end of the elongate shaft, wherein the applicator tip defines an aperture extending parallel to the longitudinal axis; and an electrode extending through the inner volume and with the applicator tip, the electrode includes an open channel having an electrode tip, wherein the electrode tip is received within the hollow inner volume of the shaft and the aperture of the applicator tip to define a gas flow channel defined by the electrode and the elongate shaft and by the electrode and the applicator tip, the gas flow channel extending parallel to the longitudinal axis within the elongate shaft and extending outwards along the longitudinal axis within the applicator tip.

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 starting voltage for application to the jaws.

Abstract: The present invention provides a drive shaft for a bipolar surgical instrument, the drive shaft comprising an elongate body defining a first axis, and having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, the elongate body comprising: a first portion defining a first open channel extending along a portion of the length of the elongate body; and a second portion distinct from the first portion, the second portion defining a second open channel extending along a portion of the length of the elongate body, wherein both the first and second portions are aligned with one another and extend parallel to the first axis, and wherein the first portion is spaced apart from the second portion so as to define a recessed blade track therebetween, the recessed blade track extending parallel to the first axis. The present invention further provides a bipolar surgical instrument incorporating such a drive shaft.

Abstract: An improved drive shaft for controlling an end effector of surgical instrument having advantages over the prior art, specifically, the drive shaft includes two separate elongate elements, each including a flange at its proximal end for restricting the lateral movement of the drive shaft when installed within an outer shaft of the instrument. The dimensions of the flanges are such that they fit within the outer shaft with minimal clearance. This allows the drive shaft to be moved longitudinally within the outer shaft to actuate an end effector whilst minimizing any lateral movement. This consequently prevents the end effector from tilting as it is actuated. The drive members are arranged so that the flanges extend in opposite directions perpendicular to the length of the drive shaft. This helps to improve ease of assembly and provides space within the outer shaft for features such as connection wires and the like.

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 starting voltage for application to the jaws.

Abstract: The present disclosure seeks to provide a handpiece configuration for a surgical instrument such as an electrosurgical instrument to reduce the risk of a burn to the operator handling the handpiece. In particular, the present disclosure firstly provides an inner moulding in the handpiece for housing a motor and a suction path of the electrosurgical instrument. The inner moulding comprises a thermal conduction path between the motor and the suction path for the purpose of transferring heat generated from the motor to the exiting irrigation fluid in the suction path. The handpiece is further configured to comprise a thermally insulating outer casing surrounding the inner moulding. This configuration of the handpiece enables heat transfer from the motor to the irrigation fluid in the suction path while keeping the external surface of the handpiece cool.

Abstract: A handpiece for a surgical instrument having a valve position sensing circuit arranged to detect the position of a valve arranged to control the flow of fluid through the suction lumen of the instrument. The distal end of the handpiece is arranged to couple to a cutting accessory. The handpiece includes: a housing; a suction lumen within the housing extending from the distal end of the handpiece to a proximal end of the handpiece; a valve arranged to control the flow of fluid through the suction lumen; and a valve position sensing circuit arranged to detect a position of the valve. The valve position sensing circuit can be used to alert a surgeon if the valve is closed when it would be preferable for it to be open. For example, if the motor is overheating, the in-joint temperature is too high, or the RF component is activated.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument end effector includes an active electrode received by an insulating material, the active electrode including a primary suction aperture which provides access to a primary fluid channel extending from the active electrode, through the insulating material, to a lumen. The lumen is arranged to carry fluid to and from a surgical site when in use. The end effector further includes at least one additional fluid channel providing alternative access to the primary fluid channel from the active electrode. The at least one additional fluid channel bypasses the primary suction aperture.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument end effector includes an active electrode received by an insulating material, the active electrode including a primary suction aperture which provides access to a primary fluid channel extending from the active electrode, through the insulating material, to a lumen. The lumen is arranged to carry fluid to and from a surgical site when in use. The end effector further includes at least one additional fluid channel providing alternative access to the primary fluid channel from the active electrode, wherein the at least one additional fluid channel bypasses the primary suction aperture.

Abstract: A handpiece for a surgical instrument having a valve position sensing circuit arranged to detect the position of a valve arranged to control the flow of fluid through the suction lumen of the instrument. The distal end of the handpiece is arranged to couple to a cutting accessory. The handpiece comprises: a housing; a suction lumen within the housing extending from the distal end of the handpiece to a proximal end of the handpiece; a valve arranged to control the flow of fluid through the suction lumen; and a valve position sensing circuit arranged to detect a position of the valve. The valve position sensing circuit can be used to alert a surgeon if the valve is closed when it would be preferable for it to be open. For example, if the motor is overheating, the in-joint temperature is too high, or the RF component is activated.

Abstract: A radio-frequency shaver electrosurgical instrument which comprises a thermal barrier located between the central suction lumen and an outer surface of the radiofrequency-shaver electrosurgical instrument, the thermal barrier being disposed around a major portion of the angular extent of the central suction lumen. Without the presence of the thermal barrier, 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 thermal barrier prevents or reduces the effect of hot saline heating the outer surface of the instrument, thereby preventing or reducing damage to non-target tissue during use of the radiofrequency function.

Abstract: An apparatus for use with a surgical instrument having a hollow shaft for transferring fluid and/or debris generated during use of the surgical instrument. The apparatus comprises: a drive unit comprising a driving part configured to generate a driving force for driving the surgical instrument, and a driven part driven by the driving part to transfer the driving force to the surgical instrument; and a channel arranged to receive the hollow shaft of the surgical instrument, the channel extending through the driven part of the drive unit.

Abstract: A surgical instrument including a means for determining the presence of an end effector and determining the type of end effector which is coupled to the surgical instrument handpiece. The end effector includes a ring-shaped magnet, and the handpiece includes a hall-effect sensor for determining the presence and magnitude of the magnetic field produced by the ring-shaped magnet. This allows the end effector to be characterised even where the end effector is rotatably coupled to the handpiece of the surgical instrument.

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.