Abstract: An electrode assembly for an electrosurgical instrument includes an active electrode and retainer arrangement that are inserted to a cavity of an insulator and then welded together to secure the active electrode in the insulator for use in tissue treatment. The active electrode and retainer are configured to interlock with at least one internal retention surface of the cavity. Once assembled in the cavity, both the active electrode and the retainer may have a portion that extends out of the cavity to protrude from the insulator. This allows opposing biasing forces to be exerted on the active electrode and the retainer respectively so as to push the two components against a retention surface within the cavity. When the active electrode and the retainer are welded together, any clearance with the retention surfaces inside the cavity, caused by variations between parts during the manufacturing process, is removed or at least minimized.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrosurgical device wherein a surgical instrument is connectable to a handpiece via a connection hub, the connection hub facilitating an electrical and mechanical connection therebetween. The connection hub is configured to implement a cam-follower mechanism for securing an electrical connection between the surgical instrument and a handpiece configured to receive the surgical instrument. As a result of such a configuration, the electrical connection can be established in a more efficient manner compared to prior art implementations.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an end effector for an electrosurgical instrument, comprising an electrode assembly for delivering a radio-frequency (RF) power signal to a surgical site, the electrode assembly comprising an active electrode, a return electrode, and an insulating element in between the active electrode and the return electrode, the active electrode comprising an aperture which provides access to a suction channel extending through the insulating element to a lumen for carrying fluid from the surgical site, wherein the lumen is at least in part defined by an inner surface of the return electrode, wherein the electrode assembly is configured to conduct electrical current between the active electrode and the return electrode via a first current path through the suction channel when the RF power signal is supplied to the electrodes.

Abstract: A blood vessel puncturing means within the internal cavity of the sealing jaws of an electrosurgical instrument. A forceps type electrosurgical device provided with jaws having electrically conductive sealing plates on the inner surfaces that is used to seal a blood vessel during will usually have an inner cavity of the jaws between the jaws within which a blood vessel is received and may expand during electrosurgical sealing. To prevent a blood vessel expanding during electrosurgical sealing to a dangerous size, the inner cavity is provided with a means to puncture the blood vessel in a controlled fashion, and thereby relieve the pressure within the blood vessel. The puncturing means may comprise one or more relief vents. The relief vents may provide channels to allow pressure to be vented to the external of the jaws, thus relieving the internal pressure on the jaws during coagulation.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an electrode assembly wherein an electrically conductive material is configured to extend into an insulating moulding via an opening in a wall of said moulding to electrically contact an active tip placed into the insulating moulding and thereby retain the active electrode therein, such that the height and space required to anchor the active electrode within the moulding is greatly reduced while still providing the necessary retention strength and electrical connection. As such, the electrode assembly retains and connects the active tip with a conductive element that is mounted within the insulating moulding.

Abstract: A surgical instrument with a handle for a surgical instrument is provided, comprising a first arm and a second arm, wherein at least one of the arms being movable with respect to the other between an open and closed position. An end effector such as a pair of opposing jaws for grasping tissue may be disposed at the distal end of the two arms. At the proximal end of each arm is a finger loop, or some other suitable means for holding by the handle, which are used to actuate the arms between the open and closed position. At least one of the finger loops is arranged to pivot about the longitudinal axis of the arm from which it extends, for example, the finger loop may be connected to the arm by a hinged connection, or any other suitable connection for enabling the finger loop to be pivotably rotated.

Abstract: A shaver arrangement for a surgical instrument includes an outer member and cutting blade at a distal end; the cutting blade being serrated to form teeth forming one or more tissue engaging cutting points being arranged to snag and/or cut tissue and being located inwardly from the outer member such that there are no tissue engaging cutting points capable in use of snagging and/or cutting tissue located on or outwards of an outer surface of the outer member. The shaver arrangement reduces the likelihood of collateral damage to surrounding non-target tissue. The shaver arrangement does not have tissue engagement cutting points on the outer profile of the cutting blade of the shaver arrangement, thereby reducing the likelihood of collateral damage when manoeuvring the surgical instrument as tissue is less likely to be inadvertently caught by the tissue cutting points.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is disclosed, which is configured to be releasably connectable to a hand-piece. The surgical instrument includes electrical contacts configured to be electrically connected to the hand-piece. The surgical instrument further includes a sealing member having sealing elements. At least one sealing element of the plurality of sealing elements is formed of an elastomeric material and is configured to form a seal around one the electrical contacts when the surgical instrument is connected to the hand-piece, such that the electrical contact is electrically isolated from other electrical contacts on the surgical instrument. At least one sealing element is configured such that a force required to connect the surgical instrument to the hand-piece is not reliant on a bulk compression of the elastomeric material.

Abstract: A temperature sensing system for an electrosurgical instrument able to detect temperatures internal and/or external to the electrosurgical instrument. Temperatures detected by a temperature sensor are processed by a monitoring module which prompts action to reduce temperatures where appropriate. The temperature sensing system 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 monitoring the temperature of the electrosurgical instrument and/or the surgical site, 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.

Abstract: A surgical device comprises an elongate shaft (12) which extends from a proximal end region to a distal end region thereof, the shaft (12) defining a first lumen (14) for receiving an elongate camera device therein, a second lumen (16) for receiving a tissue manipulation device therein, and a third lumen (18) for receiving a tissue retrieval device therein, the first, second and third lumens (14, 16, 18) extending from the proximal end region to the distal end region of the elongate shaft, and having respective open ends at the distal end region of the elongate shaft. The surgical device further comprises an elongate camera device which extends along the first lumen, a tissue manipulation device which extends along the second lumen, and a tissue retrieval device which extends along the third lumen.

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 power cable having a pair of electrically conductive elements, is provided to connect a source of radio frequency electromagnetic energy to the first and second electrodes. A capacitive element is located in the instrument, and is connected in series between a first one of the pair of electrically conductive elements of the cable and the first electrode.

Abstract: An improved electrosurgical instrument, specifically a scissor style vessel sealer, comprising two overmoulded jaws formed from a structural polymer held in place by a pivot pin. The moulded structural polymer replaces many metal components which would otherwise be required for such an assembly. Additionally, reinforcement members can be positioned within the jaws of the instrument to provide support. Not only does the use of the moulded structural polymer simplify the assembly of the instrument, it also enables the following additional functionality: moulded pivot holes, flanges providing lateral support, and a flexible lever arm which is designed to provide the force needed to clamp and seal vessels.

Abstract: A locking component for a surgical device is disclosed, which is configured to prevent deployment of a blade when a first jaw member and a second jaw member of the surgical device are disposed in an open position and to permit deployment of the blade when the first and second jaw members are disposed in a closed position. The locking component includes a latch member, configured to prevent deployment of the blade by a mechanical interaction therewith when the latch member is in a first position. The locking component also includes a compliant body, connected to and disposed around the latch member, configured to bias the latch member to its first position. A surgical device incorporating the locking component and a method of operating the same is also disclosed.

Abstract: An improved electrosurgical instrument, specifically a scissor style vessel sealer, comprising two overmoulded jaws formed from a structural polymer held in place by a pivot pin. The moulded structural polymer replaces many metal components which would otherwise be required for such an assembly. Not only does the use of the moulded structural polymer simplify the assembly of the instrument, it also enables the following additional functionality: moulded pivot holes, flanges providing lateral support, and a flexible lever arm which is designed to provide the force needed to clamp and seal vessels.

Abstract: An electrode assembly is provided for use in a resectoscope, the electrode assembly comprising an elongate shaft, at least one arm, first connection means for connecting the arm to a source of electrosurgical energy, and a tissue treatment element at the end of the arm. The arm includes a suction lumen extending from a proximal end to a distal end, the distal end of the suction lumen terminating in the general region of the tissue treatment element, and the proximal end of the suction lumen including second connection means for connecting the suction lumen to a source of suction.

Abstract: A method of operating an electrosurgical apparatus for coagulating tissue comprises inserting the electrosurgical instrument into an endoscope, and activating a source to supply ionisable gas to the electrosurgical instrument at a flow rate of less than a predetermined threshold flow rate while the electrosurgical instrument is being inserted into the endoscope. Once the electrosurgical instrument has been fully inserted into the endoscope, the source is activated to supply ionisable gas to the electrosurgical instrument at a flow rate of greater than the predetermined threshold flow rate. Finally, high frequency energy is supplied from an electrosurgical generator to the electrosurgical instrument, in order to ionise the ionisable gas flowing to the electrosurgical instrument.

Abstract: An electrode for the electrosurgical end effector of a surgical instrument is manufactured by laser etching or roughening an area of the electrode's surface. This provides an area to which an insulating stop may be attached. Beneficially, the roughened area provides a good bond between the insulating stop and the electrode, allowing a greater potential use-life for the surgical instrument. Compared to conventional methods, using a laser reduces costs, increases manufacturing flexibility and allows precise control over the creation of the roughened area.

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 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 which is configured to be releasably connected to a hand-piece is disclosed. The surgical instrument includes an elongate shaft, an end effector at a distal end of the elongate shaft, and a connection hub at a proximal end of the elongate shaft. The connection hub includes a moveable member moveable relative to the elongate shaft. The moveable member is configured to be switchable between an on position and an off position. During insertion of the surgical instrument into the hand-piece, an electrical connection therebetween is prevented by the connection hub when the moveable member is in the on position.