Abstract: An improved footswitch is provided to control multiple functions of an electrosurgical instrument simultaneously. The footswitch comprises one or more pedals that are configured to control the functions of the instrument, wherein at least two of the functions can be activated at the same time. For example, the pedals may be arranged to activate a mechanical shaver function, and at the same time activate one or both of an RF cutting function and an RF coagulation function.

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 several 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. The end effector includes a pair of curved jaw members and a blade assembly having a cutting blade at its distal end. The trigger mechanism is arranged to drive the blade assembly longitudinally within the elongate shaft such that the cutting blade protrudes between jaw members. In order to help trigger mechanism push the blade assembly around the curved jaws, the distal end of the blade has a graduated flexibility such that it can more easily bend to the shape of the jaw members. The distal end of blade may also be provided with a low friction coating.

Abstract: A shaft assembly for a microwave ablation applicator which includes a shaft assembly and an antenna assembly located within the shaft assembly is disclosed. The shaft assembly comprises an elongate shaft which extends from a first end to a second end thereof, and which defines therein a hollow inner volume and a longitudinal axis of the antenna assembly, and an applicator tip mounted on the second end of the elongate shaft. The applicator tip defines an annular slot with which the second end of the elongate shaft engages. At least part a portion of the second end of the shaft is of a fibre reinforced plastics material having a plurality of elongate fibres bound in a plastics material, at least some of the fibres extending at least partially circumferentially around the annular slot of the applicator tip.

Abstract: A surgical instrument having a handle, elongate shaft protruding from handle and end-effector located at end of shaft is described. To allow for rotation of the end-effector the shaft is connected to a rotation wheel mounted on handle, towards rearward end of handle proximal to the user. The rotation wheel is in the form of a thumbwheel, having an ergonomically designed shape that tapers from distal direction to proximal direction, with angle of the taper matching angle of the outer surface of the handle. The outer tapered surface of the thumbwheel has a number of shaped cut-out or scalloped portions arranged around the outer circumference of the wheel, and arranged in use to receive the tip of a user's thumb to allow the user to rotate the wheel in order to set the rotational orientation of the end-effector. Such an arrangement provides a comfortable and easy to use instrument.

Abstract: A method of removing an appendix (9) includes the steps of accessing the abdomen of a patient, insufflating the abdominal cavity, and sealing and cutting the appendicular artery and vein. A sheath is introduced into the abdominal cavity and placed over the appendix, while the appendix is still attached to the colon. The sheath is secured the sheath in place over the appendix using a securing device to secure the sheath with respect to the proximal end of the appendix, and then the proximal end of the appendix is ligated. The appendix is dissected from the colon, and the sheath containing the appendix is removed from the abdomen of the patient. The procedure can be a NOTES procedure, using a natural orifice, or laparoscopic using one or more incisions created in the abdomen. The ligation and dissection can be performed within the abdomen, or after the appendix is pulled through one of the incisions, such that the ligation and/or dissection is carried out outside the abdomen.

Abstract: A shaft assembly for a microwave ablation applicator having a shaft assembly and an antenna assembly located within the shaft assembly is disclosed. The shaft assembly comprises an elongate shaft which extends from a first end to a second end thereof and an applicator tip mounted on the second end of the elongate shaft.

Abstract: An electrosurgical system includes an electrosurgical instrument with a pair of opposing first and second jaw members (2), (3). A first sealing electrode (9) is located on the first jaw member (2), while a second sealing electrode (10) is located on the second jaw member (3). One or both of the sealing electrodes are provided with electrically conductive stop members (12), the one or more stop members maintaining a predetermined spacing between the first and second sealing electrodes when the jaw members are in their closed position. One or more insulating members (14), (17), (19) are present to prevent the conductive stop members from causing an electrical short between the first and second sealing electrodes when the jaw members are in their closed position.

Abstract: An electrode assembly (3) is provided for use in a resectoscope, the electrode assembly (3) comprising a pair of arms (4), and a tissue treatment element (9) depending from the arms. The arms (4) are pivotably mounted one to the other such that they are movable between a retracted position in which they lie alongside one another and a deployed position in which they diverge one from another. The electrode assembly (3) includes actuation means for moving the arms between their retracted and deployed positions. The tissue treatment element (9) is disposed at the distal end of each arm such that it is movable between at least two different operating positions.

Abstract: A surgical instrument having an end effector mounted on the end of an elongate shaft extending from a handle is described, the shaft and end effector being rotatable with respect to the housing, to allow different rotational orientations of the end effector to be attained without rotating the whole instrument. To provide for control over the degree of rotation, shaft rotation control elements are provided to give rotation or torsion control. The shaft rotation control elements may be located at several different longitudinal positions along the shaft. Alternatively, rotation control elements in the form of mutually co-operating stops may be provided elsewhere, such as in a rotatable shaft support member at the distal end of the handle. In other embodiments rotation control stops are provided on both elements, thus providing for effective rotation control, which has a high quality feel to the user.

Abstract: A surgical instrument has an end effector disposed on an elongate shaft end, the shaft projecting from a handle. The end effector grasps, cuts, and seals and/or coagulates tissue, and one of the operations is controlled by a rotatable drive shaft contained within the elongate shaft. The drive shaft moves longitudinally within the elongate shaft to move the end effector between a first and second condition. The instrument may have a further component such as a cutting blade arranged to move longitudinally within the drive shaft. The drive shaft is provided with apertures so as to reduce the surface area of the drive shaft and hence the friction between either the drive shaft and the elongate shaft and/or the drive shaft and the cutting blade, whilst at the same time providing channels through the drive shaft through which fluid can drain.

Abstract: A surgical instrument has an end effector on the end of an elongate shaft extending from a handle. The end-effector has different operations, including grasping, cutting, and sealing and/or coagulating tissue, and one operation is controlled by a switch on the handle proximal end upper surface. The switch is connected to the end-effector to deliver a current to a component in the end-effector. The electrical wire assemblies pass through respective pockets/chambers formed within the handle, an electrical connector contained within each chamber for connecting wires extending from electrodes on the end-effector to wires extending through the handle and on connecting to an electrosurgical generator. The pockets provision within which connectors are contained, one per pocket, prevents insulation damage to wires by connectors, as they are contained within the pockets. The pockets provision pockets side-by-side provides large separation between two connectors, so it is hard for liquid to short the connectors.

Abstract: A pair of jaw members for an electrosurgical instrument is manufactured by providing first and second jaw members (2 & 3), each jaw member including a planar sealing surface (5 & 7). The jaw members are assembled with the first and second jaw members in a required orientation such that the planar sealing surface (5) of the first jaw member (2) is at a predetermined orientation with respect to the sealing surface (7) of the second jaw member (3). The first and second jaw members are held in the required orientation, and pivot holes (11 & 12) are formed in the first and second jaw members while they are held in the required orientation. When a pivot pin is inserted through the pivot holes in the first and second jaw members, the first and second jaw members are assembled into a pair of jaws.

Abstract: An improved surgical instrument having an end effector mounted on the end of an elongate shaft extending from a handle. The end-effector has different operations, including grasping, cutting, and sealing and/or coagulating tissue, and one of the operations is controlled by a drive handle mechanism. The drive handle mechanism includes an actuator, a drive shaft and a spring assembly for transferring movement of the actuator to the drive shaft, which in turn controls the end effector. The drive handle mechanism limits the amount of force transferred from the drive handle mechanism to the end effector, preventing damage to the tissue. As the actuator is operated, the spring assembly transfers the movement of the actuator to the drive shaft and the end effector. At the same time, the spring assembly compresses to absorb some of the force applied. Such configuration prevents the tissue being unintentionally damaged by the end effector.

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: 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 several 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 blade assembly, the trigger mechanism being formed of a three pivot slider-crank mechanism arranged to drive the blade assembly longitudinally along a rotatable drive shaft contained within the elongate shaft. As such, the mechanism is configured so as to drive the blade assembly with enough force that the cutting blade is able to cut through tissue without the user needing to apply any additional force to the trigger, the me. Such an arrangement is particularly advantageous when the blade is being used to cut thick tissue.

Abstract: A jaw member for an electrosurgical instrument is manufactured by providing a jaw housing (18) having a longitudinal jaw section (19), and an electrically conductive plate (1). The electrically conductive plate is placed into a mould, and a first flowable insulating material (15) is injected into the mould such that the flowable material (15) forms one or more stop members (16) that project a predetermined distance from the electrically conductive plate. The jaw housing (18) and the electrically conductive plate (1) are then placed into a second mould, and a second flowable material (25) is injected into the mould to secure the electrically conductive plate (1) to the jaw housing (18).

Abstract: An improved surgical instrument having an end-effector capable of several different operations, including grasping, cutting, and sealing and/or coagulating tissue, and one of the operations is controlled by handle that is moveable relative to instrument to move end effector between two conditions. Providing a simplified latching mechanism for this moveable handle, which latching mechanism is formed of single integrally formed component arranged to engage with handle to allow end effector to be retained in one condition, thus leaving user's hand free to perform other functions of instrument. Therefore, a user may use surgical instrument to grasp tissue between end effector by activating end effector using handle, then use latch mechanism to latch handle in the end effector activation position, allowing surgeon to remove his hand from handle and perform some other task.

Abstract: An end effector for an electrosurgical instrument includes a pair of opposing first and second jaw members movable between an open position in which the jaw members are disposed in a spaced relation relative to one another, and a closed position in which the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. A first sealing electrode is located on the first jaw member, and a second sealing electrode is located on the second jaw member. One or more stop members are disposed on the sealing electrodes, the one or more stop members being formed of a compliant material such that they are capable of deforming when the jaw members are moved to their closed position with tissue grasped therebetween.

Abstract: An arrangement where surgical instrument having shaft with end effector mounted thereon is provided with rotation wheel to allow user to rotate shaft during use into desired angular position. To allow compact and reliable mechanism the rotation wheel, outer edge of which is generally accessible at external surface of instrument, has internal space around axis of wheel within which is provided part of actuation mechanism for end effector. To allow rotation of actuation mechanism with end effector, part of actuation mechanism located within wheel rotationally mutually engages with inner surface of internal space within wheel, wherein rotation of wheel by user causes actuation mechanism to rotate, which in turn rotates shaft wherein end effector is mounted. Providing benefits allowing otherwise redundant space within rotation wheel to accommodate part of actuation mechanism for end effector, improving compactness of device, whilst still allowing rotation of end-effector and its corresponding actuation mechanism.

Abstract: A surgical instrument has an end effector mounted on the end of an elongate shaft extending from a handle. The end-effector grasps, cuts, and seals and/or coagulates tissue, and one of the operations is controlled by a trigger mechanism. The trigger mechanism has an actuator, drive shaft and flanged component for transferring movement of the actuator to the drive shaft whose movement controls the end effector. The actuator has a collar portion arranged to receive and retain the component. The component is free to rotate within the collar and has a keyhole-shaped arrangement, with a wider upper portion, and narrower lower portion to provide a sliding fit to the component main body. The component can be inserted into the wider upper portion, and then the main body of the component lowered into the narrower lower portion, with the flange of the component helping the component to be retained therein axially.