Abstract: A tissue bag for surrounding tissue (2) during a surgical procedure comprises a bag body (6) capable of forming an enclosure, an opening (9) in the bag body, and one or more inflatable ribs (8) located on the bag body. The ribs (8) are such that inflation of the one or more ribs to a first extent causes the bag to deploy to an open position in which the bag is capable of being placed over tissue with the tissue received through the opening. Inflation of the one or more ribs (8) to a second further extent causes the bag to envelop the tissue with the opening (9) being smaller in diameter than in the open position. The ribs may each include at least first and second discrete longitudinal portions (10), (11) with an angled end face (15) therebetween.

Abstract: An electrosurgical system includes an electrosurgical generator and an electrosurgical instrument with opposing first and second jaw members movable relative to one another between open and closed positions. The first and second jaw member include, respectively, a cutting electrode and at least a first sealing electrode separated therefrom by an insulating member, and at least a second sealing electrode. The generator includes an energy source for producing at least a cutting RF waveform, first, second and third output connections connected to the cutting electrode, first sealing electrode and second sealing electrode, respectively, and a switching circuit rapidly alternating between a first condition to direct the cutting RF waveform between the first and second output connections and hence the cutting and first sealing electrodes, and a second condition to direct the cutting RF waveform between the first and third output connections, and hence the cutting and second sealing electrodes.

Abstract: A connection system for an electrosurgical instrument comprises first and second connectors capable of being mated one with the other, the first connector (5) being associated with an electrosurgical generator (1) and the second connector (12) being associated with the electrosurgical instrument (9). The first and second connectors each include at least three connector components, each of the three connector components of the first connector (5) being capable of being connected and disconnected to a to respective one of the three connector components of the second connector (12). When the first connector components (14, 19) are connected to each other they are capable of delivering an RF energy output from the electrosurgical generator (1) to the electrosurgical instrument (9). When the second connector components (16, 22) are connected to each other they are capable of delivering a supply of ionizable gas to the electrosurgical instrument (9).

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument is manufactured by presenting an electrode, and attaching a sacrificial portion to the electrode to form a first electrode assembly. An insulating material is molded over the first electrode assembly to form a second electrode assembly, and the second electrode assembly is subjected to a further process which is capable of removing the sacrificial portion without removing the insulating material. The sacrificial portion is removed to form at least one cavity within the electrosurgical instrument.

Abstract: An electrode assembly (17) is provided for use in a resectoscope, the electrode assembly (17) comprising an elongate shaft (33), at least one arm (33), first connection means (4) for connecting the arm to a source (1) of electrosurgical energy, and a tissue treatment element (26) at the end of the arm. The arm includes a suction lumen (34) extending from a proximal end to a distal end, the distal end of the suction lumen (34) terminating in the general region of the tissue treatment element (26), 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 amputating and morcellating a uterus (10) includes introducing a first tissue bag (1) into the abdomen of the patient, and placing the first tissue bag over the uterus. A laparoscopic surgical instrument (11) is introduced into the first tissue bag, and the uterus (10) is amputated using the laparoscopic surgical instrument. The first tissue bag (1) is closed around the amputated uterus, and the first tissue bag containing the amputated uterus is placed into a second tissue bag (20). A morcellating instrument is introduced into the second tissue bag (20) and the uterus is morcellated within the second tissue bag. Once the uterus (10) has been morcellated, the second tissue bag (20) containing the morcellated uterus is removed from the abdomen of the patient.

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 surgical instrument comprises a housing, an end effector carried by the housing, and one or more connections adapted to connect the surgical instrument to a controller such as an electrosurgical generator. The housing includes a plurality of handswitches located at different rotational positions around the housing. The handswitches comprise two handswitch sets the handswitches of each set being connected in to common so as to send the same signal to the controller whichever one of the handswitches is activated. In this way a user of the surgical instrument can send signals to the controller using any of the handswitches within a particular set, depending on the orientation of the surgical instrument.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument includes an instrument shaft, a suction tube extending along the shaft, and a tissue treatment electrode at the distal end of the shaft. The tissue treatment electrode includes at least a first part and a second part, the first and second parts each having an outer section including mating surfaces adapted to form a close-fitting barrier when the first and second parts are mated one with another, such as to inhibit the passage of gas across the barrier. At least one of the parts also includes an inner section with a longitudinal recess so as to form a suction lumen when the first and second parts are mated one with another. The suction lumen is in fluid communication with the suction tube, the tissue treatment electrode also including one or more apertures in communication with the suction lumen.

Abstract: A device for morcellating tissue within a body cavity of a patient comprises a stationary tube (8) having a distal end portion, and a bipolar electrosurgical electrode assembly (13) located at the distal end of the tube. The electrosurgical electrode assembly (13) comprises first and second electrodes (14, 16) separated by an insulation member (15). When an electrosurgical cutting voltage is applied to the electrode assembly (13), and relative movement is initiated between the tube (8) and the tissue, a slug of severed tissue is formed within the tube such that it can be removed from the body cavity of the patient. The bipolar electrosurgical assembly (13) has a first circumferential region (A) and a second circumferential region (B), the first circumferential region (A) being longer than the second circumferential region (B).

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument for the treatment of tissue includes a longitudinal instrument shaft having a central axis, an end effector at the distal end of the shaft, the end effector including at least one element movable between a first and a second position. An actuator includes a handle which reciprocates movement between a first and second actuator position, and an actuation wire associated with the actuator for movement. Movement of the actuator causes the wire to move the element between its first and second positions, the wire running longitudinally of the shaft offset on one side from the central axis of the shaft. Compensation wire is associated with the actuator, the compensation wire running longitudinally of the shaft and being offset on the opposite side of the central axis of the shaft to that of the actuation wire.

Abstract: A surgical instrument comprises a housing, an end effector carried by the housing, and one or more connections adapted to connect the surgical instrument to a controller such as an electrosurgical generator. The housing includes a plurality of handswitches located at different rotational positions around the housing. The handswitches comprise two handswitch sets the handswitches of each set being connected in to common so as to send the same signal to the controller whichever one of the handswitches is activated. In this way a user of the surgical instrument can send signals to the controller using any of the handswitches within a particular set, depending on the orientation of the surgical instrument.

Abstract: An electrosurgical system includes a first unit including a generator, and a second unit including an electrode assembly, the second unit being detachably connectible to the first unit such that radio frequency power can be conveyed to the electrode assembly, wherein the second unit firstly includes a passive electrical identification component having a parameter of a finite non-zero value indicative of a characteristic of the electrode assembly, and the second unit additionally includes an output circuit adapted to generate an identifiable characteristic signal, the first unit firstly including a sensing circuit for determining the value of the electrical identification component so as to identify the second unit when the second unit is connected to the first unit, and the first unit additionally including means for receiving the identifiable characteristic signal from the output circuit when the second unit is connected to the first unit.

Abstract: A handheld electrosurgical instrument includes a handpiece (2) and an electrode assembly (3), the electrode assembly including one or more electrodes (12), (13) and a connector (8), (9) by which the electrode assembly (3) is capable of being attached and detached with respect to the handpiece (2). The handpiece includes a battery (4), an RF oscillator circuit (5) for generating a radio frequency output, and switching means (7) operable by a user of the electrosurgical instrument. A control circuit is provided (6) for controlling the RF output, the control circuit (6) being capable of receiving signals from the switching means (7) and causing one or more RF outputs to be supplied to the electrode assembly (3) in response thereto. The electrode assembly (3) includes a component (14), (21) capable of modifying the RF output reaching the one or more electrodes (12), (13) to produce a desired RF output at the one or more electrodes.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument is provided for the treatment of tissue, the instrument (3) including a shaft (14) and a tip portion including at least one electrode (16), located at the distal end of the shaft. A fluid impermeable sheath (25) covers at least a proportion of the shaft and extends to the tip portion where it terminates in a distal end portion (26). A metallic shroud (29) is provided, comprising an annular ring portion (30) and a rearwardly extending cylindrical portion (31). The ring portion (30) is connected to the tip portion, and the cylindrical portion (31) overlies the distal end portion (26) of the sheath (25) so as to prevent ingress of fluids at the distal end portion of the sheath.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument includes an instrument shaft, and a suction tube extending along the shaft, the suction tube being formed of an electrically-conductive material and including a way or portion by which it can be connected to a source of electrosurgical energy. A blade-like tissue treatment electrode extends from the shaft, the blade-like tissue treatment electrode being integrally formed by the distal end of the suction tube. The distal end of the suction tube is flattened to form the blade-like tissue treatment electrode, and the distal end of the suction tube is disposed at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the shaft.

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: An improved surgical instrument having several improvements and advantages over the prior art. Surgical instrument has 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 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.