Abstract: An electrosurgical forceps has at least the tip of one blade member formed of a composite material having aligned elongated particles of nickel interspersed in a matrix of silver particles. The tip can be provided as a tip member attached, such as by brazing, to the body of the blade member, or the entire blade member can be formed of the silver/nickel composite material. In another embodiment, the tip or blade member is formed of a dispersion strengthened silver or copper composite material.

Abstract: A tubing set attaches to an electrosurgical instrument having one or more tines to provide irrigation. The tubing set includes a length of tubing having a connector fitting on the proximal end to connect to a fluid source. A distal end of the tubing connects to a nose piece that attaches to the tine of the electrosurgical instrument, thereby providing irrigation to the instrument.

Abstract: An electrosurgical forceps has at least the tip of one blade member formed of a composite material having aligned elongated particles of nickel interspersed in a matrix of silver particles. The tip can be provided as a tip member attached, such as by brazing, to the body of the blade member, or the entire blade member can be formed of the silver/nickel composite material. In another embodiment, the tip or blade member is formed of a dispersion strengthened silver or copper composite material.

Abstract: A cable assembly interconnects an electrosurgical instrument and source equipment for power and fluid transfer. The cable assembly includes a unitary tubular assembly forming a lumen(s) and an insulating sheath(s) for an electrically conducting cord that are integrally interconnected via a web arrangement in a continuum of material. The web arrangement has a thickness sufficient to allow the lumen(s) and sheath(s) to be pulled apart upon application of a pulling force in a direction transverse to the direction of elongation of the tubular assembly.

Abstract: An electro-surgical forceps has a pair of tines. At least one of the tines has an inner core of a metal such as stainless steel, nickel, or titanium, and an outer plating of a material having a thermal conductivity and preferably also an electrical conductivity greater than the core material. The outer plating covers all or substantially all of the tine. The outer plating is suitably formed by an electroplating process.

Abstract: An electro-surgical forceps has double recessed irrigation channels. The forceps includes a pair of blades mounted in a cap portion. A groove is recessed in the inner surface of each of the blades. Tubing is disposed in the grooves. The tubing terminates at a location spaced from the termination of the grooves to provide an outlet from the grooves. The depth of the grooves and the outer diameter of the tubing are selected such that the tubing is substantially recessed below the inner surface of the blades sufficiently that a surgeon's view of the inner faces of the tips of the blades is not obstructed by the irrigation channel. The blades may be covered with an insulating material if desired.

Abstract: A bipolar, fluid assisted coagulator/ablator probe having a coaxial bipolar electrode arrangement in which an elongated outer electrode is positioned concentrically around an elongated inner electrode. An elongated concentric electrical inner insulating layer is positioned between the outer electrode and the inner electrode. An outer insulating layer is concentrically disposed over the outer electrode such that only the annular distal end of the outer electrode is exposed for surgical activity. The inner electrode is hollow and forms a conduit for drawing fluid through the probe. The inner and outer insulating layers are a high-temperature cross-linked polyethylene. In addition, the elongated hollow electrode portion is curved near the distal end of the electrode portion, and the distal end has a beveled face that forms an acute angle with a common axis of the hollow elongated probe portion.

Abstract: An electro-surgical forceps are provided which minimize sticking to tissue of a patient. The forceps include a pair of electrically conducting blade members extending from an insulated cap portion. The blade members include a layer of copper or copper alloy having a thickness sufficient to dissipate heat generated at the tip to prevent sticking of tissue to the forceps during use. A covering of nickel or a nickel alloy covers the gripping face of the copper layer to prevent exposure of the copper through the nickel covering and direct contact between the copper layer and tissue. The covering comprises a nickel layer metallurgically bonded to the gripping face of the copper layer. The thickness of the nickel layer is sufficient to withstand the forming process, to minimize or prevent delamination from the copper layer, and to minimize or prevent exposure of the copper layer.

Abstract: An electro-surgical forceps are provided which minimize sticking to tissue of a patient. The forceps include a pair of electrically conducting blade members extending from an insulated cap portion. The blade members include an inner layer of copper or copper alloy having a thickness sufficient to dissipate heat generated at the tip to prevent sticking of tissue to the forceps during use. An outer covering of nickel or a nickel alloy covers the inner copper layer to prevent exposure of the copper. The outer covering comprises a first nickel layer metallurgically bonded to one side of the inner copper layer and a second nickel layer metallurgically bonded to an opposite side of the inner copper layer. The thickness of the nickel layers is sufficient to withstand the forming process, to minimize or prevent delamination from the inner copper layer, and to minimize or prevent exposure of the inner layer.

Abstract: An electro-surgical forceps has a recessed irrigation channel. The forceps includes a pair of blades mounted in a cap portion. A groove is recessed in the inner surface of a first blade of the pair of blades. Tubing is disposed in the groove. The tubing terminates at a location spaced from the termination of the groove to provide an outlet from the groove. The depth of the groove and the outer diameter of the tubing are selected such that the tubing is substantially recessed below the inner surface of the first blade sufficiently that a surgeon's view of the inner faces of the tips of the blades is not obstructed by the irrigation channel. The blades may be covered with an insulating material if desired.

Abstract: A bipolar coagulator includes a connector pin having an offset therein to provide a strong electrical connection between the pin and the conductor. The bipolar coagulator comprises an insulative housing extending along a longitudinal axis from a tip to a connector end. A coaxial conductor having an inner conductor and an outer conductor is disposed within the housing along the longitudinal axis of the housing. The inner conductor includes a terminal portion that protrudes from the outer conductor and has an offset therein to space the terminal portion from the longitudinal axis of the housing. A first connector pin is electrically coupled to the terminal portion of the inner conductor. A second connector pin is electrically coupled to the outer conductor along the longitudinal axis of the housing. The second connector includes an offset therein to space the pin portion from the longitudinal axis of the housing and from the first connector pin.

Abstract: An electro-surgical forceps are provided which minimize sticking to tissue of a patient. The forceps include a pair of electrically conducting blade members extending from an insulated cap portion. The blade members include an inner layer of copper or copper alloy having a thickness sufficient to dissipate heat generated at the tip to prevent sticking of tissue to the forceps during use. An outer covering of nickel or a nickel alloy covers the inner copper layer to prevent exposure of the copper. The outer covering comprises a first nickel layer metallurgically bonded to one side of the inner copper layer and a second nickel layer metallurgically bonded to an opposite side of the inner copper layer. The thickness of the nickel layers is sufficient to withstand the forming process, to minimize or prevent delamination from the inner copper layer, and to minimize or prevent exposure of the inner layer.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electro surgical device for use by a surgeon to perform coagulation procedures to damaged tissue and evacuation procedures to related fluids. In one embodiment, the device comprises a first electrode having a first open end, a second open end, an outside surface, and a channel extending from the first open end to the second open end. The device further comprises a second electrode having a first end, a second end, an inside surface, and an outside surface. The inside surface of the second electrode is encased about the outside surface of the first electrode and electrically isolated by an insulator. The device further comprises first and second terminal pins each having a first end connected to the first and second electrodes, respectively, and a second end adapted to engage with the electrical generator. The device further comprises a housing having a suction port and a terminal pin portion.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an irrigation/aspiration (I/A) handpiece for use during cataract eye surgery and the I/A handpiece so manufactured are provided. The I/A handpiece comprises an aspiration cannula which extends through a hollow, inseparable housing assembly to an aspiration port, and an irrigation cannula concentrically surrounding a portion of the aspiration cannula outside the housing assembly. The irrigation cannula is in fluid communication with a hollow interior region of the housing assembly, including an irrigation port. The I/A handpiece is manufactured by insert molding the irrigation cannula within a front housing. The aspiration cannula is inserted through the irrigation cannula and the front housing and within a rear housing which contains the aspiration and irrigation ports. An interconnecting member is molded to fill the gap between the front housing and the rear housing, thereby providing an integral, inseparable housing assembly.

Abstract: This is an electrocautery device having an electrically active tip and an electrically active portion of the terminal end of the device spaced from the tip.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein is directed at a suction coagulator having a contact wire and a suction tube which has a portion thereof circumscribed by an insulating layer. The suction tube is electrically conductive and electrically connected to the contact wire and portions of both the contact wire and the suction tube, with its insulating layer, have a layer of plastic material molded thereabout to form a first insert. The first insert includes a body section having a surface through which a vent extends and an airway is formed within the first insert in spaced parallel relation with the upper surface of the first insert and in communication with the vent. A vent activation button is integrally formed from the upper surface of the body section and a longitudinally extending baffle forms the lower wall of the airway.

Abstract: This is a hand switch adapter for use with two prong bipolar forceps. It utilizes a reed spring for energizing a circuit which in turn activates the main circuit.

Abstract: This inventon is directed at a disposable bipolar coagulator which includes a coaxial conductor with a unitary housing. The coaxial conductor includes an outer conductor, an inner conductor and a circumferential insulator. The coaxial conductor is formed by passing the inner conductor through the outer conductor after the insulator has been formed over the inner conductor. The coaxial conductor thus formed includes three terminal ends. The first and second terminal ends of the coaxial conductor are formed in spaced, parallel relation to each other. A first connector pin is coupled to the first terminal end and a second connector pin is coupled to the second termianl end. The unitary housing is molded over the electrical sub-assembly formed by the coupling of the coaxial conductor and the connector pins forming the coagulator.