Abstract: An electric field concentrated electrosurgical electrode (e.g., blade, forceps or the like) wherein there is provided a conducting member having an edge that is at least partly sharpened and coated over most of its surface with electrical insulating non-stick material so as to produce a an instrument having a slightly projecting uncoated region to produce a highly concentrated electric field and a highly concentrated transfer of electric energy thereacross when employed in an severing mode but energy transfer by capacitive coupling when employed in a coagulating mode.

Abstract: A reusable electrosurgical return electrode pad for use with electrosurgery. In one embodiment it includes a presentation or working surface area lying in the range of from about 11 to about 1,500 square inches. In another the working surface is at least as large as that of a projection of about half of the profile of the trunk of a patient. In yet another, it includes a working surface area at least as large as that of a projection of the profile of both the trunk and legs of a patient. It is adapted for disposition on the working surface of an operating table or dentist's chair immediately underlying a patient during electrosurgery.

Abstract: An electric field concentrated electrosurgical electrode (e.g., blade or the like) wherein there is provided a conducting member having an edge that is at least partly sharpened and coated with electrical insulating material so as to produce a highly concentrated electric field and a highly concentrated transfer of electric energy thereacross by capacitive coupling. In the preferred embodiment, the working surfaces of a sharpened surgical implement, including the sharpened part, are entirely coated with a layer of non-stick insulating material.

Abstract: A cautery instrument having a first predetermined region for contact with flesh or tissue, the instrument being coated with flesh or tissue, the instrument being coated over at least a portion of the predetermined region by a coating consisting essentially of diamond of a thickness permitting transmission of radio-frequency electrical energy from the first predetermined region through the diamond coating to flesh or tissue by capactive coupling.

Abstract: An electrosurgical electrode connector instrument for use in rapidly and easily connecting/disconnecting a disposable electrosurgical tip to and from a non-disposable mounting body. The non-disposable body includes a rod-like extension equipped with a pair of specially shaped projecting pins each having ramps and a curved surface. These pins are positioned on opposite sides of the rod-shaped extension. The disposable electrosurgical tip is provided at its proximal end with a tunnel-like recess having a pair of longitudinally disposed slots to define a pair of bifurcated cantilevered springy wall members each fitted with a small pin-locking aperture, thus adapting the disposable tip for telescopic engagement with the rod-like extension so that the recess of the disposable tip can be slid onto the rod-like extension with the specially shaped pins spreading the springy wall members slightly.

Abstract: An instrument wherein coatings of two different materials are disposed on external surfaces. The first of these coatings is selected to provide an insulating layer overlying at least a principal surface of the instrument, whereas the second is included to provide an indication of the likely remaining useful life of the insulating layer. The relative characteristics between the two coatings is selected so that when the visual appearance of the second coating progresses to a predetermined level, the insulating qualities of the first coating will still be satisfactory but approaching a point when the instrument has reached the end of its useful life, thus providing a ready and passive visual indication of the time when the instrument should be replaced.

Abstract: An improved bipolar electrosurgical instrument with multi-coated electrodes for use in performing medical procedures. The electrodes of the instrument include opposed electrically conductive working surfaces at the distal ends thereof which are coated with a thin layer of a nickel-free high chromium material. At least non-working exposed surfaces of the distal ends are coated with a coating of an insulating material so as to be electrically insulated.

Abstract: A cautery instrument having a first predetermined region for contact with flesh or tissue, the instrument being coated with flesh or tissue, the instrument being coated over at least a portion of the predetermined region by a coating consisting essentially of diamond of a thickness permitting transmission of radio-frequency electrical energy from the first predetermined region through the diamond coating to flesh or tissue by capacitive coupling.

Abstract: As electrosurgical instrument that has characteristics especially attractive in performing bipolar electrosurgery. It is believed that the relatively high current densities typically employed in using bipolar instruments result in very high incidents of sticking and other undesired characteristics when such instruments are coated with conventional coatings. A nickel-free high chromium content composite coating that manifests undesired characteristics when employed with monopolar electrosurgical implements has unexpectedly been discovered to embody very desirable characteristics when employed with bipolar instruments and is therefore efficaciously employed as a coating on bipolar implements.

Abstract: A combination suction coagulator and dedicated bending tool for customizing working surfaces of suction coagulator instruments. A working extension of the coagulator is provided with an improved insulating coating and is adapted for customized bending with a dedicated tool that has at one end a recess with a centrally located mandrel pin for insertion into the hollow interior of the coagulator extension. A curved channel is provided in cooperative association with the recess and mandrel pin so as to limit the radius of any bend that may be made by the user. That, in combination with the form-fitting mandrel pin provide a ready way of bending the distal extremity of the coagulator extension while maintaining its internal geometrical integrity. The tool also includes a custom stylet for use in cleaning accumulated debris from the interior of the working extension.

Abstract: An improved pinch mechanism for a fluid flow control assembly. It comprises a trumpet-type actuator moveable along its principal axis to control flow through an associated resilient tubular member. Interconnected with the actuator is a caming assembly having a roller guide with a principal surface sloping at an acute angle with respect to the actuator principal axis. Engaging with that principal surface is a dog-leg shaped cam follower that is pivoted at one end for partial rotational movement about the pivot. It is spring loaded to normally retain it in a position in which a proximal end of the follower is pressed on a resilient surface of the tubular member to squeeze it closed. Partial rotation of the cam follower occurs when the actuator moves along its principal axis and the cam forces the cam follower to move through an arc that permits the squeezed tubular member to assume its normally unsqueezed and open shape.

Abstract: An instrument for use in electrosurgical procedures wherein coatings of two different materials are disposed on external surfaces. The first of these materials is selected to provide the principal insulating qualities desired, whereas the second is included to provide an indication of deterioration. The relative characteristics between the two coatings is selected so that when the visual appearance of the second coating progresses to a predetermined level, the insulating qualities of the first coating will still be satisfactory but approaching a point when the instrument has reached the end of its useful life, thus providing a ready and passive visual indication of the time when the instrument should be replaced.

Abstract: A suction-irrigation device having a hinged reusable housing enclosing a disposable tri-tubular cassette that is replaced each time the device is used. The three tubes of the tri-tubular cassette provide respectively for irrigation fluid, suction and instrument pass through. A pair of symmetrically positioned trumpet-type actuators are equipped with friction-reducing rollers and are disposed in a wedging configuration to selectively impart squeezing action on the irrigation fluid and suction tubes, thereby providing control that is provided for ambidextrous use, that is, it is equally adapted for left and for right handed use.

Abstract: A medical electrode insulating configuration in which an insulating sleeve such as an "O" Ring is disposed within a recess adjacent the distal end of an electrosurgical pencil holder for an electrosurgical blade, tightly surrounding the electrosurgical blade when in place, thus preventing moisture migration along the blade within the holder that might otherwise develop an undesired electrical path for operating voltages.

Abstract: A two-piece bandage for placing on each side and over a wound, includes two pieces of material having an adhesive on one side to adhere to the skin. A first piece of the bandage has an adhesive layer covering one end of the bottom side of the bandage, and another end of the bottom side that overlies the wound, and does not have adhesive thereon except at the edge. A small peel strip covers the edge having the adhesive thereon. A second piece of the bandage is a strip of material having a bottom side covered with adhesive, and a strip of plastic material on one end of the top, non-adhesive, side.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument for causing hemostasis having a first predetermined region for contact with flesh or tissue, said instrument being coated over at least a portion of said predetermined region by a composite coating consisting essentially of a nickel-phosphorous matrix having particles of polytetrafluoroethylene distributed substantially uniformly therein.