Abstract: A surgical system configured for treating tissue is provided. The surgical system includes a laser source and a laser scalpel. The laser scalpel is adapted to couple to the laser source and is operable in two modes of operation, a first mode of operation to analyze tissue of interest and a second mode of operation to treat tissue of interest. The laser scalpel includes a housing having first and second fiber optic cables extending therethrough. Each of the first and second fiber optic cables operable under the first mode of operation to collect information pertaining to at least one optical property of tissue of interest and at least one of the first and second fiber optic cables also operable under the second mode of operation to treat the tissue of interest.

Abstract: A tissue treatment apparatus for restoring patency in a body vessel is provided. The tissue treatment apparatus includes an elongated catheter dimensioned for insertion within a body vessel having an at least partial occlusion. Proximal and distal expandable segments are mounted to the elongated catheter and are positionable adjacent the occlusion and are configured to transition from a first condition to a second expanded condition. A mesh in operative engagement with the proximal and distal expandable segments is expandable radially outwardly from the catheter upon corresponding transition of the proximal and distal expandable segments to the second condition. The mesh includes a conductive material adapted to transmit electrosurgical energy to treat and facilitate removal of the occlusion, to thereby assist in restoring patency within the body vessel.

Abstract: A circular anastomosis stapler is provided and includes a handle assembly having a firing trigger that is actuatable between a first firing stroke and a second firing stroke. A shell assembly includes a pusher assembly having a main pusher, a staple pusher and a knife pusher. A compressible member positioned between the main pusher and the knife pusher is movable between a first configuration for advancing the staple pusher through the first firing stroke to drive at least one staple from the shell assembly to staple tissue and a second configuration for advancing the knife pusher through the second firing stroke to drive a knife from the shell assembly to core the stapled tissue.

Abstract: An electrosurgical system for performing an electrosurgical procedure is provided and includes an electrosurgical generator and a calibration computer system. The electrosurgical generator includes one or more processors and a measurement module including one or more log amps that are in operative communication with the processor. The calibration computer system configured to couple to a measurement device and is configured to measure parameters of an output signal generated by the electrosurgical generator. The calibration computer system is configured to compile the measured parameters into one or more data look-up tables and couple to the electrosurgical generator for transferring the data look-up table(s) to memory of the electrosurgical generator. The microprocessor is configured to receive an output from the log amp(s) and access the data look-up table(s) from memory to execute one or more control algorithms for controlling an output of the electrosurgical generator.

Abstract: A system for delivering electrosurgical energy is provided. The system includes an electrosurgical instrument comprising at least one electrode and an electrosurgical generator coupled to the electrosurgical instrument. The electrosurgical generator includes an output stage configured to generate electrosurgical energy; and a controller coupled to the output stage, the controller configured to control the output stage to output electrosurgical energy at a predetermined power level to generate an arc between the at least one electrode and tissue and to output electrosurgical energy at a predetermined current level once the arc is generated to sustain the arc.

Abstract: A spindle assembly of a surgical instrument is provided which includes a body and a cutter pin. The body has at least one wall forming first and second channels therein. The cutter pin is disposed within the second channel and operably coupled to a knife rod extending therethrough and is operatively coupled at its distal end to a knife. When the knife rod is moved between a retracted position and a deployed position, the spindle assembly is moved between a first and a second position along the shaft. The cutter pin is configured to deform and exit the body when the knife is deployed and disposed in a trapped condition and in response to an applied force, thereby decoupling the knife from the spindle assembly.

Abstract: An electrosurgical system includes an electrosurgical instrument coupled to an electrosurgical generator. The electrosurgical system may include a first sensor and a second sensor, which are configured to detect redundant tissue properties and output a signal corresponding thereto. The electrosurgical system has a signal processing circuit for receiving and modifying the output signal from the second sensor. The electrosurgical generator may include a controller for receiving an output signal from the first sensor and a processed signal from the signal processing circuit. The controller compares the two signals received and shuts down the system based on the comparison of the first sensor and a processed signal.

Abstract: A guidewire comprising an elongate guide member dimensioned for insertion within a body vessel of a subject is disclosed. The guide member defines a longitudinal axis and has trailing and leading end segments. The leading end segment has a reduced cross-sectional dimension relative to a cross-sectional dimension of the trailing end segment. The leading end segment includes at least one finger thereon. A first transverse dimension of the finger is greater than a corresponding first transverse dimension of the leading end segment in contact therewith.

Abstract: A method for performing a cholecystectomy procedure is disclosed. The method includes the steps of ligating a cystic artery and a cystic duct of a gallbladder, separating the gallbladder from a liver by grasping the gallbladder and stretching a connective tissue therebetween and positioning a plasma applicator adjacent the connective tissue. The method also includes the steps of generating a selectively reactive plasma effluent at the plasma applicator and directing the selectively reactive plasma effluent at the connective tissue to separate the gallbladder from the liver.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a jaw assembly configured for use with an electrosurgical forceps is provided. A seal plate with an inwardly facing tab member extending along a peripheral edge thereof is formed. A cavity defined along the inwardly facing tab member of the seal plate is formed. Subsequently, the seal plate is overmolded to a jaw housing. The cavity is configured to receive an insulative substrate therein to facilitate securing the seal plate to the jaw housing.

Abstract: A medical drainage device is provided which includes a casing and a chamber for indicating the amount of suction applied to an animal or human body by the height of a water column. A fill funnel is further provided, which is attached to an opening in the casing for filling water through the opening into the chamber. The fill funnel has a configuration rendering the fill funnel selectively impermeable. A fill funnel and a method of manufacturing a fill funnel are also provided.

Abstract: An electrosurgical system is provided. The electrosurgical system includes an electrosurgical generator including a computer having one or more microprocessors in operable communication with memory for storing information pertaining to the electrosurgical generator. An audio output module is in operable communication with the computer and configured to generate an audio output having the information pertaining to the electrosurgical generator embedded therein. A speaker is in operable communication with the audio output module for outputting the audio output. A recording device is configured to record the audio output. An audio collector is configured to receive the audio output from the recording device and decipher the embedded audio so that the information pertaining to the electrosurgical generator may be utilized for future use.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed towards a medical instrument. The medical instrument includes a housing and an end effector assembly operably connected to the housing. The end effector assembly includes first and second jaw members each having a tissue contacting surface, at least one of the first and second jaw members movable between a first, spaced-apart position and a second proximate position, wherein in the second position, the jaw members cooperate to define a cavity configured to receive tissue between the jaw members. The end effector also includes at least one light-emitting element coupled to at least one of the first and second jaw members, the at least one light-emitting element adapted to deliver light energy to tissue grasped between the first and second jaw members to treat the tissue.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for a system for testing an analog-to-digital converter. The system includes a test pulse source configured to provide a test pulse signal; a test circuit coupled to the test pulse source and configured to provide an analog decaying voltage signal in response to the test pulse signal; and an analog-to-digital converter coupled to the test circuit and configured to convert the analog decaying voltage signal into a digital decaying voltage signal.

Abstract: An intravenous catheter and safety needle assembly is disclosed which includes a catheter assembly, a needle assembly and a needle guard. The needle guard is supported within a hub of the catheter and is positioned to engage an enlarged diameter portion of a needle of the needle assembly during withdrawal of the needle from the catheter assembly to effect an inversion of the needle guard about a sharpened tip of the needle.

Abstract: A surgical fastener applier is disclosed, including a surgical fastener forming apparatus including surgical fasteners, an anvil having a plurality of fastener deforming cavities, and a plurality of pushers. The fastener includes a backspan having a bend along its length, and a pair of legs extending from the ends of the backspan. The pusher is configured to support the backspan, and translate the surgical fastener toward the fastener deforming cavities. The fastener legs enter and are deformed by the cavities in a manner such that they exit the cavities and contact a forming head protruding from the pusher. The forming head curves a portion of the fastener legs such that they lie parallel to and abut a portion of the backspan in the same plane. Also disclosed is a method of forming a surgical fastener with the surgical fastener forming apparatus.

Abstract: A travel clip is provided for use with a surgical staple cartridge. The travel clip includes a cover having first and second side edges which varying in distance from a centerline of the cover and a longitudinally extending rib projecting perpendicularly along the centerline of the cover. The first and second side edges include areas of maximum distance from the centerline of the cover and areas of minimum distance from the centerline of the cover. The space between adjacent areas of maximum distance from the centerline of the cover provide cutouts or openings for viewing, inspection and verification of structure retained within the surgical staple cartridge.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument is provided. The electrosurgical instrument includes a housing. An outer shaft extends from the housing. The outer shaft includes a bifurcated distal end having a pair of first spaced-apart members with an elongated slot extending therebetween. The pair of first spaced-apart members configured to receive tissue therebetween. An inner shaft is disposed within the outer shaft and includes a bifurcated distal end having a pair of second spaced-apart members with an elongated slot extending therebetween. The pair of second spaced-apart members is configured to receive tissue therebetween. Each of the pairs of the first and second spaced apart members includes one or more electrodes thereon. The inner shaft is rotatable from an initial configuration for positioning tissue between the pairs of first and second spaced-apart members to a subsequent configuration for compressing the tissue disposed between the pairs of first and second spaced-apart members.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for surgically joining tissue is disclosed. The surgical instrument comprises a handle assembly, an elongated portion extending distally from the handle assembly, an end effector disposed adjacent a distal portion of the elongated portion, and an articulation mechanism disposed in mechanical cooperation with the end effector. The articulation mechanism comprises a lever, a first set of teeth, a second set of teeth, a first plunger for engaging the first set of teeth, and a second plunger for engaging the second set of teeth. A predetermined amount of rotation of the lever in a first direction moves at least a portion of the first plunger away from the first set of teeth. A predetermined amount of rotation of the lever in a second, opposite direction moves at least a portion of the second plunger away from the second set of teeth.

Abstract: An endoscopic forceps is provided. The endoscopic forceps includes a housing having a shaft that extends therefrom that defines a longitudinal axis therethrough. The shaft has a first tube with a bent portion having a contour. A second tube is disposed within the first tube. An end effector assembly operatively connected to a distal end of the first tube has a pair of first and second jaw members. The first and second jaw members including respective cam slots defined therein with a cam pin movable therein. The shaft is translatable along the longitudinal axis to straighten the bent portion of the first tube to move the bent portion of the first tube from an articulated configuration to a non-articulated configuration. The second tube is translatable along the longitudinal axis to move the first and second jaw members from the open configuration to the clamping configuration.