Abstract: A forceps includes an end effector assembly including first and second jaw members. One or both of the jaw members is moveable relative to the other between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween. One or both of the jaw members includes a jaw frame including an engagement recess defined on each lateral side thereof and a replaceable component configured for slidable positioning about the jaw frame. The replaceable component includes an outer jaw housing having an engagement tang disposed on each lateral side thereof. The engagement tangs are configured to engage the engagement recesses of the jaw frame upon slidable positioning of the replaceable component about the jaw frame to secure the replaceable component to the jaw frame. The replaceable component includes an electrically conductive tissue sealing plate engaged to the outer jaw housing to define a tissue sealing surface.

Abstract: The invention pertains to techniques or processes for managing surgical smoke. In one embodiment a suction apparatus evacuates the surgical smoke. For example, the suction apparatus may be arranged adjacent to an electrocautery electrode, which may generate smoke during operation, for evacuating smoke from a surgical site.

Abstract: The invention pertains to techniques or processes for managing surgical smoke. In one embodiment a suction apparatus evacuates the surgical smoke. For example, the suction apparatus may be arranged adjacent to an electrocautery electrode, which may generate smoke during operation, for evacuating smoke from a surgical site.

Abstract: A deployment and retraction mechanism for deploying and retracting a deployable component of a surgical instrument includes a gear assembly, a slider, and one or more actuators. The slider is translatable between a proximal position, corresponding to a storage condition of the deployable component, and a distal position, corresponding to a use condition of the deployable component. The actuator(s) is coupled to the gear assembly and is movable from an un-actuated position to an actuated position. The gear assembly is configured such that a full actuation and subsequent release of the actuator(s) translates the slider from one of the proximal or distal positions to the other of the proximal or distal positions while a partial actuation and subsequent release of the actuator(s) translates the slider from one of the proximal or distal positions to an intermediate position and back to the one of the proximal or distal positions.

Abstract: In some implementations, a method of ablating body tissue includes (a) locating an inflatable balloon portion of a cryotherapy balloon catheter at a treatment site internal to a patient's body, and inflating the inflatable balloon portion; (b) employing electrodes that are disposed on an expandable surface of the inflatable balloon portion to electrically characterize body tissue at the treatment site; (c) ablating the body tissue by supplying a cryotherapy agent to the inflatable balloon portion to cool the body tissue to a therapeutic temperature; (d) employing the electrodes to determine whether the ablating caused desired electrical changes in the body tissue; and (e) repeating (c) and (d) when it is determined that the ablating did not cause the desired electrical changes.

Abstract: The invention pertains to techniques or processes for managing surgical smoke. In one embodiment a suction apparatus evacuates the surgical smoke. For example, the suction apparatus may be arranged adjacent to an electrocautery electrode, which may generate smoke during operation, for evacuating smoke from a surgical site.

Abstract: A forceps includes an end effector assembly having first and second jaw members disposed in opposed relation relative to one another. One (or both) of the jaw members is moveable with respect to the other from a spaced-apart position to an approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween. A knife is longitudinally translatable with respect to the first and second jaw members between a retracted position, an intermediate position, and an extended position. The knife coupled to one or both of the jaw members via a pin-slot engagement such that, upon translation of the knife from the retracted position to the intermediate position, the first and second jaw members are moved to the approximated position to grasp tissue therebetween and such that, upon translation of the knife from the intermediate position to the extended position, the knife is extended between the jaw members to cut tissue grasped therebetween.

Abstract: An end effector assembly for use with an electrosurgical instrument is provided. The end effector assembly includes a pair of opposing jaw members configured to grasp tissue therebetween. Each of the opposing jaw members includes a non conducting tissue contact surface and an energy delivering element configured to perforate the tissue to create an opening, extract elastin and collagen from the tissue and denaturize the elastin and the collagen in the vicinity of the opening.

Abstract: A medical device includes an end effector configured to apply bipolar energy to target tissue along a working portion thereof and a fluid control system to control the flow of a fluid produced when the end effector applies the bipolar energy to heat the target tissue. The fluid control system includes a fluid path element defining a fluid path, a distal fluid port configured to intake the fluid adjacent to the working portion of an end effector for transport through the fluid path, and a proximal fluid port configured to intake the fluid transported through the fluid path and to exhaust the transported fluid.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for the treatment of a body cavity or lumen are described where a heated fluid and/or gas may be introduced through a catheter and into treatment area within the body contained between one or more inflatable/expandable members. The catheter may also have optional pressure and temperature sensing elements which may allow for control of the pressure and temperature within the treatment zone and also prevent the pressure from exceeding a pressure of the inflatable/expandable members to thereby contain the treatment area between these inflatable/expandable members. Optionally, a chilled, room temperature, or warmed fluid such as water may then be used to rapidly terminate the treatment session.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a housing having an elongated shaft extending distally therefrom. An end effector for treating tissue is supported by the elongated shaft. One or more tensile members extend at least partially through the elongated shaft. A proximal end of a tensile member is operatively coupled to at least one actuator and a distal end is operatively coupled to the end effector such that manipulation of the actuator induces movement of the tensile member to move the end effector. A de-tensioning mechanism is operatively associated with the tensile member to move the tensile member between a first relaxed configuration and a second stressed configuration. The de-tensioning mechanism includes a spacer insertable into a cavity defined in the housing to move the tensile member to the first relaxed configuration and removable from the cavity to move the at least one tensile member to the second stressed configuration.

Abstract: An electrosurgical generator is presented including a radio frequency (RF) amplifier coupled to an electrical energy source and configured to generate electrosurgical energy, the RF amplifier including an inverter configured to convert a direct current (DC) to an alternating current (AC), and a plurality of sensors configured to sense voltage and current of the generated electrosurgical energy. The electrosurgical generator further includes a controller coupled to the RF amplifier and the plurality of sensors. The electrosurgical may be further configured to determine a power level based on the sensed voltage and the sensed current, determine an efficiency of the electrosurgical generator, and insert a predetermined integer number of off cycles when the efficiency of the electrosurgical generator reaches a threshold power efficiency.

Abstract: A system for minimizing neuromuscular stimulation includes a converter, an inverter, and a controller. The converter is configured to output a dc waveform and includes at least one first switching element operated at a first duty cycle. The inverter is coupled to the converter and includes at least one second switching element operated at a second duty cycle. The inverter is configured to invert the DC waveform to generate an electrosurgical pulse waveform. The controller is coupled to the converter and the inverter, and is configured to control the first duty cycle to adjust a magnitude of the electrosurgical pulse waveform and the second duty cycle to adjust at least one property of the electrosurgical pulse waveform to minimize neuromuscular stimulation.

Abstract: Approaches for percutaneous blepharoplasty are provided. An electrosurgical device includes: a hand-piece; a tip connected to the hand-piece; and two needles extending from a distal end of the tip. The hand-piece is structured and arranged to connect to an electrical energy source, and to convey electrical energy from the electrical energy source to the needles in a percutaneous blepharoplasty procedure.

Abstract: Medical devices and methods for making and using the same are disclosed. An medical device may include a medical device for renal nerve ablation. The medical device may include a catheter shaft having a distal region. An expandable balloon may be coupled to the distal region. An electrode assembly may be coupled to the balloon. The electrode assembly may include a first electrode pad including one or more electrodes. The first electrode pad may have a first lead-in edge, a first protruding edge, and a first transition region with a continuously changing curvature disposed between the first lead-in edge and the first protruding edge.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for the treatment of a body cavity or lumen are described where a heated fluid and/or gas may be introduced through a catheter and into treatment area within the body contained between one or more inflatable/expandable members. The catheter may also have optional pressure and temperature sensing elements which may allow for control of the pressure and temperature within the treatment zone and also prevent the pressure from exceeding a pressure of the inflatable/expandable members to thereby contain the treatment area between these inflatable/expandable members. Optionally, a chilled, room temperature, or warmed fluid such as water may then be used to rapidly terminate the treatment session.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an end effector assembly having first and second jaw members movable between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position. A trigger assembly is movable between an un-actuated position and an actuated position. An energizable member is selectively movable relative to the jaw members between a first storage position and a first deployed position. At least a portion of the energizable member extends distally from the jaw members in the first deployed position. A selector is operably associated with the trigger assembly and the energizable member. The selector is transitionable between a first state, wherein the energizable member is decoupled from the trigger assembly, and a second state, wherein the energizable member is coupled to the trigger assembly such that movement of the trigger assembly from the un-actuated position to the actuated position effects movement of the energizable member from the storage position to the deployed position.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a housing, a shaft, an end effector assembly disposed at the distal end of the shaft, a deployable assembly movable relative to the end effector assembly between a storage position and a deployed position, and a selector assembly. The selector assembly includes a selector member extending from the housing. The selector member is translatable relative to the housing between a first position and a second position. In the second position of the selector member, the selector member is rotatable relative to the housing for transitioning the selector assembly between a first state, wherein the selector member is decoupled relative to the deployable assembly, and a second state, wherein the selector member is coupled to the deployable assembly such that movement of the selector member from the second position to the first position effects movement of the deployable assembly from the storage position to the deployed position.

Abstract: An electrosurgical device is disclosed. The electrosurgical device includes a handle, a shaft extending distally from the handle, and an end effector coupled to a distal end of the shaft. The end effector comprises a first electrode and a second electrode. The second electrode includes a first position and a second position. The second electrode is configured to move from the first position to the second position when a force is applied to the end effector by a tissue section. The first electrode and the second electrode define a treatment area when the second electrode is in the second position.

Abstract: A cryosurgical instrument including: a shaft having a closed distal end defining an expansion chamber and a proximal end that receives an inflow of cryogen and to exhaust a flow of expanded cryogen; and a heat exchanger with a cryogen delivery tube that spirals around a core disposed along a longitudinal axis thereof. The cryogen delivery tube, where it spirals, is in fluid tight contact with the inner surface of the shaft so as to form spiraling cryogen exhaust pathways that extend along a portion of a length of the cryosurgical instrument from the distal end of the shaft. The cryogen delivery tube forces a two-phase flow of cryogen to undergo phase separation by centrifugal forces and urges the liquid phase against the external walls of the spiral coil and the outer surface of the spiral gap. Heat exchanging occurs close to the external wall of the instrument.