Abstract: A forceps for use in surgery for dissecting tissue includes a pair of jaw members movable from an open position in spaced relation relative to one another to a closed position. The jaw members each have an outer housing extending along the length thereof to a distal end of the jaw members. The outer housing of one of the jaw members includes a textured surface at a distal end configured to interface with and dissect tissue during the movement of the jaw members from the closed to open positions. A dissecting tip may be selectively extendable from a channel defined in one of the jaw members to engage and separate tissue when in the extended position.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of manufacturing an end effector assembly, the method comprising the steps of providing a pair of opposing first and second jaw members including a tissue contacting plate disposed thereon having a longitudinal channel defined therealong, providing a first electrically conductive cutting plate disposed on at least the first jaw member below the tissue contacting plate, stamping the first electrically conductive cutting plate to define a cutting element, bending the cutting element about a bending region such that the cutting element extends along the first electrically conductive cutting plate and into the longitudinal channel of the at least the first jaw member, and applying an insulative material to a portion of the first electrically conductive cutting plate.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a handle coupled to a source of electrosurgical energy. A pair of opposed jaw members is operatively coupled to a distal end of the handle such that the jaw members selectively move between open and closed positions. A base supported on one of the jaw members includes a mechanical mating feature and an electrically conductive region in electrical communication with the source of electrosurgical energy. A selectively removable seal plate includes a complementarily engaging a mechanical mating feature and an electrically conductive region positioned to contact the electrically conductive region of the base when the mechanical mating features of the base and seal plate are engaged. The complimentarily-engaging mechanical mating features include a pair of spaced protrusions and a pair of spaced recesses open to opposing sides of the base or the seal plate such that the seal plate may be twisted onto the base.

Abstract: A forceps for use in surgery for dissecting tissue includes a pair of jaw members movable from an open position in spaced relation relative to one another to a closed position. The jaw members each have an outer housing extending along the length thereof to a distal end of the jaw members. The outer housing of one of the jaw members includes a textured surface at a distal end configured to interface with and dissect tissue during the movement of the jaw members from the closed to open positions. A dissecting tip may be selectively extendable from a channel defined in one of the jaw members to engage and separate tissue when in the extended position.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a handle coupled to a source of electrosurgical energy. A pair of opposed jaw members is operatively coupled to a distal end of the handle such that the jaw members selectively move between open and closed positions. A base supported on one of the jaw members includes a mechanical mating feature and an electrically conductive region in electrical communication with the source of electrosurgical energy. A selectively removable seal plate includes a complementarily engaging a mechanical mating feature and an electrically conductive region positioned to contact the electrically conductive region of the base when the mechanical mating features of the base and seal plate are engaged. The complimentarily-engaging mechanical mating features include a pair of spaced protrusions and a pair of spaced recesses open to opposing sides of the base or the seal plate such that the seal plate may be twisted onto the base.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an end effector assembly including first and second jaw members and a knife body. The first and second jaw members have a curved configuration and are disposed in opposed relation to each other. One or both of the jaw members include a ledge, a first knife channel and a second knife channel. The ledge is disposed along the length of one of the jaw members. The first knife channel is defined along the length of a portion of the ledge. The second knife channel is defined along the length of a portion of the jaw member, and below a bottom portion of the ledge such that the ledge covers a portion of the second knife channel. The knife body includes a knife blade at a distal end thereof and a recessed portion proximal to the knife blade.

Abstract: A forceps for use in surgery for dissecting tissue includes a pair of jaw members movable from an open position in spaced relation relative to one another to a closed position. The jaw members each have an outer housing extending along the length thereof to a distal end of the jaw members. The outer housing of one of the jaw members includes a textured surface at a distal end configured to interface with and dissect tissue during the movement of the jaw members from the closed to open positions. A dissecting tip may be selectively extendable from a channel defined in one of the jaw members to engage and separate tissue when in the extended position.

Abstract: A forceps includes an end effector assembly having first and second jaw members movable relative to one another between a spaced-apart position, a first approximated position, and a second approximated position. One or both of the jaw members including a first stop member coupled thereto and disposed between the jaw members. The first stop member is longitudinally translatable along a surface of the at least one jaw member from a first position, wherein the first stop member inhibits approximation of the jaw members beyond the first approximated position, and a second position, wherein the first stop member inhibits approximation of the jaw members beyond the second approximated position.

Abstract: A forceps includes an end effector assembly having first and second jaw members movable between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween. A knife assembly having a cutting blade disposed at a distal end thereof is also provided. The knife assembly is translatable relative to the end effector assembly between a retracted position and an extended position, wherein the cutting blade extends between the jaw members to cut tissue grasped therebetween. The knife assembly includes a proximal component and a first distal component that includes the cutting blade. The proximal and first distal components are removably coupled to one another to facilitate replacement of the first distal component while the end effector assembly remains in a substantially assembled condition, i.e., without requiring substantial disassembly of the end effector assembly.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an end effector assembly for use with an electrosurgical instrument. The end effector assembly includes a pair of opposing first and second jaw members and a first electrically conductive cutting plate. The pair of opposing first and second jaw members is movable to cooperatively grasp tissue. Each of the jaw members includes a tissue contacting plate that is disposed thereon and has a longitudinal channel that is defined therealong. The first electrically conductive cutting plate includes a cutting element that extends along the first electrically conductive cutting plate and into the longitudinal channel of the first jaw member to engage and electrosurgically sever tissue upon activation thereof.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an end effector assembly for use with an electrosurgical instrument. The end effector assembly includes a pair of opposing first and second jaw members and a first electrically conductive cutting plate. The pair of opposing first and second jaw members is movable to cooperatively grasp tissue. Each of the jaw members includes a tissue contacting plate that is disposed thereon and has a longitudinal channel that is defined therealong. The first electrically conductive cutting plate includes a cutting element that extends along the first electrically conductive cutting plate and into the longitudinal channel of the first jaw member to engage and electrosurgically sever tissue upon activation thereof.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an end effector assembly for use with an electrosurgical instrument. The end effector assembly includes a pair of opposing first and second jaw members and a first electrically conductive cutting plate. The pair of opposing first and second jaw members is movable to cooperatively grasp tissue. Each of the jaw members includes a tissue contacting plate that is disposed thereon and has a longitudinal channel that is defined therealong. The first electrically conductive cutting plate includes a cutting element that extends along the first electrically conductive cutting plate and into the longitudinal channel of the first jaw member to engage and electrosurgically sever tissue upon activation thereof.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to electrosurgical devices having a plurality of hand-accessible variable controls. An electrosurgical device configured for connection to a source of electrosurgical energy is provided and includes a housing; an electrical circuit supported within the housing, the electrical circuit being connectable to the source of electrosurgical energy; and a controller slidably supported on the housing, wherein the controller is configured to exert a force on the electrical circuit to affect a change in the electrical circuit and to provide a tactile feedback to a user of the electrosurgical device as the controller is moved relative to the housing.

Abstract: A forceps includes an end effector assembly having first and second jaw members movable relative to one another between a spaced-apart position, a first approximated position, and a second approximated position. One or both of the jaw members including a first stop member coupled thereto and disposed between the jaw members. The first stop member is longitudinally translatable along a surface of the at least one jaw member from a first position, wherein the first stop member inhibits approximation of the jaw members beyond the first approximated position, and a second position, wherein the first stop member inhibits approximation of the jaw members beyond the second approximated position.

Abstract: An electrosurgical apparatus for coagulating tissue includes an elongated housing and an electrode located adjacent the distal end of the housing. The electrode can be connected to a source of electrosurgical energy. At least one actuator is included which electrosurgically energizes the electrode. The apparatus also includes a relatively small gas cylinder which contains a pressurized gas consisting of inert gas and which is selectively seated in the housing. Upon actuation of the actuator, gas is dispersed under pressure from the gas cylinder to the electrode and is ionized prior to the distribution of the gas into the operating field.

Abstract: A forceps includes an end effector assembly having first and second jaw members movable between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween. A knife assembly having a cutting blade disposed at a distal end thereof is also provided. The knife assembly is translatable relative to the end effector assembly between a retracted position and an extended position, wherein the cutting blade extends between the jaw members to cut tissue grasped therebetween. The knife assembly includes a proximal component and a first distal component that includes the cutting blade. The proximal and first distal components are removably coupled to one another to facilitate replacement of the first distal component while the end effector assembly remains in a substantially assembled condition, i.e., without requiring substantial disassembly of the end effector assembly.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a handle coupled to a source of electrosurgical energy. A pair of opposed jaw members is operatively coupled to a distal end of the handle such that the jaw members selectively move between open and closed positions. A base supported on one of the jaw members includes a mechanical mating feature and an electrically conductive region in electrical communication with the source of electrosurgical energy. A selectively removable seal plate includes a complementarily engaging a mechanical mating feature and an electrically conductive region positioned to contact the electrically conductive region of the base when the mechanical mating features of the base and seal plate are engaged. The complimentarily-engaging mechanical mating features include a pair of spaced protrusions and a pair of spaced recesses open to opposing sides of the base or the seal plate such that the seal plate may be twisted onto the base.

Abstract: A surgical system includes a surgical instrument, a generator, and a sterilization case. The surgical instrument includes an end effector assembly adapted to connect to a source of energy. The generator is configured to couple to the surgical instrument to supply energy to the end effector assembly of the surgical instrument. The sterilization case is configured to retain the surgical instrument therein and is configured to couple to the generator. The generator is further configured to supply energy to the sterilization case when coupled thereto to sterilize the surgical instrument disposed therein.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an end effector assembly including first and second jaw members and a knife body. The first and second jaw members have a curved configuration and are disposed in opposed relation to each other. One or both of the jaw members include a ledge, a first knife channel and a second knife channel. The ledge is disposed along the length of one of the jaw members. The first knife channel is defined along the length of a portion of the ledge. The second knife channel is defined along the length of a portion of the jaw member, and below a bottom portion of the ledge such that the ledge covers a portion of the second knife channel. The knife body includes a knife blade at a distal end thereof and a recessed portion proximal to the knife blade.

Abstract: A gas-enhanced electrosurgical instrument includes a hand-held applicator and a portable actuator assembly. The hand-held applicator has a gas delivery member adapted to deliver pressurized ionizable gas to the proximity of an electrode located adjacent a distal end of the applicator. The portable actuator assembly is capable of holding a source of pressurized ionizable gas, such as a cylinder or cartridge, and includes at least one controller to control the delivery of the gas from the source to the hand-held applicator and to control the delivery of electrosurgical energy to the hand-held applicator.