Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument for applying radiofrequency or microwave frequency energy to biological tissue. The instrument includes a tip with a planar body separating two conductive elements on opposite surfaces. It also includes a coaxial feed cable with an inner and outer conductor, separated by a dielectric material, for conveying a working signal. The inner conductor connects to the first conductive element, and the outer to the second, enabling the tip to receive the signal. The first conductive element has a pattern to set its electrical length greater than a reference instrument tip. The reference tip has a planar body of the same shape and dimensions, separating two conductive elements covering opposite surfaces.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument for delivering pressurised fluid to a biological tissue, and for delivering radiofrequency electromagnetic energy and/or microwave frequency EM energy to the biological tissue. The electrosurgical instrument comprises a flexible shaft with an instrument tip connected to its distal end. The instrument tip comprises a planar body made of a first dielectric material separating a first conductive element from a second conductive element, for delivering EM energy to the biological tissue. The instrument tip has a nozzle for delivering the pressurised fluid directly to the biological tissue. An outer sleeve extends over the flexible shaft and a proximal section of the instrument tip to reinforce the flexible shaft and a junction between the flexible shaft and instrument tip.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument for delivering pressurised fluid to a biological tissue, and for delivering radiofrequency electromagnetic energy and/or microwave frequency EM energy to the biological tissue. The electrosurgical instrument comprises a flexible shaft with an instrument tip connected to its distal end. The instrument tip comprises a planar body made of a first dielectric material separating a first conductive element from a second conductive element, for delivering EM energy to the biological tissue. The instrument tip has a nozzle for delivering the pressurised fluid directly to the biological tissue. An outer sleeve extends over the flexible shaft and a proximal section of the instrument tip to reinforce the flexible shaft and a junction between the flexible shaft and instrument tip.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an interface joint for interconnecting an electrosurgical generator and an electrosurgical instrument. In particular, the invention relates to an interface joint comprising a coaxial cable assembly for connecting the interface joint to an electrosurgical instrument. The interface joint comprises a housing made of electrically insulating material, the housing having: an inlet for receiving radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic (EM) energy and/or microwave frequency EM energy from the electrosurgical generator, and an outlet; and a coaxial cable assembly for connecting the outlet to the electrosurgical instrument, the coaxial cable assembly comprising a first cable section and a second cable section, wherein the first cable section has a lower loss per unit length than the second cable section.

Abstract: An electrosurgical resector tool comprising: an energy conveying structure for carrying radiofrequency electromagnetic energy and/or microwave electromagnetic energy; and, a tool tip mounted at a distal end of the energy conveying structure, wherein the tool tip comprises a first jaw and a second jaw. The first jaw comprises a first pair of electrodes that are electrically isolated. The first pair of electrodes is coupled to the energy conveying structure. The first and second jaw are movable relative to each other between a closed position in which the first and second jaw lie alongside each other, and an open position in which the second jaw is spaced from the first jaw for receiving biological tissue. The first jaw extends in a distal direction beyond the second jaw in the closed position. The first jaw includes a distal end face, the first pair of electrodes being exposed on the distal end face.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for purification of a polymer material from plastic waste, wherein said polymer material comprises at least one target polymer, at least one non-target polymer and at least one impurity, wherein the method comprises the steps of providing said plastic waste in solid form; dissolving said polymer material; optionally, a first liquid-solid separation step; optionally, adding at least one additive; precipitating the at least one impurity and the at least one non-target polymer from the solution; optionally, adding at least one additive; separating the precipitate; optionally, adding at least one additive and separating the at least one additive and adsorbed remaining impurities; removing the residual solvent and, optionally degassing the purified target polymer material. The present invention further relates to a recyclate obtainable by said method.

Abstract: An electrosurgical resector tool for cutting, coagulating and ablating biological tissue. The tool has an instrument tip comprising first and second jaws; wherein the second jaw is movable relative to the first jaw between a closed and open position. The first jaw comprises a first pair of electrodes electrically isolated from one another, the first pair of electrodes comprising an inner and outer electrode, and the second jaw comprising a single electrode. The first pair of electrodes is operable as active and return electrodes for delivering RF EM energy, and the single electrode is operable as an active electrode when the inner electrode of the first jaw is operable as a return electrode, or as a return electrode when the inner electrode of the first jaw is operable as an active electrode. The instrument tip is also operable as a microwave field emitting structure for emitting microwave EM energy.

Abstract: An electrosurgical apparatus comprising an electrosurgical forceps instrument that combines la robust jaw opening mechanism with an a microwave energy delivery mechanism. The instrument includes a rigid bracket mounted at a distal end of a flexible shaft, wherein a pair of jaws are pivotably mounted on the rigid bracket. The instrument includes an energy delivery structure comprising a flexible dielectric substrate having a first electrode and an second electrode formed on one of the pair of jaws, wherein the first electrode and the second electrode are arranged to emit microwave energy. The electrosurgical apparatus may also comprise a handpiece that combines rotation control of an electrosurgical instrument with both power delivery and end effector actuation (e.g. jaw closure, blade retraction or the like).

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a hollow cable for transmitting radiofrequency and/or microwave frequency energy to an electrosurgical instrument, wherein the hollow cable is provided with electrical connectors for forming a bipolar electrical connection with an electrosurgical instrument that fits within, e.g. slides relative to, the hollow cable. The connectors can be conductive protrusions extending in an axial direction on opposite sides of the cable. The protrusions can be tabs, fins, rods, pins, or wires. The protrusions can be strips which engage corresponding terminals on the instrument. The transmission line structure of the invention can have a greater diameter then convention coaxial cables, which can minimise loss whilst still providing access for control wires and/or fluid to reach an surgical instrument. The cable can be used with multiple instruments.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide a sterilisation apparatus for sterilising a channel of a surgical scoping device. The apparatus includes: a gas supply having a conduit to deliver an ionisable gas to the channel of the surgical scoping device; and, a sterilisation instrument, separate from the gas supply and the conduit, configured to be inserted through the channel of a surgical scoping device. The sterilisation instrument includes an elongate probe. The elongate probe includes: a transmission line for conveying radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic (EM) energy and/or microwave EM energy; and, a probe tip connected at the distal end of the transmission line for receiving the RF and/or microwave EM energy, the probe tip comprising an electrode assembly configured to produce an electric field from the received RF and/or microwave frequency EM energy to generate a plasma of the ionisable gas delivered to the channel from the gas supply.

Abstract: An electrosurgical resector tool comprising an energy conveying structure for carrying radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic (EM) energy and microwave EM energy having an instrument tip mounted at a distal end thereof. The instrument tip comprises first and second jaws. The second jaw is movable between a closed position and an open position, in which the second jaw is spaced from the first by a gap for receiving biological tissue. The first and second jaws respectively comprise first and second pairs of electrodes that are electrically isolated. The first and second pairs of electrodes are respectively coupled to the energy conveying structure, such that each pair is operable as active and return electrodes for delivering RF EM energy carried by the energy conveying structure. The first and second pairs of electrodes are operable as a microwave field emitting structure for emitting microwave EM energy carried by the energy conveying structure.

Abstract: A robot-assisted surgical system in which apparatus for providing electrosurgical functionality is directly mountable on or integrated within a robotic arm. The apparatus may be a detachable module or capsule, which may be movable between different robotic arms in the same environment. The apparatus may comprise a plurality of modules, each providing a different treatment modality. Depending on the procedure to be performed, a different module or combination of modules may be selected and mounted on one or more robotic arms.

Abstract: Sterilisation systems suitable for clinical use, e.g. on the human body, medical apparatuses, or hospital bed spaces. The sterilisation apparatus comprises: a microwave source arranged to generate microwave energy; a mist generator arranged to generate a flow of water mist; a gas supply; a manifold connected to receive the flow of water mist from the mist generator; and a plurality of plasma applicators connected to the manifold, wherein each plasma applicator is connected to receive microwave energy from the microwave source and a flow of gas from the gas supply, wherein each plasma applicator is configured to strike a plasma at a distal end thereof, wherein the distal ends of the plurality of plasma applicators are disposed in a plasma generating region defined by the manifold, and wherein the manifold is configured to direct the flow of water mist through the plasma generating region to an outlet thereof.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a hollow cable for conveying radiofrequency and/or microwave frequency energy to an electrosurgical instrument that can fit within, e.g. slide relative to, the hollow cable. The hollow cable provides a bipolar electrical connection to the electrosurgical instrument that is maintained when the electrosurgical instrument is rotated relative to the hollow cable. The cable may comprise a hollow coaxial transmission line having a rotatable component mounted at its distal end. The rotatable component comprises a longitudinal passageway continuous with the hollow coaxial transmission line. The rotatable component is rotatable relative to the transmission line and comprises a first and second conductive portions that are respectively electrically connected to first and second terminals on the coaxial transmission line and which are configured to maintain an electrical connection with their respective terminal when rotated relative to the coaxial transmission line.

Abstract: Sterilisation apparatus comprising a sterilisation instrument configured to be inserted through the instrument channel of a surgical scoping device and a withdrawal device for withdrawing the sterilisation instrument from the instrument channel at a predetermined rate. The sterilisation instrument comprises an elongate probe having a probe tip with a first electrode and a second electrode arranged to produce an electric field from received RF and/or microwave frequency EM energy. In operation the instrument may disinfect an inner surface of the instrument channel by emitting energy whilst being withdrawn through the channel.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a hollow cable for transmitting radiofrequency and/or microwave frequency energy to an electrosurgical instrument, wherein the hollow cable is provided with electrical connectors for forming a bipolar electrical connection with an electrosurgical instrument that fits within, e.g. slides relative to, the hollow cable. The connectors can be conductive protrusions extending in an axial direction on opposite sides of the cable. The protrusions can be tabs, fins, rods, pins, or wires. The protrusions can be strips which engage corresponding terminals on the instrument. The transmission line structure of the invention can have a greater diameter then convention coaxial cables, which can minimise loss whilst still providing access for control wires and/or fluid to reach an surgical instrument. The cable can be used with multiple instruments.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a hollow cable for transmitting radiofrequency and/or microwave frequency energy to an electrosurgical instrument, wherein the hollow cable is provided with electrical connectors for forming a bipolar electrical connection with an electrosurgical instrument that fits within, e.g. slides relative to, the hollow cable. The connectors can be conductive protrusions extending in an axial direction on opposite sides of the cable. The protrusions can be tabs, fins, rods, pins, or wires. The protrusions can be strips which engage corresponding terminals on the instrument. The transmission line structure of the invention can have a greater diameter than conventional coaxial cables, which can minimize loss whilst still providing access for control wires and/or fluid to reach a surgical instrument. The cable can be used with multiple instruments.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide an energy conveying structure for delivering RF and/or microwave energy to an electrosurgical instrument, where the energy conveying structure is incorporated into an insertion tube of a surgical scoping device (e.g. endoscope, laparoscope or the like). The insertion tube is a flexible conduit that is introduced into a patient's body during an invasive procedure, and can include an instrument channel and an optical channel. The energy conveying structure may be a layered coaxial structure that formed a liner that fits within the scoping device, e.g. within an instrument channel. Alternatively, the energy conveying structure may be a coaxial structure integrally formed as part of the flexible conduit.

Abstract: A method is for output of position information of a medical instrument, configured to penetrate at least partly an area of the body of a patient. A structure image, an instrument image and an operation scene image are registered with one another. A registered structure image, a registered instrument image and a registered operation scene image are produced from the registration. An overlay image is displayed with a VR or AR display facility, including at least parts of the registered structure image of the registered operation scene image (BrO)—or the real view of the corresponding part of the real area of the body—and of the registered instrument image. A corresponding image generation system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of position planning for a recording system of an imaging device with respect to a selectable field of view of a patient includes acquiring current position information of the recording system and/or the imaging device, and/or setting information of a collimator of the imaging device. A current intersection volume between an X-ray beam and the patient and/or a current field of view is determined. The current intersection volume and/or the current field of view is determined as a virtual display element. A target intersection volume and/or a target field of view is received by manipulation of the virtual display element. A target position of the recording system and/or the imaging device, and/or the setting of the collimator is determined, such that, on occupying the target position, the target intersection volume and/or the target field of view becomes the current intersection volume and/or current field of view.