Abstract: Pressure sensors that can be reliability operated with the maximum current flowing through the device restricted to 10 uA or below, or below 50 uA in a single-fault condition. This can provide at least a reduced need for the final medical device architect to consider potential risks from excessive current to the patient, simplifying the design and manufacturability of the medical device. An additional benefit is that the sensors are generally more accurate at lower current flow, as self-heating of the resistors and parasitic leakages are reduced, if the signal-to-noise problem is resolved.

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: An end effector assembly for an electrosurgical device includes first and second jaw members movable between spaced-apart and approximated positions. The jaw members include tissue-contacting surfaces that define a tissue grasping area. One of the jaw members includes an electrically-insulating body, an interior electrode, and an exterior electrode. The interior electrode is positioned interiorly of outer bounds of the tissue grasping area. A portion of the interior electrode forms part of the tissue-contacting surface. The exterior electrode is positioned exteriorly of the outer bounds of the tissue grasping area. At least one portion of the exterior electrode: extends along the outer back surface of the body, is disposed within the body, and is positioned adjacent the outer bounds of the tissue grasping area. The interior and exterior electrodes are configured to conduct energy through tissue grasped within the tissue grasping area to seal tissue.

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: Pressure sensors that can be reliability operated with the maximum current flowing through the device restricted to 10 uA or below, or below 50 uA in a single-fault condition. This can provide at least a reduced need for the final medical device architect to consider potential risks from excessive current to the patient, simplifying the design and manufacturability of the medical device. An additional benefit is that the sensors are generally more accurate at lower current flow, as self-heating of the resistors and parasitic leakages are reduced, if the signal-to-noise problem is resolved.

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 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: Controlling a level of electrosurgical energy provided to tissue based on detected arcing patterns or impedance changes. The drag force imposed on an electrode or blade of an electrosurgical instrument may be controlled by adjusting the level of electrosurgical energy based on the arcing patterns or impedance changes. The arcing patterns or impedance changes may be detected by sensing and analyzing voltage and/or current waveforms of the electrosurgical energy. The current and/or voltage waveform analysis may involve calculating impedance based on the voltage and current waveforms and calculating changes in impedance over time. The waveform analysis may involve detecting harmonic distortion using FFTs, DFTs, Goertzel filters, polyphase demodulation techniques, and/or bandpass filters. The waveform analysis may involve determining a normalized difference or the average phase difference between the voltage and current waveforms.

Abstract: A medical device includes an energy-generating unit configured to produce energy for conduction through tissue to treat tissue. Waste heat produced by the energy-generating unit during energy production is conducted to tissue to facilitate treating tissue.

Abstract: A method of sealing tissue includes providing an end effector assembly including first and second jaw members. One or both of the jaw members includes an interior electrode and one or both of the jaw members includes first and second exterior electrodes disposed on either side of the interior electrode. The method further includes grasping tissue between the first and second jaw members and conducting energy between the interior and exterior electrodes to seal tissue grasped between the first and second jaw members. During tissue sealing, tissue disposed adjacent the exterior electrodes boils faster than tissue disposed adjacent the interior electrodes.

Abstract: An end effector assembly for an electrosurgical device includes first and second jaw members movable between spaced-apart and approximated positions for grasping tissue therebetween. The jaw members cooperate to define a tissue grasping area. One or both of the jaw members includes an inner electrode. One or both of the jaw members includes first and second outer electrodes disposed on either side of the inner electrode. The inner and outer electrodes are configured to conduct energy through tissue grasped within the tissue grasping area to seal tissue. The inner and outer electrodes define different configurations such that, upon conduction of energy through tissue grasped within the tissue grasping area, tissue disposed adjacent the outer electrodes is boiled before boiling of tissue disposed adjacent the inner electrodes.

Abstract: An end effector assembly for an electrosurgical device includes first and second jaw members movable between spaced-apart and approximated positions. The jaw members define opposed tissue-contacting surfaces that cooperate to define a tissue grasping area within which tissue is grasped when the jaw members are moved to the approximated position. At least one of the jaw members includes an interior electrode and at least one of the jaw members includes first and second exterior electrodes. The interior and exterior electrodes are configured to conduct energy through tissue grasped within the tissue grasping area to seal tissue. The interior electrodes are disposed interiorly of outer bounds of the tissue grasping area, while the exterior electrodes are disposed exteriorly. As a result, upon conduction of energy through tissue grasped within the tissue grasping area, tissue disposed adjacent the exterior electrodes is boiled before boiling of tissue disposed adjacent the interior electrodes.

Abstract: A method of sealing tissue includes providing an end effector assembly including first and second jaw members. One or both of the jaw members includes an interior electrode and one or both of the jaw members includes first and second exterior electrodes disposed on either side of the interior electrode. The method further includes grasping tissue between the first and second jaw members and conducting energy between the interior and exterior electrodes to seal tissue grasped between the first and second jaw members. During tissue sealing, tissue disposed adjacent the exterior electrodes boils faster than tissue disposed adjacent the interior electrodes.

Abstract: A medical device for treating tissue includes a tissue-contacting surface and a solid state heating element that is thermally coupled to the tissue-contacting surface. The solid state heating element is configured to generate heat to thermally treat tissue.

Abstract: A method of sealing tissue includes providing an end effector assembly including first and second jaw members. One or both of the jaw members includes an interior electrode and one or both of the jaw members includes first and second exterior electrodes disposed on either side of the interior electrode. The method further includes grasping tissue between the first and second jaw members and conducting energy between the interior and exterior electrodes to seal tissue grasped between the first and second jaw members. During tissue sealing, tissue disposed adjacent the exterior electrodes boils faster than tissue disposed adjacent the interior electrodes.

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: An end effector assembly for an electrosurgical device includes first and second jaw members movable between spaced-apart and approximated positions. The jaw members include tissue-contacting surfaces that define a tissue grasping area. One of the jaw members includes an electrically-insulating body, an interior electrode, and an exterior electrode. The interior electrode is positioned interiorly of outer bounds of the tissue grasping area. A portion of the interior electrode forms part of the tissue-contacting surface. The exterior electrode is positioned exteriorly of the outer bounds of the tissue grasping area. At least one portion of the exterior electrode: extends along the outer back surface of the body, is disposed within the body, and is positioned adjacent the outer bounds of the tissue grasping area. The interior and exterior electrodes are configured to conduct energy through tissue grasped within the tissue grasping area to seal tissue.

Abstract: An end effector assembly for an electrosurgical device includes first and second jaw members movable between spaced-apart and approximated positions. The jaw members include tissue-contacting surfaces that define a tissue grasping area. One of the jaw members includes an electrically-insulating body, an interior electrode, and an exterior electrode. The interior electrode is positioned interiorly of outer bounds of the tissue grasping area. A portion of the interior electrode forms part of the tissue-contacting surface. The exterior electrode is positioned exteriorly of the outer bounds of the tissue grasping area. At least one portion of the exterior electrode: extends along the outer back surface of the body, is disposed within the body, and is positioned adjacent the outer bounds of the tissue grasping area. The interior and exterior electrodes are configured to conduct energy through tissue grasped within the tissue grasping area to seal tissue.

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 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.