Abstract: An apparatus and method for use in sterilizing a surgical instrument is provided. The apparatus includes a surgical instrument that includes a housing having a shaft extending therefrom. The shaft includes one or more grooves defined therein that extends at least partially along the length thereof. The one or more grooves is configured to allow a sterilant passage therethrough. The apparatus also includes a jacket that encloses the shaft and allows the sterilant to travel along the one or more grooves.

Abstract: A control system for controlling the output of an electrosurgical generator is disclosed. The control system includes a control module configured to receive an optical signal from a surgical site, the optical signal being related to an optical tissue characteristic, the control module configured to process the optical signal using a closed loop control loop and provide continual control of the output of the electrosurgical generator in response to the optical tissue characteristic.

Abstract: A system for monitoring and/or controlling tissue modification during an electrosurgical procedure is disclosed. The system includes a sensor module and a control module operatively coupled to the sensor module and configured to control the delivery of electrosurgical energy to tissue based on information provided by the sensor module. The sensor module further includes at least one optical source configured to generate light and at least one optical detector configured to analyze a portion of the light transmitted through, and/or reflected from, the tissue.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for use in sterilizing a surgical instrument is provided. The apparatus includes a surgical instrument that includes a housing having a shaft extending therefrom. The shaft includes one or more grooves defined therein that extends at least partially along the length thereof. The one or more grooves is configured to allow a sterilant passage therethrough. The apparatus also includes a jacket that encloses the shaft and allows the sterilant to travel along the one or more grooves.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for use in sterilizing a surgical instrument is provided. The apparatus includes a surgical instrument that includes a housing having a shaft extending therefrom. The shaft includes one or more grooves defined therein that extends at least partially along the length thereof. The one or more grooves is configured to allow a sterilant passage therethrough. The apparatus also includes a jacket that encloses the shaft and allows the sterilant to travel along the one or more grooves.

Abstract: A system for monitoring and/or controlling tissue modification during an electrosurgical procedure is disclosed. The system includes a sensor module and a control module operatively coupled to the sensor module and configured to control the delivery of electrosurgical energy to tissue based on information provided by the sensor module. The sensor module further includes at least one optical source configured to generate light and at least one optical detector configured to analyze a portion of the light transmitted through, and/or reflected from, the tissue.

Abstract: A control system for controlling the output of an electrosurgical generator is disclosed. The control system includes a control module configured to receive an optical signal from a surgical site, the optical signal being related to an optical tissue characteristic, the control module configured to process the optical signal using a closed loop control loop and provide continual control of the output of the electrosurgical generator in response to the optical tissue characteristic.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to intravascular thrombectomy systems and methods for ablating a partial or complete blockage in a blood vessel. The system includes a catheter sleeve defining a lumen extending therethrough; a pair of electrodes disposed at a distal end portion of the catheter sleeve, wherein the pair of electrodes are disposed on opposed sides of the lumen of the catheter sleeve; and a guidewire slidably disposed within the lumen of the catheter sleeve, the guidewire including a capture element supported proximate a distal end thereof, wherein the guidewire is slidable with respect to the catheter sleeve to expose the capture element from the distal end portion of the catheter sleeve; wherein the capture element includes a first condition retracted onto the guidewire and a second condition at least substantially spans the entire lumen of the vessel.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling electrosurgical snares are disclosed. The system includes an electrosurgical instrument having an elongate tubular sheath having proximal and distal ends, the sheath having a longitudinal axis defined therethrough and a shaft having proximal and distal ends. The shaft extends through and is axially movable relative to the sheath. A snare loop is provided at the distal end of the shaft and is configured for encircling tissue. Movement of the shaft relative to the tubular sheath changes the diameter of the exposed snare loop. A feedback sensor operatively connected to the elongated tubular sheath which determines at least one condition of the snare loop, and an electrosurgical generator provides electrosurgical energy to the electrosurgical snare instrument. The generator is configured to receive feedback measurements from the electrosurgical snare instrument and to adjust electrosurgical energy as a function of the measurements.

Abstract: A bipolar electrosurgical instrument has opposable seal surfaces on its jaws for grasping and sealing vessels and vascular tissue. Inner and outer instrument members allow arcuate motion of the seal surfaces. An open lockbox provides a pivot with lateral support to maintain alignment of the lateral surfaces. Ratchets on the instrument members hold a constant closure force on the tissue during the seal process. A shank portion on each member is tuned to provide an appropriate spring force to hold the seal surfaces together. During surgery, the instrument can be used to grasp and clamp vascular tissue and apply bipolar electrosurgical current through the clamped tissue. In one embodiment, the seal surfaces are partially insulated to prevent a short circuit when the instrument jaws are closed together. In another embodiment, the seal surfaces are removably mounted on the jaws.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument having a movement sensing device for controlling the electrosurgical output thereof, is disclosed. In one aspect of the present disclosure, the electrosurgical instrument includes an elongated housing, an electrically conductive element supported within the housing and extending distally from the housing, the electrically conductive element connectable to a source of electrosurgical energy, and a sensor disposed within the housing and in electrical connection with the electrosurgical generator. The sensor detects movement of the electrically conductive element and communicates a signal to the electrosurgical generator relating to the movement of the electrically conductive element. The source of electrosurgical energy supplies electrosurgical energy in response to the signal from the sensor.

Abstract: An electrosurgical system is provided that includes an electrosurgical generator; and an electrosurgical pencil selectively connectable to the electrosurgical generator. The electrosurgical pencil includes an elongated housing; at least one electrocautery end effector removably supportable within the housing and extending distally from the housing, the electrocautery end effector being connected to the electrosurgical generator; and at least one voltage divider network supported on the housing. The at least one voltage divider network is electrically connected to the electrosurgical generator and controls at least one of the intensity of electrosurgical energy being delivered to the electrosurgical pencil and the mode of electrosurgical energy being delivered to the electrosurgical pencil.

Abstract: An electrosurgical system is provided that includes an electrosurgical generator; and an electrosurgical pencil selectively connectable to the electrosurgical generator. The electrosurgical pencil includes an elongated housing; at least one electrocautery end effector removably supportable within the housing and extending distally from the housing, the electrocautery end effector being connected to the electrosurgical generator; and at least one voltage divider network supported on the housing. The at least one voltage divider network is electrically connected to the electrosurgical generator and controls at least one of the intensity of electrosurgical energy being delivered to the electrosurgical pencil and the mode of electrosurgical energy being delivered to the electrosurgical pencil.

Abstract: A laparoscopic bipolar electrosurgical instrument for sealing tissue includes a handle having an elongated tube affixed thereto. The tube includes first and second jaw members having electrically conductive sealing surfaces attached to a distal end thereof which are movable from a first position for approximating tissue to a second position for grasping tissue therebetween. The handle includes a fixed handle and a handle which is movable relative to the fixed handle to effect movement of the jaw members from the first position to the second position for grasping tissue. The jaw members connect to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the opposable sealing surfaces are capable of conducting electrosurgical energy through tissue held therebetween. A stop is included for maintaining a minimum separation distance between opposing sealing surfaces. A ratchet is also included to maintain a closure force in the range of about 7 kg/cm2 to about 13 kg/cm2 between opposing sealing surfaces.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to intravascular thrombectomy systems and methods for ablating a partial or complete blockage in a blood vessel. The system includes a catheter sleeve defining a lumen extending therethrough; a pair of electrodes disposed at a distal end portion of the catheter sleeve, wherein the pair of electrodes are disposed on opposed sides of the lumen of the catheter sleeve; and a guidewire slidably disposed within the lumen of the catheter sleeve, the guidewire including a capture element supported proximate a distal end thereof, wherein the guidewire is slidable with respect to the catheter sleeve to expose the capture element from the distal end portion of the catheter sleeve; wherein the capture element includes a first condition retracted onto the guidewire and a second condition at least substantially spans the entire lumen of the vessel.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to intravascular thrombectomy systems and methods for ablating a blockage and preventing the introduction of emboli into the blood stream during and after surgery performed to reduce or ablate the blockage in a blood vessel. The system includes a catheter sleeve having electrodes disposed proximate a distal end portion thereof, either at the distal end itself or axially spaced along the length of the catheter sleeve. The system further includes a capture element which is expandable to span the lumen of the vessel. The capture element is deployable downstream of the blockage. The electrodes of the catheter sleeve may be placed on one side of the blockage or on either side of the blockage.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling electrosurgical snares are disclosed. The system includes an electrosurgical instrument having an elongate tubular sheath having proximal and distal ends, the sheath having a longitudinal axis defined therethrough and a shaft having proximal and distal ends. The shaft extends through and is axially movable relative to the sheath. A snare loop is provided at the distal end of the shaft and is configured for encircling tissue. Movement of the shaft relative to the tubular sheath changes the diameter of the exposed snare loop. A feedback sensor operatively connected to the elongated tubular sheath which determines at least one condition of the snare loop, and an electrosurgical generator provides electrosurgical energy to the electrosurgical snare instrument. The generator is configured to receive feedback measurements from the electrosurgical snare instrument and to adjust electrosurgical energy as a function of the measurements.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling electrosurgical snares are disclosed. The system includes an electrosurgical instrument having an elongate tubular sheath having proximal and distal ends, the sheath having a longitudinal axis defined therethrough and a shaft having proximal and distal ends. The shaft extends through and is axially movable relative to the sheath. A snare loop is provided at the distal end of the shaft and is configured for encircling tissue. Movement of the shaft relative to the tubular sheath changes the diameter of the exposed snare loop. A feedback sensor operatively connected to the elongated tubular sheath which determines at least one condition of the snare loop, and an electrosurgical generator provides electrosurgical energy to the electrosurgical snare instrument. The generator is configured to receive feedback measurements from the electrosurgical snare instrument and to adjust electrosurgical energy as a function of the measurements.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for use in sterilizing a surgical instrument is provided. The apparatus includes a surgical instrument that includes a housing having a shaft extending therefrom. The shaft includes one or more grooves defined therein that extends at least partially along the length thereof. The one or more grooves is configured to allow a sterilant passage therethrough. The apparatus also includes a jacket that encloses the shaft and allows the sterilant to travel along the one or more grooves.

Abstract: A surgical device is disclosed including a housing having an activation switch. The activation switch is adapted to couple to an electrosurgical energy source and includes a knob. The knob is slideable with respect to the housing and travels within a guide channel defined within the housing. The activation switch is selectively moveable in a first direction within the guide channel. Moving the activation switch in the first direction sets a desired electrosurgical energy level. The activation switch is also moveable is a second direction. Moving the activation switch is the second direction activates the electrosurgical energy source.