Abstract: An electrosurgical forceps includes a housing having a shaft extending distally therefrom. The shaft defines a longitudinal axis therethrough and a knife blade shaft is operably disposed within the shaft. An end effector is operably disposed at a distal end of the shaft. The end effector includes a pair of spaced-apart first and second jaw members that are movable from an open configuration to a clamping configuration. An electrode assembly includes first and second electrode housings and a knife blade. The first and second electrode housings are operably coupled to one another and are configured to selectively couple to respective first and second jaw members to electrosurgically treat tissue clamped between the first and second jaw members. The knife blade is configured to selectively couple to the knife blade shaft.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument has a power supply operatively coupled to an end effector. The end effector has a pair of jaws for effectuating an action on tissue positioned therebetween. The power supply is configured to input a first signal and a second signal to a buck-boost converter. The buck-boost converter is configured to transmit an output to an H-bridge circuit. The H-bridge circuit is configured to pass a signal to a resonant LC transformer circuit. The power supply is configured to transmit a power signal. The pair of jaws are operatively coupled to the power supply to receive the power signal, the power having no more than 80 Volts RMS, and less than 2 Amps RMS. The power is configured to seal the tissue positioned between the pair of jaws in 3 seconds or less.

Abstract: A surgical system and method for fusing tissue are disclosed. The system has an electrosurgical generator capable of delivering electrosurgical power, a surgical instrument electrically connected to the electrosurgical generator and adapted to transfer the electrosurgical power from the electrosurgical generator to a distal end of the surgical instrument, and a power control circuit for controlling the delivery of radio frequency energy to the tissue in contact with the distal end of the surgical instrument. The surgical system is configured to: deliver the radio frequency energy at a non-pulsing power to the tissue for a period of time of 3 seconds or less, wherein the non-pulsing power is held constant, the output current is held under 2 Amperes RMS, and the output voltage is held under 100 Volts RMS, the non-pulsing power further causing the tissue to begin to desiccate and to fuse within the period of time.

Abstract: An endoscopic surgical instrument is provided. The instrument includes a housing, a handle, an elongated shaft extending distally from the housing and defining a longitudinal axis, an end effector assembly, a drive assembly, a clevis, a first link, and a second link. The end effector assembly is disposed adjacent a distal end of the elongated shaft and includes a first jaw member and a second jaw member. The first link is pivotably connected to the clevis about a first pivot axis, and is pivotably connected to the first jaw member about a first jaw member pivot. The second link is pivotably connected to the clevis about a second pivot axis, and is pivotably connected to the second jaw member about a second jaw member pivot. The first pivot axis and the second pivot axis are offset from the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: Disclosed is a biopsy specimen carrier adapted for tissue biopsy samples where the specimen need not be removed or handled once housed within and including a backer board, a media removable secured to the backer board, a media carrier removable secured to the media and receptive to hold a tissue biopsy sample, a first strip of adhesive material on the media adjacent to the media carrier, and a release strip covering the first strip of adhesive material. The media is foldable to cover the media carrier carrying a tissue biopsy sample and is secured to the first strip of adhesive material with the release strip removed.

Abstract: Blood flow into vascular tissue is filtered in a manner that can also be useful for trapping particulates while allowing the flow of blood. Consistent with one or more embodiments, a filter apparatus includes a filter, an outer delivery sheath such as a catheter, and one or more shafts that are operable to manipulate the shape of the filter for positioning within vascular tissue. The filter conforms to various types of vascular tissue, and filters blood flow passing through openings in the vascular tissue. In some implementations, the filter is used to trap particulates that have been collected on the filter, and collapses to trap and draw the particulates into the outer delivery sheath.

Abstract: Blood flow into vascular tissue is filtered in a manner that can also be useful for trapping particulates while allowing the flow of blood. Consistent with one or more embodiments, a filter apparatus includes a filter, an outer delivery sheath such as a catheter, and one or more shafts that are operable to manipulate the shape of the filter for positioning within vascular tissue. The filter conforms to various types of vascular tissue, and filters blood flow passing through openings in the vascular tissue. In some implementations, the filter is used to trap particulates that have been collected on the filter, and collapses to trap and draw the particulates into the outer delivery sheath.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to electrosurgical instruments for use in sealing various tissues. The instrument includes a housing having a shaft attached thereto and an end effector assembly attached to a distal end of the shaft, wherein the end effector assembly includes first and second jaw members attached thereto. The jaw members are movable relative to one another from a first position for approximating tissue to at least one additional position for grasping tissue therebetween. The jaw members have an elastomeric material disposed on an inner facing tissue contacting surface thereof with the elastomeric materials including an electrode disposed therein. The electrodes are offset a distance X relative to one another such that when the jaw members are closed about the tissue and when the electrodes are activated, electrosurgical energy flows through the tissue in a generally coplanar manner relative to the tissue contacting surfaces.

Abstract: A tissue ablation device is provided for use in soft tissue and/or in bone. It is configured to include an inner probe with a first electrode and a second electrode and an outer needle through which the inner probe extends. After the inner probe is directed therewithin to a target, the outer needle can be withdrawn to expose space between the first and second electrodes to form an RF or other energy field for tissue ablation therebetween upon actuation of an energy source. Such embodiments may include methods for tissue ablation and placement of stabilizing materials.

Abstract: An endoscopic surgical instrument is provided. The instrument includes a housing, a handle, an elongated shaft extending distally from the housing and defining a longitudinal axis, an end effector assembly, a drive assembly, a clevis, a first link, and a second link. The end effector assembly is disposed adjacent a distal end of the elongated shaft and includes a first jaw member and a second jaw member. The first link is pivotably connected to the clevis about a first pivot axis, and is pivotably connected to the first jaw member about a first jaw member pivot. The second link is pivotably connected to the clevis about a second pivot axis, and is pivotably connected to the second jaw member about a second jaw member pivot. The first pivot axis and the second pivot axis are offset from the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: Disclosed is a biopsy specimen carrier adapted for tissue biopsy samples where the specimen need not be removed or handled once housed within and including a backer board, a media removable secured to the backer board, a media carrier removable secured to the media and receptive to hold a tissue biopsy sample, a first strip of adhesive material on the media adjacent to the media carrier, and a release strip covering the first strip of adhesive material. The media is foldable to cover the media carrier carrying a tissue biopsy sample and is secured to the first strip of adhesive material with the release strip removed.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to computer-implemented methods, computer-readable media, and computer systems for providing an intelligent news management platform and social media platform services. One computer-implemented method includes collecting detection data, extracting event data from the collected detection data, prioritizing the extracted event data to created prioritized event data, scoring the prioritized collected event data against a newsworthiness threshold to create scored event data, associating the score with the scored event data, storing the scored event data into an event data store, determining that the scored event data is at least equal to the newsworthiness threshold, marking the scored event data as actionable, and reporting the scored event data.

Abstract: A laparoscopic surgical device is provided, including a removable tool-comprising shaft having an outer shaft and an inner actuation rod that may be removably or permanently connected together. A handle of the device includes a two-button mechanism for engaging and releasing the removable tool-comprising shaft. The two-button mechanism is configured to engage overlapping corresponding apertures of the outer shaft and the inner rod that extends through the outer shaft, and the handle may include a variety of configurations that can readily interchangeably be used with different tool bodies.

Abstract: An electrosurgical forceps includes a housing having a shaft extending distally therefrom. The shaft defines a longitudinal axis therethrough and a knife blade shaft is operably disposed within the shaft. An end effector is operably disposed at a distal end of the shaft. The end effector includes a pair of spaced-apart first and second jaw members that are movable from an open configuration to a clamping configuration. An electrode assembly includes first and second electrode housings and a knife blade. The first and second electrode housings are operably coupled to one another and are configured to selectively couple to respective first and second jaw members to electrosurgically treat tissue clamped between the first and second jaw members. The knife blade is configured to selectively couple to the knife blade shaft.

Abstract: A surgical system and method for fusing tissue are disclosed. The system has an electrosurgical generator capable of delivering electrosurgical power, a surgical instrument electrically connected to the electrosurgical generator and adapted to transfer the electrosurgical power from the electrosurgical generator to a distal end of the surgical instrument, and a power control circuit for controlling the delivery of radio frequency energy to the tissue in contact with the distal end of the surgical instrument. The surgical system is configured to: deliver the radio frequency energy at a non-pulsing power to the tissue for a period of time of 3 seconds or less, wherein the non-pulsing power is held constant, the output current is held under 2 Amperes RMS, and the output voltage is held under 100 Volts RMS, the non-pulsing power further causing the tissue to begin to desiccate and to fuse within the period of time.

Abstract: An electrosurgical forceps is provided. The electrosurgical forceps includes a housing having a shaft extending distally therefrom. The shaft defines a longitudinal axis therethrough and a knife blade shaft is operably disposed within the shaft. An end effector is operably disposed at a distal end of the shaft. The end effector includes a pair of spaced-apart first and second jaw members that are movable from an open configuration to a clamping configuration. An electrode assembly includes first and second electrode housings and a knife blade. The first and second electrode housings are operably coupled to one another and are configured to selectively couple to respective first and second jaw members to electrosurgically treat tissue clamped between the first and second jaw members. The knife blade is configured to selectively couple to the knife blade shaft.

Abstract: Blood flow into vascular tissue is filtered in a manner that can also be useful for trapping particulates while allowing the flow of blood. Consistent with one or more embodiments, a filter apparatus includes a filter, an outer delivery sheath such as a catheter, and one or more shafts that are operable to manipulate the shape of the filter for positioning within vascular tissue. The filter conforms to various types of vascular tissue, and filters blood flow passing through openings in the vascular tissue. In some implementations, the filter is used to trap particulates that have been collected on the filter, and collapses to trap and draw the particulates into the outer delivery sheath.

Abstract: A surgical system and associated method for fusing tissue are disclosed. The system has an electrosurgical generator capable of delivering electrosurgical power, a surgical instrument, and a power control circuit. The surgical instrument is electrically connected to the electrosurgical generator and adapted to transfer electrosurgical power from the electrosurgical generator to a distal end of the surgical instrument. The power control circuit controls the delivery of radio frequency energy to tissue in contact with the distal end of the surgical instrument. The surgical system is configured to deliver radio frequency energy at a non-pulsing power to the tissue for a period of time of 3 seconds or less. The non-pulsing power has no less than 7 Watts and no more than 35 Watts, and further causes the tissue to begin to desiccate and to fuse within the period of time.

Abstract: A laparoscopic surgical device is provided, including a removable tool-comprising shaft having an outer shaft and an inner actuation rod that may be removably or permanently connected together. A handle of the device includes a two-button mechanism for engaging and releasing the removable tool-comprising shaft. The two-button mechanism is configured to engage overlapping corresponding apertures of the outer shaft and the inner rod that extends through the outer shaft, and the handle may include a variety of configurations that can readily interchangeably be used with different tool bodies.

Abstract: A surgical system and associated method for fusing tissue are disclosed. The system has an electrosurgical generator capable of delivering electrosurgical power, a surgical instrument, and a power control circuit. The surgical instrument is electrically connected to the electrosurgical generator and adapted to transfer electrosurgical power from the electrosurgical generator to a distal end of the surgical instrument. The power control circuit controls the delivery of radio frequency energy to tissue in contact with the distal end of the surgical instrument. The surgical system is configured to deliver radio frequency energy at a non-pulsing power to the tissue for a period of time of 3 seconds or less. The non-pulsing power has no less than 7 Watts and no more than 35 Watts, and further causes the tissue to begin to desiccate and to fuse within the period of time.