Abstract: A jaw assembly includes an electrically-conductive tissue-engaging structure, a jaw member including a support base, and a non-electrically conductive member including a first portion configured to engage the electrically-conductive tissue-engaging structure and a second portion configured to engage the support base of the jaw member. The non-electrically conductive member adapted to electrically isolate the electrically-conductive tissue-engaging structure from the jaw member. The electrically-conductive tissue-engaging structure and the non-electrically conductive member cooperatively define a longitudinally-oriented knife channel therethrough.

Abstract: A forceps includes a housing having a shaft. An end effector assembly operatively connects to a distal end of the shaft and includes a pair of first and second jaw members. One or both of the first and second jaw members is movable relative to the other jaw member from a clamping position to an open position. A resilient member operably couples to the first and second jaw members. The resilient member is configured to bias the first and second jaw members in the clamping position and provide a closure force on tissue disposed therebetween.

Abstract: An endoscopic forceps is provided and includes a housing having a shaft. An end effector assembly operatively connects to a distal end of the shaft and has a pair of first and second jaw members. One of the first and second jaw members is movable relative to the other jaw member from an open position, to a clamping position. One of the first and second jaw members includes one or more cam slots defined therein and configured to receive a cam member that upon movement thereof rotates the movable jaw member from the open position to the clamping position. A resilient member is operably coupled to the jaw member that includes the one or more cam slots. The resilient member is configured to provide a camming force to the cam slot and to bias the first and second jaw members in the clamping position.

Abstract: An endoscopic bipolar forceps includes a housing and a shaft, the shaft having an end effector assembly at its distal end. The end effector assembly includes two jaw members for grasping tissue therebetween. The jaw members are adapted to connect to an electrosurgical energy source which enable them to conduct energy through the tissue to create a tissue seal. A drive assembly is disposed within the housing which moves the jaw members. A switch is disposed within the housing which activates the electrosurgical energy. A knife assembly is included which is advanceable to cut tissue held between the jaw members. A movable handle is connected to the housing. Continual actuation of the movable handle engages the drive assembly to move the jaw members, engages the switch to activate the electrosurgical energy source to seal the tissue, and advances the knife assembly the cut the tissue disposed between the jaw members.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an end effector and a housing mechanically coupled to the end effector. The end effector includes a first actuating device configured to perform a first surgical procedure and a second actuating device integrally associated with the first actuating device and configured to perform a second surgical procedure, the second surgical procedure being independently operable and different than the first surgical procedure. An outer portion of the first actuating device and an outer portion of the second actuating device form a portion of an outer housing of the end effector. The housing includes a first actuator, mechanically coupled to the first actuating device and configured to impart movement to the first actuating device and a second actuator, mechanically coupled to the second actuating device and configured to impart movement to the second actuating device.

Abstract: An endoscopic forceps is provided and includes a housing having a shaft. An end effector assembly operatively connects to a distal end of the shaft and has a pair of first and second jaw members. One of the first and second jaw members is movable relative to the other jaw member from an open position, to a clamping position. One of the first and second jaw members includes one or more cam slots defined therein and configured to receive a cam member that upon movement thereof rotates the movable jaw member from the open position to the clamping position. A resilient member is operably coupled to the jaw member that includes the one or more cam slots. The resilient member is configured to provide a camming force to the cam slot and to bias the first and second jaw members in the clamping position.

Abstract: An endoscopic bipolar forceps includes a housing and a shaft, the shaft having an end effector assembly at its distal end. The end effector assembly includes two jaw members for grasping tissue therebetween. The jaw members are adapted to connect to an electrosurgical energy source which enable them to conduct energy through the tissue to create a tissue seal. A drive assembly is disposed within the housing which moves the jaw members. A switch is disposed within the housing which activates the electrosurgical energy. A knife assembly is included which is advanceable to cut tissue held between the jaw members. A movable handle is connected to the housing. Continual actuation of the movable handle engages the drive assembly to move the jaw members, engages the switch to activate the electrosurgical energy source to seal the tissue, and advances the knife assembly the cut the tissue disposed between the jaw members.

Abstract: An endoscopic bipolar forceps includes a housing and a shaft, the shaft having an end effector assembly at its distal end. The end effector assembly includes two jaw members for grasping tissue therebetween. The jaw members are adapted to connect to an electrosurgical energy source which enable them to conduct energy through the tissue to create a tissue seal. A drive assembly is disposed within the housing which moves the jaw members. A switch is disposed within the housing which activates the electrosurgical energy. A knife assembly is included which is advanceable to cut tissue held between the jaw members. A movable handle is connected to the housing. Continual actuation of the movable handle engages the drive assembly to move the jaw members, engages the switch to activate the electrosurgical energy source to seal the tissue, and advances the knife assembly the cut the tissue disposed between the jaw members.

Abstract: An endoscopic forceps is provided and includes a housing having a shaft that extends therefrom. An end effector assembly is operatively connected to a distal end of the shaft and includes a pair of pivotably coupled first and second jaw members. The jaw members are movable relative to one another. A drive mechanism includes a driving structure. A link assembly includes two or more links that are operably coupled to each other and the drive structure. The two or more links are operably coupled to respective ones of the first and second jaw members.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a housing, an energizable member, and a deployment mechanism. The energizable member is movable relative to the housing between a storage position and a deployed position. The deployment mechanism includes a first actuator member movable relative to the housing from a first un-actuated position to a first actuated position to move the energizable member from the storage position to the deployed position and a second actuator member movable relative to the housing from a second un-actuated position to a second actuated position to move the energizable member from the deployed position to the storage position. Movement of the first actuator member from the first un-actuated position to the first actuated position effects movement of the second actuator member from the second actuated position to the second un-actuated position and vice versa.

Abstract: An endoscopic forceps is provided and includes a housing having a shaft that extends therefrom. An end effector assembly is operatively connected to a distal end of the shaft and includes a pair of pivotably coupled first and second jaw members. The jaw members are movable relative to one another. A drive mechanism includes a driving structure. A link assembly includes two or more links that are operably coupled to each other and the drive structure. The two or more links are operably coupled to respective ones of the first and second jaw members.

Abstract: A forceps is provided and includes a housing having a shaft. An end effector assembly operatively connects to a distal end of the shaft and includes a pair of first and second jaw members. One or both of the first and second jaw members is movable relative to the other jaw member from a clamping position to an open position. A resilient member operably couples to at least one of the first and second jaw members. The resilient member is configured to bias the first and second jaw members in the clamping position and provide a closure force on tissue disposed therebetween.

Abstract: A forceps includes an end effector assembly having first and second jaw members moveable with respect to one another between an open position and a closed position. A knife channel having a body and a base is defined within each jaw member. A knife assembly includes a knife having a bifurcated distal end. The bifurcated end includes first and second cutting members each defining an opposed cutting surface and having a tab at a free end thereof for translation through the base of a knife channel. The knife is translatable into the channels when the jaw members are in the closed position such that the cutting members are approximated when translated through the channels. The knife is also translatable into the channels when the jaw members are in the open position such that the cutting members are flexed apart when translated through the jaw members.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a housing, an energizable member, and a deployment mechanism. The energizable member is movable relative to the housing between a storage position and a deployed position. The deployment mechanism includes a first actuator member movable relative to the housing from a first un-actuated position to a first actuated position to move the energizable member from the storage position to the deployed position and a second actuator member movable relative to the housing from a second un-actuated position to a second actuated position to move the energizable member from the deployed position to the storage position. Movement of the first actuator member from the first un-actuated position to the first actuated position effects movement of the second actuator member from the second actuated position to the second un-actuated position and vice versa.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a housing, an inner shaft coupled to and extending distally from the housing, an end effector assembly disposed at a distal end of the inner shaft, an outer sheath that is fixed to the housing, extends distally from the housing, and is disposed about the inner shaft, and an insulative sleeve. The insulative sleeve is positioned between the inner shaft and the outer sheath. The insulative sleeve is movable relative to the inner shaft and the outer sheath between a storage position, wherein the insulative sleeve is positioned proximally of the end effector assembly, and a deployed position, wherein the insulative sleeve substantially surrounds the end effector assembly.

Abstract: A forceps is provided and includes a housing having a shaft. An end effector assembly operatively connects to a distal end of the shaft and includes a pair of first and second jaw members. One or both of the first and second jaw members is movable relative to the other jaw member from a clamping position to an open position. A resilient member operably couples to at least one of the first and second jaw members. The resilient member is configured to bias the first and second jaw members in the clamping position and provide a closure force on tissue disposed therebetween.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a housing, an energizable member selectively deployable relative to the housing, and a deployment mechanism. The deployment mechanism includes a fixed gear rotatable in opposite directions to move the energizable member between the deployed and storage positions. The deployment mechanism further includes an actuator assembly having a first actuator and a first gear, and a reversing assembly. The actuator assembly is movable relative to the fixed gear between an engaged position and a spaced-apart position. The reversing assembly includes a second actuator and a second gear that is movable between a removed position, wherein the first gear is disposed in the engaged position and the second gear is disengaged from the first gear and the fixed gear, and an inserted position, wherein the first gear is moved to the spaced-apart position and the second gear is engaged between the first gear and the fixed gear.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a housing, an energizable member, and a deployment mechanism. The deployment mechanism includes a one-way rotatable member, a linkage, and an actuator. The first end of the linkage is coupled to the one-way rotatable member at an offset position. The second end of the linkage is coupled to the energizable member such that a revolution of the one-way rotatable member moves the energizable member from the storage position to the deployed condition and back to the storage position. The actuator is selectively actuatable from an un-actuated state to an actuated state. Each actuation of the actuator effects a partial revolution of the one-way rotatable member such that each actuation of the actuator moves the energizable member from one of the storage position or the retracted position to the other of the storage position or the retracted positions.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a shaft defining a longitudinal axis therethrough and having an end effector assembly disposed at a distal end thereof. The shaft includes first and second shaft components that are releasably engageable with one another. A drive sleeve is disposed within the shaft and is longitudinally translatable relative to the shaft to transition the end effector assembly between a first state and a second state. The drive sleeve includes first and second drive sleeve components that are releasably engageable with one another. A coupling mechanism includes one or more shaft cantilever springs configured to releasably engage the first and second shaft components to one another and one or more drive sleeve cantilever springs configured to releasably engage the first and second drive sleeve components to one another.

Abstract: An endoscopic forceps includes an elongate shaft defining an instrument axis. An end effector includes first and second jaw members each supporting an opposed sealing surface for clamping tissue. At least one of the jaw members is movable relative to the instrument axis such that the jaw members are movable between a first spaced-apart configuration and a second closed configuration for grasping tissue. A cutting instrument includes a reciprocating blade translatable relative to the sealing surfaces to sever tissue clamped between the jaw members. The reciprocating blade contacts an undersurface of at least one of the jaw members when the jaw members are in the second configuration to define a gap distance between the sealing surfaces. A handle adjacent the proximal end of the elongate shaft is operable to induce motion in the jaw members, and an actuator is operable to selectively translate the reciprocating blade.