Abstract: An electrode sealing assembly for use in combination with an electrosurgical instrument includes first and second jaw members which are movable from a first, spaced-apart position to a second position to grasp tissue. Each of the jaw members includes an insulative housing, a thermally conductive, electrically non-conductive material and a sealing plate. The insulative housing has a series of electromechanical interfaces which mate with a corresponding series of electromechanical interfaces which extend from the sealing plate such that the sealing plates are a capable of conducting bipolar energy through tissue held between the jaw members. The thermally conductive, configured to encapsulate and secure the sealing plate to the insulative housing.

Abstract: A system and method for performing a simulation of an electrosurgical procedure are disclosed. The method includes the steps of generating a three-dimensional medium, which includes one or more material regions representing a physical object. The method also includes the steps of dividing the medium into multiple hexahedron elements to generate a three-dimensional conformal mesh and assigning each element to the material region. The method further includes the steps of calculating an electrical energy solution and a thermal transport solution and generating graphical representations illustrating one or more aspects of the electrical energy and the thermal transport solutions.

Abstract: A bipolar electrosurgical instrument has a pair of pivotable juxtaposed jaw members and a locking mechanism operatively associated with a second of the jaw members. The locking mechanism has a first position engaged with the second jaw member for preventing movement of the second jaw member between an axially aligned orientation and at least one angled orientation, and a second position. The second position is disengaged from the second jaw member allowing for movement of the second jaw member between the axially aligned orientation and the at least one angled orientation. The instrument has an actuation mechanism operatively connected to a first of the jaw members with the actuation mechanism operable to move the first jaw member between an axially aligned first orientation and at least one angled orientation. An articulation knob is operatively associated with the locking mechanism and effectuates independent operation of the locking and actuation mechanisms.

Abstract: An electrode sealing assembly for use with an electrosurgical instrument for sealing tissue includes first and second jaw members which are movable from a first position in spaced relation relative to one another to at least one second position for grasping tissue. The jaw members include electrically conductive sealing plates designed to selectively transmit electrosurgical energy to tissue disposed between the sealing plates. The jaw members also include a thermoelectric cooling plate having a first surface in direct contact with an outer surface of the sealing plate. The thermoelectric cooling plate includes first and second electrical connections on opposite sides of the jaw member. The first connection is configured to selectively transmit a first electrical potential and the second connection is configured to selectively transmit a second electrical potential such that heat generated by the sealing plates is transferred away from the tissue via the thermoelectric cooling plate.

Abstract: An electrode assembly for use in combination with an electrosurgical instrument having opposing end effectors and a handle for effecting movement of the end effectors relative to one another. The electrode assembly includes a housing having one portion which is removably engageable with the electrosurgical instrument and a pair of electrodes each having an electrically conductive sealing surface and an insulating substrate. The electrodes are removably engageable with the end effectors of the electrosurgical instrument such that the electrodes reside in opposing relation relative to one another. The dimensions of the insulating substrate are different from the dimensions of the electrically conductive sealing surface to reduce thermal spread to adjacent tissue structures.

Abstract: An electrode sealing assembly for use in combination with an electrosurgical instrument includes first and second jaw members which are movable from a first, spaced-apart position to a second position to grasp tissue. Each of the jaw members includes an insulative housing, a thermally conductive, electrically non-conductive material and a sealing plate. The insulative housing has a series of electromechanical interfaces which mate with a corresponding series of electromechanical interfaces which extend from the sealing plate such that the sealing plates are a capable of conducting bipolar energy through tissue held between the jaw members. The thermally conductive, electrically non-conductive material is configured to encapsulate and secure the sealing plate to the insulative housing.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument which includes opposing end effectors and a handle for effecting movement of the end effectors relative to one another. The instrument includes a housing and a pair of electrodes. Each electode preferably includes an electrically conductive surface (e.g., which can be dimensioned for sealing, clamping and/or cutting) and an insulating substrate which is dimensioned to be engageable with the end effectors such that the electrodes reside in opposing relation relative to one another. The dimensions of the insulating substrate are different from the dimensions of the electrically conductive surface to reduce thermal spread to adjacent tissue structures. The insulating substrate is made from a material having a Comparative Tracking Index of about 300 volts to about 600 volts to reduce the incidence of flashover.

Abstract: A method for rendering images for display on a client device is provided. A single image may be stored on the server for conversion into an image suitable for display on a particular client device. Image conversion may be performed consistent with the display capabilities of the client device. The display capabilities of the particular device requesting access to a web page may be identified at the time the web page is requested. Converted images may be stored and made available upon request.