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 floating connector adapted for use with microwave surgical instruments is presented. The disclosure provides for the use of cost-effective and readily available non-floating connectors in a floating housing which can compensate for dimensional variations and misalignments between the connectors. Multiple connectors of varying types can therefore be used within a single support housing without requiring the costly precision manufacturing processes normally associated with such multiple connector assemblies. The floating connector is suitable for use with electrical connections as well as fluidic connections.

Abstract: Open electrosurgical forceps for sealing tissue are provided which include first and second shaft portions pivotably associated with one another. Each shaft portion has a jaw member disposed at a distal end thereof. Each of the jaw members includes an electrically conductive sealing surface adapted to communicate electrosurgical energy through tissue held therebetween and a slot formed through the sealing surface thereof. The forceps includes a cutting mechanism operatively associated with the first and second jaw members. The cutting mechanism includes a cutting element disposed within the slot of the at least one jaw member, the cutting element being movable from a first position wherein the cutting element is retracted within the at least one jaw member and a second position in which the cutting element at least partially projects from a sealing surface of the at least one jaw member.

Abstract: A bipolar electrosurgical instrument for clamping, grasping, manipulating, and sealing tissue includes first and second shafts each having a jaw member extending from a distal end thereof and a handle disposed at a proximal end thereof. The handle being operable to effect movement of the jaw members relative to one another from a first position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. The bipolar instrument is connectable to a source of electrical energy having a first electrical potential connected to one of the jaw members and a second electrical potential connected to the other of the jaw members such that the jaw members are capable of selectively conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a seal. Both the first and second electrical potentials are transmitted to the jaw members through the first shaft.

Abstract: A bipolar electrosurgical instrument for clamping, grasping, manipulating, and sealing tissue includes first and second shafts each having a jaw member extending from a distal end thereof and a handle disposed at a proximal end thereof. The handle being operable to effect movement of the jaw members relative to one another from a first position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. The bipolar instrument is connectable to a source of electrical energy having a first electrical potential connected to one of the jaw members and a second electrical potential connected to the other of the jaw members such that the jaw members are capable of selectively conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a seal. Both the first and second electrical potentials are transmitted to the jaw members through the first shaft.

Abstract: An endoscopic forceps is disclosed including an end effector assembly having two jaw members movable from a first position in spaced relation relative to one another to at least a second position closer to one another for grasping tissue therebetween. Each of the jaw members is connectable to an electrosurgical energy source for conducting energy through tissue held therebetween. The jaw members are biased to the first position. The end effector assembly of the endoscopic forceps further includes a wire snare having a proximal end connectable to an electrosurgical energy source and a distal end translatably extending out of one of the jaw members and operatively associated with the other of the jaw members. In use, withdrawal of the proximal end of the wire snare results in movement of the jaw members from the first position to a second position and clamping of the tissue between the jaws.

Abstract: A pressure safety system is provided for use with electrosurgical instruments providing pressurized ionized gas to a surgical site. The pressure safety system includes a series of three cascaded pressure change members to control the pressure of gas delivered to a patient. Pressure safety apparatus for use with electrosurgical instruments providing pressurized ionized gas to a surgical site are also provided. Electrosurgical instruments utilizing the pressure safety system and apparatus are also provided. The instruments include a hand-held applicator, a portable actuator assembly and the pressure safety system to control the pressure of gas delivered to a patient.

Abstract: An endoscopic forceps is disclosed including an end effector assembly having two jaw members movable from a first position in spaced relation relative to one another to at least a second position closer to one another for grasping tissue therebetween. Each of the jaw members is connectable to an electrosurgical energy source for conducting energy through tissue held therebetween. The jaw members are biased to the first position. The end effector assembly of the endoscopic forceps further includes a wire snare having a proximal end connectable to an electrosurgical energy source and a distal end translatably extending out of one of the jaw members and operatively associated with the other of the jaw members. In use, withdrawal of the proximal end of the wire snare results in movement of the jaw members from the first position to a second position and clamping of the tissue between the jaws.

Abstract: A floating connector adapted for use with microwave surgical instruments is presented. The disclosure provides for the use of cost-effective and readily available non-floating connectors in a floating housing which can compensate for dimensional variations and misalignments between the connectors. Multiple connectors of varying types can therefore be used within a single support housing without requiring the costly precision manufacturing processes normally associated with such multiple connector assemblies. The floating connector is suitable for use with electrical connections as well as fluidic connections.

Abstract: An ablation electrode system includes a handle assembly; a needle electrode assembly supported in and extending from the handle assembly. The needle electrode assembly includes an outer tube having at least a conductive distal tip and defining a cavity therein; and an inner tube disposed at least partially within the cavity of the outer tube and defining a lumen therein. The ablation electrode assembly includes a hub assembly fluidly connected to the needle electrode assembly. The hub assembly defines a first chamber and a second chamber; wherein the proximal end portion of the inner tube is in fluid communication with the first chamber and the proximal end portion of the outer tube is in fluid communication with the second chamber. The ablation electrode assembly includes a first fluid conduit fluidly connected to the first chamber; and a second fluid conduit fluidly connected to the second chamber.

Abstract: A floating connector adapted for use with microwave surgical instruments is presented. The disclosure provides for the use of cost-effective and readily available non-floating connectors in a floating housing which can compensate for dimensional variations and misalignments between the connectors. Multiple connectors of varying types can therefore be used within a single support housing without requiring the costly precision manufacturing processes normally associated with such multiple connector assemblies. The floating connector is suitable for use with electrical connections as well as fluidic connections.

Abstract: A floating connector adapted for use with microwave surgical instruments is presented. The disclosure provides for the use of cost-effective and readily available non-floating connectors in a floating housing which can compensate for dimensional variations and misalignments between the connectors. Multiple connectors of varying types can therefore be used within a single support housing without requiring the costly precision manufacturing processes normally associated with such multiple connector assemblies. The floating connector is suitable for use with electrical connections as well as fluidic connections.

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 electrosurgical apparatus for coagulating tissue includes an elongated housing and an electrode located adjacent the distal end of the housing. The electrode can be connected to a source of electrosurgical energy. At least one actuator is included which electrosurgically energizes the electrode. The apparatus also includes a relatively small gas cylinder which contains a pressurized gas consisting of inert gas and which is selectively seated in the housing. Upon actuation of the actuator, gas is dispersed under pressure from the gas cylinder to the electrode and is ionized prior to the distribution of the gas into the operating field.

Abstract: An electrosurgical apparatus for performing a surgical procedure includes a housing having an elongated flexible shaft with proximal and distal ends. The shaft having a plurality of tubes disposed therein that define a corresponding plurality of working channels configured to house a corresponding plurality of surgical instruments. An actuator is dimensioned for selective reciprocation within the shaft and configured to operably engage one or more of the corresponding plurality of surgical instruments and deploy the corresponding surgical instrument to an operating cavity as needed during a surgical procedure.

Abstract: Disclosed is an ignition system for initiating a plasma arc in an electrosurgical system. The system includes a source of high frequency electrical energy having a terminal of active potential and a terminal of return potential a base having a distal end from which a plasma arc emanates, an active electrode operatively coupled with the base and electrically in circuit with the terminal of active potential. The ignition system may have a piezoelectric device electrically coupled to the active electrode to create at least one high voltage spark when the system is initially activated. Alternately, the ignition system may include a heater or heating device of heating the active electrode and producing free electrons to assist in the initiation of the plasma arc.

Abstract: Disclosed is an ignition system for initiating a plasma arc in an electrosurgical system. The system includes a source of high frequency electrical energy having a terminal of active potential and a terminal of return potential a base having a distal end from which a plasma arc emanates, an active electrode operatively coupled with the base and electrically in circuit with the terminal of active potential. The ignition system may have a piezoelectric device electrically coupled to the active electrode to create at least one high voltage spark when the system is initially activated. Alternately, the ignition system may include a heater or heating device of heating the active electrode and producing free electrons to assist in the initiation of the plasma arc.

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 floating connector adapted for use with microwave surgical instruments is presented. The disclosure provides for the use of cost-effective and readily available non-floating connectors in a floating housing which can compensate for dimensional variations and misalignments between the connectors. Multiple connectors of varying types can therefore be used within a single support housing without requiring the costly precision manufacturing processes normally associated with such multiple connector assemblies. The floating connector is suitable for use with electrical connections as well as fluidic connections.

Abstract: A bipolar electrosurgical instrument for clamping, grasping, manipulating, and sealing tissue includes first and second shafts each having a jaw member extending from a distal end thereof and a handle disposed at a proximal end thereof. The handle being operable to effect movement of the jaw members relative to one another from a first position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. The bipolar instrument is connectable to a source of electrical energy having a first electrical potential connected to one of the jaw members and a second electrical potential connected to the other of the jaw members such that the jaw members are capable of selectively conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a seal. Both the first and second electrical potentials are transmitted to the jaw members through the first shaft.