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: An endoscopic bipolar forceps includes a housing having a shaft affixed thereto, the shaft including jaw members at a distal end thereof. The shaft includes jaw members adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the jaw members are capable of conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a tissue seal. The forceps include a drive assembly that moves the jaw members relative to one another from a first position to a second position for manipulating tissue. A movable handle is included that is rotatable about a pivot. A knife assembly is also included having a movable knife rod to operatively engage a knife blade, the knife rod having a first longitudinal section having a first predetermined shape, and a second longitudinal section having a second predetermined shape. The first predetermined shape is different than the second predetermined shape.

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 an end effector assembly having first and second jaw members moveable relative to one another between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween. In the approximated position, the jaw members cooperate to define a cavity that is configured to house tissue grasped between the jaw members. An injectable material configured for injection into the cavity defined by the jaw members is also provided. The injectable material is configured to substantially surround tissue housed within the cavity. The injectable material is transitionable from a first state, facilitating injection of the injectable material into the cavity, to a second state, wherein the injectable material forms about tissue housed within the cavity to occlude tissue.

Abstract: An electrosurgical forceps includes a shaft that extends from a housing of the electrosurgical forceps. An end effector assembly is operably coupled to a distal end of the shaft and includes a pair of first and second jaw members. Each jaw member has a jaw housing and an electrosurgical seal plate. The first jaw member is movable relative to the second jaw member from an open configuration to a clamping configuration. The first jaw member includes an elongated channel defined in its respective jaw housing and extends along a length thereof. A drive assembly operably couples to the first jaw member via a drive rod that is engageable with the elongated channel to move the first jaw member from the open configuration to the clamping configuration and to provide a closure force between the jaw members when the jaw members are in the clamping configuration.

Abstract: A forceps includes an end effector assembly having first and second jaw members. Each jaw member includes a bifurcated proximal flange extending therefrom defining first and second spaced-apart flange components. The first flange components are pivotably engaged to one another via a first engagement portion and the second flange components are pivotably engaged to one another via a second engagement portion. One or both of the jaw members is pivotable relative to the other about the first and second engagement portions between an open position and a closed position for grasping tissue therebetween. A guide member is configured for positioning between the proximal flanges of the jaw members. The guide member includes a tab extending transversely therefrom that is configured to operably engaged one of the first and second engagement portions to retain the jaw members in engagement with one another.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an end effector assembly includes providing first and second jaw members moveable relative to one another about a pivot between a first, spaced-apart position and a second, approximated position. One of the first and second jaw members includes a cavity defined therein and the other of the first and second jaw members includes a stop member configured to be inserted into the cavity. A gap-setting gauge is grasped between the first and second jaw members to define a gap-distance between the jaw members equivalent to a thickness of the gap-setting gauge. The first and second jaw members are set such that the jaw members are prevented from approximation beyond the gap-distance.

Abstract: A forceps includes an end effector assembly having first and second jaw members. Each of the jaw members includes a proximal flange extending therefrom. Each of the proximal flanges defines a bifurcated configuration having first and second spaced-apart flange components. The first flange component of the first jaw member is configured to pivotably engage the second flange component of the second jaw member via a first protrusion-aperture coupling. The first flange component of the second jaw member is configured to pivotably engage the second flange component of the first jaw member via a second protrusion-aperture coupling different from the first protrusion-aperture coupling. One or both of the jaw members is pivotable relative to the other about the first and second protrusion-aperture couplings between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween.

Abstract: An electrosurgical generator is disclosed. The generator includes an RF output stage configured to supply electrosurgical energy to tissue via at least one active electrode configured to apply electrosurgical energy to tissue; sensing circuitry configured to measure impedance of tissue; and a controller.

Abstract: An electrosurgical forceps includes a shaft that extends from a housing of the electrosurgical forceps. An end effector assembly is operably coupled to a distal end of the shaft and includes a pair of first and second jaw members. Each jaw member has a jaw housing and an electrosurgical seal plate. The first jaw member is movable relative to the second jaw member from an open configuration to a clamping configuration. The first jaw member includes an elongated channel defined in its respective jaw housing and extends along a length thereof. A drive assembly operably couples to the first jaw member via a drive rod that is engageable with the elongated channel to move the first jaw member from the open configuration to the clamping configuration and to provide a closure force between the jaw members when the jaw members are in the clamping configuration.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an end effector assembly includes providing first and second jaw members moveable relative to one another about a pivot between a first, spaced-apart position and a second, approximated position. One of the first and second jaw members includes a cavity defined therein and the other of the first and second jaw members includes a stop member configured to be inserted into the cavity. A gap-setting gauge is grasped between the first and second jaw members to define a gap-distance between the jaw members equivalent to a thickness of the gap-setting gauge. The first and second jaw members are set such that the jaw members are prevented from approximation beyond the gap-distance.

Abstract: An endoscopic bipolar forceps includes a housing having a shaft affixed thereto, the shaft including jaw members at a distal end thereof. The forceps also includes a drive assembly which moves the jaw member relative to one another for manipulating tissue and a knife assembly for cutting tissue disposed between jaw members. The forceps also includes a knife lockout mechanism operatively connected to the drive assembly. Movement of the drive assembly moves the knife lockout mechanism from a first orientation in obstructive relationship with the knife bar to prevent movement thereof to a second position which allows selective, unencumbered movement of the knife assembly to cut tissue disposed between the jaw members.

Abstract: An electrosurgical generator is disclosed. The generator includes an RF output stage configured to supply electrosurgical energy to tissue via at least one active electrode configured to apply electrosurgical energy to tissue; sensing circuitry configured to measure impedance of tissue; and a controller. The controller is configured to determine occurrence of a tissue reaction as a function of a minimum impedance value and a predetermined rise in impedance, wherein tissue reaction corresponds to a boiling point of tissue fluid; generate a target impedance trajectory as a function of measured impedance and desired rate of change based on the tissue reaction determination, wherein the target impedance trajectory includes a plurality of target impedance values; and drive tissue impedance along the target impedance trajectory by adjusting the output of the electrosurgical generator to substantially match tissue impedance to a corresponding target impedance for at least a predetermined minimum time period.

Abstract: An electrosurgical forceps includes a shaft that extends from a housing of the electrosurgical forceps. An end effector assembly is operably coupled to a distal end of the shaft and includes a pair of first and second jaw members. Each jaw member has a jaw housing and an electrosurgical seal plate. The first jaw member is movable relative to the second jaw member from an open configuration to a clamping configuration. The first jaw member includes an elongated channel defined in its respective jaw housing and extends along a length thereof. A drive assembly operably couples to the first jaw member via a drive rod that is engageable with the elongated channel to move the first jaw member from the open configuration to the clamping configuration and to provide a closure force between the jaw members when the jaw members are in the clamping configuration.

Abstract: A forceps includes an end effector assembly having first and second jaw members. Each of the jaw members includes a proximal flange extending therefrom. Each of the proximal flanges defines a bifurcated configuration having first and second spaced-apart flange components. The first flange component of the first jaw member is configured to pivotably engage the second flange component of the second jaw member via a first protrusion-aperture coupling. The first flange component of the second jaw member is configured to pivotably engage the second flange component of the first jaw member via a second protrusion-aperture coupling different from the first protrusion-aperture coupling. One or both of the jaw members is pivotable relative to the other about the first and second protrusion-aperture couplings between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween.

Abstract: An end effector assembly having first and second jaw members is provided where one or both of the jaw members is moveable relative to the other between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween. One (or both) of the jaw members includes an inwardly-facing surface having a slot defined therein and a wire having an insulative coating. A seal plate has at least one protrusion that is configured to be disposed in the slot. The at least one protrusion of the seal plate is configured to displace the insulative coating from the wire thereby forming an electrical connection therewith when the at least one protrusion is disposed in the slot.

Abstract: An endoscopic bipolar forceps includes a housing having a shaft affixed thereto, the shaft including jaw members at a distal end thereof. The forceps also includes a drive assembly which moves the jaw member relative to one another for manipulating tissue and a knife assembly for cutting tissue disposed between jaw members. The forceps also includes a knife lockout mechanism operatively connected to the drive assembly. Movement of the drive assembly moves the knife lockout mechanism from a first orientation in obstructive relationship with the knife bar to prevent movement thereof to a second position which allows selective, unencumbered movement of the knife assembly to cut 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 a distal end thereof, which includes two jaw members for grasping tissue therebetween. Each jaw member is adapted to connect to an electrosurgical energy source, enabling them to affect a tissue seal to tissue held therebetween. A drive assembly is included within the housing for moving the jaw members. A movable handle is also included, such that movement of the handle actuates the drive assembly to move the jaw members relative to each other. A knife channel is included within the end effector configured to allow reciprocation of a knife blade within the knife channel. The knife blade includes a proximal edge adapted to engage a proximal edge of the end effector to impede translation of the knife blade when the jaw members are in an open configuration and the knife blade is retracted within 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 shaft formed via extrusion. The shaft has one or more lumens extending therethrough. The lumen(s) each define a cross-sectional configuration. An end effector assembly is coupled to a distal end of the shaft. One or more components are coupled to the end effector assembly. The component(s) extend proximally from the end effector into the lumen(s) of the shaft. One or more of the components is formed via stamping. The component(s) define a cross-sectional configuration substantially complementary to the cross-section configuration of the lumen into which they extend.