Abstract: The electrosurgical systems and corresponding methods of the present disclosure involve an electrosurgical generator, sensing circuitry, and a controller. The electrosurgical generator includes a radio frequency (RF) output stage that supplies power to tissue. The sensing circuitry measures impedance of tissue. The controller controls the power supplied from the RF output stage to track a nonlinear power curve until the power supplied from the RF output stage has reached a predetermined peak power of the nonlinear power curve. The controller further determines whether a tissue reaction has occurred based on impedance measured by the sensing circuitry and controls the power supplied from the RF output stage during a cooling phase if the controller determines that a tissue reaction has occurred. The controller may further control the power supplied from the RF output stage to track a linear power curve.

Abstract: A forceps includes an end effector assembly including a pair of jaw members disposed in opposing relation relative to one another. At least one jaw member is moveable relative to the other between a spaced apart position, a first approximated position, and a second approximated position. The jaw members are configured to apply a pre-determined pressure to tissue disposed therebetween in each of the first and second approximated positions. A sealing pressure is applied to tissue disposed between the jaw members when the jaw members are in the first approximated position. A cutting pressure is applied to tissue disposed between the jaw members when the jaw members are in the second approximated position.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an elongated shaft having a distal portion and a proximal portion coupled to a housing. An inner shaft member extends at least partially through the elongated shaft and is selectively movable in a longitudinal direction. An end effector is supported by the distal portion of the elongated shaft. The end effector includes upper and lower jaw members pivotally coupled to the distal portion of the elongated shaft about a pivot axis and including a pair of laterally spaced flanges. The pairs of flanges of the jaw members are arranged in an offset configuration such that one flange of the upper jaw member is positioned on a laterally exterior side of a corresponding flange of the lower jaw member, and the other flange of the upper jaw member is positioned on a laterally interior side of the other flange of the lower jaw member.

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 surgical instrument includes a housing and an elongated shaft having a distal portion and a proximal portion coupled to the housing. The elongated shaft defines a longitudinal axis and a mandrel at the proximal portion. An inner shaft member extends at least partially through the elongated shaft. An actuating mechanism is operably coupled to the mandrel and is configured to selectively cause movement of the elongated shaft in a longitudinal direction with respect to the inner shaft member. The surgical also includes an end effector that is adapted for treating tissue and includes an upper jaw member pivotally coupled to a distal portion of the inner shaft member about a pivot axis and a lower jaw member supported by the distal portion of the elongated shaft. Longitudinal movement of the elongated shaft is configured to pivot the upper jaw member relative to the lower jaw member.

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: A surgical instrument includes a housing and an elongated shaft having a distal portion and a proximal portion coupled to the housing. The elongated shaft defines a longitudinal axis and a mandrel at the proximal portion. An inner shaft member extends at least partially through the elongated shaft. An actuating mechanism is operably coupled to the mandrel and is configured to selectively cause movement of the elongated shaft in a longitudinal direction with respect to the inner shaft member. The surgical also includes an end effector that is adapted for treating tissue and includes an upper jaw member pivotally coupled to a distal portion of the inner shaft member about a pivot axis and a lower jaw member supported by the distal portion of the elongated shaft. Longitudinal movement of the elongated shaft is configured to pivot the upper jaw member relative to the lower jaw member.

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 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 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 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 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.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument includes a housing including an elongated shaft. A stationary actuation member is axially disposed within the elongated shaft and includes a cam pin. An actuating mechanism is operably coupled to the elongated shaft and is moveable relative to the housing to selectively cause movement of the elongated shaft. An end effector includes a pair of opposing first and second jaw members operably coupled about a common pivot. One or both of the jaw members includes a camming slot configured to engage the cam pin. Each jaw member includes an electrically conductive tissue sealing surface adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy. A knife blade is supported in the elongated shaft and moveable in a longitudinal direction to cut tissue disposed between the jaw members. A wire retention unit is supported within the housing and includes a plurality of wire clasps and a plurality of guide ribs configured to define at least one wire path.

Abstract: A forceps includes an end effector assembly defining a longitudinal axis and including a pair of jaw members disposed in opposing relation relative to one another. At least one jaw member is moveable relative to the other between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween. Each jaw member includes a jaw housing and an opposed electrically conductive sealing surface. The opposed sealing surfaces define a sealing area therebetween. A cutting mechanism is disposed on the jaw housing of one of the jaw members opposite the respective sealing surface and is configured to cut tissue externally-positioned relative to the sealing area upon translation of the cutting mechanism with respect to tissue.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is provided. The surgical instrument includes a housing. A movable handle is coupled to the housing and is configured to approximate a pair of jaw members toward and away from one another. A latch mechanism operably couples to the movable handle and includes one or more mechanical interfaces configured to selectively engage a corresponding mechanical interface disposed within the housing to lock and unlock the jaw members in an approximated configuration. When the movable handle is in a jammed position, the mechanical interface(s) of the latch mechanism is/are configured to deform and separate from the corresponding mechanical interface disposed within the housing when the movable handle is moved from the jammed position.

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: A forceps includes a housing having a shaft attached thereto. The shaft has an end effector assembly disposed at a distal end thereof. The end effector assembly includes a pair of jaw members disposed in opposing relation relative to one another. At least one of the jaw members is moveable relative to the other between a spaced apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween. At least one shape memory cutting member is coupled to one of the jaw members. The shape memory cutting member(s) is transitionable between a retracted state and an extended state. In the extended state, the cutting member(s) extends between the jaw members to cut tissue disposed therebetween when the jaw members are in the approximated position.

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: 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 method for manufacturing an end effector assembly is provided. The method includes grasping a gap-setting gauge between first and second jaw members moveable relative to one another about a pivot between a first, spaced-apart position and a second position proximate tissue and setting the first and second jaw members such that in the approximated position the jaw members cooperate to define a gap distance between the jaw members equivalent to the thickness of the gap-setting gauge such that when positioning tissue between the jaw members full approximation of the jaws is limited to the gap distance.