Abstract: A handheld and self-contained electrosurgical instrument includes a self-contained housing, rechargeable batteries, a microprocessor for receiving an external radio frequency signal that defines a selected frequency and current level, a circuit producing an RF signal according to said selected frequency and current level that, when applied to an electrode, performs at least one of cutting, coagulating and combined cutting-coagulating of biological tissue, a radio frequency transformer located within the housing and conductively coupled to the circuit, the transformer for transforming the RF signal according to predefined attributes, and an active monopolar or bipolar electrode for receiving the RF signal from the transformer and contacting biological tissue so as to cut and/or coagulate said biological tissue.

Abstract: An improved electrosurgical electrode for treating diseased tissue and lesions. The electrosurgical electrode when used to sever tissue is characterized by reduced heating and reduced tissue alteration at the severed surfaces. The active end of the electrode may be the point of a needle or the sharpened edge of a blade or have other configurations. The electrode composition preferably has a core metal of mainly molybdenum clad with a cladding metal of silver with a small amount of germanium and indium. The cladding tightly bonds the silver-alloy cladding to the mainly molybdenum core metal. For specially configured electrodes, the core metal may be omitted.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument for use by a surgeon that provides additional features and benefits compared with known designs. The operating mode as well as other operating parameters, especially power level, can be preset by the surgeon before commencing the procedure. Five operating modes are available using a three-button fingerswitch handpiece and a 3-way footswitch, including three unipolar modes and two bipolar modes over a full range of power levels including a new turbo mode for treating heavy bleeders.

Abstract: The invention is based on the use of polyisobutylmethacrylate instead of PMMA as an adhesive or spinal fill material for treating diseases of the spine. Polyisobutylmethacrylate has several advantages over PMMA, mainly less heat is developed during the in situ polymerization process. When using any spinal adhesive of fill material that is light activated, a tube can be used to transmit activating light to the light-activated adhesive or spinal polymerizable fill material at the surgical site. In addition, a mesh bag comprising optical fibers or similar light transmitting material can be employed to receive the injected light-activated fill, with the mesh bag, irradiated externally, for directing the light via the bag to the polymerizable fill.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument for spinal procedures comprises a generally scoop-shaped cup whose periphery is electrically active and is capable of applying RF electrosurgical currents to spinal tissue. The active electrode may comprise an exposed bare wire at the leading edge of the cup. A conduit in a handle section can convey suction to the cup. A tissue clearing member is pivotably mounted on or inside the cup and can be manipulated via a lever on the handle to help dislodge tissue. The tissue clearing member may be a radially-extending vane for rotation in the plane of the cup edge. The tissue clearing member may also be made electrically active thus selectively providing unipolar or bipolar operation.

Abstract: An intelligent selection system for operating an electrosurgical instrument for use by a surgeon that depends primarily on the surgical procedure to be employed. The operating mode as well as other operating parameters can be controlled by the handpiece chosen by the surgeon to perform the procedure. Each handpiece is customized to activate when operated one of several preset operating modes of the electrosurgical instrument.

Abstract: A disposable or reusable bipolar or unipolar electrosurgical handpiece having an extendable and retractable active electrode end and housed in a relatively inexpensive body comprising an actuating handle for use in various electrosurgical procedures. The housing comprises slidable body sections with one of the sections having an internal structure configured for receiving an incoming wire whose stripped end or ends can be contacted to the active electrode end by way of an externally-exposed electrically-conductive band on the electrode.

Abstract: A bipolar electrode for use with an electrosurgical handpiece, the electrode being configured for use in MIS and other electrosurgical procedures, primarily for endoscopic spinal surgery. The active electrodes use the bipolar principle and are configured to provide more controlled distribution of the electrosurgical currents to the tissue to be modulated. In one embodiment, the bipolar electrodes are formed along a side portion of a longitudinally-extendable tube, each connected to a terminal of the bipolar source. As a result of the bipolar action, the electrosurgical discharge occurs primarily between the adjacent edges of the side-by-side electrodes, which can be described as side-firing or side-emitting bipolar electrodes. A main advantage is that it provides the surgeon with additional control over where exactly the effects of the electrosurgical currents will be obtained.

Abstract: A honing stone attachment for a low-speed dental handpiece is described. The lock rod for the handpiece, which is used to close and open the chuck for receiving burs, is provided at its rear with a honing stone. Operation of the handpiece causes the honing stone to rotate, which makes readily available for the dentist a sharpening instrument for his tools.