Abstract: A sutureless chest tube adhesion assembly configured to quickly and easily anchor a chest tube is described. The assembly generally comprises a notched flexible substrate adapted to adhere to human skin 415. A chest tube incision in a notched region of the substrate provides an entry point for the chest tube which is anchored to the substrate by way of an intermediate flexible membrane that covers and adheres to the chest tube and substrate. The intermediate flexible membrane has a matching notched region adapted to accommodate the chest tube. The chest tube and incision are adapted to be covered by a transparent cover sheet which covers and adheres to a portion of the substrate, the intermediate flexible membrane and to a portion of the human skin 415.

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 pliable arc-shaped chest tube that is specifically configured for being inserted and retained inside of a chest cavity provides enhanced benefits over the state of the art. The tube creates a passageway through which effluent can escape from a chest cavity, typically following trauma. The pliable arc-shaped tube can be bent to conform to a hand-held scalpel probe shaft when slid over the probe shaft. After being inserted into the chest cavity, the handheld scalpel is discarded while the chest cannula is retained or otherwise deployed within the chest cavity such that the pliable arc-shaped tube is arced towards the rib cage to enhance comfort following deployment.

Abstract: An actuating scalpel device that is adapted to deploy a curved scalpel blade in an elliptical or circular pathway is described in detail. The actuating scalpel generally comprises a scalpel blade that possesses a curved cutting edge, a probe tip housing that fully contains said scalpel blade when in a retracted position, a slot in said housing through which said curved cutting edge is adapted to extend and a driving member connected to said scalpel blade. The linkages are configured to move said scalpel blade in an elliptical path when said scalpel blade is deployed to extend outside of said probe tip housing.

Abstract: A system includes an energy source and a surgical device. The energy source has a receptacle configured to delivery energy to the surgical device through a receptacle. The surgical device is configured to deliver the energy to tissue. The surgical device includes a plug selectively engagable to the receptacle to couple the surgical device to the energy source. The plug includes a prong configured to mechanically transition from a condition permitting engagement of the plug and the receptacle to another condition inhibiting engagement of the plug with the receptacle upon reaching a predetermined usage threshold.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a jaw assembly configured for use with an electrosurgical forceps is provided. A seal plate with an inwardly facing tab member extending along a peripheral edge thereof is formed. A cavity defined along the inwardly facing tab member of the seal plate is formed. Subsequently, the seal plate is overmolded to a jaw housing. The cavity is configured to receive an insulative substrate therein to facilitate securing the seal plate to the jaw housing.

Abstract: A jaw member includes a seal plate and a jaw housing configured for use with an electrosurgical forceps. The seal plate includes a top surface and a tab. A first portion of the tab extends substantially perpendicular to the top surface and a second portion of the tab extends substantially parallel to the top surface to define a cavity between the tab and the top surface.

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 jaw member includes an insulative member and a substrate. The substrate is formed as a single, integral component that has first and second side portions interconnected by a connector portion. The connector portion has first and second side portions that are interconnected by an arc-shaped portion. The connector portion is configured to be removed before use of the jaw member such that the first and second portions are electrically insulated from one another.

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 bipolar forceps includes a mechanical forceps including first and second shafts each having a jaw member extending from a distal end thereof and a handle disposed at a proximal end thereof for effecting movement of the jaw members relative to one another about a pivot. A disposable housing is configured to releasably couple to at least one of the shafts and an electrode assembly is associated with the disposable housing. The electrode assembly includes electrodes releasably coupleable to the jaw members. At least one of the electrodes includes a knife channel configured to receive a knife blade therethrough to cut tissue grasped between the jaw members. A switch is configured to initiate delivery of electrosurgical energy from the source of electrosurgical energy to the electrodes. An actuation mechanism is configured to selectively advance the knife blade through the knife channel to cut tissue.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a reusable component and a disposable component selectively separable from and engagable with the reusable component. The disposable component includes an end effector and a mechanical actuator operable to induce mechanical movement of the end effector. The reusable component is configured for providing electrosurgical energy to the disposable component when engaged with the disposable component. A physical mating feature is configured to maintain engagement between the reusable and disposable components when the reusable and disposable components are engaged, and an electrical mating feature is configured to transmit electrical energy between the disposable and reusable components when the disposable and reusable components are engaged. All mechanical motion resulting from operation of the mechanical actuator may be contained within the disposable component.

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 pair of jaw members moveable between a spaced-apart and an approximated position. A drive bar is translatable between a distal and a proximal position for moving the jaw members between the spaced-apart and approximated positions. A lever is moveable between an initial position and an actuated position for translating the drive bar between the distal and proximal positions. A sleeve disposed about the drive bar includes an annular track having a substantially radial segment(s) and a substantially longitudinal segment(s). A collar interdisposed between the sleeve and the drive bar includes a stop member(s) extending radially outwardly therefrom. The stop member(s) is engaged within the track and is translatable from a first position, wherein the stop member is positioned within the longitudinal segment, to a second position, wherein the stop member is engaged within the radial segment, to lock the lever in the actuated position.

Abstract: A bipolar forceps includes a mechanical forceps including first and second shafts each having a jaw member extending from a distal end thereof and a handle disposed at a proximal end thereof for effecting movement of the jaw members relative to one another about a pivot. A disposable housing is configured to releasably couple to at least one of the shafts and an electrode assembly is associated with the disposable housing. The electrode assembly includes electrodes releasably coupleable to the jaw members. At least one of the electrodes includes a knife channel configured to receive a knife blade therethrough to cut tissue grasped between the jaw members. A switch is configured to initiate delivery of electrosurgical energy from the source of electrosurgical energy to the electrodes. An actuation mechanism is configured to selectively advance the knife blade through the knife channel to cut tissue.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a reusable component and a disposable component selectively separable from and engagable with the reusable component. The disposable component includes an end effector and a mechanical actuator operable to induce mechanical movement of the end effector. The reusable component is configured for providing electrosurgical energy to the disposable component when engaged with the disposable component. A physical mating feature is configured to maintain engagement between the reusable and disposable components when the reusable and disposable components are engaged, and an electrical mating feature is configured to transmit electrical energy between the disposable and reusable components when the disposable and reusable components are engaged. All mechanical motion resulting from operation of the mechanical actuator may be contained within the disposable component.

Abstract: An electrosurgical forceps is provided with a shaft that extends from a housing of the electrosurgical forceps. An end effector assembly operably coupled to a distal end of the shaft includes a pair of first and second jaw members having proximal and distal ends. One or both of the first and second jaw members is movable from an open configuration for positioning tissue therebetween, to a clamping configuration for grasping tissue therebetween. A knife blade assembly includes a knife blade that is translatable within the first and second jaw members when the first and second jaw members are in the clamping configuration. The knife blade assembly includes a knife blade stop configured to contact at least a portion of the proximal end of the second jaw member when the first and second jaw members are in the open configuration to limit translation of the knife blade assembly.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a shaft of a surgical instrument including forming a proximal segment of the shaft to include one or more features for operably engaging the shaft to a first component of the surgical instrument, forming a distal segment of the shaft to include one or more features for operably engaging the shaft to a second component of the surgical instrument and forming an intermediate segment of the shaft. The proximal segment is welded to a proximal end of the intermediate segment; and the distal segment is welded to a distal end of the intermediate segment. The proximal and distal segments are welded to the intermediate segment such that the one or more features thereof are aligned in a pre-determined orientation relative to one another.

Abstract: A jaw member includes an insulative member and a substrate. The substrate is formed as a single, integral component that has first and second side portions interconnected by a connector portion. The connector portion has first and second side portions that are interconnected by an arc-shaped portion. The connector portion is configured to be removed before use of the jaw member such that the first and second portions are electrically insulated from one another.

Abstract: An electrosurgical forceps is provided with a shaft that extends from a housing of the electrosurgical forceps. An end effector assembly includes a pair of first and second jaw members pivotably coupled to one another via a pivot pin. One or both of the first and second jaw members may be movable from an open position for positioning tissue therebetween to a clamping position for grasping tissue. A detent is operably disposed proximal the pivot pin and extends radially outward from a proximal flange of one of the jaw members. The detent is configured to releasably engage a corresponding slot disposed on a proximal flange of the other jaw member. The detent and slot are configured to control a gap distance between the first and second jaw members when the first and second jaw members are in the clamping position.