Abstract: The present teachings provide for a device with a membrane and an underlying switch, an underlying switch actuator, or both that has a unique tactile pattern that is felt through the membrane when the membrane is aligned with the switch, switch actuator, or both, corresponding to the electrical state of the device. The membrane, the switch, the switch actuator or a combination thereof can be repositioned from a first position to a second position so that a different tactile feel is present through the membrane corresponding to a second electrical state.

Abstract: An end effector assembly of a forceps includes a first jaw member with a first sealing surface and a second sealing surface; a second jaw member with a first sealing surface and a second sealing surface, the first jaw member and the second jaw member being moveable relative to each other between an open position and a closed position, the first jaw member and the second jaw member including a blade slot defined therein and extending substantially along the first jaw member and the second jaw member, the first sealing surfaces being positioned on an opposite side of the blade slot than the second sealing surfaces; and a cutting blade that reciprocates in the blade slot. When the first jaw member and the second jaw member are in the closed position, the first sealing surfaces are separated by a first gap and the second sealing surfaces are separated by a second gap, the second gap being larger than the first gap.

Abstract: The present teachings provide for a device with a membrane and an underlying switch, an underlying switch actuator, or both that has a unique tactile pattern that is felt through the membrane when the membrane is aligned with the switch, switch actuator, or both, corresponding to the electrical state of the device. The membrane, the switch, the switch actuator or a combination thereof can be repositioned from a first position to a second position so that a different tactile feel is present through the membrane corresponding to a second electrical state.

Abstract: An end effector assembly of a forceps includes a first jaw member with a first sealing surface and a second sealing surface; a second jaw member with a first sealing surface and a second sealing surface, the first jaw member and the second jaw member being moveable relative to each other between an open position and a closed position, the first jaw member and the second jaw member including a blade slot defined therein and extending substantially along the first jaw member and the second jaw member, the first sealing surfaces being positioned on an opposite side of the blade slot than the second sealing surfaces; and a cutting blade that reciprocates in the blade slot. When the first jaw member and the second jaw member are in the closed position, the first sealing surfaces are separated by a first gap and the second sealing surfaces are separated by a second gap, the second gap being larger than the first gap.

Abstract: An electrosurgical device that can be used to remove pedunculated tissue structures such as polyps and certain uterine fibroids includes bipolar surface electrodes and a bipolar snare. The device includes a probe having a proximal end and a distal end, bipolar surface electrodes adjacent to the distal end of the probe, and a bipolar snare extending distally from the distal end of the probe and including first and second snare electrodes. The bipolar surface electrodes are separated from each other by a gap and extend over a portion of the distal end of the probe. Providing both a bipolar snare and bipolar surface electrodes advantageously reduces thermal spread from occurring (compared to the use of a monopolar snare) when using the snare to excise the tissue. The bipolar surface electrodes can be used to coagulate the point of excision.

Abstract: A laparoscopic forceps comprising a handpiece including a distal end portion; a tubular member protruding from the distal end portion of the handpiece, the tubular member having a distal end with a distal opening, a pair of jaws having legs that are disposed within the tubular member and partially protruding from the distal opening, the jaws and the tubular member being movable relative to each other; wherein each of the jaws has an arcuate section; an operable mechanism for creating relative motion between the jaws and the tubular member along a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis, and one or more spacing members extending across the distal opening of the tubular member and between the jaws; wherein the jaws are closable by the relative movement of the tubular member and the jaws towards each other so that the tubular member advances over the arcuate section of the jaws, and the jaws are openable by the relative movement of the tubular member and the jaws away from each other so that the one or more

Abstract: An electrosurgical system includes a grasper and a snare that each includes electrodes. The grasper includes a first electrode that is attachable to a first output of an energy supply. The snare includes a second electrode that is attachable to a second output of the energy supply. When the first and second electrodes are coupled to the energy supply, the grasper and snare operate as a bipolar electrosurgical system. By grasping the tissue with the jaws of the grasper, the current path between the electrode on the snare and the electrode on the grasper is relatively short, and thus the system operates like a bipolar electrosurgical system. Accordingly, the applied energy can be focused to a small area, minimizing damage to surrounding tissue. In addition, energy suitable for coagulating the cut portion of the stalk of the removed tissue can be readily applied with the bipolar electrosurgical system.

Abstract: An electrosurgical system includes a grasper and a snare that each includes electrodes. The grasper includes a first electrode that is attachable to a first output of an energy supply. The snare includes a second electrode that is attachable to a second output of the energy supply. When the first and second electrodes are coupled to the energy supply, the grasper and snare operate as a bipolar electrosurgical system. By grasping the tissue with the jaws of the grasper, the current path between the electrode on the snare and the electrode on the grasper is relatively short, and thus the system operates like a bipolar electrosurgical system. Accordingly, the applied energy can be focused to a small area, minimizing damage to surrounding tissue. In addition, energy suitable for coagulating the cut portion of the stalk of the removed tissue can be readily applied with the bipolar electrosurgical system.

Abstract: A laparoscopic forceps comprising a handpiece including a distal end portion; a tubular member protruding from the distal end portion of the handpiece, the tubular member having a distal end with a distal opening, a pair of jaws having legs that are disposed within the tubular member and partially protruding from the distal opening, the jaws and the tubular member being movable relative to each other; wherein each of the jaws has an arcuate section; an operable mechanism for creating relative motion between the jaws and the tubular member along a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis, and one or more spacing members extending across the distal opening of the tubular member and between the jaws; wherein the jaws are closable by the relative movement of the tubular member and the jaws towards each other so that the tubular member advances over the arcuate section of the jaws, and the jaws are openable by the relative movement of the tubular member and the jaws away from each other so that the one or more

Abstract: An electrosurgical device that can be used to remove pedunculated tissue structures such as polyps and certain uterine fibroids includes bipolar surface electrodes and a bipolar snare. The device includes a probe having a proximal end and a distal end, bipolar surface electrodes adjacent to the distal end of the probe, and a bipolar snare extending distally from the distal end of the probe and including first and second snare electrodes. The bipolar surface electrodes are separated from each other by a gap and extend over a portion of the distal end of the probe. Providing both a bipolar snare and bipolar surface electrodes advantageously reduces thermal spread from occurring (compared to the use of a monopolar snare) when using the snare to excise the tissue. The bipolar surface electrodes can be used to coagulate the point of excision.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for ablating blood vessels in treatment of uterine fibroids. A monopolar electrode provided on a needle probe is positioned in an artery supplying blood to a uterine fibroid. Energy is supplied to the electrode to ablate the artery. In this way, the uterine fibroid and the surrounding tissues remain relatively undamaged, and the uterine fibroid, deprived of its blood source, is allowed to necrose and eventually shrink.

Abstract: An ablation device for ablating tissue having an outer wall and an inner wall, approximately parallel and concentric with said outer wall, defining an inner fluid chamber and an outer low pressure chamber. Each of the outer wall and the inner wall have an edge defining an open face of the fluid chamber and the low pressure chamber. An ablative element is contained within the fluid chamber. A source of low pressure is coupled to the low pressure chamber. When the edge of the outer wall and the edge of the inner wall contact a surface, the ablation device is at least partially secured to the surface by low pressure created in the low pressure chamber by the source of low pressure. The fluid chamber is at least partially fluidly isolated from the low pressure chamber when the ablation device is at least partially secured to the surface.

Abstract: A system for ablating tissue and electrically interfacing with a heart including an electrosurgical instrument, an energy source, and a controller. The instrument includes a shaft maintaining first and second electrodes at a distal section. The electrodes are electrically isolated from one another. The controller controls delivery of energy from the energy source, and monitors electrical signals at the electrodes. The controller is programmed to operate in a monopolar mode and a bipolar mode. In the monopolar mode, the first and second electrodes are electrically uncoupled, and energy from the energy source is delivered to the first electrode in performing an ablation procedure. In the bipolar mode, first and second electrodes are electrically coupled and serve as opposite polarity poles to apply energy to a tissue target site, detect electrical signals at a tissue target site, or both.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument includes a hand piece, an electrode assembly comprising one or more electrodes attached to the hand piece, and connection means for connecting the hand piece to an electrosurgical generator. The hand piece comprises a housing, fluid supply lines for directing a cooling fluid to and from the electrode assembly, and a pump for driving cooling fluid through the fluid supply lines. An electrosurgical cutting blade comprises a first electrode, a second electrode, and an electrical insulator separating the first and second electrodes. The first and second electrode have dissimilar characteristics, such that the first electrode is encouraged to become an active electrode and the second electrode is encouraged to become a return electrode. In use, a thermal differential is established between the first and second electrodes, either by thermally insulating the second electrode from the first electrode, and/or by transferring heat away from the second electrode.

Abstract: An electrosurgical cutting blade (1) comprises a first electrode (2), a second electrode (3), and an electrical insulator (4) separating the first and second electrodes. The first and second electrodes have dissimilar characteristics (cross-sectional area, thermal conductivity etc.) such that the first electrode (2) is encouraged to become an active electrode and the second electrode (3) is encouraged to become a return electrode. The spacing between the first and second electrodes (between 0.25 mm and 3.0 mm) and the peak voltage supplied to the electrodes (2 and 3) are both selected such that arcing does not occur directly between the electrodes, but between the first electrode and the tissue at the target site. The arrangement is such that, in use, a thermal differential of at least 50° C. is established between the first and second electrodes (2 and 3), such that the second electrode is maintained below a temperature of 70° C.