Abstract: An effector includes a tubular body having a proximal end and a distal end. The effector holds a plug or closure at the distal end of the tubular body; an active electrode at the distal end of the body; an insulator on the body; and one or more return electrodes on the insulator.

Abstract: A surgical device comprising: a closure assembly including: (a) a movement unit configured to be connected to a movable member, the movement unit including: (i) one or more bars; (ii) one or more bar biasing members in communication with the movement unit and moving the one or more bars; (b) a latch unit configured to be connected to a ground member, the latch unit including: (i) one or more hook latches that selectively receive the one or more bars, and (ii) one or more latch biasing members in communication with the one or more hook latches to selectively move the one or more hook latches; wherein all or a portion of the latch unit is movable relative to the ground member and all or a portion of the movement unit is movable relative to the movable member, and the latch unit and the movement unit are movable relative to each other when the latch unit and the movement unit are in contact.

Abstract: A surgical device that includes a first support member extending along a longitudinal axis; a bladder located on the first support member; a first sealing member located on the bladder; and a second sealing member located on the bladder. The sealing member is located on one side of the longitudinal axis; and the second sealing member is located on another side of the longitudinal axis. The bladder is inflatable, and inflating the bladder changes a position of the first sealing member, the second sealing member, or both relative to the first support member.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument connectivity system providing monopolar and bipolar plugs each having a plurality of conductors which allow for use of combination monopolar/bipolar electrosurgical devices with industry standard electrosurgical generator outlets.

Abstract: An instrument includes a hand piece, a pair of jaws, and an actuator. The jaws extend from the hand piece. Each jaw includes a proximal portion and a distal portion. The actuator is in communication with both the hand piece and the pair of jaws. Movement of the actuator causes the jaws to move from an open configuration to a closed configuration. During the move from the open configuration to the closed configuration, the jaws undergo a translational movement followed by a first non-translational movement.

Abstract: A device comprising: (a) one or more markers, some or all of which are expandable rounded members that are expandable from a stored state to an expanded state and when in the expanded state each of the expandable rounded members expand to move into contact with a lumen in an organ; and (b) one or more tissue tags connected to the expandable rounded members or the expandable rounded members being made of a magnetized material; and wherein the expandable rounded members are configured to be located within and deployed from an insertion mechanism into the lumen in the organ.

Abstract: A surgical needle comprising: (a) a sensor; (b) a distal tip with the sensor being located at the distal tip; (c) a needle advancing mechanism that is adjustable to change an insertion depth; and (d) a control unit in communication with the needle advancing mechanism; wherein the sensor provides a signal to the control unit regarding a thickness of a feature of interest and the control unit controls the insertion depth based upon the signal from the sensor so that the insertion depth into the feature of interest is varied or the control unit prevents the needle advancing mechanism from activating.

Abstract: An effector includes a tubular body having a proximal end and a distal end. The effector includes a plug or closure at the distal end of the tubular body; an active electrode at the distal end of the body; an insulator on the body; and one or more return electrodes on the insulator. The body dissipates heat generated by the one or more return electrodes from the distal end of the body to the proximal end of the body.

Abstract: Featured is a surgical instrument including an end effector such as a rotating cutting implement and a heat transfer mechanism such as a cooling device, such as can include a phase change device, such as can be configured to absorb heat energy during the use of such a rotating cutting implement. The heat transfer mechanism can be configured so the absorbed heat energy is communicated to an external heat sink. Such a heat transfer mechanism can include a heat pipe, e.g., a scintered or wick type heat pipe. The heat energy is absorbed at one end of the heat pipe to minimize the potential for damage to the tissue and the like at and/or about the surgical site. Also featured are a surgical apparatus embodying such a surgical instrument and surgical or medical methods or procedures for manipulating, rotatably cutting, grinding, abrading or debriding tissue, bone or other structures or components of a mammalian body using such surgical instruments or surgical apparatus.

Abstract: A medical device that includes an introducer and a sensor. The introducer is configured to be inserted into a body cavity through a constricted channel. The introducer includes a predetermined section. The sensor is configured to generate a signal while the predetermined section of the introducer is located inside of the body cavity.

Abstract: A surgical device comprising: (a) a first jaw having a face; (b) a second jaw having a face that is substantially adjacent the face of the first jaw when the first jaw and the second jaw are in a closed position; (c) a pivot connecting the first jaw and the second jaw together so that the first jaw and second jaw are movable between an open position and the closed position; (d) one or more fluid passageways extending between the first jaw, the second jaw, or both and a region outside of the surgical device so that fluid passes through the first jaw, the second jaw, or both; and (e) a valve connected to the first jaw, the second jaw, or both, the one or more fluid passageways extending through the valve so that when the first jaw and the second jaw are in the open position the valve is open and fluid can extend through the one or more fluid passageways and when the first jaw and the second jaw are in the closed position the valve is closed and fluid is prevented from flowing through the one or more fluid passa

Abstract: A surgical device comprising: (1) a handpiece having a distal end portion; (2) a tubular member extending from the distal end portion, the tubular member having a lumen therethrough, the lumen comprising: (a) a proximal lumen portion, (b) a distal lumen portion, (c) a first central lumen portion, and (d) a second central lumen portion, the second central portion being located between the proximal lumen portion and the first central lumen portion, wherein the distal lumen portion diverges as the distal lumen portion extends away from the first central lumen portion in a distal direction, and the second central lumen portion diverges as the second central lumen portion extends away from the first central lumen portion in a proximal direction and: wherein the tubular member has wall with a substantially uniform thickness about the first central lumen portion.

Abstract: An electrosurgical device kit includes an elongate first member, an elongate second member disposed adjacent to the first member, the second member being at least movably coupled to the first member, a first electrode head removably attachable to the first member, a second electrode head removably attachable to the first member, and a third electrode head coupled to the second member. The first, second, and third electrode heads are configured to apply a current to a tissue, the first and second electrode heads being non-identical.

Abstract: An instrument including working arms and a moveable member. The working arms include a first arm, a second arm, a first electrode located on the first arm, and a second electrode located on the second arm. The moveable member includes a passive circuit element, a first terminal, and a second terminal. The moveable member is moveable to a first position and a second position. In the first position, the first terminal is in electrical communication with the first electrode and the second terminal is in electrical communication with the second electrode so that in the first position an electrical circuit is completed. An impedance is measured of the passive circuit element in the completed electrical circuit. The instrument is adapted to provide a modality based on the measured impedance or a determined position of the moveable member.

Abstract: Featured is a surgical instrument including a rotating cutting implement and a heat transfer mechanism configured to absorb heat energy during the use of such a rotating cutting implement. The heat transfer mechanism is configured so the absorbed heat energy is communicated to an external heat sink. Such a heat transfer mechanism includes a heat pipe, e.g., a scintered or wick type heat pipe. The heat energy is absorbed at one end of the heat pipe to minimize the potential for damage to the tissue and the like at and/or about the surgical site. Also featured are a surgical apparatus embodying such a surgical instrument and surgical or medical methods or procedures for manipulating, rotatably cutting, grinding, abrading or debriding tissue, bone or other structures or components of a mammalian body using such surgical instruments or surgical apparatus.

Abstract: A device including: (a) a first working arm; (b) a body; (c) a shuttle located on the body, and (d) a bias device; wherein the bias device biases the first working arm relative to the body when the shuttle is in a first position, and wherein the bias device is free of biasing the first working arm relative to the body when the shuttle is in a second position.

Abstract: A plug comprising: a plurality of pins or a plurality of sockets; a body portion housing the plurality of pins or the plurality of sockets and the body portion extending parallel to a longitudinal axis of the plurality of pins or the plurality of sockets; a connection section connected to the body portion and extending from the body portion at an obtuse angle; and a cord connected to an end of the connection section; wherein the body portion and the connection section are connected at a joint and the joint includes a sub-flush radius on an underside of the joint.

Abstract: A surgical device comprising: (1) a handpiece having a distal end portion; (2) a tubular member extending from the distal end portion, the tubular member having a lumen therethrough, the lumen comprising: (a) a proximal lumen portion, (b) a distal lumen portion, (c) a first central lumen portion, and (d) a second central lumen portion, the second central portion being located between the proximal lumen portion and the first central lumen portion, wherein the distal lumen portion diverges as the distal lumen portion extends away from the first central lumen portion in a distal direction, and the second central lumen portion diverges as the second central lumen portion extends away from the first central lumen portion in a proximal direction and; wherein the tubular member has wall with a substantially uniform thickness about the first central lumen portion.

Abstract: An instrument including working arms and a moveable member. The working arms include a first arm, a second arm, a first electrode located on the first arm, and a second electrode located on the second arm. The moveable member includes a passive circuit element, a first terminal, and a second terminal. The moveable member is moveable to a first position and a second position. In the first position, the first terminal is in electrical communication with the first electrode and the second terminal is in electrical communication with the second electrode so that in the first position an electrical circuit is completed. An impedance is measured of the passive circuit element in the completed electrical circuit. The instrument is adapted to provide a modality based on the measured impedance or a determined position of the moveable member.

Abstract: A combination medical includes a first arm and a second arm interconnected to the first arm. The first arm and the second arm are biased towards each other by a closing force. A biasing member is disposed between the first arm and the second arm. The biasing member has a first position that biases the first arm and the second arm away from each other against the closing force and a second position that does not oppose the closing force. The combination medical device may be an electrosurgical device with a mono-polar and bi-polar configuration.