Abstract: An electrocautery probe includes a distal loop electrode mounted between a pair of arms which are joined at their proximal ends to an electrode lead, and a mounting sleeve for slideably coupling the probe to the guide tube of a resectoscope. The arms are skewed from a longitudinal axis defined by the electrode lead and are covered with an insulative material which extends to the distal end of the arms and terminates in a straight edge parallel to a plane substantially perpendicular to the arms. The loop electrode is angled approximately 25.degree.-35.degree. proximally relative to a plane substantially perpendicular to the electrode lead. The loop electrode further defines sharp upper distal and proximal edges. A cross-section of the electrode further defines an upper surface, a leading distal surface, a lower distal surface, a lower proximal surface.

Abstract: An electrocautery probe includes a single probe arm and an electrode. The electrode includes one end attached to the probe arm and a free end. According to one embodiment of the invention, the electrode is a wedge, preferably having a substantially triangular cross section. According to another embodiment of the invention, the free end of the electrode rises higher than the attached end of the electrode. The free end of the electrode may be planar, pointed, or rounded. Where the free end of the electrode is planar, it may be inclined in either the proximal or distal direction. According to yet another embodiment of the invention, the electrode is a roller barrel. The electrocautery probe has several advantages over two armed electrocautery probes. First, the electrocautery probe has only one arm obscuring the physician's view through the lens of the resectoscope. Second, the free end of the electrode can be used for sculpting tissue and for resecting tissue in narrow areas.

Abstract: An electrocautery probe includes a pair of arms between which a roller electrode is rotatably mounted. The arms are joined at their proximal ends to an electrode lead and a mounting sleeve is provided intermediate of the arms and the lead for slideably coupling the probe to a resectoscope. According to one aspect of the invention, the roller electrode includes a cylindrical member having a central bore and an outer surface, and an insert extending longitudinally through the central bore. Preferably the cylindrical member is made of a first conductive material and the insert is made of a second conductive material. The insert has a plurality of corners and an axial bore. The roller electrode is preferably made of stainless steel, while the insert is preferably made of copper or tungsten. The outer diameter of the roller electrode is preferably approximately 0.

Abstract: Electrodes for electrocautery probes for use with a resectoscope include full loop electrodes wherein the full loop has a working surface which extends below the axis of the cautery probe and a working surface which extends above the axis of the cautery probe, composite full loop electrodes wherein the upper working surface and the lower working surface have different morphology, combined full loop and roller electrodes wherein one of the upper or lower portions of the loop serves as the axle for a roller electrode, and bifurcated full loop electrodes wherein the upper working surface and the lower working surface can be independently energized. The electrodes according to the invention permit resection of upper and lower prostate lobes without requiring inversion of the resectoscope, thereby shortening the time for the procedure. In addition, the full loop electrodes with different upper and lower morphology provide additional treatment options while also reducing the time for the procedure.

Abstract: An electrocautery probe includes a pair of arms between which a roller electrode is mounted. The arms are joined at their proximal ends to an electrode lead and a mounting sleeve is provided intermediate of the arms and the lead for slideably coupling the probe to a resectoscope. According to the invention, the roller electrode has an eccentric convex or concave surface to increase the surface area of the electrode. In other embodiments of the invention the electrode is provided with a plurality of longitudinal surface grooves which further increase surface area of the electrode and also enhance traction of the electrode. The electrodes according to the invention are preferably made of copper, chromium cobalt, or carbonless stainless steel. They preferably have an overall diameter of from about 0.115 to about 0.187 inches and an overall length of from about 0.110 to about 0.120 inches.

Abstract: An arthroscopic surgical instrument includes a surgical punch end effector assembly, a hollow tube defining a fluid passageway, a push rod extending through the hollow tube, an actuating lever coupled to a proximal end of the push rod, and a fluid coupler extending into the hollow tube and coupling to a vacuum source which applies suction through the fluid passageway. The end effector assembly has movable punch and stationary die end effectors. The stationary die end effector includes separate upper die and lower cup portions which are coupled to the distal end of the hollow tube, and which are fixed together during an assembly procedure. The upper die portion has a groove into which a tongue of the movable end effector is fitted prior to fixing the separate portions of the stationary end effector.

Abstract: A bipolar roller electrode has a non-conductive base upon which two electrical conductors are placed with a gap between the conductors. The electrode is provided with a blind hole at each end thereof for rotatably mounting it between a pair of arms. Each of the two conductors preferably extends into or forms a part of a respective blind hole. An electrocautery probe according to the invention includes a pair of electrically conductive arms between which the electrode is mounted with each of the arms entering one of the blind holes in the electrode. The arms are mechanically joined but electrically isolated and their proximal ends are individually coupled to a pair of electrode leads. A non-conductive or insulated mounting sleeve is preferably provided intermediate of the arms and the leads for slideably coupling the probe to a resectoscope. The distal end of each arm of the probe enters a respective blind hole in the roller electrode and makes electrical contact with a respective one of the two conductors.

Abstract: A snap-fit collar for coupling the end of a flexible coil to a part of an endoscopic instrument is a substantially cylindrical member having a first end portion with a stop flange, a resilient tapered locking flange spaced apart from the stop flange defining a waist or groove between the stop flange and the locking flange, and second end portion having a pair of cantilevered substantially semi-cylindrical legs. The first end portion is preferably frustroconical and flares diametrically outward to form the stop flange which has a first diameter. The waist or groove has a second diameter which is smaller than the first diameter. The tapered locking flange is also preferably frustroconical and tapers diametrically inward from a third diameter which is larger than the second diameter. Each of the legs is inclined diametrically outward and includes a plurality of coil engaging ribs on its inner surface.

Abstract: An endosurgical cutting instrument includes a hollow tube having a distal end with a radial slot and an interior deflection surface, a push rod extending through the tube and having a proximally directed sickle blade coupled to its distal end, and a manual actuator coupled to the proximal ends of the tube and the push rod for imparting relative axial movement to the tube and push rod. The sickle blade is a curved member having a sharp concave edge and a dull convex edge and is coupled to the distal end of the push rod with its sharp concave edge facing the push rod. The blade is dimensioned such that it may be substantially completely contained within the tube. The push rod is oriented so that its distal end is free to move in a radial direction as it moves axially. Movement of the push rod against the deflection surface urges the push rod in a radial direction thereby causing the sickle blade to exit the tube through the radial slot.

Abstract: An electrocautery probe includes a distal loop electrode mounted between a pair of arms which are joined at their proximal ends to an electrode lead, and a mounting sleeve for slideably coupling the probe to the guide tube of a resectoscope. The loop electrode is formed with a relatively broad lower surface defining a sharp distal edge and a sharp proximal edge. The electrode may have a triangular cross section or a cross section which is defined by an upper convex surface and a lower flat surface. A presently preferred embodiment of the electrode has a triangular cross section with a lower base surface approximately 0.039-0.043 inches wide, a distal upper surface extending approximately 0.018-0.022 inches from the base, and a proximal upper surface which extends approximately 0.063-0.067 inches from the distal upper surface to the lower base surface. The electrode thereby defines a sharp distal edge having an angle of approximately 95.degree., and a sharp proximal edge having an angle of approximately 30.

Abstract: An endoscopic urological biopsy forceps includes a hollow tube member with a control member extending therethrough, an actuator coupled to the proximal ends of the tube member and the control member and a jaw assembly coupled to the distal ends of the tube and control member. The jaw assembly includes a stationary jaw with an axle pin, and a movable jaw with an arcuate slot through which the axle pin extends such that the movable jaw is coupled to the stationary jaw and is movable both translationally and rotationally relative to the stationary jaw. The stationary jaw has a basket-like opening and part of the movable jaw fits inside the opening. The movable jaw has a pair of sidewalls each of which define a row of cutting teeth and a distal buck tooth which is arranged substantially perpendicular to the side walls and is angled toward the proximal end of the movable jaw.

Abstract: An electrocautery probe includes a pair of arms between which a roller electrode is mounted. The arms are joined at their proximal ends to an electrode lead and a mounting sleeve is provided intermediate of the arms and the lead for slideably coupling the probe to a resectoscope. According to the invention, the roller electrode is provided with a plurality of longitudinal surface grooves which increase surface area of the electrode and also enhance traction of the electrode. Other embodiments of the invention have eccentric convex or concave surfaces to further increase the surface area of the electrode. The electrodes according to the invention are preferably made of copper, chromium cobalt, or carbonless stainless steel. They preferably have an overall diameter of from about 0.115 to about 0.187 inches and an overall length of from about 0.110 to about 0.120 inches.

Abstract: An end effector assembly for use with an endoscopic instrument includes a clevis and first and second end effectors. The clevis has curved channels extending from a distal portion of the clevis towards the proximal portion of the clevis means. Each channel has first and second inner curved walls. The end effectors each have proximally extending tangs with first and second curved surfaces. The tangs of the end effectors are respectively disposed in the channels of the clevis, and are guided by the channels such that when they are moved forward by a control member of the endoscopic instrument first curved surfaces of the tangs engage said first inner curved walls of the clevis to cause the end effectors to open. When the control member moves the end effectors back, the second curved surfaces of the tang engage the second inner curved walls of the clevis which cause the end effector to close.

Abstract: An actuator mechanism for an endoscopic instrument includes a stationary handle having a stepped throughbore with a relatively smaller diameter at the distal end and a relatively larger diameter at the proximal end. A cylindrical rack member is slidably disposed in the larger diameter portion of the throughbore. The larger diameter portion of the throughbore has a lower slot opening, and a movable lever is pivotally coupled to the stationary handle and is provided with a toothed upper pinion which enters the slot in the larger diameter portion of the throughbore and engages the rack member. The proximal end of the tube member is coupled to the distal smaller diameter portion of the throughbore and the proximal end of the control member is coupled to the distal end of the rack member.

Abstract: An arthroscopic surgical instrument includes a hollow tube with an actuator coupled to its proximal end and an end effector coupled to its distal end. The actuator and the end effector are coupled by a cylindrical push rod which passes through the hollow tube. The push rod includes a frangible link in the form of a flattened portion with strength reducing semicircular side cuts which breaks when a predetermined force is applied to the end effector by the actuator. The end effector includes a stationary jaw and a movable jaw. The stationary jaw is coupled to the distal end of the tube and receives the push rod. The movable jaw is coupled to push rod and is pivotally coupled to the stationary jaw by arcuate engaging surfaces on both jaws. The movable jaw is also provided with a pair of serrated knife-like edges with an inner concave surface between them and the stationary jaw is provided with a receiving opening into which the movable jaw fits when the jaws are in a closed position.

Abstract: A catheter defines a flexible, tubular body in which the tubular body carries a tubular reinforcing sleeve made of strands. By this invention the catheter defines at least one side hole which communicates through the tubular body and tubular reinforcing sleeve. Greater resistance against collapse is thus provided to the section of the catheter which defines the side hole or preferably side holes.

Abstract: A flexible catheter comprises at least one resilient, flexible, tubular layer in telescoping relation with, and bonded to, a tubular wire sheath. A first catheter section includes the wire strands at a first angle to each other. A second catheter section includes the wire strands at a second angle to each other, with the second angle being different from the first angle so that the physical characteristics of the first and second catheter sections are different.