Abstract: A monopolar suction coagulator device is provided for use with a vacuum source and an electrosurgical generator to perform a coagulation procedure and an evacuation procedure at a surgical site. The device includes an active electrode portion at the distal end of a probe, and the probe is formed of a thermally conductive and electrically conductive, non-stick metal material along all or substantially all of its length, to aid in heat dissipation during a coagulation procedure.

Abstract: A tip protector for electrosurgical forceps is provided. The tip protector includes two sleeves connected by a bridge spacer. Each sleeve fits over a respective forceps tine to protect the tips of the forceps. The bridge spacer is sufficiently rigid to maintain the spacing between the tips and prevent the tines from closing or opening. In this manner, the tips can be protected from damage and the tines can be protected against misalignment.

Abstract: An electrosurgical forceps having an enhanced capability to transfer heat from the tip to eliminate or minimize sticking of tissue is provided. A heat pipe is secured within a groove of at least one tine of the forceps. The heat pipe has an evaporator section in thermal communication with the tip, and a condenser section in thermal communication with a portion of the body, which serves as a heat sink to receive heat transferred from the tip. A method of manufacturing the electrosurgical forceps is also provided.

Abstract: A monopolar suction coagulator device is provided for use with a vacuum source and an electrosurgical generator to perform a coagulation procedure and an evacuation procedure at a surgical site. The device includes an active electrode portion at the distal end of a probe, and the probe is formed of a thermally conductive and electrically conductive, non-stick metal material along all or substantially all of its length, to aid in heat dissipation during a coagulation procedure.

Abstract: An electrosurgical cable connector that can accept three different styles of electrosurgical forceps connection—a two-pin connection, a two-bladed connection, and a block-bladed connection—is provided for connecting an electrosurgical forceps to an electrosurgical generator.

Abstract: A tip protector for electrosurgical forceps is provided. The tip protector includes two sleeves connected by a bridge spacer. Each sleeve fits over a respective forceps tine to protect the tips of the forceps. The bridge spacer is sufficiently rigid to maintain the spacing between the tips and prevent the tines from closing or opening. In this manner, the tips can be protected from damage and the tines can be protected against misalignment.

Abstract: An electrosurgical cable connector that can accept three different styles of electrosurgical forceps connection—a two-pin connection, a two-bladed connection, and a block-bladed connection—is provided for connecting an electrosurgical forceps to an electrosurgical generator.

Abstract: An electrosurgical forceps is provided with a gripping pad formed of a compliant material in the aperture in a gripping region of a blade member of the forceps. The gripping pad includes a pad member, a retaining member and a connecting pillar that extends through an aperture in the blade member.

Abstract: Electrosurgical forceps having a clad metal structure and a method of manufacturing electrosurgical forceps using a cladding process are provided. The clad metal structure of the forceps includes a first layer of non-stick material, which may be copper, a copper alloy, silver, or a silver alloy, and a second layer of a material providing good mechanical properties and light weight, which may be aluminum, an aluminum alloy, titanium, a titanium alloy, or stainless steel.

Abstract: An electrosurgical forceps has at least the tip of one blade member formed of a composite material having aligned elongated particles of nickel interspersed in a matrix of silver particles. The tip can be provided as a tip member attached, such as by brazing, to the body of the blade member, or the entire blade member can be formed of the silver/nickel composite material. In another embodiment, the tip or blade member is formed of a dispersion strengthened silver or copper composite material.

Abstract: An electrosurgical forceps has at least the tip of one blade member formed of a composite material having aligned elongated particles of nickel interspersed in a matrix of silver particles. The tip can be provided as a tip member attached, such as by brazing, to the body of the blade member, or the entire blade member can be formed of the silver/nickel composite material. In another embodiment, the tip or blade member is formed of a dispersion strengthened silver or copper composite material.

Abstract: A cable assembly interconnects an electrosurgical instrument and source equipment for power and fluid transfer. The cable assembly includes a unitary tubular assembly forming a lumen(s) and an insulating sheath(s) for an electrically conducting cord that are integrally interconnected via a web arrangement in a continuum of material. The web arrangement has a thickness sufficient to allow the lumen(s) and sheath(s) to be pulled apart upon application of a pulling force in a direction transverse to the direction of elongation of the tubular assembly.

Abstract: An electro-surgical forceps has a pair of tines. At least one of the tines has an inner core of a metal such as stainless steel, nickel, or titanium, and an outer plating of a material having a thermal conductivity and preferably also an electrical conductivity greater than the core material. The outer plating covers all or substantially all of the tine. The outer plating is suitably formed by an electroplating process.

Abstract: A bipolar, fluid assisted coagulator/ablator probe having a coaxial bipolar electrode arrangement in which an elongated outer electrode is positioned concentrically around an elongated inner electrode. An elongated concentric electrical inner insulating layer is positioned between the outer electrode and the inner electrode. An outer insulating layer is concentrically disposed over the outer electrode such that only the annular distal end of the outer electrode is exposed for surgical activity. The inner electrode is hollow and forms a conduit for drawing fluid through the probe. The inner and outer insulating layers are a high-temperature cross-linked polyethylene. In addition, the elongated hollow electrode portion is curved near the distal end of the electrode portion, and the distal end has a beveled face that forms an acute angle with a common axis of the hollow elongated probe portion.

Abstract: An electro-surgical forceps are provided which minimize sticking to tissue of a patient. The forceps include a pair of electrically conducting blade members extending from an insulated cap portion. The blade members include an inner layer of copper or copper alloy having a thickness sufficient to dissipate heat generated at the tip to prevent sticking of tissue to the forceps during use. An outer covering of nickel or a nickel alloy covers the inner copper layer to prevent exposure of the copper. The outer covering comprises a first nickel layer metallurgically bonded to one side of the inner copper layer and a second nickel layer metallurgically bonded to an opposite side of the inner copper layer. The thickness of the nickel layers is sufficient to withstand the forming process, to minimize or prevent delamination from the inner copper layer, and to minimize or prevent exposure of the inner layer.

Abstract: An electro-surgical forceps has a recessed irrigation channel. The forceps includes a pair of blades mounted in a cap portion. A groove is recessed in the inner surface of a first blade of the pair of blades. Tubing is disposed in the groove. The tubing terminates at a location spaced from the termination of the groove to provide an outlet from the groove. The depth of the groove and the outer diameter of the tubing are selected such that the tubing is substantially recessed below the inner surface of the first blade sufficiently that a surgeon's view of the inner faces of the tips of the blades is not obstructed by the irrigation channel. The blades may be covered with an insulating material if desired.

Abstract: A bipolar coagulator includes a connector pin having an offset therein to provide a strong electrical connection between the pin and the conductor. The bipolar coagulator comprises an insulative housing extending along a longitudinal axis from a tip to a connector end. A coaxial conductor having an inner conductor and an outer conductor is disposed within the housing along the longitudinal axis of the housing. The inner conductor includes a terminal portion that protrudes from the outer conductor and has an offset therein to space the terminal portion from the longitudinal axis of the housing. A first connector pin is electrically coupled to the terminal portion of the inner conductor. A second connector pin is electrically coupled to the outer conductor along the longitudinal axis of the housing. The second connector includes an offset therein to space the pin portion from the longitudinal axis of the housing and from the first connector pin.