Abstract: A surgical instrument is configured to consist of two separable parts. The first part includes a disposable end effector unit, including an electrosurgical end effector and mechanical drive componentry. The second part includes a reusable electronics unit, containing the RF electronic circuitry of the instrument. A user-releasable complementary interface is provided on each part, allowing the parts to be connected in use. Providing a division of components in this manner improves the sterility of the device, providing easier cleaning of the reusable part of the instrument.

Abstract: A surgical instrument with a handle for a surgical instrument is provided, comprising a first arm and a second arm, wherein at least one of the arms being movable with respect to the other between an open and closed position. An end effector such as a pair of opposing jaws for grasping tissue may be disposed at the distal end of the two arms. At the proximal end of each arm is a finger loop, or some other suitable means for holding by the handle, which are used to actuate the arms between the open and closed position. At least one of the finger loops is arranged to pivot about the longitudinal axis of the arm from which it extends, for example, the finger loop may be connected to the arm by a hinged connection, or any other suitable connection for enabling the finger loop to be pivotably rotated.

Abstract: An improved electrosurgical instrument, specifically a scissor style vessel sealer, comprising two overmoulded jaws formed from a structural polymer held in place by a pivot pin. The moulded structural polymer replaces many metal components which would otherwise be required for such an assembly. Additionally, reinforcement members can be positioned within the jaws of the instrument to provide support. Not only does the use of the moulded structural polymer simplify the assembly of the instrument, it also enables the following additional functionality: moulded pivot holes, flanges providing lateral support, and a flexible lever arm which is designed to provide the force needed to clamp and seal vessels.

Abstract: A locking component for a surgical device is disclosed, which is configured to prevent deployment of a blade when a first jaw member and a second jaw member of the surgical device are disposed in an open position and to permit deployment of the blade when the first and second jaw members are disposed in a closed position. The locking component includes a latch member, configured to prevent deployment of the blade by a mechanical interaction therewith when the latch member is in a first position. The locking component also includes a compliant body, connected to and disposed around the latch member, configured to bias the latch member to its first position. A surgical device incorporating the locking component and a method of operating the same is also disclosed.

Abstract: An improved electrosurgical instrument, specifically a scissor style vessel sealer, comprising two overmoulded jaws formed from a structural polymer held in place by a pivot pin. The moulded structural polymer replaces many metal components which would otherwise be required for such an assembly. Not only does the use of the moulded structural polymer simplify the assembly of the instrument, it also enables the following additional functionality: moulded pivot holes, flanges providing lateral support, and a flexible lever arm which is designed to provide the force needed to clamp and seal vessels.

Abstract: An electrode assembly is provided for use in a resectoscope, the electrode assembly comprising an elongate shaft, at least one arm, first connection means for connecting the arm to a source of electrosurgical energy, and a tissue treatment element at the end of the arm. The arm includes a suction lumen extending from a proximal end to a distal end, the distal end of the suction lumen terminating in the general region of the tissue treatment element, and the proximal end of the suction lumen including second connection means for connecting the suction lumen to a source of suction.

Abstract: An electrode for the electrosurgical end effector of a surgical instrument is manufactured by laser etching or roughening an area of the electrode's surface. This provides an area to which an insulating stop may be attached. Beneficially, the roughened area provides a good bond between the insulating stop and the electrode, allowing a greater potential use-life for the surgical instrument. Compared to conventional methods, using a laser reduces costs, increases manufacturing flexibility and allows precise control over the creation of the roughened area.

Abstract: A surgical instrument has an end-effector located on the end of a rotatable shaft, the shaft projecting from a handle. A thumbwheel is provided at the proximal end of the handle, which controls the rotation of the shaft, and hence the rotational orientation of the end-effector. The end-effector is capable of grasping, cutting, and sealing and/or coagulating tissue, and one of the operations is controlled by a switch located on the upper surface of the proximal end of the handle. The switch is oriented on the handle to be generally above the thumbwheel, in a relative position to the thumbwheel so that both the thumbwheel and the switch may be activated by the user's thumb, without the user having to alter his grip on the handle. In one embodiment of the invention the switch is therefore vertically oriented above the thumbwheel.

Abstract: An improved drive shaft for controlling an end effector of surgical instrument having advantages over the prior art, specifically, the drive shaft includes two separate elongate elements, each including a flange at its proximal end for restricting the lateral movement of the drive shaft when installed within an outer shaft of the instrument. The dimensions of the flanges are such that they fit within the outer shaft with minimal clearance. This allows the drive shaft to be moved longitudinally within the outer shaft to actuate an end effector whilst minimizing any lateral movement. This consequently prevents the end effector from tilting as it is actuated. The drive members are arranged so that the flanges extend in opposite directions perpendicular to the length of the drive shaft. This helps to improve ease of assembly and provides space within the outer shaft for features such as connection wires and the like.

Abstract: A surgical instrument having a handle, elongate shaft protruding from handle and end-effector located at end of shaft is described. To allow for rotation of the end-effector the shaft is connected to a rotation wheel mounted on handle, towards rearward end of handle proximal to the user. The rotation wheel is in the form of a thumbwheel, having an ergonomically designed shape that tapers from distal direction to proximal direction, with angle of the taper matching angle of the outer surface of the handle. The outer tapered surface of the thumbwheel has a number of shaped cut-out or scalloped portions arranged around the outer circumference of the wheel, and arranged in use to receive the tip of a user's thumb to allow the user to rotate the wheel in order to set the rotational orientation of the end-effector. Such an arrangement provides a comfortable and easy to use instrument.

Abstract: A surgical instrument has an end effector disposed on an elongate shaft end, the shaft projecting from a handle. The end effector grasps, cuts, and seals and/or coagulates tissue, and one of the operations is controlled by a rotatable drive shaft contained within the elongate shaft. The drive shaft moves longitudinally within the elongate shaft to move the end effector between a first and second condition. The instrument may have a further component such as a cutting blade arranged to move longitudinally within the drive shaft. The drive shaft is provided with apertures so as to reduce the surface area of the drive shaft and hence the friction between either the drive shaft and the elongate shaft and/or the drive shaft and the cutting blade, whilst at the same time providing channels through the drive shaft through which fluid can drain.

Abstract: A surgical instrument having an end effector mounted on the end of an elongate shaft extending from a handle is described, the shaft and end effector being rotatable with respect to the housing, to allow different rotational orientations of the end effector to be attained without rotating the whole instrument. To provide for control over the degree of rotation, shaft rotation control elements are provided to give rotation or torsion control. The shaft rotation control elements may be located at several different longitudinal positions along the shaft. Alternatively, rotation control elements in the form of mutually co-operating stops may be provided elsewhere, such as in a rotatable shaft support member at the distal end of the handle. In other embodiments rotation control stops are provided on both elements, thus providing for effective rotation control, which has a high quality feel to the user.

Abstract: A surgical instrument has an end effector on the end of an elongate shaft extending from a handle. The end-effector has different operations, including grasping, cutting, and sealing and/or coagulating tissue, and one operation is controlled by a switch on the handle proximal end upper surface. The switch is connected to the end-effector to deliver a current to a component in the end-effector. The electrical wire assemblies pass through respective pockets/chambers formed within the handle, an electrical connector contained within each chamber for connecting wires extending from electrodes on the end-effector to wires extending through the handle and on connecting to an electrosurgical generator. The pockets provision within which connectors are contained, one per pocket, prevents insulation damage to wires by connectors, as they are contained within the pockets. The pockets provision pockets side-by-side provides large separation between two connectors, so it is hard for liquid to short the connectors.

Abstract: An improved surgical instrument having an end effector mounted on the end of an elongate shaft extending from a handle. The end-effector has different operations, including grasping, cutting, and sealing and/or coagulating tissue, and one of the operations is controlled by a drive handle mechanism. The drive handle mechanism includes an actuator, a drive shaft and a spring assembly for transferring movement of the actuator to the drive shaft, which in turn controls the end effector. The drive handle mechanism limits the amount of force transferred from the drive handle mechanism to the end effector, preventing damage to the tissue. As the actuator is operated, the spring assembly transfers the movement of the actuator to the drive shaft and the end effector. At the same time, the spring assembly compresses to absorb some of the force applied. Such configuration prevents the tissue being unintentionally damaged by the end effector.

Abstract: An improved surgical instrument having an end effector mounted on the end of an elongate shaft extending from a handle. The end-effector is capable of several different operations, including grasping, cutting, and sealing and/or coagulating tissue, and one of the operations is controlled by a trigger mechanism contained within the handle. In some embodiments, the end effector includes a blade assembly, the trigger mechanism being formed of a three pivot slider-crank mechanism arranged to drive the blade assembly longitudinally along a rotatable drive shaft contained within the elongate shaft. As such, the mechanism is configured so as to drive the blade assembly with enough force that the cutting blade is able to cut through tissue without the user needing to apply any additional force to the trigger, the me. Such an arrangement is particularly advantageous when the blade is being used to cut thick tissue.

Abstract: An improved surgical instrument having an end-effector capable of several different operations, including grasping, cutting, and sealing and/or coagulating tissue, and one of the operations is controlled by handle that is moveable relative to instrument to move end effector between two conditions. Providing a simplified latching mechanism for this moveable handle, which latching mechanism is formed of single integrally formed component arranged to engage with handle to allow end effector to be retained in one condition, thus leaving user's hand free to perform other functions of instrument. Therefore, a user may use surgical instrument to grasp tissue between end effector by activating end effector using handle, then use latch mechanism to latch handle in the end effector activation position, allowing surgeon to remove his hand from handle and perform some other task.

Abstract: An arrangement where surgical instrument having shaft with end effector mounted thereon is provided with rotation wheel to allow user to rotate shaft during use into desired angular position. To allow compact and reliable mechanism the rotation wheel, outer edge of which is generally accessible at external surface of instrument, has internal space around axis of wheel within which is provided part of actuation mechanism for end effector. To allow rotation of actuation mechanism with end effector, part of actuation mechanism located within wheel rotationally mutually engages with inner surface of internal space within wheel, wherein rotation of wheel by user causes actuation mechanism to rotate, which in turn rotates shaft wherein end effector is mounted. Providing benefits allowing otherwise redundant space within rotation wheel to accommodate part of actuation mechanism for end effector, improving compactness of device, whilst still allowing rotation of end-effector and its corresponding actuation mechanism.

Abstract: A surgical instrument has an end effector mounted on the end of an elongate shaft extending from a handle. The end-effector grasps, cuts, and seals and/or coagulates tissue, and one of the operations is controlled by a trigger mechanism. The trigger mechanism has an actuator, drive shaft and flanged component for transferring movement of the actuator to the drive shaft whose movement controls the end effector. The actuator has a collar portion arranged to receive and retain the component. The component is free to rotate within the collar and has a keyhole-shaped arrangement, with a wider upper portion, and narrower lower portion to provide a sliding fit to the component main body. The component can be inserted into the wider upper portion, and then the main body of the component lowered into the narrower lower portion, with the flange of the component helping the component to be retained therein axially.

Abstract: A surgical instrument having an end effector mounted on the end of an elongate shaft extending from a handle. The end-effector is capable of different operations, including grasping, cutting, and sealing and/or coagulating tissue, and one of the operations is controlled by a trigger mechanism contained within the handle. In some embodiments, the end effector includes a blade assembly, the trigger mechanism being arranged to drive the blade assembly longitudinally within the elongate shaft. Specifically, the trigger mechanism is formed of a three pivot slider-crank mechanism, wherein one of the pivot points includes a component to which the proximal end of the blade assembly is connected. In this respect, the proximal end of the blade assembly has a distinctive profile corresponding to the internal profile of the component such that the blade can be easily connected to the component without the need for any further features and subsequently retained therein.

Abstract: An electrosurgical system for the treatment of tissue includes an electrosurgical instrument, a source for supplying ionizable gas to said electrosurgical instrument, an electrosurgical generator for supplying high frequency energy to the electrosurgical instrument, and a switch mechanism. The electrosurgical instrument includes one or more conduits and one or more electrodes connected to the electrosurgical generator. The electrosurgical system is movable between at least a first and a second arrangement. The first arrangement is such that one electrode produces a stream of ionized gas exiting one of the conduits, the ionizable gas being capable of the removal of tissue. The second arrangement is such that ionized gas is produced such that it is capable of the coagulation of tissue. The switch mechanism causes the electrosurgical instrument to move between the first and second arrangements.