Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument is provided for cauterization and/or welding of tissue of varying impedances, thicknesses and vascularity especially in the performance of endoscopic procedures. The instrument compresses the tissue between one pole of a bipolar energy source located on one interfacing surface, and a second interfacing surface. A second pole is located one of the two interfacing surfaces. In a preferred embodiment, the second pole is located on the same interfacing surface as the first pole and an insulator electrically isolates the two poles. A preferred application of the invention is in a cutting instrument wherein a hemostatic line is formed along a cut line using RF energy.

Abstract: An improved electro surgical instrument is provided for cauterization and/or welding of tissue of varying impedances, thicknesses and vascularity especially in the performance of endoscopic procedures. The instrument compresses the tissue between one pole of a bipolar energy source located on one interfacing surface, and a second interfacing surface. A second pole is located on one of the two interfacing surfaces. In a preferred embodiment, the second pole is located on the same interfacing surface as the first pole and an insulator electrically isolates the two poles. A preferred application of the invention is in a cutting instrument wherein a hemostatic line is formed along a cut line using RF energy.

Abstract: A new method is shown whereby staples are closed to smaller heights so that virtually total hemostasis is possible. Also, the staple legs in alternate rows in the surgical stapler are made to interlock so that during closure, hemostasis is effected by the interlocking of the staple legs.

Abstract: A bipolar electrosurgical tool comprises a retractable cutting element movable along a cutting path and an electrical energy supply source which communicates electrical energy (e.g., radio frequency energy) through one or more energy delivering electrodes associated with a tissue affecting portion of the tool to tissue adjacent the electrodes. One or more additional electrodes, such as return electrodes, form a second pole of the bipolar electrical connection are also associated with the tissue affecting portion and are electrically isolated from the energy delivering electrode. Various combinations of electrically conductive and electrically isolated elements associated with the tissue affecting portion of the device can be used as the two poles of the bipolar system.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument is provided for cauterization and/or welding of tissue of varying impedances, thicknesses and vascularity especially in the performance of endoscopic procedures. The instrument compresses the tissue between one pole of a bipolar energy source located on one interfacing surface, and a second interfacing surface. A second pole is located one of the two interfacing surfaces. In a preferred embodiment, the second pole is located on the same interfacing surface as the first pole and an insulator electrically isolates the two poles. A preferred application of the invention is in a cutting instrument wherein a hemostatic line is formed along a cut line using RF energy.

Abstract: A safety trocar is provided which includes a spring-loaded shield that shields the cutting tip of the obturator after the obturator penetrates tissue. The distal end of the shield is hemispheric in profile and contains slides within cutting tip. The rounded distal end enables the shield to spring forward to shield the cutting tip as soon as the tip perforates the tissue. In other embodiments, positive mechanical means effect shielding. Alternately, the obturator tip is retractable into the cannula or shield, by use of mechanical means such as a spring mechanism.

Abstract: A four-row laparoscopic surgical staper cutting mechanism is described wherein stapling and cutting are remotely accomplished. Further, there is disclosed closure means which enable closure and stapling of the apparatus. Finally, such closure can take place either using lever or collar type means. This stapling apparatus is useful in performing surgical stapling functions through the cannula of a surgical trocar.