Abstract: A balloon trocar includes a cannula assembly including a cannula and an outer sleeve fitting over the cannula. The distal end of the outer sleeve is proximal to the distal end of the cannula. A balloon is coupled to a distal portion of the sleeve and a distal portion of the cannula. The outer surface of the cannula includes a plurality of longitudinal channels for transmitting gas or fluid to the balloon. A bolster having a gel pad at its distal portion is slidably mounted to the cannula assembly and may be locked in a desired position. In use, the trocar is inserted into an incision through a body wall and into a body cavity. The balloon is inflated and the cannula assembly pulled proximally against the incision while the bolster is slid distally to the body wall and locked in place to seal the incision with the compressed balloon.

Abstract: Embodiments of a surgical access system useful for single or limited port procedures comprise a trocar comprising a fixation cannula, a retractor, and a gel cap removably coupled to the retractor. The gel cap comprises a gel pad that acts as an artificial body wall, through which instruments may be inserted into a body cavity, either directly or through one or more trocars. The fixation cannula comprises a retainer and a bolster, which together, capture the artificial body wall therebetween, thereby fixing the trocar thereto. The gel pad permits flexible instrument placement, as well as translational and angular degrees of freedom for the instruments while maintaining a gas tight seal.

Abstract: A trocar comprises a retention cannula comprising an inverted or incised retention pattern disposed thereon. Embodiments of the incised cannula exhibit reduced tissue trauma compared with screw-threaded cannula, improved fixation and/or retention compared with an unthreaded cannula, and good sealing between the cannula and the incision.

Abstract: A trocar comprises a retention cannula comprising an inverted or incised retention pattern disposed thereon. Embodiments of the incised cannula exhibit reduced tissue trauma compared with screw-threaded cannula, improved fixation and/or retention compared with an unthreaded cannula, and good sealing between the cannula and the incision.

Abstract: A trocar comprises a retention cannula comprising an inverted or incised retention pattern disposed thereon. Embodiments of the incised cannula exhibit reduced tissue trauma compared with screw-threaded cannula, improved fixation and/or retention compared with an unthreaded cannula, and good sealing between the cannula and the incision.

Abstract: A surgical access system comprises a wound retractor comprising an outer anchor, an inner anchor, and a flexible, tubular sheath extending therebetween. Embodiments of the outer anchor comprise an outer ring rotatable around an annular axis thereof, thereby rolling the sheath therearound when retracting an incision or opening in a body wall. The sheath comprises a plurality of fibers or strands that improve the abrasion and puncture resistance thereof. Consequently, the surgical access system is useful in procedures in which damage to the sheath is likely, for example, orthopedic hip replacement, and spinal procedures. In some embodiments, the sheath tapers from the outer ring to the inner ring.

Abstract: Embodiments of a surgical access system useful for single or limited port procedures comprise a trocar comprising a fixation cannula, a retractor, and a gel cap removably coupled to the retractor. The gel cap comprises a gel pad that acts as an artificial body wall, through which instruments may be inserted into a body cavity, either directly or through one or more trocars. The fixation cannula comprises a retainer and a bolster, which together, capture the artificial body wall therebetween, thereby fixing the trocar thereto. The gel pad permits flexible instrument placement, as well as translational and angular degrees of freedom for the instruments while maintaining a gas tight seal.

Abstract: Phase end point determination is provided to automatically halt the application of energy to tissue. Prior to the application of energy, the phase end point determination is identified by measuring the product of permittivity and conductivity of the tissue to be treated. An electrosurgical system can include an electrosurgical generator, a feedback circuit or controller, and an electrosurgical tool. The feedback circuit can provide an electrosurgery endpoint by determining the phase end point of a tissue to be treated. The electrosurgical system can include more than one electrosurgical tool for different electrosurgical operations and can include a variety of user interface features and audio/visual performance indicators. The electrosurgical system can also power conventional bipolar electrosurgical tools and direct current surgical appliances.

Abstract: An electrosurgical tool can be used for tissue dissection. The tool can include several electrodes positioned on a jaw assembly. The electrodes can be selectively connected to a power source in a cutting arrangement or a coagulation arrangement. Switching from the cutting arrangement to the coagulation arrangement can be provided by opening and closing a handle to actuate the jaw assembly.

Abstract: An electrosurgical tool can be used to fuse tissue. The electrosurgical tool can include a jaw assembly, an elongate shaft, and a handle assembly. Actuation of the handle assembly can actuate the jaw assembly. The elongate shaft can be rotatable without disrupting electrical connection to the jaw assembly. The electrosurgical tool can include a cutting blade to separate fused tissue. The electrosurgical tool can also include a jaw assembly configuration or an exterior cutting electrode to improve surgical access with the tool.

Abstract: An electrosurgical system can include an electrosurgical generator, a feedback circuit or controller, and an electrosurgical tool. The feedback circuit can provide an electrosurgery endpoint by determining the phase end point of a tissue to be treated. The electrosurgical system can include more than one electrosurgical tool for different electrosurgical operations and can include a variety of user interface features and audio/visual performance indicators. The electrosurgical system can also power conventional bipolar electrosurgical tools and direct current surgical appliances.

Abstract: Phase end point determination is provided to automatically halt the application of energy to tissue. Prior to the application of energy, the phase end point determination is identified by measuring the product of permittivity and conductivity of the tissue to be treated.

Abstract: Embodiments of an access device system useful for single or limited port procedures comprises a retractor and a gel cap removably coupled to the retractor. The gel cap comprises a gel pad that acts as an artificial body wall, through which instruments may be inserted into a body cavity, either directly or through one or more trocars. The gel pad permits flexible instrument placement, as well as translational and angular degrees of freedom for the instruments while maintaining a gas tight seal.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tissue morcellator for minimally invasive surgery. The morcellator has a metallic cutting ring mounted on a visually transparent hollow cylinder, which in combination with a visually transparent outer morcellator tube enables a surgeon to visualize the inside of the morcellator shaft for detection of loose tissue fragments in the device. A tenaculum used with the morcellation device has a spacer for preventing contact with the blade. The cutting tube can oscillate, rather than rotate, along the longitudinal axis of the cutting tube. The morcellator utilizes an extendable tissue guide on the outer tube of the morcellator shaft for preventing the tissue from rotating along the longitudinal axis of the morcellator tube. This allows the tissue to be continuously rotated into the morcellator device for continuous peel. The tissue guide can also be fully retracted to allow for coring of the bulk tissue.

Abstract: A balloon trocar includes a cannula assembly including a cannula and an outer sleeve fitting over the cannula. The distal end of the outer sleeve is proximal to the distal end of the cannula. A balloon is coupled to a distal portion of the sleeve and a distal portion of the cannula. The outer surface of the cannula includes a plurality of longitudinal channels for transmitting gas or fluid to the balloon. A bolster having a gel pad at its distal portion is slidably mounted to the cannula assembly and may be locked in a desired position. In use, the trocar is inserted into an incision through a body wall and into a body cavity. The balloon is inflated and the cannula assembly pulled proximally against the incision while the bolster is slid distally to the body wall and locked in place to seal the incision with the compressed balloon.