Abstract: A removable electrode assembly for use in combination with a forceps having opposing end effectors and a handle for effecting movement of the end effectors relative to one another. The electrode assembly includes a housing which is removably engageable with the forceps and a pair of electrodes which are attachable to a distal end of the housing. The electrodes are removably engageable with the end effectors of the forceps such that the electrodes reside in opposing relation relative to one another. The electrode assembly also includes a cover plate which is removably attachable to the housing and at least one stop member for controlling the distance between the opposing electrodes. The stop member is selectively engageable with the electrodes.

Abstract: An endoscopic bipolar forceps for sealing and dividing tissue which includes an elongated shaft having opposing jaw members at a distal end thereof. The jaw members are movable relative to one another about a pivot from a first spaced position to a second closed position to grasp tissue. Each jaw member is adapted to couple to a generator for conducting energy to effect a seal. The forceps also includes a handle assembly and a longitudinally reciprocating knife assembly which is translatable to sever tissue. The knife assembly includes a bifurcated knife bar having two forks which ride about the pivot during translation of the knife. One or more non-conductive stop members are operatively associated with the jaw members to regulate the distance between the jaw members when closed.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument for performing at least one of sealing and dividing tissue includes a housing having a shaft attached thereto, the shaft defining a longitudinal axis. The electrosurgical instrument also includes a first jaw member movable relative to a second jaw member, the first jaw member attached to the shaft and being relatively movable from a first open position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second closed position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. The instrument also includes a drive rod assembly for imparting movement of the jaw members between the first and second positions and a rotating assembly attached to the housing for rotating the jaw members about the longitudinal axis. A knife assembly is also attached to the housing for separating tissue grasped between the jaw members and a handle assembly is attached to the housing for actuating the drive rod assembly.

Abstract: An endoscopic bipolar forceps for sealing and dividing tissue includes an elongated shaft having opposing jaw members at a distal end thereof which are movable relative to one another from a first position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. Each jaw member including an electrically conductive sealing surface having a non-stick coating disposed thereon which is designed to reduce tissue adherence. A source of electrical energy is connected to each jaw member such that the jaw members are capable of conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a seal. A longitudinally reciprocating knife is included which severs tissue proximate the seal. The vessel sealer and divider also includes a non-conductive stop member disposed on the electrically conductive surface of one of the jaw members which controls the distance between the jaw members when tissue is held therebetween.

Abstract: A disposable open electrosurgical forceps for sealing tissue is disclosed in the present disclosure. The disposable open electrosurgical forceps comprise a pair of first and second shaft members containing a fiber reinforced thermoplastic blend material having fiber strands of at least 2 millimeters in length. Each shaft member includes a jaw member disposed at a distal end thereof which are movable from a first position in spaced relation relative to one another to at least one subsequent position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. Each of the jaw members also includes an electrically conductive sealing plate for communicating electrosurgical energy through tissue held therebetween. At least one of the jaw members includes a knife channel defined along a length thereof which is dimensioned to reciprocate a cutting mechanism therealong.

Abstract: Open electrosurgical forceps for sealing tissue are provided which include first and second shaft portions pivotably associated with one another. Each shaft portion has a jaw member disposed at a distal end thereof. Each of the jaw members includes an electrically conductive sealing surface adapted to communicate electrosurgical energy through tissue held therebetween and a slot formed through the sealing surface thereof. The forceps includes a cutting mechanism operatively associated with the first and second jaw members. The cutting mechanism includes a cutting element disposed within the slot of the at least one jaw member, the cutting element being movable from a first position wherein the cutting element is retracted within the at least one jaw member and a second position in which the cutting element at least partially projects from a sealing surface of the at least one jaw member.

Abstract: An open electrosurgical forceps for sealing tissue includes a pair of first and second shaft members each having a jaw member disposed at a distal end thereof. The jaw members are movable from a first position in spaced relation relative to one another to at least one subsequent position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. Each of the jaw members includes an electrically conductive sealing plate for communicating electrosurgical energy through tissue held therebetween. At least one of the jaw members includes a knife channel defined along a length thereof which is dimensioned to reciprocate a cutting blade therealong. An actuator is included which is operatively connected to one of the shaft members and selectively advances the cutting mechanism from a first position wherein the cutting blade is disposed proximal to tissue held between the jaw members to at least one subsequent position wherein the cutting blade is disposed distal to tissue held between the jaw members.

Abstract: An open electrosurgical forceps for sealing tissue includes a pair of first and second shaft members each having a jaw member disposed at a distal end thereof. The jaw members are movable from a first position in spaced relation relative to one another to a subsequent position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. Each of the jaw members includes an electrically conductive sealing plate for communicating electrosurgical energy through tissue held therebetween. At least one of the jaw members includes a cutting slot defined along a length thereof which is dimensioned to reciprocate a cutting instrument therealong for cutting tissue disposed between jaw members. An actuator advances the cutting instrument from a first position wherein the cutting instrument is disposed proximal to tissue held between the jaw members to at least one subsequent position wherein the cutting instrument is disposed distal to tissue held between the jaw members.

Abstract: An open electrosurgical forceps for sealing tissue includes a pair of first and second shaft members each having a jaw member disposed at a distal end thereof. The jaw members are movable from a first position in spaced relation relative to one another to a subsequent position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. Each of the jaw members includes an electrically conductive sealing plate for communicating electrosurgical energy through tissue held therebetween. At least one of the jaw members includes a knife channel defined along a length thereof which is dimensioned to reciprocate a cutting mechanism therealong for cutting tissue disposed between jaw members. An actuator having a rack and pinion system advances the cutting mechanism from a first position wherein the cutting mechanism is disposed proximal to tissue held between the jaw members to at least one subsequent position wherein the cutting mechanism is disposed distal to tissue held between the jaw members.

Abstract: An electrode assembly for use in combination with an electrosurgical instrument having opposing end effectors and a handle for effecting movement of the end effectors relative to one another. The electrode assembly includes a housing having one portion which is removably engageable with the electrosurgical instrument and a pair of electrodes each having an electrically conductive sealing surface and an insulating substrate. The electrodes are removably engageable with the end effectors of the electrosurgical instrument such that the electrodes reside in opposing relation relative to one another. The dimensions of the insulating substrate are different from the dimensions of the electrically conductive sealing surface to reduce thermal spread to adjacent tissue structures.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument which includes opposing end effectors and a handle for effecting movement of the end effectors relative to one another. The instrument includes a housing and a pair of electrodes. Each electode preferably includes an electrically conductive surface (e.g., which can be dimensioned for sealing, clamping and/or cutting) and an insulating substrate which is dimensioned to be engageable with the end effectors such that the electrodes reside in opposing relation relative to one another. The dimensions of the insulating substrate are different from the dimensions of the electrically conductive surface to reduce thermal spread to adjacent tissue structures. The insulating substrate is made from a material having a Comparative Tracking Index of about 300 volts to about 600 volts to reduce the incidence of flashover.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument for performing at least one of sealing and dividing tissue includes a housing having a shaft attached thereto, the shaft defining a longitudinal axis. The electrosurgical instrument also includes a first jaw member movable relative to a second jaw member, the first jaw member attached to the shaft and being relatively movable from a first open position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second closed position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. The instrument also includes a drive rod assembly for imparting movement of the jaw members between the first and second positions and a rotating assembly attached to the housing for rotating the jaw members about the longitudinal axis. A knife assembly is also attached to the housing for separating tissue grasped between the jaw members and a handle assembly is attached to the housing for actuating the drive rod assembly.

Abstract: An endoscopic bipolar forceps for sealing and dividing tissue includes an elongated shaft having opposing jaw members at a distal end thereof which are movable relative to one another from a first position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. Each jaw member including an electrically conductive sealing surface having a non-stick coating disposed thereon which is designed to reduce tissue adherence. A source of electrical energy is connected to each jaw member such that the jaw members are capable of conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a seal. A longitudinally reciprocating knife is included which severs tissue proximate the seal. The vessel sealer and divider also includes a non-conductive stop member disposed on the electrically conductive surface of one of the jaw members which controls the distance between the jaw members when tissue is held therebetween.

Abstract: A method of operating an automotive-type engine at part loads by eliminating engine throttling altogether and controlling the intake flow by heating the intake air and utilizing variable late or early intake valve closings.

Abstract: A four stroke, spark ignition, high compression ratio, internal combustion engine including at least one intake valve (30), exhaust valve (32) and charging valve (36) per cylinder (16). Each of the valves is actuable by a variable timing mechanism (50), which is controlled by an on-board computer (82) that varies the timing of valve opening and closing depending upon engine operating conditions. Each charging valve port (34) leads to an auxiliary chamber (40) having geometry to cause a swirling motion of the charge entering the chamber and surrounded by a cooling jacket (42) to cool the charge as it swirls before being released back into the cylinder during the next engine cycle.

Abstract: A method of operating a four stroke, spark ignition, high compression ratio, internal combustion engine including at least one intake valve (30), exhaust valve (32) and charging valve (36) per cylinder (16). Each of the valves is actuable by a variable timing mechanism (50), which is controlled by an on-board computer (82) that varies the timing of valve opening and closing depending upon engine operating conditions. Each charging valve port (34) leads to an auxiliary chamber (40) having geometry to cause a swirling motion of the charge entering the chamber and surrounded by a cooling jacket (42) to cool the charge as it swirls before being released back into the cylinder during the next engine cycle.