Abstract: A jaw assembly for vessel sealing device having a pair of jaw member that are pivotally coupled together via two flanges associated with one of the jaw members and a single, centrally positioned flange associated with the other of the jaw members. The flanges include cam slots so that axial movement of a drive shaft can open and close the jaw members. The jaw members may include a knife pathway for axial movement of a knife blade that is positioned to one side of the central flange and thus offset from the central axis of the jaws.

Abstract: A force limiting assembly for a surgical instrument that has a handle and a lever pivotally mounted to the handle at a pivot point for movement of an internal drive shaft. The lever is coupled to the drive shaft by a cantilever spring that is positioned within the lever. The free end of the cantilever is spaced apart from the pivot point of the lever and coupled to the drive shaft via stops positioned on the drive shaft on either side of the free end of the cantilever spring. As the lever is pivoting by a user, the forces move the drive shaft and bias the cantilever spring, thereby reducing and ultimately limiting the amount of force that a user may apply to the drive shaft via operation of the lever.

Abstract: A vessel sealing device having a pair of electrodes that are maintained in spaced apart configuration when closed by non-uniform coating formed from a non-conductive material that has been applied to roughened electrodes so that the coating allows for the passage of a predetermined amount of radiofrequency (RF) energy between the electrodes. The coating has a predetermined thickness that spaces the electrodes apart while also having the predetermined non-uniformity that allows RF energy to pass between the electrodes when a vessel is trapped therein, thus desiccating the vessel positioned in the jaws. The electrodes may include a series of grooves in a herringbone pattern, with each electrode having the pattern oriented in the same direction or in opposite directions.

Abstract: A vessel sealing device having a pair of electrodes that are maintained in spaced apart configuration when closed by non-uniform coating formed from a non-conductive material that has been applied to roughened electrodes so that the coating allows for the passage of a predetermined amount of radiofrequency (RF) energy between the electrodes. The coating has a predetermined thickness that spaces the electrodes apart while also having the predetermined non-uniformity that allows RF energy to pass between the electrodes when a vessel is trapped therein, thus desiccating the vessel positioned in the jaws. The electrodes may include a series of grooves in a herringbone pattern, with each electrode having the pattern oriented in the same direction or in opposite directions.

Abstract: A force limiting assembly for a surgical instrument that has a handle and a lever pivotally mounted to the handle at a pivot point for movement of an internal drive shaft. The lever is coupled to the drive shaft by a cantilever spring that is positioned within the lever. The free end of the cantilever is spaced apart from the pivot point of the lever and coupled to the drive shaft via stops positioned on the drive shaft on either side of the free end of the cantilever spring. As the lever is pivoting by a user, the forces move the drive shaft and bias the cantilever spring, thereby reducing and ultimately limiting the amount of force that a user may apply to the drive shaft via operation of the lever.

Abstract: A jaw assembly for vessel sealing device having a pair of jaw member that are pivotally coupled together via two flanges associated with one of the jaw members and a single, centrally positioned flange associated with the other of the jaw members. The flanges include cam slots so that axial movement of a drive shaft can open and close the jaw members. The jaw members may include a knife pathway for axial movement of a knife blade that is positioned to one side of the central flange and thus offset from the central axis of the jaws.

Abstract: An improved insulating layer for electrosurgical instruments and its use for electrosurgical instruments for reducing smoke generation at a surgical site is disclosed. The insulating layer may include a ceramic material that is substantially sealed with a coating comprising substantially of a material based on polydiorganosiloxanes or derivatives thereof that have been cured. Such an insulating layer may advantageously include one or more insulating materials with pores that have been sealed so as to prevent biological materials from entering the pores with such sealing material preferably containing one or more of silicate materials or materials that form silicates. Heat sinks may be included in various embodiments to establish a thermal gradient away from functional portions of the instrument.

Abstract: A medical liquid filling system and associated methods are provided, the system comprising a disposable and a drive system. The disposable includes a tubular member and a piston slidably disposed within the tubular member for retraction and advancement within at least a first portion of the tubular member. The disposable may include a seal member for sealing the first portion of the tubular member and may be interconnected to the piston for co-movement therewith. The drive system may include a piston drive member selectively interconnectable to the piston for driven advancement and retraction of the piston within the tubular member. The drive system may be interconnected to a controller, which may be operable to automate or semi-automate various filling operations. A user interface may be interconnected to the controller for providing input of various system operation parameters, which may be communicated to the controller to facilitate automated or semi-automated operation of the filling system.

Abstract: An improved means for insulating electrosurgical instruments and its use for electrosurgical instruments for reducing smoke generation at a surgical site is disclosed. An insulating layer is employed that may include a ceramic material that is substantially sealed with a coating comprising substantially of a material based on polydiorganosiloxanes or derivatives thereof that have been cured, preferably with the aid of temperatures in excess of about 150° F. In one aspect of the invention, an insulating layer having a thermal conductance of about 1.2 W/cm2° K. and a dielectric withstand strength of at least about 50 volts is employed. Such insulating layer may advantageously comprise one or more insulating materials with pores that have been sealed so as to prevent biological materials from entering the pores with such sealing material preferably containing one or more of silicate materials or materials that form silicates.

Abstract: An improved electrosurgical instrument and method is disclosed for reducing smoke generation at a surgical site. The electrosurgical instrument comprises a metal body having an outer insulating layer to reduce thermal/electrical discharge from non-functional portions of the instrument. In one aspect of the invention, an insulating layer having a thermal conductance of about 1.2 W/cm2° K and a dielectric withstand strength of at least about 50 volts is employed. Such insulating layer may advantageously comprise silicon and/or carbon. In another aspect of the invention, the metal body is provided to have a thermal conductivity of at least about 0.35 W/cm° K, and may advantageously comprise a metal selected from the group: gold, silver, aluminum, copper tantalum, tungsten, columbium and molybdenum. In yet a further aspect, the metal body may include an intermediate layer that defines a peripheral edge portion of reduced cross-section (e.g., about 0.

Abstract: An improved electrosurgical instrument and method is disclosed for reducing smoke generation at a surgical site. The electrosurgical instrument comprises a metal body having an outer insulating layer to reduce thermal/electrical discharge from non-functional portions of the instrument. In one aspect of the invention, an insulating layer having a thermal conductance of about 1.2 W/cm2° K and a dielectric withstand strength of at least about 50 volts is employed. Such insulating layer may advantageously comprise silicon and/or carbon. In another aspect of the invention, the metal body is provided to have a thermal conductivity of at least about 0.35 W/cm° K, and may advantageously comprise a metal selected from the group: gold, silver, aluminum, and copper. Heat sink means may be included in various embodiments to establish a thermal gradient away from functional portions of the instrument (i.e., by removing heat from the metal body).

Abstract: An improved electrosurgical instrument and method is disclosed for reducing smoke generation at a surgical site. The electrosurgical instrument comprises a metal body having an outer insulating layer to reduce thermal/electrical discharge from non-functional portions of the instrument. In one aspect of the invention, an insulating layer having a thermal conductance of about 1.2 W/cm2° K and a dielectric withstand strength of at least about 50 volts is employed. Such insulating layer may advantageously comprise silicon and/or carbon. In another aspect of the invention, the metal body is provided to have a thermal conductivity of at least about 0.35 W/cm° K, and may advantageously comprise a metal selected from the group: gold, silver, aluminum, copper tantalum, tungsten, columbium and molybdenum. In yet a further aspect, the metal body may include an intermediate layer that defines a peripheral edge portion of reduced cross-section (e.g., about 0.

Abstract: An ultrasonic and electrosurgical handpiece housing has an axis, a distal end, a proximal end and a passage defined by an inside wall. A piezo stack has elements carried along a plane generally transverse to the axis. A retainer for the elements has distal, intermediate and proximal portions. The distal portion has a fastener; the proximal portion has a threaded shoulder bolt. The stack about the shoulder has an energy input and a reference output positioned axially apart from one another. An insulating sleeve about the bolt is between central openings of the elements and the bolt. A pair of insulators about the bolt has the stack therebetween; one insulator is between the plane and the stack and the other is near the threads. The intermediate portion attaches to the housing at the plane with decoupling and sealing. An irrigation channel conveys fluid. The drive energy input, the feedback signal and the reference outputs are insulated by the sleeve and pair from the bolt.