Abstract: Surgical devices, systems, and methods are provided for applying monopolar energy and bipolar energy to tissue. In one embodiment, a surgical device is provided with an end effector that has first and second jaws movable between an open position and a closed position, and a conductive member that extends through the end effector. The conductive member has a retracted position in which the conductive member is substantially disposed within the end effector and an extended position in which the conductive member extends at least partially distally beyond the end effector. The conductive member is configured to conduct energy through tissue adjacent thereto when the conductive member is in the extended position. A trigger coupled to the handle is pivotally movable to move the conductive member between the retracted and extended positions.

Abstract: Surgical devices, systems, and methods are provided for applying monopolar energy and bipolar energy to tissue. In one embodiment, a surgical device is provided with an end effector that has first and second jaws movable between an open position and a closed position, and a conductive member that extends through the end effector. The conductive member has a retracted position in which the conductive member is substantially disposed within the end effector and an extended position in which the conductive member extends at least partially distally beyond the end effector. The conductive member is configured to conduct energy through tissue adjacent thereto when the conductive member is in the extended position. A trigger coupled to the handle is pivotally movable to move the conductive member between the retracted and extended positions.

Abstract: A removable semi-insulating sheet for use in self-limiting electrosurgical return semi-insulating sheet for use with electrosurgery. Through the selection of impedance characteristics for the electrode materials of the principal body of the semi-insulating sheet, and through tailoring of semi-insulating sheet geometries, the return electrode of the present invention is self-regulating and self-limiting as to current density and temperature rise so as to prevent patient trauma. The semi-insulating sheet has an effective bulk impedance equal to or greater than about 4,000 ?·cm. The effective bulk impedance of the sheet may arise from resistive components, capacitive components, inductive components, or combinations thereof The configuration of the presently described return electrode allows the electrode to self-limit the electrode's current densities, thereby preventing burning of a patient during surgery.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and instruments associated with controlling the operating modes of an electrosurgical instrument using control signals delivered in a wireless manner from the electrosurgical instrument to an electrosurgical generator. The electrosurgical instrument transmits wireless control signals to the electrosurgical generator to initiate delivery of electrosurgical energy. The control signals are delivered to the electrosurgical generator without the need for a conductive cord extending between the electrosurgical generator and the electrosurgical instrument. The energy is delivered to the electrosurgical instrument, in response to the wireless control signals, along a path through an electrode and the physician utilizing the electrosurgical instrument and/or a conductive path external to the physician. The electrode upon which the physician rests provides a path for the electrosurgical energy and optionally prevents burning of the physician during an electrosurgical procedure.

Abstract: An electrosurgical return electrode for use in electrosurgery. The return electrode is self-limiting and self-regulating as to current temperature and temperature rise so as to prevent patient trauma. According to one aspect of the invention, an inductor is coupled in series with the electrosurgical return electrode. The inductor is configured to optimize the flow of the electrosurgical current by minimizing the effective bulk impedance of the electrosurgical return electrode when the amount of contact area between the patient and the electrosurgical return electrode is sufficient to conduct electrosurgery. According to another aspect of the present invention, a conductor member is adapted for use with circuitry that indicates to a user when the contact area between the patient and the self-limiting member and/or return electrode is below a given threshold.

Abstract: An electrosurgical apparatus having a counter/lockout mechanism that monitors the number of sterilization/use cycles the electrosurgical apparatus undergoes and indicates the number of sterilization/use cycles that have actually been performed. The counter/lockout mechanism includes a temperature actuated element actuated in response to each sterilization cycle and a mechanically actuated element in response to a use cycle to effectuate a change of one or a plurality of indicia. The counter/lockout mechanism causes a single increment or decrement for each sterilization/use cycle that has been completed while also impeding use of the electrosurgical apparatus when the electrosurgical apparatus has undergone a predetermined number of sterilization/use cycles. In one embodiment, the distance of movement of the mechanically actuated element when fully actuated is greater than the distance the indicator moves when illustrating a change in the number of remaining uses.

Abstract: An electrosurgical apparatus having a counter/lockout mechanism that monitors the number of sterilization/use cycles the electrosurgical apparatus undergoes and indicates the number of sterilization/use cycles that have actually been performed. The counter/lockout mechanism includes a temperature actuated element actuated in response to each sterilization cycle and a mechanically actuated element in response to a use cycle to effectuate a change of one or a plurality of indicia. The counter/lockout mechanism causes a single increment or decrement for each sterilization/use cycle that has been completed while also impeding use of the electrosurgical apparatus when the electrosurgical apparatus has undergone a predetermined number of sterilization/use cycles. In one embodiment, the distance of movement of the mechanically actuated element when fully actuated is greater than the distance the indicator moves when illustrating a change in the number of remaining uses.

Abstract: An electrosurgical return electrode for use in electrosurgery. The return electrode is self-limiting and self-regulating as to maximum current and temperature rise to prevent patient trauma. An inductor is coupled in series with the return electrode. The inductor counteracts at least a portion of the impedance of the return electrode and the patient to optimize the flow of the current when the amount of contact area between the patient and the return electrode is sufficient to perform electrosurgery. The inductor may also be variable to allow the overall impedance of the electrosurgical circuit to be adjusted and tuned to work properly and safely with a particular patient and the other equipment used to perform electrosurgery. A conductor member operates with circuitry that indicates to a user when the contact area between the patient and the self-limiting member and/or return electrode is below a given threshold.

Abstract: An interface unit for receiving a body part of a subject at which a noninvasive hematocrit measurement is to be obtained includes a narrow monitoring element with a receptacle for receiving at least a portion of the body part and contacts that are configured for establishing electrical communication with contacts of electrodes that are to be positioned over the receptacle before the body part is placed therein. In addition, the monitoring element may include a pressure port that communicates pressure into the receptacle. The interface unit also includes a cover which is configured to partially enclose the body part, to ensure that electrical communication is established between the contacts and the electrodes, and to facilitate the application of pressure to the body part. The electrodes may be in the form of electrically isolated electrode pairs, which may be formed as a strip with minimal material wastage.