Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument capable of performing both thermal ablation and electroporation in a minimally invasive manner. The instrument is dimensioned to fit within an instrument channel of an endoscope to enable non-percutaneous insertion. The instrument comprises a radiating tip mounted at a distal end of a coaxial transmission line to receive microwave EM energy from the coaxial transmission line and emit it as a field around the radiating tip. The instrument further comprises an auxiliary transmission line arranged to convey electromagnetic energy having an electroporation waveform to a microelectrode array mounted on the radiating tip. The electroporation waveform may be a radiofrequency or low frequency electromagnetic (EM) signal. The microelectrode array may comprise a plurality of nanoscale conductive electrode elements.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a sterilization apparatus which uses thermal or non-thermal plasma to disinfect surgical scoping devices such as endoscopes, gastroscopes, laparoscopes and the like. Aspect of the disclosure provide: (i) an apparatus for sterilizing inside an instrument channel formed with an insertion tube of a surgical scoping device, (ii) a whole-device sterilization apparatus for treating the entire exterior surface of a surgical scoping device, and (iii) an apparatus for cleaning and sterilizing a distal end face of an insertion tube of a surgical scoping device.

Abstract: A treatment apparatus which uses thermal or non-thermal plasma to treat urinary tract infections (UTIs) by destroying bacteria. The apparatus comprises an elongate probe that includes a coaxial cable for conveying radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic (EM) energy and/or microwave EM energy, a probe tip connected at the distal end of the coaxial cable for receiving the RF and/or microwave EM energy, and a gas conduit for conveying gas to the probe tip. The probe tip comprises a first electrode connected to the inner conductor of the coaxial cable, and a second electrode connected to the outer conductor of the coaxial cable, and wherein the first electrode and second electrode are arranged to produce an electric field from the received RF and/or microwave EM energy across a flow path of gas received from the gas conduit to produce a thermal or a non-thermal plasma.

Abstract: An electrosurgical apparatus comprising an electrosurgical forceps instrument that combines la robust jaw opening mechanism with an a microwave energy delivery mechanism. The instrument includes a rigid bracket mounted at a distal end of a flexible shaft, wherein a pair of jaws are pivotably mounted on the rigid bracket. The instrument includes an energy delivery structure comprising a flexible dielectric substrate having a first electrode and an second electrode formed on one of the pair of jaws, wherein the first electrode and the second electrode are arranged to emit microwave energy. The electrosurgical apparatus may also comprise a handpiece that combines rotation control of an electrosurgical instrument with both power delivery and end effector actuation (e.g. jaw closure, blade retraction or the like).

Abstract: The invention refers to a Raman spectroscopy probe, comprising an elongate body having a distal end and a proximal end, at least one Raman fibre within the elongate body for guiding light between the proximal end and the distal end, and an instrument lumen within the elongate body and extending between the distal end and the proximal end, wherein the instrument lumen is configured to receive an elongate instrument, wherein the at least one Raman fibre is arranged outside of the instrument lumen.

Abstract: Exhaust systems are described. In examples, an exhaust flow path couples exhaust ports with one or more turbochargers of an engine. The exhaust flow path may have a portion flowing through a cylinder head (e.g., couplable to the exhaust ports) and a portion flowing through an exhaust manifold (couplable to the cylinder head and the turbocharger(s)). The flow paths may be shaped to reduce the sharpness of turns between the exhaust ports and the turbocharger(s). For example, curves along the flow path may be less than 90 degrees or have a minimum curve radius, which may vary along the flow path. Additionally, at least two, independent flow paths may exist between the exhaust ports and the turbocharger(s). The cross-sectional shape of any part of the flow path may be elliptical, including at inlets and outlets.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a hollow cable for transmitting radiofrequency and/or microwave frequency energy to an electrosurgical instrument, wherein the hollow cable is provided with electrical connectors for forming a bipolar electrical connection with an electrosurgical instrument that fits within, e.g. slides relative to, the hollow cable. The connectors can be conductive protrusions extending in an axial direction on opposite sides of the cable. The protrusions can be tabs, fins, rods, pins, or wires. The protrusions can be strips which engage corresponding terminals on the instrument. The transmission line structure of the invention can have a greater diameter then convention coaxial cables, which can minimise loss whilst still providing access for control wires and/or fluid to reach an surgical instrument. The cable can be used with multiple instruments.

Abstract: Exhaust systems are described. In examples, an exhaust flow path couples exhaust ports with one or more turbochargers of an engine. The exhaust flow path may have a portion flowing through a cylinder head (e.g., couplable to the exhaust ports) and a portion flowing through an exhaust manifold (couplable to the cylinder head and the turbocharger(s)). The flow paths may be shaped to reduce the sharpness of turns between the exhaust ports and the turbocharger(s). For example, curves along the flow path may be less than 90 degrees or have a minimum curve radius, which may vary along the flow path. Additionally, at least two, independent flow paths may exist between the exhaust ports and the turbocharger(s). The cross-sectional shape of any part of the flow path may be elliptical, including at inlets and outlets.

Abstract: The invention refers to a Raman spectroscopy probe, comprising an elongate body having a distal end and a proximal end, at least one Raman fibre within the elongate body for guiding light between the proximal end and the distal end, and an instrument lumen within the elongate body and extending between the distal end and the proximal end, wherein the instrument lumen is configured to receive an elongate instrument, wherein the at least one Raman fibre is arranged outside of the instrument lumen.

Abstract: Exhaust systems are described. In examples, an exhaust flow path couples exhaust ports with one or more turbochargers of an engine. The exhaust flow path may have a portion flowing through a cylinder head (e.g., couplable to the exhaust ports) and a portion flowing through an exhaust manifold (couplable to the cylinder head and the turbocharger(s)). The flow paths may be shaped to reduce the sharpness of turns between the exhaust ports and the turbocharger(s). For example, curves along the flow path may be less than 90 degrees or have a minimum curve radius, which may vary along the flow path. Additionally, at least two, independent flow paths may exist between the exhaust ports and the turbocharger(s). The cross-sectional shape of any part of the flow path may be elliptical, including at inlets and outlets.

Abstract: This invention refers to an endoscopic electrosurgical instrument, comprising: a feed structure configured to convey electromagnetic energy from a proximal end of the electrosurgical instrument to a region at a distal end of the electrosurgical instrument, a radiating element arranged in the region at the distal end, the radiating element connected to the feed structure to receive the electromagnetic energy therefrom, the radiating element being configured to radiate the electromagnetic energy into a target area, and an image capturing device arranged in the region at the distal end and configured to generate an image of a part of the target area.

Abstract: Sterilisation apparatus suitable for generating hydroxyl radicals for sterilising an enclosed space, in which energy and water mist feeds are combined in a manner that permit the apparatus to be readily scaled to the size of enclosure. In particular, the sterilisation apparatus provides a manifold for providing a plasma generating region to form a plasma arc through which a flow of water mist is directed to form the hydroxyl radicals. A power distribution device transmits microwave energy generated by a microwave source to the manifold and distributes the received microwave energy to a plurality of output ports connected to the manifold.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument for delivering microwave energy having a predetermined frequency into biological tissue in contact with the instrument, wherein the instrument comprises a first coaxial transmission line having a second coaxial transmission line connected to the distal end thereof, the second coaxial transmission line having a length and a characteristic impedance that are configured to match the impedance of the first coaxial transmission line to the load impedance at the distal end of the distal coaxial transmission line when the instrument is in contact with the tissue, at the operating frequency.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide a sterilisation apparatus for sterilising a channel of a surgical scoping device. The apparatus includes: a gas supply having a conduit to deliver an ionisable gas to the channel of the surgical scoping device; and, a sterilisation instrument, separate from the gas supply and the conduit, configured to be inserted through the channel of a surgical scoping device. The sterilisation instrument includes an elongate probe. The elongate probe includes: a transmission line for conveying radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic (EM) energy and/or microwave EM energy; and, a probe tip connected at the distal end of the transmission line for receiving the RF and/or microwave EM energy, the probe tip comprising an electrode assembly configured to produce an electric field from the received RF and/or microwave frequency EM energy to generate a plasma of the ionisable gas delivered to the channel from the gas supply.

Abstract: An electrosurgical resector tool comprising an energy conveying structure for carrying radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic (EM) energy and microwave EM energy having an instrument tip mounted at a distal end thereof. The instrument tip comprises first and second jaws. The second jaw is movable between a closed position and an open position, in which the second jaw is spaced from the first by a gap for receiving biological tissue. The first and second jaws respectively comprise first and second pairs of electrodes that are electrically isolated. The first and second pairs of electrodes are respectively coupled to the energy conveying structure, such that each pair is operable as active and return electrodes for delivering RF EM energy carried by the energy conveying structure. The first and second pairs of electrodes are operable as a microwave field emitting structure for emitting microwave EM energy carried by the energy conveying structure.

Abstract: An electrosurgical vessel sealing device that can seal biological vessels using a confined microwave field that yields a well-defined seal location with low thermal margin. The device comprises a pair of jaws that are movable relative to each other to grip biological tissue. A blade for cutting the gripped tissue is slidable between the jaws. A coplanar microstrip antenna is mounted on the inner surface of one or both of the pair of jaws to emit microwave energy into the gap therebetween. The device may comprise a separate dissector element to enable fine tissue cutting and dissection to be performed.

Abstract: A helical antenna structure for use in an electrosurgical instrument. The helical antenna structure is connectable to inner and outer conductors of a coaxial transmission line, and can act as both a radiating antenna or applicator structure, and also in a mode where an electric field is generated between its electrodes. In this way, the helical antenna structure may be used both for argon plasma coagulation, and deep tissue coagulation, as well as providing means for delivering a fluid, e.g. a therapeutic fluid such as adrenaline. This may be achieved through the use of helically arranged electrodes and a channel for gas to flow. This device is also used to deliver adrenaline and RF/microwave energy.

Abstract: An electrosurgical apparatus and method for performing thermal treatment in the gastrointestinal tract, e.g. to ablate duodenal mucosal tissue. The apparatus comprises an instrument having a flexible cable and an applicator suitable for use with a gastroscope, which can be deployed within a patient to delivery energy in a targeted or otherwise controllable manner. The applicator can deliver microwave energy by radiation. The direct and depth-limited nature of microwave energy can be make it more effective than treatments that rely on thermal conduction. The applicator may include a radially extendable portion arranged to move an microwave energy delivery structure into contact with duodenal mucosal tissue at the treatment region. The applicator may comprise any of a balloon, bipolar radiator, movable paddle, and rotatable roller element.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electrosurgical apparatus for cutting and coagulating biological tissue. In particular, the present invention provides an electrosurgical generator arranged to generate radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic (EM) energy and microwave frequency EM energy; wherein the electrosurgical generator is operable in each of a coagulation mode and a cutting mode, wherein in the coagulation mode the electrosurgical generator is arranged to deliver the RF EM energy and the microwave EM energy simultaneously in a coagulation composite waveform comprising a dominant microwave signal and a supplementary RF signal, and wherein in the cutting mode the electrosurgical generator is arranged to deliver the RF EM energy and the microwave EM energy simultaneously in a cutting composite waveform comprising a dominant RF signal and a supplementary microwave signal.