Abstract: A cooled electrosurgical system includes an electrosurgical device having at least one electrode for applying electrical energy to tissue. In one embodiment, the electrode includes an internal cavity in which a cooling medium such as water is contained. The internal cavity is closed at both ends of the device such that the cooling medium is contained within the electrode at the surgical site such that the cooling medium does not contact the tissue being treated. The electrosurgical device has an electrode and a heat pipe to conduct heat from the electrodes where substantially all heat conducted from the electrode through the heat pipe is dissipated along the length of the heat pipe. The heat pipe can have a thermal time constant less than 60 seconds and preferably less than 30 seconds.

Abstract: A cooled electrosurgical system includes an electrosurgical device having at least one electrode for applying electrical energy to tissue. In one embodiment, the electrode includes an internal cavity in which a cooling medium such as water is contained. The internal cavity is closed at both ends of the device such that the cooling medium is contained within the electrode at the surgical site such that the cooling medium does not contact the tissue being treated. The electrosurgical device has an electrode and a heat pipe to conduct heat from the electrodes where substantially all heat conducted from the electrode through the heat pipe is dissipated along the length of the heat pipe. The heat pipe can have a thermal time constant less than 60 seconds and preferably less than 30 seconds.

Abstract: A cooled electrosurgical system includes an electrosurgical device having at least one electrode for applying electrical energy to tissue. In one embodiment, the electrode includes an internal cavity in which a cooling medium such as water is contained. The internal cavity is closed at both ends of the device such that the cooling medium is contained within the electrode at the surgical site such that the cooling medium does not contact the tissue being treated. The electrosurgical device has an electrode and a heat pipe to conduct heat from the electrodes where substantially all heat conducted from the electrode through the heat pipe is dissipated along the length of the heat pipe. The heat pipe can have a thermal time constant less than 60 seconds and preferably less than 30 seconds.

Abstract: An improved focusing coupler device for coupling the image capturing portion of an endoscope to a video camera is disclosed. The coupler device includes a housing having an elongate internal chamber defining an optical pathway for connecting the optical image paths of the endoscope and the camera, first and second windows closing off the opposite ends of the chamber, a lens transport assembly disposed in the chamber for relative movement between the ends of the chamber, the lens transport assembly comprising a lens carrier that defines a longitudinal series of rack gear teeth and is movable between the opposite ends of the chamber, and at least one focusing lens mounted to the lens carrier in coaxial alignment with the longitudinal axis of the chamber.

Abstract: A cooled electrosurgical system includes an electrosurgical device having at least one electrode for applying electrical energy to tissue. In one embodiment, the electrode includes an internal cavity in which a cooling medium such as water is contained. The internal cavity is closed at the distal end of the device such that the cooling medium is contained within the electrode at the surgical site such that the cooling medium does not contact the tissue being treated.

Abstract: A cooled electrosurgical system includes an electrosurgical device having at least one electrode for applying electrical energy to tissue. In one embodiment, the electrode includes an internal cavity in which a cooling medium such as water is contained. The internal cavity is closed at the distal end of the device such that the cooling medium is contained within the electrode at the surgical site such that the cooling medium does not contact the tissue being treated.

Abstract: An endoscope is provided that comprises an imaging device such as a micro-size video camera supported by a novel device-steering shaft assembly. The shaft assembly comprises a malleable or rigid shaft, an imaging device carrier releasably and pivotally supporting the imaging device at one end of the shaft, and operating means including a flexible operating cable and cable moving means attached to the opposite end of the shaft for moving said cable and thereby pivoting the imaging device carrier relative to the shaft so as to alter the viewing angle of the supported imaging device. Using a malleable shaft offers the advantage that the shaft is manually reformable into various configurations to facilitate access to different surgical sites, with the shaft having the ability to remain in each selected configuration until manually reformed into another configuration. Alternatively, the imaging device may be permanently attached to the device carrier.

Abstract: An endoscope is provided that comprises a micro-size video camera, a flexible cable attached to the camera comprising fiber optical means for transmitting light to illuminate the site viewed by the camera and electrical conductors for transmitting electronic signals generated by the camera in response to images viewed by the camera, and a malleable or rigid shaft detachably connected to and supporting said camera and said cable. The rigid shaft may be straight or may be preformed in a selected curved configuration. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, a malleable shaft is permanently attached to said camera. Using a malleable shaft offers the advantage that the shaft is manually manipulable into various configurations to facilitate access to different surgical sites, with the shaft having the ability to remain in each selected configuration until manually reformed into another configuration.

Abstract: A device carries first and second units in aligned end-to-end disposition at a distal end of a shaft and provides structure for moving the second of the units into position alongside the first of the units. The device comprises a base portion to which a proximal end of the shaft is fixed, the first unit being fixed to a distal end of the shaft. A rod extends lengthwise through the shaft and a portion of the first unit, and is off-set from an axis of the shaft and fixed to the second unit removed from an axis of the second unit.

Abstract: An expanding polygonal surgical compressor has a first planar frame with at least three articulated frame members extendable from a compressed configuration to an extended configuration forming a polygon. A second planar frame has frame members corresponding to the frame members of the first frame. The first and second frames are pivoted relative to each other for movement from an open to a closed or tissue compressing position.

Abstract: A device carries first and second units in aligned end-to-end disposition at a distal end of a shaft and provides structure for moving the second of the units into position alongside the first of the units. The device comprises a base portion to which a proximal end of the shaft is fixed, the first unit being fixed to the distal end of the shaft. A rod extends lengthwise through the shaft and a portion of the first unit, and is off-set from an axis of the shaft and fixed to the second unit removed from an axis of the second unit. Mounted on the base portion is structure for effecting rotational movement of the rod to effect rotational movement of the second unit to a position removed from alignment with the first unit, and for effecting axial movement of the rod to effect axial movement of the second unit into the position alongside the first unit.

Abstract: A thermostatic switch has a housing and a temperature responsive bimetallic disc located in the housing and responsive to a predetermined temperature for exerting a flexing action. A fixed contact member is located in the cavity along with a movable contact member which is biased and movable between a switch-closed position in which it makes electrical contact with the fixed contact member and a switch-open position in which it is spaced from the fixed contact member. An actuating member is located in the housing, and is responsive to flexing movement of the disc for moving the movable contact member from the switch-closed position to the switch-open position. A hook portion is mounted within the cavity of the housing, the hook portion engaging an arm portion of the movable contact member upon the movement of the movable contact member to its switch-open position and entering an opening of the arm portion for retaining and maintaining the movable contact member in its switch open position.

Abstract: A cooled electrosurgical system includes an electrosurgical device having at least one electrode for applying electrical energy to tissue. In one embodiment, the electrode includes an internal cavity in which a cooling medium such as water is contained. The internal cavity is closed at the distal end of the device such that the cooling medium is contained within the electrode at the surgical site such that the cooling medium does not contact the tissue being treated.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is provided of the type having first and second telescoping shafts, a jaw assembly comprising two jaws carried by the front end of the first shaft, and a novel handle mechanism, and connecting member for connecting the rear ends of the two shafts to the novel handle mechanism, so that manipulation of the handle mechanism by the surgeon will cause relative reciprocal axial motion of the two shafts, thereby resulting in opening and closing of the jaws. In a preferred embodiment, the novel handle mechanism comprises a first fixed handle member, a second movable handle member, gear member connecting the two handle members so that when the handles are moved relative to one another in a first direction, the jaws will be squeezed into clamping relation with tissue by the collet-like action of the second shaft moving in a first direction relative to the second shaft, and spring member for urging the second shaft to move in a direction to open the jaws.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is provided of the type having first and second telescoping shafts, a jaw assembly comprising two jaws carried by the front end of the first shaft, and a novel handle mechanism, and connecting member for connecting the rear ends of the two shafts to the novel handle mechanism, so that manipulation of the handle mechanism by the surgeon will cause relative reciprocal axial motion of the two shafts, thereby resulting in opening and closing of the jaws. In a preferred embodiment, the novel handle mechanism comprises a first fixed handle member, a second movable handle member, gear member connecting the two handle members so that when the handles are moved relative to one another in a first direction, the jaws will be squeezed into clamping relation with tissue by the collet-like action of the second shaft moving in a first direction relative to the second shaft, and spring member for urging the second shaft to move in a direction to open the jaws.

Abstract: An endoscope having an objective lens, a zoom lens, a solid state imaging device for picking up the image formed by said objective lens and transferred by said zoom lens, and control means for moving the zoom lens and the imaging device so as to assure that for each position occupied by the zoom lens the imaging device is positioned so that the its image-receiving surface is in the focal plane of the zoom lens. The endoscope also comprises first and second motion-transmitting means for moving said zoom lens and said imaging device respectively along the optical axis of said objective lens, whereby the axial spacing between said zoom lens and said objective lens and also the axial spacing between said imaging device and said objective lens may be changed, and manually operable switch means for controlling movement of the zoom lens and the imaging device by said first and second motion transmitting means.

Abstract: A surgical tool comprises a detachable tool assembly and tool actuating handle. The tool assembly comprises a tool such as scissors having jaws pivotably mounted via a pivot pin to an inner extension. An outer sleeve around the extension carries a drive pin which engages the tool. The actuating handle retains the inner extension in a fixed position but allows the tool to rotate. Moving a trigger on the actuating handle causes the outer sleeve to translate back and forth over the extension. As the sleeve moves, the drive pin engages the tool to open and close the jaws. The handle is available in a dual-port configuration in which the tool assembly may be inserted in one of two ports.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is provided that comprises two coaxial tubes mounted for relative telescoping motion, and a unitary jaw piece of springy material affixed to the remote end of one of said tubes and having two jaws normally biased apart to a selected open position. The other one of said tubes is movable longitudinally relative to said one tube so that the forward end of the said other tube forces the jaws to close. The jaw piece includes a body section joined to the two jaws by spring leaves having a selected configuration, with the result that when the jaws are moved to closed position, the forward ends of the jaws engage one another before there is any engagement between the rear ends of the jaws. The jaw piece also has an opening permitting introduction of an ancillary device to a position permitting communication with the space between the jaws.

Abstract: A surgical instrument with a scissors-type handle mechanism is provided, with the handle mechanism being characterized by first and second handle members and a toggle linkage coupled to the handle members adapted to lock the handle members in a closed position.