Abstract: An electrosurgical device: forceps having: a first working arm, a second working arm, wherein the electrosurgical device has a first electrosurgical configuration where the first working arm and the second working arm are in an opposed position so that the forceps deliver a first therapy current that flows between the first working arm and the second working arm; and wherein the electrosurgical device has a second electrosurgical configuration when the first working arm, the second working arm, or both are repositionable relative to each other so that the first working arm is extended with respect to the second working arm or vice versa and a second therapy current is delivered from the first working arm to a remote electrode.

Abstract: An electrosurgical system comprising: a handpiece including: (a) a first working arm, (b) a second working arm, and (c) a blade electrode; and an activation circuit having a first switch state and a second switch state, wherein a therapy current is conducted between the first working arm and the second working arm when the activation circuit is in the second switch state and the handpiece is in a first position; wherein the therapy current is conducted between the blade electrode, the first working arm, the second working arm, or a combination thereof and an adjacent handpiece component when the activation circuit is in the second switch state and the handpiece is in a second position; and wherein the therapy current is not conducted when the activation circuit is in the first switch state.

Abstract: An electrosurgical system comprising: a handpiece including: a first working arm, a second working arm, and an activation circuit having a first switch state and a second switch state, wherein a therapy current is conducted between the first working arm and the second working arm when the activation circuit is in the second switch state and the handpiece is in a first position; wherein the therapy current is conducted between the first working arm or the second working arm, and an adjacent handpiece component when the activation circuit is in the second switch state and the handpiece is in a second position; and wherein the therapy current is not conducted when the activation circuit is in the first switch state.

Abstract: Electrosurgical forceps that can provide improved hemostatis and tissue-cutting capabilities during surgical procedures. The electrosurgical forceps include opposing jaw members, each including first and second electrode members. The first and second electrodes included in the respective jaw members are disposed directly opposite one another, the first electrode members included in the respective jaw members are disposed diagonally opposite one another, and the second electrode members included in the respective jaw members are disposed diagonally opposite one another. A first high frequency (HF) electric power source is connectable across the first electrode members, and a second HF electric power source is connectable across the second electrode members, electrically isolating the first electrode members from the second electrode members, and allowing current to flow diagonally through the tissue between one or both of the first electrode members and the second electrode members.

Abstract: An electrosurgical generator includes one or more radio frequency (RF) power sources and an output stage including at least two output lines for connection to an electrosurgical instrument. The generator includes means for measuring a parameter associated with the electrosurgical procedure, such as the impedance measured across two of the output lines. A controller controls the generator such that it delivers a first RF waveform (such as a cutting signal) or a second RF waveform (such as a coagulating signal) to the output lines, and, in a combined mode, both first and second waveforms. The controller automatically adjusts at least one aspect of one or both waveforms in the combined mode, in response to the measured parameter associated with the surgical procedure.

Abstract: An electrosurgical system includes an electrosurgical generator including at least one source of radio frequency (RF) power, and a plurality of output connections, only one of the output connections at any one time being active in that it is able to receive radio frequency power from the source. The generator includes selection means adapted to change the active output connection, and a controller adapted to control the supply of radio frequency power from the source to the active output connection. The system also includes a plurality of electrosurgical assemblies, each including an electrosurgical instrument and a cable connecting the electrosurgical instrument to one of the output connections. The electrosurgical assemblies each include a handswitch adapted to send a signal to the selection means to change the active output connection.

Abstract: An electrosurgical system includes an electrosurgical generator including at least one source of radio frequency (RF) power, and a plurality of output connections, only one of the output connections at any one time being active in that it is able to receive radio frequency power from the source. The generator includes selection means adapted to change the active output connection, and a controller adapted to control the supply of radio frequency power from the source to the active output connection. The system also includes a plurality of electrosurgical assemblies, each including an electrosurgical instrument and a cable connecting the electrosurgical instrument to one of the output connections. The electrosurgical assemblies each include a handswitch adapted to send a signal to the selection means to change the active output connection.

Abstract: An electrosurgical system includes an electrosurgical generator (1) having at least one source of radio frequency (RF) power, at least one output connection (2, 3, 4), and a switch input connection (25). At least one electrosurgical assembly is connected to the generator (1) via a respective output connection (2, 3, 4), each electrosurgical assembly including an electrosurgical instrument (5, 6, 7), and a cable (8, 9, 10), connecting the electrosurgical instrument to a respective output connection. The electrosurgical system also includes at least first and second switch assemblies, each adapted to control the operation of the electrosurgical assemblies, and each including a switch module (11, 11?, 17, 18, 19), a cable (12, 12?, 20, 21, 22), and a switch connector (38, 38?, 39, 40, 41).

Abstract: An electrosurgical system includes an electrosurgical generator, for generating radio frequency power, and an electrosurgical instrument including an electrode assembly. The electrosurgical instrument is detachably connectible to the generator such that radio frequency power can be conveyed to the electrode assembly. The generator includes a counter incremented each time an electrosurgical instrument is connected to the generator, and the electrosurgical instrument includes a memory device capable of recording the value of the counter when the electrosurgical instrument is connected to the generator. The system further includes a comparison unit capable of comparing the current value of the counter with the value of the counter stored in the memory device, and generating a signal when the difference between the two values of the counter is greater than a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: An electrosurgical system includes an electrosurgical generator (1) with a plurality of output connections (2, 3, 4), only one of the output connections at any one time being active in that it is able to receive radio frequency power. A plurality of electrosurgical assemblies, each including an electrosurgical instrument (5, 6, 7) and a cable (8, 9, 10) are connected to the generator (1) via the output connections. The electrosurgical assemblies each include indication means such as lamps (17, 18, 19), illuminating when that particular electrosurgical assembly is connected to the active output connection. A switch means, such as a footswitch (11) or handswitches (24, 27) on the instruments, send a signal to the generator to cause an RF waveform to be provided at the active output connection.

Abstract: An electrosurgical generator includes one or more radio frequency (RF) power sources and an output stage including at least two output lines for connection to an electrosurgical instrument. The generator includes means for measuring a parameter associated with the electrosurgical procedure, such as the impedance measured across two of the output lines. A controller controls the generator such that it delivers a first RF waveform (such as a cutting signal) or a second RF waveform (such as a coagulating signal) to the output lines, and, in a combined mode, both first and second waveforms. The controller automatically adjusts at least one aspect of one or both waveforms in the combined mode, in response to the measured parameter associated with the surgical procedure.

Abstract: An electrosurgical system includes a generator for generating radio frequency power, an electrosurgical instrument including at least first and second bipolar electrodes carried on the instrument, and a monopolar patient return electrode separate from the instrument. The generator comprises a source of radio frequency (RF) power, and has a first supply state in which the RF waveform is supplied between the first and second bipolar electrodes of the electrosurgical instrument, and a second supply state in which the RF waveform is supplied between at least one of the first and second bipolar electrodes and the monopolar patient return electrode. A controller is operable to control the generator such that, in at least one mode of the generator, a feeding means is adapted to alternate between the first and second supply states to supply an alternating signal.

Abstract: The invention concerns 2-hydroxyalkenoic acids within a general formula ##STR1## where R' is chosen from: a. C.sub.w H.sub.2w,b. C.sub.y H.sub.2y-1, andc. C.sub.y H.sub.2y OZwhere Z is chosen from H, R" and (CH.sub.2).sub.n OR"R" is chosen from C.sub.m H.sub.2m+1 and (CH.sub.2).sub.n OC.sub.m H.sub.2m+1 ;w is an integer of from 1 to 25y is an integer of from 2 to 25m is an integer of from 1 to 4n is an integer of from 1 to 6Many compounds within the formula are novel and are claimed as such. The invention also provides a process for making the compounds, and compositions for topical application to human skin, hair or nails which contain compounds of the above formula and a cosmetically acceptable vehicle.

Abstract: The invention concerns 2-hydroxyalkenoic acids within a general formula ##STR1## where R' is chosen from:a. C.sub.w H.sub.2w,b. C.sub.y H.sub.2y-1, andc. C.sub.y H.sub.2y OZwherez is chosen from H, R" and (CH.sub.2).sub.n OR"R" is chosen from C.sub.m H.sub.2m+1 and (CH.sub.2).sub.n OC.sub.m H.sub.2m+1 ;w is an integer of from 1 to 25y is an integer of from 2 to 25m is an integer of from 1 to 4n is an integer of from 1 to 6Many compounds within the formula are novel and are claimed as such. The invention also provides a process for making the compounds, and compositions for topical application to human skin, hair or nails which contain compounds of the above formula and a cosmetically acceptable vehicle.