Abstract: An electrosurgical system includes an RF electrosurgical generator, an electrosurgical instrument, and a pump. The radio frequency (RF) electrosurgical generator includes: an output socket for providing a RF output signal to an electrosurgical instrument according to an operating mode of the generator; and an output port arranged to output and return a loop signal for controlling a pump, wherein the generator is configured to generate the loop signal based at least in part on the operating mode of the generator. A method of controlling a pump in an electrosurgical system includes generating a loop signal at an electrosurgical generator based at least in part on an operating mode of the generator; outputting the loop signal to a loop cable; sensing, using a sensing device, the loop signal from the loop cable; and controlling the pump based on an output of the sensing device.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument is provided for the treatment of tissue, the instrument (3) including a shaft (14) and a tip portion including at least one electrode (16), located at the distal end of the shaft. A fluid impermeable sheath (25) covers at least a proportion of the shaft and extends to the tip portion where it terminates in a distal end portion (26). A metallic shroud (29) is provided, comprising an annular ring portion (30) and a rearwardly extending cylindrical portion (31). The ring portion (30) is connected to the tip portion, and the cylindrical portion (31) overlies the distal end portion (26) of the sheath (25) so as to prevent ingress of fluids at the distal end portion of the sheath.

Abstract: A method of applying a marking onto a metrological scale. The method includes locating one or more markings on the scale substrate in a provisional state; checking whether the one or more markings located on the scale substrate are acceptable; and finalizing the one or markings which are acceptable so as to transform the one or more markings into a finalized state.

Abstract: A shaft (14) is provided for a flexible endoscopic instrument, the shaft including at least one flexible section (20) along the length of the shaft, a distal section (19) located distally of the flexible section, and a proximal section (18) located proximally of the flexible section (20). The distal section (19) includes a connection to a shaft electrode, while the proximal section (18) includes at least one connection for connecting the shaft (14) to an electrosurgical generator (1). The shaft also includes a bypass lead (26) in electrical connection with both the distal section (19) and the proximal section (18). The bypass lead (26) ensures that the distal section (19) and the proximal section (18) remain at the same potential even if the electrical pathway via the flexible section (20) becomes degraded by wear or damage thereto.

Abstract: A method of applying a marking onto a metrological scale. The method includes locating one or more markings on the scale substrate in a provisional state; checking whether the one or more markings located on the scale substrate are acceptable; and finalising the one or markings which are acceptable so as to transform the one or more markings into a finalised state.

Abstract: A method of applying a marking onto a metrological scale. The method comprises locating one or more markings on the scale substrate in a provisional state; checking whether the one or more markings located on the scale substrate are acceptable; and finalising the one or markings which are acceptable so as to transform the one or more markings into a finalised state.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument is provided for the treatment of tissue, the instrument (3) including a shaft (14) and a tip portion including at least one electrode (16), located at the distal end of the shaft. A fluid impermeable sheath (25) covers at least a proportion of the shaft and extends to the tip portion where it terminates in a distal end portion (26). A metallic shroud (29) is provided, comprising an annular ring portion (30) and a rearwardly extending cylindrical portion (31). The ring portion (30) is connected to the tip portion, and the cylindrical portion (31) overlies the distal end portion (26) of the sheath (25) so as to prevent ingress of fluids at the distal end portion of the sheath.

Abstract: A shaft (14) is provided for a flexible endoscopic instrument, the shaft including at least one flexible section (20) along the length of the shaft, a distal section (19) located distally of the flexible section, and a proximal section (18) located proximally of the flexible section (20). The distal section (19) includes a connection to a shaft electrode, while the proximal section (18) includes at least one connection for connecting the shaft (14) to an electrosurgical generator (1). The shaft also includes a bypass lead (26) in electrical connection with both the distal section (19) and the proximal section (18). The bypass lead (26) ensures that the distal section (19) and the proximal section (18) remain at the same potential even if the electrical pathway via the flexible section (20) becomes degraded by wear or damage thereto.

Abstract: A method of applying a marking onto a metrological scale. The method comprises locating one or more markings on the scale substrate in a provisional state; checking whether the one or more markings located on the scale substrate are acceptable; and finalising the one or markings which are acceptable so as to transform the one or more markings into a finalised state.

Abstract: Disclosed is an optical measurement scale 14 complementary scale reader 10 for determining displacement between the scale and reader. The scale 14 and reader 10 are adapted for use with a liquid C which provides optical communication between the scale 14 and the reader 10. The liquid C is preferably machine coolant or oil. The scale is preferably a stainless steel strip having periodic markings thereon. The scale reader has a window 16 which may have a hard coating (30 FIG. 4) thereon, e.g. diamond-like carbon, to prevent surface damage. The scale and reader may be mutually displaced with a shortage of liquid without undue adverse affects. Rotary mutual displacement between the scale and reader is discussed.

Abstract: Disclosed is an optical measurement scale 14 complementary scale reader 10 for determining displacement between the scale and reader. The scale 14 and reader 10 are adapted for use with a liquid C which provides optical communication between the scale 14 and the reader 10. The liquid C is preferably machine coolant or oil. The scale is preferably a stainless steel strip having periodic markings thereon. The scale reader has a window 16 which may have a hard coating (30 FIG. 4) thereon, e.g. diamond-like carbon, to prevent surface damage. The scale and reader may be mutually displaced with a shortage of liquid without undue adverse affects. Rotary mutual displacement between the scale and reader is discussed.