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 surgical instrument includes a housing, and a shaft including a proximal end, a deflectable portion and a distal tip. A handle is movable between first and second positions on the housing, and an actuator is movably coupled to the handle, such that movement of the handle between its first and second positions causes a corresponding movement of the actuator between first and second positions in the housing. A deflection wire includes proximal and distal portions, the distal portion being fixed to the shaft, and the proximal portion being affixed to the housing so as to provide a path length for the deflection wire within the housing. The movement of the handle causes the actuator to move to its second position, the second position of the actuator causing an increase in the path length for the deflection wire so as cause a deflection of the distal tip of the shaft.

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: An electrosurgical instrument is provided for the treatment of tissue, the instrument (3) comprising an instrument shaft (14) having a longitudinal axis, a suction lumen (24) extending at least partially along the instrument shaft, and an electrode assembly at one end of the shaft. The electrode assembly comprises at least one tissue treatment electrode (16), the tissue treatment electrode having an end face (17) and at least one side face (18). The tissue treatment electrode includes a plurality of apertures in communication with the suction lumen, at least one aperture (19) being present in the end face and at least one aperture (20) being present in the side face.