Abstract: A surgical instrument configured to facilitate access to interior components thereof for cleaning and refurbishment purposes. The instrument includes a housing assembly, an elongated shaft assembly and an end effector. The housing assembly includes an actuator, and the elongated shaft assembly includes an interior control member operatively coupled to the actuator. The elongated shaft assembly also includes outer cover including first and second cover members and a hinge coupling the first and second cover members to one another such that the outer cover may be selectively moved between a closed configuration wherein the interior control member is enclosed within the outer cover and an open configuration wherein the interior control member is exposed. The end effector is supported at a distal end of the elongated shaft assembly, and is operatively associated with the interior control member.

Abstract: A forceps is provided and includes a housing having a shaft. An end effector assembly operatively connects to a distal end of the shaft and includes a pair of first and second jaw members. One or both of the first and second jaw members is movable relative to the other jaw member from a clamping position to an open position. A resilient member operably couples to at least one of the first and second jaw members. The resilient member is configured to bias the first and second jaw members in the clamping position and provide a closure force on tissue disposed therebetween.

Abstract: A forceps includes an end effector assembly having first and second jaw members movable between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween. A knife assembly having a cutting blade disposed at a distal end thereof is also provided. The knife assembly is translatable relative to the end effector assembly between a retracted position and an extended position, wherein the cutting blade extends between the jaw members to cut tissue grasped therebetween. The knife assembly includes a proximal component and a first distal component that includes the cutting blade. The proximal and first distal components are removably coupled to one another to facilitate replacement of the first distal component. Methods of preparing such forceps for reuse are also provided.

Abstract: A forceps includes an end effector assembly having first and second jaw members movable relative to one another between a spaced-apart position, a first approximated position, and a second approximated position. One or both of the jaw members including a first stop member coupled thereto and disposed between the jaw members. The first stop member is longitudinally translatable along a surface of the at least one jaw member from a first position, wherein the first stop member inhibits approximation of the jaw members beyond the first approximated position, and a second position, wherein the first stop member inhibits approximation of the jaw members beyond the second approximated position.

Abstract: A morcellator includes an elongated tube, a shaft, and a blade. The elongated tube has proximal and distal ends and defines a channel therethrough. The shaft is positioned within the channel and has a distal end portion and has a longitudinal axis defined therealong. The blade is positioned on the distal end portion of the shaft and is configured to rotate about the longitudinal axis of the shaft and to deliver electrosurgical energy to tissue.

Abstract: A bipolar electrosurgical instrument includes a housing and an elongated shaft. An end effector is coupled to a distal end of the elongated shaft. A handle assembly includes a movable handle movable relative to a fixed handle for effecting movement of the jaw members from a first position to a second position. Each jaw member is configured to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy. A switch is disposed on the fixed handle and configured to be depressed between a first position and at least one subsequent position upon biasing engagement with a switch engaging surface disposed on the movable handle. The first position of the switch causes the relay of information to the user corresponding to a desired pressure on tissue grasped between the jaw members and the at least one subsequent position is configured to activate the source of electrosurgical energy.

Abstract: An end effector of a forceps includes first and second jaw members movable between spaced-apart and approximated positions for grasping tissue. Each jaw member includes a tissue sealing plate that is selectively energizable. The tissue sealing plates are configured to conduct energy therebetween and though tissue to seal tissue. A knife includes a distal surface and an upper surface. The knife is selectively translatable between a retracted position and an extended position wherein the knife extends between the jaw members. The distal surface is configured for dynamic tissue cutting upon translation of the knife from the retracted to the extended position. The upper surface is configured for static tissue cutting with the knife in the extended position. The knife is selectively energizable and is configured to conduct energy between the knife and one or both of the tissue sealing plates and through tissue to electrically cut tissue.

Abstract: A surgical forceps includes a housing having a movable handle coupled thereto and movable between an initial position and a compressed position. A drive bar is operably coupled to the movable handle such that movement of the movable handle between the initial and compressed positions effects longitudinal translation of the drive bar. The drive bar further includes a coupling member disposed at a distal end thereof. An end effector assembly includes first and second jaw members movable between spaced-apart and approximated positions. Each jaw member defines a cam slot. A cam pin is slidably disposed within the cam slot of each of the jaw members. The coupling member is configured to releasably engage the cam pin such that movement of the movable handle between the initial position and the compressed position effects movement of the jaw members between the spaced-apart position and the approximated position.

Abstract: A forceps includes an end effector assembly having first and second jaw members movable relative to one another between a spaced-apart position, a first approximated position, and a second approximated position. One or both of the jaw members including a first stop member coupled thereto and disposed between the jaw members. The first stop member is longitudinally translatable along a surface of the at least one jaw member from a first position, wherein the first stop member inhibits approximation of the jaw members beyond the first approximated position, and a second position, wherein the first stop member inhibits approximation of the jaw members beyond the second approximated position.

Abstract: A bipolar electrosurgical instrument includes a housing and an elongated shaft. An end effector is coupled to a distal end of the elongated shaft. A handle assembly includes a movable handle movable relative to a fixed handle for effecting movement of the jaw members from a first position to a second position. Each jaw member is configured to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy. A switch is disposed on the fixed handle and configured to be depressed between a first position and at least one subsequent position upon biasing engagement with a switch engaging surface disposed on the movable handle. The first position of the switch causes the relay of information to the user corresponding to a desired pressure on tissue grasped between the jaw members and the at least one subsequent position is configured to activate the source of electrosurgical energy.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an end effector assembly includes providing first and second jaw members moveable relative to one another about a pivot between a first, spaced-apart position and a second, approximated position. One of the first and second jaw members includes a cavity defined therein and the other of the first and second jaw members includes a stop member configured to be inserted into the cavity. A gap-setting gauge is grasped between the first and second jaw members to define a gap-distance between the jaw members equivalent to a thickness of the gap-setting gauge. The first and second jaw members are set such that the jaw members are prevented from approximation beyond the gap-distance.

Abstract: A surgical forceps includes a housing having a movable handle coupled thereto and movable between an initial position and a compressed position. A drive bar is operably coupled to the movable handle such that movement of the movable handle between the initial and compressed positions effects longitudinal translation of the drive bar. The drive bar further includes a coupling member disposed at a distal end thereof. An end effector assembly includes first and second jaw members movable between spaced-apart and approximated positions. Each jaw member defines a cam slot. A cam pin is slidably disposed within the cam slot of each of the jaw members. The coupling member is configured to releasably engage the cam pin such that movement of the movable handle between the initial position and the compressed position effects movement of the jaw members between the spaced-apart position and the approximated position.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument for removing tissue includes a shaft and a cutting member. The shaft extends to a distal end and defines a lumen configured to communicate with a vacuum source. The cutting member is supported at the distal end of the shaft. The cutting member is adapted to couple to an electrosurgical energy source and is configured to form an annular loop. The cutting member is selectively transitionable from a first configuration, wherein the annular loop includes a first diameter to one or more additional configurations, wherein the annular loop includes a second diameter smaller than the first diameter. The annular loop is configured to sever tissue within the annular loop.

Abstract: An end effector of a forceps includes first and second jaw members movable between spaced-apart and approximated positions for grasping tissue. Each jaw member includes a tissue sealing plate that is selectively energizable. The tissue sealing plates are configured to conduct energy therebetween and though tissue to seal tissue. A knife includes a distal surface and an upper surface. The knife is selectively translatable between a retracted position and an extended position wherein the knife extends between the jaw members. The distal surface is configured for dynamic tissue cutting upon translation of the knife from the retracted to the extended position. The upper surface is configured for static tissue cutting with the knife in the extended position. The knife is selectively energizable and is configured to conduct energy between the knife and one or both of the tissue sealing plates and through tissue to electrically cut tissue.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an end effector assembly having first and second jaw members each jaw member defining an opposed surface. The jaw members are movable between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue within a grasping area. First and second tissue-treating plates are disposed on the jaw members and adapted to connect to a source of energy for treating tissue disposed within a tissue-treating. Each jaw member defines a knife channel positioned within the grasping area and outside of the tissue-treating area. A knife is selectively movable between a retracted position, wherein the knife is positioned proximally of the jaw members, and an extended position, wherein the knife extends at least partially through the knife channels of the jaw members to cut tissue positioned adjacent the tissue-treating area.

Abstract: A method of surgery utilizing an end effector assembly having first and second jaw members defining a grasping area therebetween and a tissue-treating area therebetween. Each of the first and second jaw members defines a knife channel positioned within the grasping area and outside of the tissue-treating area. The end effector assembly is positioned such that the knife channels are positioned adjacent tissue to be removed. Thereafter, the first and/or second jaw members are moved from a spaced-apart position to an approximated position to grasp tissue therebetween, the jaw members are energized for conducting energy through tissue disposed within the tissue-treating area to treat tissue disposed within the tissue-treating area, and a knife is advanced through the knife channels to cut tissue adjacent the tissue-treating area thereby separating tissue.

Abstract: A forceps includes an end effector assembly having first and second jaw members movable between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween. A knife assembly having a cutting blade disposed at a distal end thereof is also provided. The knife assembly is translatable relative to the end effector assembly between a retracted position and an extended position, wherein the cutting blade extends between the jaw members to cut tissue grasped therebetween. The knife assembly includes a proximal component and a first distal component that includes the cutting blade. The proximal and first distal components are removably coupled to one another to facilitate replacement of the first distal component. Methods of preparing such forceps for reuse are also provided.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an elongated shaft module and a handle module selectively separable from one another. The elongated shaft module includes an elongated shaft member and a pair of jaw members supported at a distal end of the elongated shaft member, at least one of the jaw members moveable relative to the other jaw member between open and closed positions. The handle module includes a housing including an opening extending longitudinally therethrough. The opening is dimensioned to permit passage of the pair of jaw members in the closed position. The handle module also includes a movable handle movable relative to the housing to move the pair of jaw members between open and closed positions, and a lock to secure the elongated shaft module in place within the housing.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an end effector assembly includes providing first and second jaw members moveable relative to one another about a pivot between a first, spaced-apart position and a second, approximated position. One of the first and second jaw members includes a cavity defined therein and the other of the first and second jaw members includes a stop member configured to be inserted into the cavity. A gap-setting gauge is grasped between the first and second jaw members to define a gap-distance between the jaw members equivalent to a thickness of the gap-setting gauge. The first and second jaw members are set such that the jaw members are prevented from approximation beyond the gap-distance.