Abstract: A barbed microcatheter includes a hollow tube having an elongated lumen, outwardly projecting barbs, fluid egress openings, a tissue anchor secured to a proximal end of the hollow tube, and a needle secured to the distal end of the hollow tube. The needle is used to form a first tissue opening at the first end of the wound. The hollow tube is pulled through the first tissue opening until the tissue anchor abuts against tissue at the first end of the wound. The needle is used to form a second tissue opening at the second end of the wound. The hollow tube is pulled through the second tissue opening so that barbs engage wound tissue. After cutting away the needle, a therapeutic fluid is introduced into the elongated lumen and passes through the fluid egress openings for infusing the wound with the therapeutic fluid.

Abstract: A method of making a barbed microcatheter having fluid egress openings includes obtaining a barbed microcatheter blank having a hollow tube with a proximal end, a distal end, and an elongated lumen that extends between the proximal and distal ends of the hollow tube, and first and second flattened regions that extend along opposite sides of the hollow tube. The method includes removing material from the first and second flattened regions of the barbed microcatheter blank to form barbs projecting outwardly from the opposite sides of the hollow tube, and using cutting elements for forming fluid egress openings in a wall of the hollow tube that are in fluid communication with the elongated lumen of the hollow tube. The method includes forming a tissue anchor that is connected with the proximal end of the hollow tube, and securing a surgical needle with the distal end of the hollow tube.

Abstract: A method of making a barbed microcatheter having fluid egress openings includes obtaining a barbed microcatheter blank having a hollow tube with a proximal end, a distal end, and an elongated lumen that extends between the proximal and distal ends of the hollow tube, and first and second flattened regions that extend along opposite sides of the hollow tube. The method includes removing material from the first and second flattened regions of the barbed microcatheter blank to form barbs projecting outwardly from the opposite sides of the hollow tube, and using cutting elements for forming fluid egress openings in a wall of the hollow tube that are in fluid communication with the elongated lumen of the hollow tube. The method includes forming a tissue anchor that is connected with the proximal end of the hollow tube, and securing a surgical needle with the distal end of the hollow tube.

Abstract: An absorbable, biocompatible barbed microcatheter for delivering therapeutic fluids to a patient includes a hollow tube having an elongated lumen that extends between proximal and distal ends of the hollow tube, a plurality of barbs projecting from the hollow tube, and a plurality of fluid egress openings formed in the hollow tube that are in fluid communication with the elongated lumen. The fluid egress openings are evenly spaced from one another along the length of the hollow tube. An anchor is secured to the proximal end of the hollow tube, and a surgical needle is secured to the distal end of the hollow tube. Two or more of the fluid egress openings formed in the hollow tube have different sizes so that a first fluid egress opening located adjacent the anchor is larger than a second fluid egress opening adjacent the surgical needle.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems, apparatus, and methods for dissecting, resecting, severing, cutting, contracting, coagulating, or otherwise modifying a tissue or organ of a patient. An apparatus of the invention includes an electrosurgical probe configurable between an open configuration and a closed configuration, the probe including an active electrode terminal, a fixed return electrode disposed proximal to the active electrode terminal, and a movable return electrode configured to move linearly with respect to the active electrode terminal between the open configuration and the closed configuration. A method of the present invention comprises clamping a blood vessel between the active electrode terminal and the movable return electrode, coagulating the clamped blood vessel by application of a first high frequency voltage, and severing the coagulated blood vessel by application of a second high frequency voltage.

Abstract: An endoscopic morcellator device and method for use is provided. The morcellator device includes an elongate shaft having a proximal end and a distal end and a lumen extending therethrough, a handle coupled to the proximal end of the shaft, at least one active electrode disposed about a periphery of the distal end of the shaft, at least one return electrode disposed at the distal end of the shaft and electrically insulated from the at least one active electrode, and at least one fluid conduit extending along the shaft and having an outlet at the distal end of the shaft.

Abstract: A bipolar electrosurgical instrument and method for use is provided. The instrument includes a handle at a proximal end, active and return electrodes at a distal end that are electrically insulated from one another, a shaft extending therebetween, and a converting element including an electrically conductive portion. The converting element is movable between a first position wherein the electrically conductive portion is in electrical contact with the active electrode and not the return electrode, and a second position wherein the electrically conductive portion is not in electrical contact with the active electrode.

Abstract: A bipolar electrosurgical instrument including an introducer having a channel therein and an electrically conductive snare slidably positioned within the channel and slidable between an undeployed position wherein it is substantially retracted within the channel and a deployed position wherein a distal portion of the snare extends outwardly from the channel. The electrically conductive snare is substantially insulated along its length but has an active and a return electrode exposed through a predetermined exposed section. The instrument further includes a retention element at a distal end of the snare for securing the distal end of the snare to the introducer to form a looped configuration of the snare, and at least one fluid delivery channel extending through the introducer between a fluid inlet sand a fluid outlet at the distal end of the introducer and located in proximity to the exposed section of the snare.

Abstract: A surgical element carrier and method for use is provided, wherein the surgical element carrier includes a housing dimensioned to contain therein a plurality of surgical elements, and dimensioned for insertion through a surgical port used in minimally invasive surgeries. The housing further includes a first housing portion and a second housing portion movable relative to the first housing portion between a closed position wherein the surgical elements are substantially surrounded by the housing, and an open position wherein the surgical elements are at least partially exposed and removable from the housing.

Abstract: A fastener for surgical repair of tissue is provided along with methods for its use. The fastener includes first and second anchors and a connector including a first central biasing section coupled to the first anchor and a second central biasing section having coupled to the second anchor, and a connector section extending between the other ends of the first and second central biasing sections. The first and second central biasing sections are capable of being elastically deformed from a first relaxed resting position to a second extended position wherein the connector section is positioned a further distance away from and is biased toward the anchors.

Abstract: A bipolar electrosurgical instrument for transecting tissue, and a method for use of the same are provided. The instrument includes an introducer having a channel therein extending from an opening at a distal end thereof, an electrically conductive snare slidably positioned within the channel and slidable between an undeployed position wherein it is substantially retracted within the channel and a deployed position wherein a distal portion of the snare extends outwardly from the channel. The electrically conductive snare is substantially insulated substantially along its length but for a predetermined exposed section, and has an active and a return electrode exposed through said exposed section.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems, apparatus, and methods for dissecting, resecting, severing, cutting, contracting, coagulating, or otherwise modifying a tissue or organ of a patient. An apparatus of the invention includes an electrosurgical probe configurable between an open configuration and a closed configuration, the probe including an active electrode terminal, a fixed return electrode disposed proximal to the active electrode terminal, and a movable return electrode configured to move linearly with respect to the active electrode terminal between the open configuration and the closed configuration. A method of the present invention comprises clamping a blood vessel between the active electrode terminal and the movable return electrode, coagulating the clamped blood vessel by application of a first high frequency voltage, and severing the coagulated blood vessel by application of a second high frequency voltage.

Abstract: A medical device is provided and includes an elongated tube that has a longitudinal axis and an expandable member attached to the tube. The expandable member is expandable from a collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration. A plurality of electrodes is attached to the expandable member. The electrodes are used to emit energy. Each of the electrodes is arranged generally coaxially relative to the tube when the expandable member is in its collapsed and expanded configurations.

Abstract: An endoscopic morcellator device and method for use is provided. The morcellator device includes an elongate shaft having a proximal end and a distal end and a lumen extending therethrough, a handle coupled to the proximal end of the shaft, at least one active electrode disposed about a periphery of the distal end of the shaft, at least one return electrode disposed at the distal end of the shaft and electrically insulated from the at least one active electrode, and at least one fluid conduit extending along the shaft and having an outlet at the distal end of the shaft.

Abstract: A bipolar electrosurgical instrument and method for use is provided. The instrument includes a handle at a proximal end, active and return electrodes at a distal end that are electrically insulated from one another, a shaft extending therebetween, and a converting element including an electrically conductive portion. The converting element is movable between a first position wherein the electrically conductive portion is in electrical contact with the active electrode and not the return electrode, and a second position wherein the electrically conductive portion is not in electrical contact with the active electrode.

Abstract: An electrosurgical probe and method for using the same is provided. The electrosurgical probe includes a distal end and a proximal end, with the distal end having a configuration defining an outer convex face and an inner concave face. At least one active electrode and at least one return electrode are mounted on the inner concave face.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems, apparatus, and methods for dissecting, resecting, severing, cutting, contracting, coagulating, or otherwise modifying a tissue or organ of a patient. An apparatus of the invention includes an electrosurgical probe configurable between an open configuration and a closed configuration, the probe including an active electrode terminal, a fixed return electrode disposed proximal to the active electrode terminal, and a movable return electrode configured to move linearly with respect to the active electrode terminal between the open configuration and the closed configuration. A method of the present invention comprises clamping a blood vessel between the active electrode terminal and the movable return electrode, coagulating the clamped blood vessel by application of a first high frequency voltage, and severing the coagulated blood vessel by application of a second high frequency voltage.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is provided having a shaft with a handpiece at a proximal end and a grasping device at the distal end. The grasping device has a first jaw element and a second jaw element pivotably coupled thereto and selectively pivotable between open and closed positions. The instrument also includes a cutting device having a first cutting element and a second cutting element pivotably coupled to the first cutting element. The cutting device is movable between a retracted position wherein it is positioned within the shaft and an extended position wherein it is disposed at the distal end of the shaft. When in the extended position, the cutting elements are coupled to the respective jaw elements for movement therewith between open and closed positions. Also provided is a method for surgically manipulating tissue using such a device.