Abstract: An electronic forceps system includes a handle including a pair of pivotable arms distally extending from a proximal end of the handle, at least one arm of the pair of arms having an electrically-conductive arm element connectable to a power source, wherein each arm of the pair of arms comprises a respective pair of arm interfaces, and the electrically-conductive arm element extends to at least one interface of the pair of interfaces. Also provided is a pair of tips, at least one tip of the pair of tips having an electrically-conductive tip element, wherein each tip has a tip interface configured to removably connect to a respective arm interface, each tip has a distal working surface, the electrically-conductive tip element is configured to removably and electrically connect to the electrically-conductive arm element, the electrically-conductive tip element is connected to a heater.

Abstract: An electronic forceps system includes a handle including a pair of pivotable arms distally extending from a proximal end of the handle, at least one arm of the pair of arms having an electrically-conductive arm element connectable to a power source, wherein each arm of the pair of arms comprises a respective pair of arm interfaces, and the electrically-conductive arm element extends to at least one interface of the pair of interfaces. Also provided is a pair of tips, at least one tip of the pair of tips having an electrically-conductive tip element, wherein each tip has a tip interface configured to removably connect to a respective arm interface, each tip has a distal working surface, the electrically-conductive tip element is configured to removably and electrically connect to the electrically-conductive arm element, the electrically-conductive tip element is connected to a heater.

Abstract: An electronic forceps system includes a handle including a pair of pivotable arms distally extending from a proximal end of the handle, at least one arm of the pair of arms having an electrically-conductive arm element connectable to a power source, wherein each arm of the pair of arms comprises a respective pair of arm interfaces, and the electrically-conductive arm element extends to at least one interface of the pair of interfaces. Also provided is a pair of tips, at least one tip of the pair of tips having an electrically-conductive tip element, wherein each tip has a tip interface configured to removably connect to a respective arm interface, each tip has a distal working surface, the electrically-conductive tip element is configured to removably and electrically connect to the electrically-conductive arm element, the electrically-conductive tip element is connected to a heater.

Abstract: A handpiece for interfacing with an instrument tip. The handpiece includes a tube end having an interface at a distalmost end thereof and configured to attach to the instrument tip, the tube end having a retention seal channel about an exterior of the tube end, a retention seal fixedly positioned in the retention seal channel, the retention seal having a sealing ring channel about an exterior of the retention seal, an elastically-deformable sealing ring press-fit into the sealing ring channel such that the sealing ring is immovable in a longitudinal direction of the tube, and an outer sheath positioned about the tube end such that the outer sheath and tube end sandwich the sealing ring and at least a portion of the retention seal.

Abstract: A laparoscopic instrument assembly with a handle member and a removable tip. The handle member and removable tip are mated using a double threaded design which provides a secure connection with low electrical resistance. Electrical energy is provided through an inner shaft to the removable tip, and a return energy path is formed using an outer tubing of the instrument assembly. The removal tip includes a cutting and sealing device with a resistive member that is provided with the electrical energy, thereby enabling the tip to cut and seal tissue.

Abstract: An instrument includes, a lumen, a handpiece affixed to the proximal end of the lumen and including an actuator, a proximal articulable segment, the proximal end of the proximal articulable segment pivotably attached to the distal end of the lumen via a proximal hinge pin extending in a direction generally perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the lumen, an actuation cable extending from the actuator through the lumen and into the proximal articulable segment, and a cable router comprising a proximal pulley assembly rotatable about the proximal hinge pin, wherein the cable is wrapped about the proximal pulley assembly.

Abstract: A connector for connecting an instrument tip with a laparoscopic tube end, the connector including a base forming a body of the connector, the base having a lumen configured to accommodate an instrument tip actuator therein, and a seal permanently bonded to an inner surface of a proximal end of the base and configured to deform upon connection of the connector with the tube end.

Abstract: A removable tip attachable to an instrument handpiece, including a back hub at a proximal end of a tip body and having back hub screw threads configured to threadedly engage outer tube threads of an outer tube of the handpiece, an end effector at a distal end of the tip body, and a yoke at the proximal end of the tip body and having yoke screw threads configured to engage shaft screw threads of an inner shaft of the handpiece, the yoke configured to move within the backhub to actuate the end effector, wherein the yoke screw threads engage with the inner shaft screw threads before the back hub screw threads engage the outer tube threads upon attachment of the tip to the handpiece, and the distance between a proximalmost point of the yoke and a beginning of the back hub screw threads is between 0.533? and 0.608?.

Abstract: An instrument includes, a lumen, a handpiece affixed to the proximal end of the lumen and including an actuator, a proximal articulable segment, the proximal end of the proximal articulable segment pivotably attached to the distal end of the lumen via a proximal hinge pin extending in a direction generally perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the lumen, an actuation cable extending from the actuator through the lumen and into the proximal articulable segment, and a cable router comprising a proximal pulley assembly rotatable about the proximal hinge pin, wherein the cable is wrapped about the proximal pulley assembly.

Abstract: An instrument tip includes a wire retention chamber extending in a width direction of the tip and open at the sides of a tip, the wire retention chamber configured to removably retain a wire therein, and a wire retention slot extending from the outermost side of the tip to the wire retention chamber and in an oblique direction with respect to a longitudinal axis of the tip, the wire retention slot in open communication with the wire retention chamber, wherein the wire retention chamber has a diameter greater than a diameter of the wire retention slot.

Abstract: A connector for connecting an instrument tip with a laparoscopic tube end, the connector including a base forming a body of the connector, the base having a lumen configured to accommodate an instrument tip actuator therein, and a seal permanently bonded to an inner surface of a proximal end of the base and configured to deform upon connection of the connector with the tube end.

Abstract: A laparoscopic instrument assembly with a handle member and a removable tip. The handle member and removable tip are mated using a double threaded design which provides a secure connection with low electrical resistance. Electrical energy is provided through an inner shaft to the removable tip, and a return energy path is formed using an outer tubing of the instrument assembly. The removal tip includes a cutting and sealing device with a resistive member that is provided with the electrical energy, thereby enabling the tip to cut and seal tissue.

Abstract: A catheter device and method for heating tissue, the device having a catheter shaft constructed for insertion into a patient's body, and at least one chamber mounted on the catheter shaft. The catheter shaft has at least one lumen for fluid flow through the shaft. The chambers are defined by walls that are at least in part expandable. Fluid flows, through the lumens, between the chambers and a fluid source outside the body. The chambers can be filled with the fluid after they have been placed within the body. A heating device heats liquid within at least one of the chambers, so that heat is transmitted from the liquid to surrounding tissue by thermal conduction through the wall of the chamber. Means are provided for selectively directing heat transmission toward a selected portion of surrounding tissue. The chambers are fillable with fluid separately from each other, so that the chambers can occupy any of a plurality of possible total volumes.