Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosed technology provide systems, devices, and methods of creating an electrosurgical tissue seal that is augmented with a seal-enhancing composition. One embodiment of a device includes a set of opposing electrosurgical jaws configured to be able to close on a targeted tissue-sealing site; the jaws have a reservoir configured to hold a tissue seal-enhancing composition. The reservoir is in communication with a surface of the tissue-sealing site when the jaws are closed on the site, and the electrosurgical device is configured to deliver the tissue seal-enhancing composition to the site during an electrosurgical procedure. The device is further configured to deliver sufficient radiofrequency energy to the site such that the targeted tissue and the tissue seal-enhancing composition at the tissue-sealing site are processed to form a high integrity sealed tissue site.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosed technology provide systems, devices, and methods of creating an electrosurgical tissue seal that is augmented with a seal-enhancing composition. One embodiment of a device includes a set of opposing electrosurgical jaws configured to be able to close on a targeted tissue-sealing site; the jaws have a reservoir configured to hold a tissue seal-enhancing composition. The reservoir is in communication with a surface of the tissue-sealing site when the jaws are closed on the site, and the electrosurgical device is configured to deliver the tissue seal-enhancing composition to the site during an electrosurgical procedure. The device is further configured to deliver sufficient radiofrequency energy to the site such that the targeted tissue and the tissue seal-enhancing composition at the tissue-sealing site are processed to form a high integrity sealed tissue site.

Abstract: A magnetic oral retractor assembly for distending the cheek of a patient undergoing an oral dental/surgical procedure comprises a gripper element mounted to a support structure external of the patient's oral cavity and an intraoral retractor device for contacting the inner surface of the patient's cheek. The gripper element and the retractor device each include a magnetic member, at least one magnetic member being a magnet and the other being either another magnet or a non-magnetized magnetically permeable member. The magnetic members are positioned on the gripper element and the retractor device for magnetically coupling the gripper element to the retractor device through the patient's cheek. The invention has application in surgical procedures to secure patient tissue magnetically in place during surgical procedures or to distend an opening in a patient's body wall during an open surgical procedure.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention comprises a trocar and a reducer cap that magnetically attaches to the trocar. The trocar and the cap each include a magnetic member, at least one of which is a first magnet, and the other of which is either a second magnet or a non-magnetized magnetically permeable member. Including a magnet of sufficient strength in the trocar and/or the cap will create a magnetic field that automatically holds a surgical instrument having a magnetically permeable member at its tip in axial alignment with the cap or trocar lumen. Introduction of the surgical instrument into the lumen can be further facilitated by providing the trocar or cap lumen with a funnel-shaped opening. A lumen seal can be provided by one or more compliant toroidal seal members that expand radially inwardly when compressed axially by the magnetic attraction between the cap and trocar. The alignment feature is particularly advantageous when incorporated in a mini-trocar having a lumen on the order of 1-3 mm in diameter.