Abstract: Forceps for performing endoscopic or arthroscopic surgery include a body assembly, a tube assembly, and a pair of handles that pivot with respect to the body. The tube assembly is removably attached to the body assembly. The tube assembly includes a hollow tube and a tip assembly. The tip assembly includes an electrode or a blade for performing the surgery. The tip assembly and the blade are connected to the body and the handles by a cable. As the handles pivot, the cable slides within the tube to move the blade. When a different tube assembly (i.e., a bipolar or a monopolar electrode) or another style of tip assembly are desired, the installed one is removed and replaced by a new tube assembly or tip assembly as desired.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus for coagulating and cutting tissue includes a handle assembly and a tool cartridge. The tool cartridge includes electrically conductive movable tools, such as jaws and a blade, for cutting tissue. The jaws and blade each are connected to a transmission to facilitate movement. Multiple sheaths are used to encompass and protect the transmissions. Slidable grips are disposed outside of the sheaths and operatively connected to the transmissions that are disposed within the sheaths. At least one lever is supported by the handle assembly and engagable with the grips to facilitate movement of the grips, and thus, the tools.

Abstract: A surgical tool assembly for use in electrosurgery includes an elongated sheath movable in a longitudinal direction. The assembly includes a pair of jaws, with each jaw having a plurality of teeth for grasping tissue and a support element supporting the plurality of teeth. The support element is disposed partially within the sheath and extends to a distal end disposed outside of the sheath. The support element includes a first portion extending from the distal end and delineating a first region. The support element further includes a second portion extending from the first portion and delineating a second region. The second portion is curved to engage with the sheath such that the jaws move towards one another as the elongated sheath moves towards the distal end. The teeth extend from the first region into the second region.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus for coagulating and cutting tissue includes a handle assembly having a housing. A tool cartridge is receivable in the housing. The tool cartridge includes a first jaw and a second jaw for grasping tissue therebetween. The first jaw is hingably movable between an open position and a closed position. A first jaw connection wire is operatively connected to the first jaw. A sheath encompasses at least part of the longitudinal portion of the jaw connection wire. A grip is disposed around at least part of the sheath. A piston is disposed within the sheath and operatively connected to the grip such that the grip and piston move in relation to one another. The jaw connection wire is operatively connected to the piston for moving the first jaw in response to movement of the grip.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for performing surgical procedures includes a handle assembly and a power supply. The handle assembly is configured to accept a variety of surgical cartridges, each having a pair of clamping or cutting members, for clamping animal anatomy. Electrical power is supplied to the clamping or cutting members for perform electrosurgery.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus for coagulating and cutting tissue includes a handle assembly and a tool cartridge. The tool cartridge includes electrically conductive movable tools, such as jaws and a blade, for cutting tissue. The jaws and blade each are connected to a transmission to facilitate movement. Multiple sheaths are used to encompass and protect the transmissions. Slidable grips are disposed outside of the sheaths and operatively connected to the transmissions that are disposed within the sheaths. At least one lever is supported by the handle assembly and engagable with the grips to facilitate movement of the grips, and thus, the tools.

Abstract: An electrosurgical apparatus applies electrical current to skin, preferably for skin tightening procedures. A housing includes a substantially flat edge, disposable on the skin. The housing stores a plurality of electrodes which are movable through an opening defined by the edge. A vacuum is applied in the housing such that the edge seals with the skin. The electrodes pierce the skin perpendicularly and apply an RF electric current to heat primarily the subcutaneous layer. A coolant is applied to cool the outer layer of the skin.

Abstract: Forceps include a body, a surgical device, and a pair of handles. The surgical device is removably disposed within the body. The handles are pivotally attached to the handle body for articulating jaws on the surgical device, or grasping the forceps. The forceps accept monopolar, bipolar, or both monopolar and bipolar surgical devices. Wires are disposed within the surgical device for performing various types of electro-surgery. Additional wires are provided within the surgical device for providing the user with the ability to monitor various aspects of the surgical procedure. Spring contacts touch rings surrounding the surgical device for maintaining electrical contact with the surgical device while allowing the surgical device to rotate within the body.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for performing surgery includes a housing defining an axial bore. A lock is slidably disposed in the transverse bore to engage and disengage a tube adaptor. A latch extends from the lock to move the latch into and out of the axial bore. The lock and latch allow for interchangeability of tip assemblies inserted into the surgical instrument. A first and second handle are pivotally attached to the housing. A first ratchet member is rotatably attached to the first handle and includes serrated teeth. A second ratchet member extends from the second handle. The second ratchet member including a finger for engagement with the serrated tooth to prevent movement of said first handle relative to the second handle. The first ratchet member is rotatable about the rotational axis to disengage from the second ratchet member and allow the first handle to move relative to the second handle.

Abstract: An electrosurgical apparatus for sealing and cutting tissue includes forceps and a power supply. The forceps include jaws that are pivotal about a pin and at least one blade disposed between the jaws. A shaft connects a handle to the jaws for moving the jaws while also conducting electric current from the power supply through the jaws. A wire, routed through the shaft and through a hole in the pin, connects a lever to the blade for moving the blade. In a bipolar configuration, the wire also conducts the electric current through the blade.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a detachable tool assembly. The assembly includes a connection rod and a tool, such as a pair of jaws or an electrode. The instrument also includes a shaft operatively connected to a handle movable between operating positions and an ejected position. A tubular housing encloses the shaft and a collet. The collet is attached to the rod and movable between the positions. The fingers of the collet are flared apart in the ejected position but collapse to capture the connection rod in the operating positions. A tongue-and-groove arrangement provides a secondary coupling between the assembly and the housing when the handle is in the operating positions.

Abstract: An electrode apparatus includes a handle, a housing extending from the handle, and a plurality of wheels partially contained within the housing. A plurality of needles extend from a perimeter of each of the wheels for penetrating an epidermis of skin and into the dermis and the subcutaneous layer of skin. A contact ring is disposed adjacent the plurality of wheels and a pin interconnects the contact ring and at least one of the wheels. The plurality of wheels and the contact ring rotate in unison about a central axis. A contactor remains in continuous contact with the contact ring as the contact ring and the plurality of wheels rotate about the central axis. Electrical current, in the form of bipolar or monopolar power, is transmitted through the needles via the contactor, the contact ring, the pin, and the wheels to treat layers of the skin.

Abstract: Forceps for performing endoscopic or arthroscopic surgery include a body assembly, a tube assembly, and a pair of handles that pivot with respect to the body. The tube assembly is removably attached to the body assembly. The tube assembly includes a hollow tube and a tip assembly. The tip assembly includes an electrode or a blade for performing the surgery. The tip assembly and the blade are connected to the body and the handles by a cable. As the handles pivot, the cable slides within the tube to move the blade. When a different tube assembly (i.e., a bipolar or a monopolar electrode) or another style of tip assembly are desired, the installed one is removed and replaced by a new tube assembly or tip assembly as desired.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for performing surgical procedures includes a handle assembly and a power supply. The handle assembly is configured to accept a variety of surgical cartridges, each having a pair of clamping or cutting members, for clamping animal anatomy. Electrical power is supplied to the clamping or cutting members for perform electrosurgery.

Abstract: A surgical instrument having a removable shaft assembly and a handle mechanism is shown. The surgical instrument shaft assembly includes a drive shaft having an actuatable working member at one end and a connecting member at its other end. The drive shaft has formed thereon a reaction member having a preselected geometrical shape. The reaction member is adapted to removeably operatively connect with a receiving member forming a reacting support. A driving force applied to the drive shaft reacts with the reacting support developing a reaction force to actuate the actuatable working member in a predetermined direction. The surgical instrument further includes a handle assembly which for removeably supporting the shaft assembly. The handle assembly has a first end which defines a receiving member to removeably operatively connect with the reaction member to define the reaction support. The handle assembly includes a releasable coupling member which releasably connects with the connecting member.