Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a housing, a movable handle, a trigger, a drive assembly operably coupled between the movable handle and an end effector assembly such that movement of the movable handle from an initial position to a compressed position manipulates the end effector assembly, and a linkage operably coupled between the trigger and a knife such that movement of the trigger from an un-actuated position to an actuated position rotates the linkage to deploy the knife relative to the end effector assembly. A drive housing of the drive assembly inhibits rotation of the linkage when the movable handle is disposed in the initial position and the trigger is disposed in the un-actuated position. The drive housing cams along a surface of the linkage to urge the linkage to rotate when the movable handle is returned towards the initial position, thereby returning the trigger towards the un-actuated position.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a housing, a shaft extending distally from the housing, an end effector assembly disposed at a distal end of the shaft, a knife slidably disposed within the shaft, a movable handle operably coupled to the housing, a trigger operably coupled to the housing, a drive assembly operably coupled between the movable handle and the end effector assembly such that movement of the movable handle manipulates the end effector assembly, and a linkage operably coupled between the trigger and the knife such that movement of the trigger deploys the knife. In an initial position of the movable handle, a portion of a drive housing of the drive assembly intersects a path of movement of the linkage to inhibit movement of the linkage, thereby inhibiting actuation of the trigger.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a housing, a shaft extending distally from the housing, an end effector assembly disposed at a distal end of the shaft, a knife slidably disposed within the shaft, a movable handle operably coupled to the housing, a trigger operably coupled to the housing, a drive assembly operably coupled between the movable handle and the end effector assembly such that movement of the movable handle manipulates the end effector assembly, and a linkage operably coupled between the trigger and the knife such that movement of the trigger deploys the knife. In an initial position of the movable handle, a portion of a drive housing of the drive assembly intersects a path of movement of the linkage to inhibit movement of the linkage, thereby inhibiting actuation of the trigger.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a housing, a movable handle, a trigger, a drive assembly operably coupled between the movable handle and an end effector assembly such that movement of the movable handle from an initial position to a compressed position manipulates the end effector assembly, and a linkage operably coupled between the trigger and a knife such that movement of the trigger from an un-actuated position to an actuated position rotates the linkage to deploy the knife relative to the end effector assembly. A drive housing of the drive assembly inhibits rotation of the linkage when the movable handle is disposed in the initial position and the trigger is disposed in the un-actuated position. The drive housing cams along a surface of the linkage to urge the linkage to rotate when the movable handle is returned towards the initial position, thereby returning the trigger towards the un-actuated position.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a housing, a shaft extending distally from the housing, an end effector assembly disposed at a distal end of the shaft, a knife slidably disposed within the shaft, a movable handle operably coupled to the housing, a trigger operably coupled to the housing, a drive assembly operably coupled between the movable handle and the end effector assembly such that movement of the movable handle manipulates the end effector assembly, and a linkage operably coupled between the trigger and the knife such that movement of the trigger deploys the knife. In an initial position of the movable handle, a portion of a drive housing of the drive assembly intersects a path of movement of the linkage to inhibit movement of the linkage, thereby inhibiting actuation of the trigger.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for use in sterilizing a surgical instrument is provided. The apparatus includes a surgical instrument that includes a housing having a shaft extending therefrom. The shaft includes one or more grooves defined therein that extends at least partially along the length thereof. The one or more grooves is configured to allow a sterilant passage therethrough. The apparatus also includes a jacket that encloses the shaft and allows the sterilant to travel along the one or more grooves.

Abstract: An end effector assembly for use with an instrument for sealing and cutting tissue includes a pair of opposing first and second jaw members movable relative to the to grasp tissue therebetween. Each jaw member including a jaw housing and an electrically conductive surface adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the electrically conductive surfaces are capable of conducting electrosurgical energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a tissue seal. One of the electrically conductive surfaces including a channel defined therein and extending along a length thereof that communicates with a nozzle disposed in the jaw housing. The nozzle is configured to direct high pressure fluid from a fluid source into the channel for cutting tissue grasped between the jaw members.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for use in sterilizing a surgical instrument is provided. The apparatus includes a surgical instrument that includes a housing having a shaft extending therefrom. The shaft includes one or more grooves defined therein that extends at least partially along the length thereof. The one or more grooves is configured to allow a sterilant passage therethrough. The apparatus also includes a jacket that encloses the shaft and allows the sterilant to travel along the one or more grooves.

Abstract: An end effector assembly for use with an instrument for sealing and cutting tissue includes a pair of opposing first and second jaw members movable relative to the to grasp tissue therebetween. Each jaw member including a jaw housing and an electrically conductive surface adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the electrically conductive surfaces are capable of conducting electrosurgical energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a tissue seal. One of the electrically conductive surfaces including a channel defined therein and extending along a length thereof that communicates with a nozzle disposed in the jaw housing. The nozzle is configured to direct high pressure fluid from a fluid source into the channel for cutting tissue grasped between the jaw members.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for use in sterilizing a surgical instrument is provided. The apparatus includes a surgical instrument that includes a housing having a shaft extending therefrom. The shaft includes one or more grooves defined therein that extends at least partially along the length thereof. The one or more grooves is configured to allow a sterilant passage therethrough. The apparatus also includes a jacket that encloses the shaft and allows the sterilant to travel along the one or more grooves.

Abstract: An end effector assembly for use with an instrument for sealing and cutting tissue includes a pair of opposing first and second jaw members movable relative to the to grasp tissue therebetween. Each jaw member including a jaw housing and an electrically conductive surface adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the electrically conductive surfaces are capable of conducting electrosurgical energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a tissue seal. One of the electrically conductive surfaces including a channel defined therein and extending along a length thereof that communicates with a nozzle disposed in the jaw housing. The nozzle is configured to direct high pressure fluid from a fluid source into the channel for cutting tissue grasped between the jaw members.

Abstract: An end effector assembly for use with an instrument for sealing and cutting tissue includes a pair of opposing first and second jaw members movable relative to the to grasp tissue therebetween. Each jaw member including a jaw housing and an electrically conductive surface adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the electrically conductive surfaces are capable of conducting electrosurgical energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a tissue seal. One of the electrically conductive surfaces including a channel defined therein and extending along a length thereof that communicates with a nozzle disposed in the jaw housing. The nozzle is configured to direct high pressure fluid from a fluid source into the channel for cutting tissue grasped between the jaw members.

Abstract: An end effector assembly for use with an instrument for sealing and cutting tissue includes a pair of opposing first and second jaw members movable relative to the to grasp tissue therebetween. Each jaw member including a jaw housing and an electrically conductive surface adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the electrically conductive surfaces are capable of conducting electrosurgical energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a tissue seal. One of the electrically conductive surfaces including a channel defined therein and extending along a length thereof that communicates with a nozzle disposed in the jaw housing. The nozzle is configured to direct high pressure fluid from a fluid source into the channel for cutting tissue grasped between the jaw members.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for use in sterilizing a surgical instrument is provided. The apparatus includes a surgical instrument that includes a housing having a shaft extending therefrom. The shaft includes one or more grooves defined therein that extends at least partially along the length thereof. The one or more grooves is configured to allow a sterilant passage therethrough. The apparatus also includes a jacket that encloses the shaft and allows the sterilant to travel along the one or more grooves.