Abstract: An endoscope includes a handle, an elongated body extending distally from the handle and defining a longitudinal axis, a light source disposed within the distal portion of the elongated body and configured to illuminate tissue, and a therapeutic unit disposed within the distal portion of the elongated body and configured to treat tissue.

Abstract: A cleaning device (100) enables cleaning of a lens (18) of an endoscope (10) during a surgical procedure to maintain a clear image without having to remove the endoscope (10) from the patient's body. The cleaning device (100) includes a suction ring (500) that selectively encloses the lens (18) of the endoscope (10) and retains the cleaning fluid during cleaning of the lens (18).

Abstract: A trocar (10) is provided which permits cleaning of a medical device herein. In aspects, the trocar (10) has a seal (50) at a distal portion of the trocar (10). In use, a medical device, such as a laparoscope (200), passes through the seal (50) at the distal portion of the trocar (10). To clean a lens (210) at the end of the laparoscope (200), a vacuum is applied to the interior of the trocar (10), the laparoscope (200) is partially withdrawn so that it is proximal to the seal (50), and liquids and/or gases are introduced into the trocar (10) to clean the lens (210) while the laparoscope (200) remains within the trocar (10).

Abstract: A system for monitoring and cleaning a lens of a laparoscope interoperative includes a monitoring system having a laparoscope and software for monitoring clarity of an image provided by the laparoscope. The software being configured to provide a feedback signal when the image clarity falls below a predetermined threshold. The system further includes a cleaning system in operative connection with the monitoring system and configured to activate upon receipt of the feedback signal from the monitoring system. The cleaning system includes a source of pressurized liquid, a source of compressed air, and a source of suction. The sources of pressurized liquid and compressed air are configured to be activated simultaneously with the source of suction.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an end effector assembly including first and second grasping components each defining a tissue-contacting portion. One or both of the first or second grasping components is movable relative to the other between an open position and a closed position. In the closed position, the first and second tissue-contacting portions cooperate to define a grasping area therebetween. One or both of the first or second grasping components is configured to apply energy from the tissue-contacting portion thereof to tissue disposed within the grasping area to treat tissue. The tissue-contacting portion of the first grasping component defines a first opening therethrough. The first opening is disposed within the grasping area and in communication with a first lumen defined at least partially through the first grasping component. The first lumen is adapted to connect to a source of vacuum to enable aspiration through the first opening.

Abstract: A bipolar forceps includes a mechanical forceps including first and second shafts each having a jaw member extending from a distal end thereof and a handle disposed at a proximal end thereof for effecting movement of the jaw members relative to one another about a pivot. A disposable is housing is configured to be releasably coupled to at least one of the shafts and an electrode assembly is configured to be releasably coupled to the disposable housing. The electrode assembly includes electrodes releasably coupled to the jaw members. At least one of the electrodes includes a knife channel configured to receive a knife blade therethrough to cut tissue grasped between the jaw members. A tissue stop has a knife slot that aligns with the knife channel to receive the knife blade. An actuation mechanism advances the knife blade through the knife channel to cut tissue.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument (1) includes a first shaft member (110) pivotably coupled to a second shaft member (120), and a trigger (184) disposed on the second shaft member (120). The first and second shaft members (110,120) respectively include first and second handle members (130,140), and first and second jaw members (150,160). The first and second shaft members (110,120) define a longitudinal axis extending through a pivot, and first and second pivot axes that are substantially orthogonal to each other and the longitudinal axis. At least one of the first or second handle members (130,140) is pivotable about the first pivot axis to move the first and second jaw members (150,160) to an open position, a grasping position, or a sealing position. The trigger (184) is movable to pivot at least one of the first or second shaft members (110,120) about the second pivot axis to laterally displace the first and second jaw members (150,160) relative to each other to a cutting position.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an end effector assembly including first and second grasping components each defining a tissue-contacting portion. One or both of the grasping components is movable relative to the other to a closed position wherein the tissue-contacting portions cooperate to define a grasping area therebetween. One or both of the grasping components is configured to apply energy from the tissue-contacting portion thereof to tissue disposed within the grasping area to treat tissue. The tissue-contacting portion of the first grasping component defines a first opening disposed within the grasping area and in communication with a first lumen defined at least partially through the first grasping component. The first lumen is adapted to connect to a source of vacuum to enable aspiration through the first opening.

Abstract: A forceps includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion includes a shaft, an end effector assembly disposed at a distal end of the shaft, and a drive assembly including a drive bar. The end effector assembly includes jaw members movable between spaced-apart and approximated positions. The drive bar is slidably disposed within the shaft and coupled to the end effector assembly such that translation of the drive bar relative to the shaft moves the jaw members between the spaced-apart and approximated positions. The second portion includes a housing (or portion thereof) and a handle assembly including a movable handle that is coupled to the housing and movable relative thereto between first and second positions. The first and second portions are releasably couplable with one another to operably couple the movable handle with the drive bar such that moving the movable handle actuates the jaw members.

Abstract: An electrosurgical forceps includes a first elongated shaft member including a first handle member and a first jaw member having a first tissue contacting surface, and a second elongated shaft member including a second handle member and a second jaw member having a second tissue contacting surface. At least one of the first and second handle members is movable relative to the other between an open position, a first approximated position where the first and second tissue contacting surfaces are diametrically opposed to one another, and a second approximated position where the first and second tissue contacting surfaces are laterally offset from one another. A handle connector assembly is selectively engageable with the second handle member and is configured to selectively communicate electrosurgical energy between the first and second tissue contacting surfaces when the first and second handle members are disposed in the first approximated position.

Abstract: A forceps includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion includes a shaft, an end effector assembly disposed at a distal end of the shaft, and a drive assembly including a drive bar. The end effector assembly includes jaw members movable between spaced-apart and approximated positions. The drive bar is slidably disposed within the shaft and coupled to the end effector assembly such that translation of the drive bar relative to the shaft moves the jaw members between the spaced-apart and approximated positions. The second portion includes a housing (or portion thereof) and a handle assembly including a movable handle that is coupled to the housing and movable relative thereto between first and second positions. The first and second portions are releasably couplable with one another to operably couple the movable handle with the drive bar such that moving the movable handle actuates the jaw members.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a housing, a shaft coupled to and extending distally from the housing, an end effector assembly disposed at a distal end of the shaft, a movable handle coupled to the housing, a drive assembly coupled to the end effector assembly, and an extension mechanism disposed within the housing. The extension mechanism is configured to couple to the shaft and between the movable handle and the drive assembly for moving the shaft and drive assembly between a retracted position and an extended position relative to the housing. The extension mechanism is coupled between the movable handle and the drive assembly in each of the retracted and extended positions such that the movable handle is operable to effect manipulation of the end effector assembly in each of the retracted and extended positions.

Abstract: An electrosurgical forceps includes a first elongated shaft member including a first handle member and a first jaw member having a first tissue contacting surface, and a second elongated shaft member including a second handle member and a second jaw member having a second tissue contacting surface. At least one of the first and second handle members is movable relative to the other between an open position, a first approximated position where the first and second tissue contacting surfaces are diametrically opposed to one another, and a second approximated position where the first and second tissue contacting surfaces are laterally offset from one another. A handle connector assembly is selectively engageable with the second handle member and is configured to selectively communicate electrosurgical energy between the first and second tissue contacting surfaces when the first and second handle members are disposed in the first approximated position.

Abstract: A high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) system (100,400) for selectively sealing a vessel network (360) in a liver includes a generator (110,410,420) configured to generate and supply electric power, and an acoustic assembly (200,130,150) configured to receive the supplied electric power. The acoustic assembly (200,130,150) includes a first transducer (310,430) configured to generate vibrations having a first frequency, and a second transducer (320,440) configured to generate vibrations having a second frequency. When a first focal point of the generated vibrations having the first frequency and a second focal point of the generated vibrations having the second frequency are aligned within a focused region (350), a group of vessels (360) at the focused region (350) are selectively sealed.

Abstract: An end effector assembly includes a first jaw member having a first tissue contact surface and a second jaw member having a second tissue contact surface. The second jaw member is pivotally coupled to the first jaw member. The tissue contact surfaces may include raised steps that define an exhaust channel. A longitudinally extending knife slot may be defined in one or both of the tissue contact surfaces. One or more exhaust slots, which may be defined in one or both of the tissue contact surfaces, are in communication with the knife slot. The exhaust channel and the exhaust slots direct fluid away from the jaw members to minimize thermal damage risks associated with tissue sealing.

Abstract: A bipolar forceps includes a mechanical forceps including first and second shafts each having a jaw member extending from a distal end thereof and a handle disposed at a proximal end thereof for effecting movement of the jaw members relative to one another about a pivot. A disposable housing is configured to releasably couple to at least one of the shafts and an electrode assembly is configured to releasably couple to the disposable housing. The electrode assembly includes electrodes releasably coupleable to the jaw members. At least one of the electrodes includes a knife channel configured to receive a knife blade therethrough to cut tissue grasped between the jaw members. An actuation mechanism is configured to selectively advance the knife blade through the knife channel to cut tissue.

Abstract: An end effector assembly (114) includes a first jaw member (114a) having a first tissue contact surface (122) and a second jaw member (114b) having a second tissue contact surface (122). The second jaw member (114b) is pivotally coupled to the first jaw member (114a). The tissue contact surfaces (122) may include raised steps (122b) that define an exhaust channel (124). A longitudinally extending knife slot (214) may be defined in one or both of the tissue contact surfaces (122). One or more exhaust slots (216), which may be defined in one or both of the tissue contact surfaces (122), are in communication with the knife slot (214). The exhaust channel (124) and the exhaust slots (216) direct fluid away from the jaw members (114a, 114b) to minimize thermal damage risks associated with tissue sealing.

Abstract: A surgical end effector assembly includes a pair of jaw members, a knife defining a longitudinal slot, a pivot pin coupling the jaw members to one another, and a drive member including a drive pin that is engaged to the jaw members. The pivot pin and/or the drive pin extends through the longitudinal slot of the knife to couple the knife to the jaw members and/or the drive member. The end effector assembly is transitionable between a use position, wherein the knife and drive member are generally aligned with one another to facilitate releasable engagement of the end effector assembly with a surgical instrument, and a cleaning position, wherein the jaw members, knife, and drive member are fanned apart from one another to facilitate cleaning of the end effector assembly. Methods of disengaging and sterilizing end effector assemblies for reuse are also provided.

Abstract: A surgical instrument (1000) includes an end effector assembly (200) including first and second grasping components (210, 220) each defining a tissue-contacting portion (214, 218, 224, 228). One or both of the first or second grasping components (210, 220) is movable relative to the other between an open position and a closed position. In the closed position, the first and second tissue-contacting portions (214, 218, 224, 228) cooperate to define a grasping area therebetween. One or both of the first or second grasping components (210, 220) is configured to apply energy from the tissue-contacting portion (214, 218, 224, 228) thereof to tissue disposed within the grasping area to treat tissue. The tissue-contacting portion (214, 224) of the first grasping component (210) defines a first opening (219) therethrough. The first opening (219) is disposed within the grasping area and in communication with a first lumen (118) defined at least partially through the first grasping component (210).

Abstract: An articulation assembly for use with a surgical instrument is provided. The articulation assembly includes a plurality of joints, a plurality of cables, and a first drive member. Each joint defines a plurality of openings extending longitudinally therethrough, a central opening extending longitudinally therethrough, a pair of projections extending from a first surface, and a pair of grooves extending at least partially through a second surface. Each groove of at least one joint is configured to engage one projection of the pair of projections from an adjacent joint. Each cable extends through one opening of the plurality of openings of each joint. The first drive member extends through the central opening of each joint.