Abstract: A forceps includes an end effector assembly having first and second jaw members moveable with respect to one another between an open position and a closed position. A knife channel having a body and a base is defined within each jaw member. A knife assembly includes a knife having a bifurcated distal end. The bifurcated end includes first and second cutting members each defining an opposed cutting surface and having a tab at a free end thereof for translation through the base of a knife channel. The knife is translatable into the channels when the jaw members are in the closed position such that the cutting members are approximated when translated through the channels. The knife is also translatable into the channels when the jaw members are in the open position such that the cutting members are flexed apart when translated through the jaw members.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a fluid cooled ultrasonic surgical instrument and related systems and methods of use therefor. In some embodiments, the disclosed ultrasonic surgical instrument is adapted for used within an insufflated cavity or pneumoperitoneum of a patient. The instrument includes a housing having an elongate shaft, a waveguide disposed at a distal end of the shaft, a coolant inlet port defined in an outer surface of the housing, and a coolant pump disposed within the housing and configured to move coolant from the coolant inlet port to the waveguide. During use, insufflation gas from within the pneumoperitoneum is drawn into the instrument shaft by the coolant pump, and blown over the waveguide to provide cooling. The delivery of ultrasonic energy and activation of the pump may be controlled by a processor in response to user input and waveguide temperature.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument is provided. The ultrasonic surgical instrument includes a housing having an elongated shaft extending therefrom. A first jaw member disposed at a distal end of the shaft is movable between open and clamping configurations. A pair of second jaw members disposed at the distal end of the shaft are movable between open and clamping configurations. A cutting blade extending to the distal end of the shaft is operably coupled to the housing. The pair of second jaw members and first jaw member are moveable to the clamping configuration to compress tissue of interest for removing moisture therefrom prior to the tissue of interest being treated.

Abstract: A drug-delivery device includes a body configured for attachment to a handle of an ablation device, a shaft portion defining a passageway therein, and a delivery lumen to provide for drug delivery to tissue. The body includes a proximal portion, a distal portion, and a contoured portion disposed therebetween. The contoured portion is configured for engagement with a contoured portion of the handle of the ablation device. The shaft portion includes a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end of the shaft engages with an opening defined in the distal end of the body. The passageway of the shaft portion is configured to receive the delivery lumen slideably moveably therein. The delivery lumen includes a proximal portion and a distal portion. The drug-delivery device also includes a knob member coupled to the proximal portion of the delivery lumen.

Abstract: A drug-delivery cannula assembly includes a cannula housing adapted for receiving at least one obturator shaft of an obturator assembly therethrough, one or more cannulae, and a supply line coupled to the cannula housing. The cannula housing is adapted for receiving one or more obturator shafts of an obturator assembly therethrough. The one or more cannulae define a longitudinal axis and a passageway aligned with the longitudinal axis. The one or more cannulae each include a proximal end coupled to the cannula housing. The cannula housing is configured to fluidly-couple the one or more cannulae to a source of a drug delivery supply for supplying drugs via the supply line to the one or more cannulae.

Abstract: A forceps includes an end effector assembly having first and second jaw members movable relative to one another between a spaced-apart position, a first approximated position, and a second approximated position. One or both of the jaw members including a first stop member coupled thereto and disposed between the jaw members. The first stop member is longitudinally translatable along a surface of the at least one jaw member from a first position, wherein the first stop member inhibits approximation of the jaw members beyond the first approximated position, and a second position, wherein the first stop member inhibits approximation of the jaw members beyond the second approximated position.

Abstract: A method of performing a medical procedure is disclosed. The method includes: positioning an energy delivery device configured to deliver energy adjacent uric acid (UA) crystals having a resonance frequency; applying energy to tissue through the energy delivery device at a predetermined frequency thereby resonating the UA crystals; debulking at least a portion of the UA crystals; and removing at least a portion of the debulked UA crystals.

Abstract: A forceps is provided. The forceps includes a housing having a shaft that extends therefrom. The bipolar forceps also includes a hydraulic mechanism that includes a fluid line and a plunger operatively coupled to the fluid line. The plunger is translatable within at least a portion of the shaft from a proximal position to a distal position. An end effector assembly is operatively connected to a distal end of the shaft and includes a pair of first and second jaw members biased in an open configuration. Each of the first and second jaw members configured to receive at least a portion of the plunger when a fluid is caused to flow within the fluid line such that the first and second jaw members move from an open position for positioning to a closed position for grasping tissue.

Abstract: A forceps includes an end effector assembly having first and second jaw members moveable with respect to one another between an open position and a closed position. A knife channel having a body and a base is defined within each jaw member. A knife assembly includes a knife having a bifurcated distal end. The bifurcated end includes first and second cutting members each defining an opposed cutting surface and having a tab at a free end thereof for translation through the base of a knife channel. The knife is translatable into the channels when the jaw members are in the closed position such that the cutting members are approximated when translated through the channels. The knife is also translatable into the channels when the jaw members are in the open position such that the cutting members are flexed apart when translated through the jaw members.

Abstract: A forceps includes a housing having a shaft attached thereto. The shaft has an end effector assembly disposed at a distal end thereof. The end effector assembly includes a pair of jaw members disposed in opposing relation relative to one another. At least one of the jaw members is moveable relative to the other between a spaced apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween. At least one shape memory cutting member is coupled to one of the jaw members. The shape memory cutting member(s) is transitionable between a retracted state and an extended state. In the extended state, the cutting member(s) extends between the jaw members to cut tissue disposed therebetween when the jaw members are in the approximated position.

Abstract: A forceps includes an end effector assembly having first and second jaw members movable relative to one another between a spaced-apart position, a first approximated position, and a second approximated position. One or both of the jaw members including a first stop member coupled thereto and disposed between the jaw members. The first stop member is longitudinally translatable along a surface of the at least one jaw member from a first position, wherein the first stop member inhibits approximation of the jaw members beyond the first approximated position, and a second position, wherein the first stop member inhibits approximation of the jaw members beyond the second approximated position.

Abstract: A forceps is provided. The forceps includes a housing having a shaft that extends therefrom. The bipolar forceps also includes a hydraulic mechanism that includes a fluid line and a plunger operatively coupled to the fluid line. The plunger is translatable within at least a portion of the shaft from a proximal position to a distal position. An end effector assembly is operatively connected to a distal end of the shaft and includes a pair of first and second jaw members biased in an open configuration. Each of the first and second jaw members configured to receive at least a portion of the plunger when a fluid is caused to flow within the fluid line such that the first and second jaw members move from an open position for positioning to a closed position for grasping tissue.

Abstract: A long-term implantable ultrasound therapy system and method is provided that provides directional, focused ultrasound to localized regions of tissue within body joints, such as spinal joints. An ultrasound emitter or transducer is delivered to a location within the body associated with the joint and heats the target region of tissue associated with the joint from the location. Such locations for ultrasound transducer placement may include for example in or around the intervertebral discs, or the bony structures such as vertebral bodies or posterior vertebral elements such as facet joints. Various modes of operation provide for selective, controlled heating at different temperature ranges to provide different intended results in the target tissue, which ranges are significantly effected by pre-stressed tissues such as in-vivo intervertebral discs. In particular, treatments above 70 degrees C., and in particular 75 degrees C.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument includes a transducer assembly having a distal engagement member and configured to supply ultrasonic energy. A waveguide defines a longitudinal axis and has a proximal engagement member configured to threadingly engage the distal engagement member. The waveguide is configured to transmit the ultrasonic energy therealong to a distal end thereof for treating tissue. A torque member is coupled to the transducer assembly and is disposed about the longitudinal axis. The torque member is selectively rotatable about the longitudinal axis and relative to the waveguide to threadingly engage the transducer assembly and the waveguide to one another. The torque member includes a plurality of fingers pivotably coupled thereto and movable between a closed position and an open position. In the open position, each finger extends substantially perpendicularly from the longitudinal axis to define a moment arm that facilitates the engagement of the transducer assembly and the waveguide.

Abstract: An end effector assembly includes opposed jaws moveable from an open to a closed position for grasping tissue therebetween. Each jaw includes an electrically conductive surface adapted to conduct electrosurgical energy through tissue disposed between the jaws. A static bipolar cutting portion including at least one electrically conductive cutting element and at least one insulating element having a first configuration is disposed on at least one of the jaws. The static cutting portion is configured to electrically cut tissue disposed between the jaws upon activation of the cutting element and at least one of an opposing sealing surface and an opposing cutting element. A dynamic cutting portion including at least one electrically conductive cutting element and at least one insulating element having a second configuration is disposed on at least one of the jaws. The dynamic cutting portion electrically transects tissue during movement relative to tissue.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are described for treating ischemia in heart tissue after a heart attack. A method includes providing a heat treatment device comprising a heating element, positioning the heating element in proximity to the heart tissue, and heating the heart tissue with the heating element to generate release of heat shock proteins in the heart tissue. The heat shock proteins may also be provided via delivery of a drug. The heat shock proteins can provide myocardial protection for the heart tissue.

Abstract: Surgical devices and methods for utilizing optical coherence tomography (OCT) to monitor and control tissue sealing are disclosed. The surgical device includes an end effector assembly that includes first and second jaw members that are movable between a first, spaced-apart position and a second proximate position. An OCT system, at least a portion of which is incorporated into the end effector assembly, is configured to sense properties of the tissue, e.g., the structural density of the tissue, disposed between the first and second jaw members. A tissue-sealing energy source may be disposed within at least one of the jaw members and may provide tissue-sealing energy to tissue disposed between the jaw members. A controller, which is coupled to the OCT system and the tissue-sealing energy source, controls the tissue-sealing energy generated by the tissue-sealing energy source based on the properties of the tissue sensed by the OCT system.

Abstract: Surgical devices and methods for utilizing optical coherence tomography (OCT) to monitor and control tissue sealing are disclosed. The surgical device includes an end effector assembly that includes first and second jaw members that are movable between a first, spaced-apart position and a second proximate position. An OCT system, at least a portion of which is incorporated into the end effector assembly, is configured to sense properties of the tissue, e.g., the structural density of the tissue, disposed between the first and second jaw members. A tissue-sealing energy source may be disposed within at least one of the jaw members and may provide tissue-sealing energy to tissue disposed between the jaw members. A controller, which is coupled to the OCT system and the tissue-sealing energy source, controls the tissue-sealing energy generated by the tissue-sealing energy source based on the properties of the tissue sensed by the OCT system.

Abstract: The surgical instrument for sealing and/or cutting tissue includes a handle assembly and an end effector assembly operatively connected to the handle assembly. The end effector assembly includes first and second jaw members each including a jaw housing and an electrically conductive surface defining a plurality of bores and an adhesive applicator assembly disposed in one of the jaw members. The electrically conductive surfaces are configured to effect a tissue seal. The adhesive applicator assembly includes a platform defining a reservoir therein and a plurality of needles in communication with the reservoir. The platform is movable between a neutral position in which the plurality of needles are disposed within the jaw housing and an actuated position in which the plurality of needles extend through the respective plurality of bores defined in the electrically conductive surface.

Abstract: A medical instrument includes two jaw members, at least one of which creates conditions of frustrated total internal reflection at a tissue-contacting surface when tissue is grasped between the two jaw members. The first jaw member may include an optical element having a tissue-contacting surface. The medical instrument also includes a light source that provides a light beam for sealing tissue. The light source is positioned so that the light beam is totally internally reflected from an interface between the tissue-contacting surface and air when tissue is not grasped by the jaw members. When tissue is grasped by the jaw members, at least a portion of the light beam is transmitted through that portion of the tissue-contacting surface that is in contact with the tissue. The light source may be movably coupled to a jaw member to scan the light beam and/or to change the incident angle based on optical properties of the tissue.