Abstract: An instrument for performing a percutaneous laparoscopic cholecystectomy includes a generally rigid, tubular body with a proximal end, a distal end and a lumen extending between these two ends and with a pair of bipolar electrodes projecting from the distal end of the tubular body and a handle member affixed to its proximal end. The outside diameter of the tubular body is sufficiently small that it can readily pass through a cannula inserted through a puncture made through the abdominal wall. A pair of conductors, connected at one end to the bipolar electrodes and at their other end to a source of radio frequency voltage, extend through the tube's lumen and a handle. Moreover, a fluid port may be formed through the handle so as to be in fluid communication with the lumen of the tube whereby fluids may be perfused through the instrument during its use or a suction may be applied to the proximal port for aspirating the surgical site.

Abstract: A bipolar electrosurgical instrument designed for resecting tumorous growths from the esophagus, bladder or other internal organ where the site of the tumor is reached by way of an endoscope, the instrument being dimensioned to fit down the central lumen of the endoscope, comprises an elongated, flexible tube having a conductive helical spring cantilevered from the distal end of the tube and forming a return electrode and a conductive wire hoop spaced a predetermined gap distance from the distalmost convolution of the helical spring and whose plane is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the flexible tube forms the active electrode. Wires for applying a high frequency RF voltage across the electrodes extend through the lumen of the flexible tube. As the distal end portion of the instrument is dragged over the tumor to be resected, the cantilevered helical spring is laterally displaced, allowing the RF current leaving the active hoop electrode to cut through the tumorous tissue.

Abstract: An bipolar electrosurgical instrument especially designed especially for use in freeing and rerouting of the internal mammary artery during coronary bypass surgery. It comprises a rigid pen-like handle having appropriate cut and coag control switches mounted thereon and a bendable tubular extension projecting from the distal end of the handle member. Mounted on the distal end of the extension is a blade holder designed to contain an ultrasonic transducer as well as the proximal end of the blade itself. The blade comprises a ceramic substrate having a pattern of metallization thereon defining a bipolar cutting gap along the side and end edges of the blade and a bipolar coagulating gap located inwardly from the side and end edges. A cable is used to join the implement to an electrosurgical generator and the individual wires in the cable extend through the pen-like body, the tubular extension and into the blade holder where electrical connections are made to the electrodes on the blade itself.

Abstract: A surgical instrument of the kind which is adapted to operate using bipolar energizing potential comprises a pair of adjacently disposed, elongated electrodes that receive the bipolar potential, and an electrical insulator disposed between the electrodes. The insulator terminates proximally of distal ends of the electrodes to provide a cavity across which sparking between the electrodes occurs. Thus, the instrument is useful in, e.g., arthroscopic surgery on the knee, to perform several types of procedures (such as cutting, smoothing of cartilage, and coagulation) even in the presence of an electrically conductive irrigating solution (such as saline).

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument for use in combination with an endoscope for cutting tissue and cauterizing/coagulating the resulting wound area is described. The instrument comprises an elongated flexible tubular member having a proximal end, a distal end, and plural lumens extending therebetween. Affixed to the distal end of the tube is a bullet-shaped ceramic tip member having a centrally-disposed longitudinal bore passing through the side wall of the tip member. The ceramic exterior surface of the tip member is covered with a conductive layer forming a first inactive electrode. An electrical conductor joined to that electrode surface feeds back through a lumen of the tube to its proximal end where it may be coupled to an electrosurgical generator. Also running through a lumen in the tube is another conductor which can be made to project outwardly through the opening in the tip member.

Abstract: This invention relates to the construction of a cardiac ablation electrode with a thermosensing detector at one or more positions in the distal tip. The distal tip is uninsulated in contrast to the rest of the flexible length of the electrode to enable radiofrequency (rf) potential to be applied there. This rf potential causes heating of cardiac tissue when the catheter electrode is inserted into the heart via venus pathways. A thermocouple sensor is embedded in the electrode tip with the detection wires running along the catheter to external apparatus for measurement to application of radiofrequency. The thermocouple sensor is integral and at the surface of the distal electrodes for true surface temperature recording with fast response.

Abstract: An electrosurgical angioplasty catheter with ultrasonic enhancement is described. It comprises an elongated, flexible plastic tubular body having located at its distal tip an electrode structure for effecting rf cutting along with a transducer for ultrasonically driving the rf cutting electrodes and the support thereof. The electronics module for driving the cutting electrodes and the ultrasonic transducer also includes means for receiving echo signals picked up by the transducer whereby Doppler flow readings and ultrasound imaging of the blood vessel being worked upon can be obtained.

Abstract: A disposable bipolar electrosurgical probe which can be readily applied to the tissue to be treated, then discarded. The probe comprises an elongated substrate member having a peripheral surface of dielectric material and a longitudinal axis extending between a working end and an attachment end. At least a pair of electrically isolated electrodes extend continuously on the peripheral surface of the substrate member between an active region at the working end and an electrical terminal region at the attachment end for quick connection and/or disconnection, respectively, to opposite poles of an RF generator. A handle with a quick disconnect mechanism is provided to physically support the probe and enable it to be selectively energized. The probes can be of a fail safe construction so as to assure that only a proper probe can be used for a desired treatment.

Abstract: An electro-surgical implement with an improved handle having a cutting mode of operation and a coagulating mode of operation. The implement includes a blade member having an electrically conductive pad area, and a predetermined pattern of electrical conductors. Electrical switch apparatus is contained in the handle member for altering the mode of operation between the cutting mode and coagulating mode when the handle member is in a locked disposition. Apparatus is also contained within the handle member for vibrating the blade member at a predetermined frequency and amplitude sufficient to create cavitation to prevent buildup of tissue and debris, and apparatus for energizing the blade for cutting and coagulating including apparatus for forcing the electrically conductive pad area against the vibration apparatus when the handle member is in a locked disposition. Mechanical switch apparatus is included to allow safe removal of the blade.