Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080287946 | Cool-Tip Thermocouple Including Two-Piece Hub - A surgical device for performing a surgical procedure on a patient is provided and includes a handle assembly including a housing having a distal end and a proximal end; a tissue engaging member supported in and extending from the distal end of the housing of the handle assembly; at least one conduit having a first end operatively associated with the tissue engaging member and a second end extending from the housing of the handle assembly; and a strain relief member supported on the at least one conduit and connected to the housing, wherein the strain relief member and the housing are configured to enable poly-axial movement of the strain relief member with respect to the housing. | 11-20-2008 |
20080312653 | Mechanism for Dividing Tissue in a Hemostat-Style Instrument - Open electrosurgical forceps for sealing tissue are provided which include first and second shaft portions pivotably associated with one another. Each shaft portion has a jaw member disposed at a distal end thereof. Each of the jaw members includes an electrically conductive sealing surface adapted to communicate electrosurgical energy through tissue held therebetween and a slot formed through the sealing surface thereof. The forceps includes a cutting mechanism operatively associated with the first and second jaw members. The cutting mechanism includes a cutting element disposed within the slot of the at least one jaw member, the cutting element being movable from a first position wherein the cutting element is retracted within the at least one jaw member and a second position in which the cutting element at least partially projects from a sealing surface of the at least one jaw member. | 12-18-2008 |
20090048594 | GAS-ENHANCED SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH PRESSURE SAFETY FEATURE - An electrosurgical instrument for providing pressurized ionized gas to a surgical site includes a hand-held applicator having proximal and distal ends, a gas delivery member adapted to deliver pressurized ionizable gas to the proximity of an electrode located adjacent the distal end of the hand-held applicator. A portable actuator assembly is included that is capable of receiving a source of pressurized ionizable gas therein. The actuator controls the delivery of the gas and energy to the hand-held applicator. A pressure safety connects to the portable actuator and to the hand-held applicator. A pressure safety system having two or more cascaded pressure change members connects between the input port and the output port, the pressure change members are configured to regulate pressurized gas into the environment until the portable actuator assembly exceeds a predetermined threshold. | 02-19-2009 |
20090054893 | GAS-ENHANCED SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH PRESSURE SAFETY FEATURE - A pressure safety system is provided for use with electrosurgical instruments providing pressurized ionized gas to a surgical site. The pressure safety system includes a series of three cascaded pressure change members to control the pressure of gas delivered to a patient. Pressure safety apparatus for use with electrosurgical instruments providing pressurized ionized gas to a surgical site are also provided. Electrosurgical instruments utilizing the pressure safety system and apparatus are also provided. The instruments include a hand-held applicator, a portable actuator assembly and the pressure safety system to control the pressure of gas delivered to a patient. | 02-26-2009 |
20090076505 | Electrosurgical instrument - An electrosurgical instrument provides pressurized gas to a surgical site and includes a hand-held applicator having a housing with proximal and distal ends and a tube defined therethrough. The tube is adapted to connect to a source of pressurized gas and is configured to selectively deliver a volume of pressurized gas to a surgical site. An actuator is also included which is configured to selectively regulate the volume of pressurized ionizable gas flowing through the tube. The actuator selectively regulates the flow of the gas through the tube. The actuator is positionable from a first position which allows a first predetermined volume of pressurized ionizable gas to flow through the tube for dissection purposes to at least one subsequent position which allows a different volume of pressurized ionizable gas to flow through the tube for coagulation purposes. The actuator, when disposed in the at least one subsequent position, operatively communicates with an active electrode to ionize the different volume of pressurized ionizable gas prior to the different volume of pressurized ionizable gas exiting the tube. | 03-19-2009 |
20090137145 | Floating Connector for Microwave Surgical Device - A floating connector adapted for use with microwave surgical instruments is presented. The disclosure provides for the use of cost-effective and readily available non-floating connectors in a floating housing which can compensate for dimensional variations and misalignments between the connectors. Multiple connectors of varying types can therefore be used within a single support housing without requiring the costly precision manufacturing processes normally associated with such multiple connector assemblies. The floating connector is suitable for use with electrical connections as well as fluidic connections. | 05-28-2009 |
20090171353 | Vessel Sealing Instrument - A bipolar electrosurgical instrument for clamping, grasping, manipulating, and sealing tissue includes first and second shafts each having a jaw member extending from a distal end thereof and a handle disposed at a proximal end thereof. The handle being operable to effect movement of the jaw members relative to one another from a first position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. The bipolar instrument is connectable to a source of electrical energy having a first electrical potential connected to one of the jaw members and a second electrical potential connected to the other of the jaw members such that the jaw members are capable of selectively conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a seal. Both the first and second electrical potentials are transmitted to the jaw members through the first shaft. | 07-02-2009 |
20090275941 | Gas-Enhanced Surgical Instrument - A gas-enhanced electrosurgical instrument includes a hand-held applicator and a portable actuator assembly. The hand-held applicator has a gas delivery member adapted to deliver pressurized ionizable gas to the proximity of an electrode located adjacent a distal end of the applicator. The portable actuator assembly is capable of holding a source of pressurized ionizable gas, such as a cylinder or cartridge, and includes at least one controller to control the delivery of the gas from the source to the hand-held applicator and to control the delivery of electrosurgical energy to the hand-held applicator. | 11-05-2009 |
20090306660 | Vessel Sealing Instrument - A bipolar electrosurgical instrument for clamping, grasping, manipulating, and sealing tissue includes first and second shafts each having a jaw member extending from a distal end thereof and a handle disposed at a proximal end thereof. The handle being operable to effect movement of the jaw members relative to one another from a first position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. The bipolar instrument is connectable to a source of electrical energy having a first electrical potential connected to one of the jaw members and a second electrical potential connected to the other of the jaw members such that the jaw members are capable of selectively conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a seal. Both the first and second electrical potentials are transmitted to the jaw members through the first shaft. | 12-10-2009 |
20090317999 | FLOATING CONNECTOR FOR MICROWAVE SURGICAL DEVICE - A floating connector adapted for use with microwave surgical instruments is presented. The disclosure provides for the use of cost-effective and readily available non-floating connectors in a floating housing which can compensate for dimensional variations and misalignments between the connectors. Multiple connectors of varying types can therefore be used within a single support housing without requiring the costly precision manufacturing processes normally associated with such multiple connector assemblies. The floating connector is suitable for use with electrical connections as well as fluidic connections. | 12-24-2009 |
20100042088 | Surgical Gas Plasma Ignition Apparatus and Method - Disclosed is an ignition system for initiating a plasma arc in an electrosurgical system. The system includes a source of high frequency electrical energy having a terminal of active potential and a terminal of return potential a base having a distal end from which a plasma arc emanates, an active electrode operatively coupled with the base and electrically in circuit with the terminal of active potential. The ignition system may have a piezoelectric device electrically coupled to the active electrode to create at least one high voltage spark when the system is initially activated. Alternately, the ignition system may include a heater or heating device of heating the active electrode and producing free electrons to assist in the initiation of the plasma arc. | 02-18-2010 |
20100042094 | Surgical Gas Plasma Ignition Apparatus and Method - Disclosed is an ignition system for initiating a plasma arc in an electrosurgical system. The system includes a source of high frequency electrical energy having a terminal of active potential and a terminal of return potential a base having a distal end from which a plasma arc emanates, an active electrode operatively coupled with the base and electrically in circuit with the terminal of active potential. The ignition system may have a piezoelectric device electrically coupled to the active electrode to create at least one high voltage spark when the system is initially activated. Alternately, the ignition system may include a heater or heating device of heating the active electrode and producing free electrons to assist in the initiation of the plasma arc. | 02-18-2010 |
20100057078 | Catheter With Remotely Extendible Instruments - An electrosurgical apparatus for performing a surgical procedure includes a housing having an elongated flexible shaft with proximal and distal ends. The shaft having a plurality of tubes disposed therein that define a corresponding plurality of working channels configured to house a corresponding plurality of surgical instruments. An actuator is dimensioned for selective reciprocation within the shaft and configured to operably engage one or more of the corresponding plurality of surgical instruments and deploy the corresponding surgical instrument to an operating cavity as needed during a surgical procedure. | 03-04-2010 |
20100069902 | Self Contained, Gas-Enhanced Surgical Instrument - An electrosurgical apparatus for coagulating tissue includes an elongated housing and an electrode located adjacent the distal end of the housing. The electrode can be connected to a source of electrosurgical energy. At least one actuator is included which electrosurgically energizes the electrode. The apparatus also includes a relatively small gas cylinder which contains a pressurized gas consisting of inert gas and which is selectively seated in the housing. Upon actuation of the actuator, gas is dispersed under pressure from the gas cylinder to the electrode and is ionized prior to the distribution of the gas into the operating field. | 03-18-2010 |
20100094285 | System and Method for Controlling Electrosurgical Snares - A system and method for controlling electrosurgical snares are disclosed. The system includes an electrosurgical instrument having an elongate tubular sheath having proximal and distal ends, the sheath having a longitudinal axis defined therethrough and a shaft having proximal and distal ends. The shaft extends through and is axially movable relative to the sheath. A snare loop is provided at the distal end of the shaft and is configured for encircling tissue. Movement of the shaft relative to the tubular sheath changes the diameter of the exposed snare loop. A feedback sensor operatively connected to the elongated tubular sheath which determines at least one condition of the snare loop, and an electrosurgical generator provides electrosurgical energy to the electrosurgical snare instrument. The generator is configured to receive feedback measurements from the electrosurgical snare instrument and to adjust electrosurgical energy as a function of the measurements. | 04-15-2010 |
20100210129 | Floating Connector for Microwave Surgical Device - A floating connector adapted for use with microwave surgical instruments is presented. The disclosure provides for the use of cost-effective and readily available non-floating connectors in a floating housing which can compensate for dimensional variations and misalignments between the connectors. Multiple connectors of varying types can therefore be used within a single support housing without requiring the costly precision manufacturing processes normally associated with such multiple connector assemblies. The floating connector is suitable for use with electrical connections as well as fluidic connections. | 08-19-2010 |
20110004210 | Flexible Endoscopic Catheter with Ligasure - An endoscopic forceps is disclosed including an end effector assembly having two jaw members movable from a first position in spaced relation relative to one another to at least a second position closer to one another for grasping tissue therebetween. Each of the jaw members is connectable to an electrosurgical energy source for conducting energy through tissue held therebetween. The jaw members are biased to the first position. The end effector assembly of the endoscopic forceps further includes a wire snare having a proximal end connectable to an electrosurgical energy source and a distal end translatably extending out of one of the jaw members and operatively associated with the other of the jaw members. In use, withdrawal of the proximal end of the wire snare results in movement of the jaw members from the first position to a second position and clamping of the tissue between the jaws. | 01-06-2011 |
20120101487 | Microwave Spacers and Methods of Use - Disclosed is a spacer, configured to position microwave energy delivery devices, including a housing, with a housing body and a compression body, and at least one compression mechanism. The housing body forms a housing body cavity and a plurality of housing device apertures. The compression body forms a plurality of compression body apertures that each correspond to a housing device aperture. The compression body slideably engages the housing body cavity and at least a portion of the compression body is positioned within the compression body cavity. A compression mechanism is positioned between the housing body and the compression body and configured to provide a biasing force between the housing body and the compression body. In a first position the housing device apertures are misaligned with the compression body apertures and in the second position the housing apertures are aligned with the compression body apertures forming a plurality of aligned apertures. | 04-26-2012 |
20130066313 | Catheter With Remotely Extendible Instruments - A method for performing a surgical procedure within lungs of a patient. The method comprising the steps of providing a plurality of surgical instruments and providing a housing. Attaching a flexible, elongated shaft with distal and proximal ends to the housing. Engaging at least one working end to the distal end of the housing, the working end including a plurality of tubes disposed therein that define a corresponding plurality of working channels for housing a corresponding plurality of surgical instruments. Controlling an actuator to engage at least one of the corresponding plurality of surgical instruments, wherein rotation of the working end with respect to a longitudinal axis of the elongated shaft engages at least one of the plurality of surgical instrument with the actuator to deploy the at least one surgical instrument to the lung as needed during a surgical procedure. | 03-14-2013 |
20130066314 | Catheter With Remotely Extendible Instruments - A method for performing a surgical procedure within lungs of a patient. The method comprising the steps of providing a plurality of surgical instruments and providing a housing. Attaching a flexible, elongated shaft with distal and proximal ends to the housing. Engaging at least one working end to the distal end of the housing, the working end including a plurality of tubes disposed therein that define a corresponding plurality of working channels for housing a corresponding plurality of surgical instruments. Controlling an actuator to engage at least one of the corresponding plurality of surgical instruments, wherein rotation of the working end with respect to a longitudinal axis of the elongated shaft engages at least one of the plurality of surgical instrument with the actuator to deploy the at least one surgical instrument to the lung as needed during a surgical procedure. | 03-14-2013 |
20130289558 | Limited Reuse Ablation Needles and Ablation Devices for Use Therewith - A surgical instrument includes a reusable component and a limited-use component releasably engagable with the reusable component. The reusable component includes a detecting member and is configured to connect to a source of energy. The limited-use component is transitionable from a first state to a second state. The detecting member is configured to detect a response of the limited-use component for determining the state of the limited-use component. Energy is permitted to be supplied to the limited-use component when it is determined that the limited-use component is disposed in the first state. Energy is inhibited from being supplied to the limited-use component when it is determined that the limited-use component is disposed in the second state. | 10-31-2013 |
20130345551 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR ENHANCING ULTRASONIC VISIBILITY OF ENERGY-DELIVERY DEVICES WITHIN TISSUE - In accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, electrosurgical systems are provided generally including at least one energy-delivery device for delivering energy to tissue when inserted or embedded within tissue. The energy-delivery device can be a tissue ablation device, such as an ablation probe, needle, etc. for ablating tissue as commonly known in the art. The electrosurgical systems include at least one structure and/or operational characteristic for enhancing ultrasonic visibility of the energy-delivery devices within tissue during ultrasonography. | 12-26-2013 |
20130345552 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR ENHANCING ULTRASONIC VISIBILITY OF ENERGY-DELIVERY DEVICES WITHIN TISSUE - In accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, electrosurgical systems are provided generally including at least one energy-delivery device for delivering energy to tissue when inserted or embedded within tissue. The energy-delivery device can be a tissue ablation device, such as an ablation probe, needle, etc. for ablating tissue as commonly known in the art. The electrosurgical systems include at least one structure and/or operational characteristic for enhancing ultrasonic visibility of the energy-delivery devices within tissue during ultrasonography. | 12-26-2013 |
20130345553 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR ENHANCING ULTRASONIC VISIBILITY OF ENERGY-DELIVERY DEVICES WITHIN TISSUE - In accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, electrosurgical systems are provided generally including at least one energy-delivery device for delivering energy to tissue when inserted or embedded within tissue. The energy-delivery device can be a tissue ablation device, such as an ablation probe, needle, etc. for ablating tissue as commonly known in the art. The electrosurgical systems include at least one structure and/or operational characteristic for enhancing ultrasonic visibility of the energy-delivery devices within tissue during ultrasonography. | 12-26-2013 |
20130345699 | ABLATION DEVICE HAVING AN EXPANDABLE CHAMBER FOR ANCHORING THE ABLATION DEVICE TO TISSUE - A surgical instrument is provided including a handle assembly, a shaft electrically coupled to the handle assembly and extending therefrom, an electrode assembly electrically coupled to the shaft for transmitting energy to tissue to treat tissue, and a chamber defined in the shaft and positioned proximal a distal end thereof and configured to selectively expand. The expansion of the chamber anchors the surgical instrument to the tissue. | 12-26-2013 |
20140039487 | FLEXIBLE MICROWAVE CATHETERS FOR NATURAL OR ARTIFICIAL LUMENS - A flexible microwave catheter, including a flexible coaxial cable having an inner conductor, an inner dielectric coaxially disposed about the inner conductor, and an outer conductor coaxially disposed about the inner dielectric, at least one feedpoint defining a microwave radiating portion of the flexible coaxial cable, a mesh structure having a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration and disposed about the microwave radiating portion of the flexible coaxial cable, wherein the mesh structure expands radially outward from the flexible microwave catheter thereby positioning the at least one feedpoint at the radial center of the mesh structure. | 02-06-2014 |
20140058380 | CATHETER WITH REMOTELY EXTENDIBLE INSTRUMENTS - A method for performing a surgical procedure within lungs of a patient. The method comprising the steps of providing a plurality of surgical instruments and providing a housing. Attaching a flexible, elongated shaft with distal and proximal ends to the housing. Engaging at least one working end to the distal end of the housing, the working end including a plurality of tubes disposed therein that define a corresponding plurality of working channels for housing a corresponding plurality of surgical instruments. Controlling an actuator to engage at least one of the corresponding plurality of surgical instruments, wherein rotation of the working end with respect to a longitudinal axis of the elongated shaft engages at least one of the plurality of surgical instrument with the actuator to deploy the at least one surgical instrument to the lung as needed during a surgical procedure. | 02-27-2014 |
20140094799 | SELECTIVELY DEFORMABLE ABLATION DEVICE - In accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, an ablation apparatus includes a proximal body portion, a shaft extending distally from the proximal body portion, the shaft being selectively deformable utilizing at least one deformation system between a first position wherein the shaft is straight an a second position wherein the shaft is bent, the at least one deformation system configured to retain the shaft in each of the first and second positions, and at least one electrode disposed at least partially within the shaft, the electrode movable with the shaft upon movement of the shaft between the first and second positions. | 04-03-2014 |
20140155891 | FLEXIBLE ENDOSCOPIC CATHETER WITH LIGASURE - An endoscopic forceps is disclosed including an end effector assembly having two jaw members movable from a first position in spaced relation relative to one another to at least a second position closer to one another for grasping tissue therebetween. Each of the jaw members is connectable to an electrosurgical energy source for conducting energy through tissue held therebetween. The jaw members are biased to the first position. The end effector assembly of the endoscopic forceps further includes a wire snare having a proximal end connectable to an electrosurgical energy source and a distal end translatably extending out of one of the jaw members and operatively associated with the other of the jaw members. In use, withdrawal of the proximal end of the wire snare results in movement of the jaw members from the first position to a second position and clamping of the tissue between the jaws. | 06-05-2014 |
20140180279 | COOL-TIP THERMOCOUPLE INCLUDING TWO-PIECE HUB - An ablation electrode system includes a handle assembly; a needle electrode assembly supported in and extending from the handle assembly. The needle electrode assembly includes an outer tube having at least a conductive distal tip and defining a cavity therein; and an inner tube disposed at least partially within the cavity of the outer tube and defining a lumen therein. The ablation electrode assembly includes a hub assembly fluidly connected to the needle electrode assembly. The hub assembly defines a first chamber and a second chamber; wherein the proximal end portion of the inner tube is in fluid communication with the first chamber and the proximal end portion of the outer tube is in fluid communication with the second chamber. The ablation electrode assembly includes a first fluid conduit fluidly connected to the first chamber; and a second fluid conduit fluidly connected to the second chamber. | 06-26-2014 |
20150025528 | SURGICAL FORCEPS FOR TREATING AND CUTTING TISSUE - An end effector assembly includes a first jaw member defining a wedge configuration having first and second planar surfaces angled inwardly to an apex, and a second jaw member defining a nest configuration having a cut-out defined by third and fourth planar surfaces angled inwardly to a trough. The jaw members are movable between spaced-apart position and approximated positions. In the approximated position, the first and third and second and fourth planar surfaces are disposed in parallel orientation relative to one another imparting a first grasping pressure to tissue disposed therebetween, while the apex is received within the trough imparting a second grasping pressure to tissue disposed therebetween. The jaw members are adapted to connect to a source of energy for conducting energy between the parallel planar surfaces to create a pair of tissue seals, and between the apex and trough to cut tissue between the tissue seals. | 01-22-2015 |