Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100036370 | ELECTROSURGICAL INSTRUMENT JAW STRUCTURE WITH CUTTING TIP - An electrosurgical instrument for scoring, welding and transecting tissue is provided. The electrosurgical instrument comprises first and second openable-closeable jaws and at least one scoring electrode extending from a distal end of at least one of the first and second openable-closeable jaws. The first and second openable-closeable jaws comprises first and second conductive tissue engaging surfaces, respectively, and first and second insulating members, respectively. The scoring electrode is coupled with at least one of the first and second insulating members. The at least one scoring electrode can be activated independently from the first and second openable-closeable jaws so that the electrosurgical instrument can independent score tissue and weld tissue. | 02-11-2010 |
20110282339 | SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS AND END EFFECTORS THEREFOR - Various forms of surgical instruments are disclosed. In various embodiments, an end effector having operable and closable jaws is attached to a distal end of an elongate shaft such that portions of the jaws are axially offset from the elongate shaft. Other jaw embodiments are coupled to an actuation arrangement that permits portions of the jaws to be moved out of axial alignment with the elongate shaft. Other jaw embodiments are configured to facilitate tissue dissection. Electrosurgical instruments are also disclosed. One embodiment employs a flexible electrode that is conformable to tissue. | 11-17-2011 |
20110306968 | HEAT MANAGEMENT CONFIGURATIONS FOR CONTROLLING HEAT DISSIPATION FROM ELECTROSURGICAL INSTRUMENTS - In various embodiments, a surgical instrument is provided that may comprise an end effector for performing a surgical procedure on tissue, for example. The end effector may comprise at least one energy delivery surface and heat dissipation means for dissipating heat from at least a portion of the end effector. For example, in at least one embodiment, the end effector may comprise a first jaw, a second jaw, and a cutting member. The cutting member may comprise a cutting surface and a body, which may define a cavity and at least one opening communicating with the cavity. A fluid may be moved through the cavity to and/or from the opening(s). Additionally, in at least one embodiment, a surgical instrument's end effector may comprise a first jaw, a second jaw, a cutting member, and at least one heat pipe. Various other heat dissipation means are also disclosed. | 12-15-2011 |
20110306973 | ELECTROSURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING SEQUENTIALLY ACTIVATED ELECTRODES - An electrosurgical surgical instrument can comprise a handle and an end effector, wherein the end effector can comprise first and second jaws which can be opened and closed to capture tissue therebetween. One or both of the first and second jaws can comprise a plurality of electrodes which can be sequentially activated. The electrodes can be activated in a pre-determined order in connection with a cutting member being advanced through the tissue. In various embodiments, the electrodes can be deactivated in a predetermined order. In certain embodiments, the electrodes can be comprised of a positive temperature coefficient material which can allow the electrodes to be sequentially deactivated. | 12-15-2011 |
20120010615 | SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING AN ARTICULATABLE END EFFECTOR - A surgical instrument can comprise a handle and an end effector, wherein the end effector can comprise first and second jaws which can be opened and closed in order to capture tissue therebetween. The surgical instrument can further comprise a shaft extending between the handle and the effector and means for articulating the end effector relative to the shaft. The articulating means can comprise a portion of the shaft which is rotatable about a first axis in order to articulate the end effector about a second axis. In at least one embodiment, the shaft can comprise a first portion including a cam and a second portion including a cam follower, wherein the rotation of the second portion and the interaction of the cam and cam follower can cause the second portion to pivot relative to the first portion. | 01-12-2012 |
20120010616 | SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING AN ARTICULATABLE END EFFECTOR - An electrosurgical instrument can comprise a handle, a shaft, and an end effector, wherein the end effector can be rotatably coupled to the shaft by an articulation joint. The instrument can further comprise a drive member and the articulation joint can comprise flexible support members which can be configured to support the drive member. The instrument can further comprise supply wires electrically coupled to electrodes in the end effector and a wire tensioning device configured to prevent the supply wires from accumulating slack within the articulation joint. The drive member can comprise a plurality of flexible layers wherein some of the layers can be comprised of an electrically insulative material and other layers can be comprised of an electrically conductive material which is in electrical communication with a cutting member in the end effector and/or electrodes positioned within the end effector. | 01-12-2012 |
20120022528 | ELECTROSURGICAL CUTTING AND SEALING INSTRUMENT - A surgical instrument for supplying energy to tissue can comprise a jaw member comprising an electrode, wherein the electrode is configured to supply energy from a power source to captured tissue. The surgical instrument comprises a tissue-cutting element to transect the captured tissue. The rate of distal translation of the tissue-cutting element during the operational stroke may be regulated by an electromagnetic brake. | 01-26-2012 |
20120221007 | ARTICULATING TISSUE REMOVAL SYSTEMS AND METHODS - In some embodiments, a tissue removal system may comprise a handheld housing and a tissue collection chamber coupled to a distal portion of the handheld housing and comprising a cylindrical portion, a motor, and an articulation mechanism. The articulation mechanism may comprise a shaft comprising an outer tubular member and an inner tubular member disposed within the outer tubular member and coupled to the cylindrical portion of the tissue collection chamber, a drum component slidably engaged with the cylindrical portion of the tissue collection chamber and coupled to the outer tubular member, an articulation drive component rotatably coupled to the drum component and to the cylindrical portion of the tissue collection chamber, and a tissue removal assembly coupled to the shaft and operable by the motor. The shaft may be articulated by rotating the articulation drive component and causing the drum component to translate in a proximal direction. | 08-30-2012 |
20130103067 | DISCECTOMY DEVICES AND RELATED METHODS - Tissue removal devices are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a tissue removal device may comprise a handheld housing, a motor, and a tissue removal mechanism coupled to the handheld housing. The tissue removal mechanism may comprise a tubular member, a rotatable elongated member disposed within a lumen of the tubular member, a first impeller distal to the rotatable elongated member, and a second impeller adjacent the first impeller. | 04-25-2013 |
20140180321 | DISCECTOMY DEVICES AND METHODS - A tissue removal device may comprise a handle portion and a tissue removal mechanism coupled to the handle portion. The tissue removal mechanism may include a tubular member having a lumen therethrough and an elongate member rotatably and slidably disposed within the lumen of the tubular member. A proximal end of the elongate member may be coupled to a drive source to impart rotational movement thereof. A distal end of the elongate member may include an impeller for cutting tissue. The elongate member may be configured to exit the distal end of the lumen of the first tubular member, such that the distal end of the second tubular member is distal to the distal end of the first tubular member. The impeller may include a blunt distal end to minimize undesirable tissue damage when the distal end of the elongate member is distal to the distal end of the tubular member. | 06-26-2014 |
20140343677 | Intervertebral devices and related methods - Intervertebral devices and systems, and methods of their use, are disclosed having configurations suitable for placement between two adjacent vertebrae, replacing the functionality of the disc therebetween. Intervertebral devices and systems contemplated herein are implantable devices intended for replacement of a vertebral disc, which may have deteriorated due to disease for example. The intervertebral devices and systems are configured to allow for ample placement of therapeutic agents therein, including bone growth enhancement material, which may lead to better fusion between adjacent vertebral bones. The intervertebral devices and systems are configured for use in minimally invasive procedures, if desired. | 11-20-2014 |