Endoscopic Concepts, Inc.

John K Danks

Richard V Mazzola

Thomas R Johnson

Jeffrey A Wilson

Jim Young

Jeff A Wilson

James R Young

A novel, monopolar, electrosurgical instrument is provided with one active and one non-active end effector. Current is passed through a conductive portion of one effector into tissue of a patient. The active blade may be partially or totally conductive. The non-active blade may be utilized to shield current from the active electrode effector.

Monopolar electrosurgical end effectors

A novel, bipolar, electrosurgical instrument is provided with two end effectors. Current is passed through the second end effector and through an insulated conduit to the distal tip of the first end effector. The first and second end effectors allow the current to travel along exposed conductive strips which are spaced apart cutting surfaces by a gap of preferably approximately 0.020-0.040 inches when the first and second blade supports are brought into contact with tissue. Current flows between the exposed metal strip on the first blade and the exposed metal strip on the second blade thereby effecting cauterization, preferably slightly in advance or at the point of cutting between the ceramic and metal blades. The first and second end effectors may be partially insulated to direct current between the conductive strips, and both may have gaps at their respective surfaces.

Bipolar electrosurgical end effectors

A method and apparatus for ligating tissue is disclosed. The applicator utilizes a jaw portion having jaw members with jaw faces to grasp tissue and operating portions to apply a surgical clip. In a presently preferred embodiment, the surgical clip utilized is a self-closing clip. Operating faces in the operating portion of the jaw members separate the clip from the tissue prior to clip installation. The applicator has a channel in the operating portion for user viewing which also may allow for lateral displacement of a clip external to the jaw faces.

Surgical clip applicator

A trocar is formed from a cannula and an interfitting obturator for penetrating body cavity walls in laparoscopic and endoscopic surgery. The obturator is provided with an improved piercing tip having a pointed blade and an improved double locking blunt nosed shield design. Hydrophilic coatings or components are also employed on the shield and cannula to facilitate quicker shield action covering the pointed blade and ease of entry of the cannula tube through the body cavity wall. The sharpened portion of the blade is substantially narrower than the inner diameter of the cannula tube and can be completely covered by the shield. The improved shielded trocar is provided with an improved shield design having a dolphin-nose shape at its distal end.

Dilating trocar shield with blade tip

A trocar is formed from a cannula and an interfitting obturator for penetrating body cavity walls in laparoscopic and endoscopic surgery. The cannula has an improved inexpensive flexible flapper valve and can be manufactured with a reusable cannula tube but disposable flapper valve assembly to minimize cost.

Trocar flapper valve

A trocar is formed from a cannula and an interfitting obturator for penetrating body cavity walls in laparoscopic and endoscopic surgery. The obturator is provided with an improved piercing tip having a pointed blade with an improved sheath mounting and shield design. Hydrophilic coatings or components are also employed on the shield and cannula to facilitate quicker shield action covering the pointed blade and ease of entry of the cannula tube through the body cavity wall. The sheath and obturator handle and housing assembly may be fabricated as a single plastic piece.

Trocar

A novel, bipolar, electrosurgical instrument is provided with one metal and one ceramic end effector. Current is passed through the metal end effector and through an insulated conduit to the distal tip of the ceramic end effector. A connection at the distal tip of the ceramic end effector allows the current to return along exposed conductive strip which is spaced apart from the metal end effector in cutting action by a gap of approximately 0.020 inches when the ceramic and metal blade supports are brought into contact with tissue, a current flows from the exposed metal strip on the ceramic blade through to the metal blade thereby effecting cauterization, preferably slightly in advance or at the point of cutting between the ceramic and metal blades.

A trocar is formed from a cannula and an interfitting obturator for penetrating body cavity walls in laparoscopic and endoscopic surgery. The obturator is provided with an improved piercing tip having a pointed blade and an improved locking shield design. The locking mechanism must be actuated before the shield will retract to expose the piercing tip. The shield is located inside the obturator sheath and provides faster coverage of the piercing tip after the body cavity wall has been penetrated. The cannula has an improved thread design to more easily and securely hold the cannula in the incision of the body cavity wall. A one piece inner housing is used in the cannula to reduce the need for welding to prevent gas leakage. The cannula also has improved seals to maintain insufflation of the body cavity and an automatic insufflation valve to facilitate connection to an external gas supply. Reducing fittings may also be used on the cannula to allow the insertion of endoscopic instruments of lesser diameter than the obturator.

Shielded trocar with safety locking mechanism

A novel reducer system is provided for a trocar cannula. The reducer system fastens to the cannula end and a living hinge allows a reducer cap to be closed over the cannula lumen to allow the cannula to be used with smaller diameter surgical instruments. By fastening the reducer system to the exterior of the cannula end, the system can be placed in position on the cannula prior to surgery, even while a large diameter obturator is used with the cannula.

Trocar reducer system

A trocar is formed from a cannula and an interfitting obturator for penetrating body cavity walls in laparoscopic and endoscopic surgery. The obturator is provided with an improved piercing tip having a pointed blade and an improved double locking blunt nosed shield design. Hydrophilic coatings or components are also employed on the shield and cannula to facilitate quicker shield action covering the pointed blade and ease of entry of the cannula tube through the body cavity wall. The improved shielded trocar is provided with an improved shield having a dolphin-nose shape at its distal end.

Shielded trocar and trocar shield

A trocar is formed from a cannula and an interfitting obturator for penetrating body cavity walls in laparoscopic and endoscopic surgery. The obturator is provided with an improved piercing tip having a pointed blade and an improved double locking blunt nosed shield design. Hydrophilic coatings or components are also employed on the shield and cannula to facilitate quicker shield action covering the pointed blade and ease of entry of the cannula tube through the body cavity wall. The cannula also has an improved inexpensive flexible flapper valve and can be manufactured with a reusable cannula tube but disposable flapper valve assembly to minimize cost. The shield locks in a partially retracted position whereby the point of the blade is covered, but sharp lateral portions are exposed.

Trocar with lockable shield

A trocar is formed from a cannula and an interfitting obturator for penetrating body cavity walls in laparoscopic and endoscopic surgery. The obturator is provided with an improved piercing tip having a pointed blade and an improved double locking blunt nosed shield design. Hydrophilic coatings or components are also employed on the shield and cannula to facilitate quicker shield action covering the pointed blade and ease of entry of the cannula tube through the body cavity wall. The cannula also has an improved inexpensive flexible flapper valve and can be manufactured with a reusable cannula tube but disposable flapper valve assembly to minimize cost.

Growing community of inventors

Delray Beach, FL, United States of America

John K Danks