Conmed Corporation

Other

Hs West Investments, LLC

John S Gentelia

Frank R Williams

William C Wheatley

Maz Sutcu

Sharyn E Longo

Ernesto G Sevilla

Stephen J Roberts

Deborah E Forbey

William W Abraham

Alan B Fink

Pasqule Ciaglia

Hugh S West, Jr

Michael R Manes

James C Calenzo, Sr

Alexander F Robb

Ronald E Eggan, Jr

Eray Aydil

Neil Quinn

William P Zobrist

Thomas F Bowers

Alfred Solan

Ronald P Karpowich

Angel R Rodriguez

Robert Uhl

This invention provides apparatus and means for protecting the axillary nerve during thermal capsullorhaphy. An electrosurgical probe is attached to a standard electrosurgical generator that is capable of producing coag waveforms. RF energy is generated by the generator in coag waveform and applied to discrete locations of the capsular ligaments through the electrosurgical probe. Noise produced by the coag waveform stimulates the axillary nerve, even in saline environments, thereby identifying the high-risk regions of the capsular ligaments that should be avoided during the procedure.

Apparatus and methods for protecting the axillary nerve during thermal capsullorhaphy

A stainless steel electrosurgical blade has a single uniform layer of release material comprising substantially silicone (polysiloxane) applied directly onto the stainless steel blade portion without the necessity of one or more coatings of primer material(s), or multiple layering of the release material or mechanical roughening of the metallic blade body. Adherence of the release coating is achieved by thermally oxidizing the blade body, after cleaning it. The uniform layer is created by dipping the blade body. The release material is preferably thermally cured and non-blooming.

Electrosurgical blade having directly adhered uniform coating of silicone release material and method of manufacturing same

A bipolar electrosurgical instrument for cutting and coagulating tissue is disclosed. Also disclosed is a method for using the bipolar electrosurgical instrument. The instrument includes particular patterns of electrically conductive portions and electrically non-conductive portions on the interior surfaces of the shearing members such that the electrical current is localized in the tissue to be treated without causing a short circuit in the instrument. Other advantages of the device include an improved cutting ability aided by the localized electrical current and reduced manufacturing costs as compared to similar, prior art devices.

Bipolar electrosurgical instrument with coagulation feature

Non-insulated surgical instruments are referenced to the electrical potential of a patient during minimally invasive electrosurgery to prevent unintentional patient burns, should the surgical instruments become accidentally energized during the electrosurgical procedure. An auxiliary safety electrode separate from the primary return electrode is attached to the patient at a location separate from the attachment point of the primary return electrode. Each non-insulated surgical instrument is preferably attached to the auxiliary electrode by a separate electrical conductor. The electrical conductor transfers to the auxiliary electrode any electrical energy which is accidentally applied to the instrument during the course of the electrosurgical procedure. The size of the auxiliary electrode is sufficient to safely disperse the electrical charge without burning the patient. When used with conductive cannulas, the electrical conductor is attached between the metal cannula and the auxiliary electrode to dissipate any electrical energy unintentionally transferred to the metal cannula. The auxiliary electrode does not interfere with the operation of a split return electrode or any contact quality monitoring system which monitors the integrity of the contact between the primary return electrode and the patient.

Auxiliary reference electrode and potential referencing technique for

A trocar device, comprising a trocar cutting element, a surrounding insulating sheath, and a cannula surrounding the sheath, also includes an arrangement providing a substantially smooth transition between the sheath and cannula at the distal end of the cannula during the insertion of the trocar device into a patient so as to reduce drag on the device at the transition. In one embodiment, the sheath includes a shaped portion of enlarged diameter, and the cannula includes, at the distal end thereof, inwardly directed slits forming corresponding resilient leaf members which engage the shaped portion to provide the smooth transition. The shaped portion includes oppositely tapered surfaces meeting at a common apex. In another embodiment, an expandable section, when expanded, provides the smooth transition.

Trocar-cannula device

A surgical device includes a pair of end effector members. Rotation of one or both of the members about the longitudinal axis thereof enables a section of tissues to be inserted between the members and then grasped and compressed thereby. In use in laparoscopy, the members are rotated (or biassed) to the closed position to enable insertion of the members through a cannula, and, once inside the patient, the members are rotated from the closed position so that tissue can be inserted therebetween for gripping purposes. Electrosurgical current is applied to the members to provide coagulation of tissue held between the members. By simply rotating the rotating member between two opposed positions, coagulation can be carried out at two spaced zones. A third cutting member may then be used to cut the tissue along a midline between the coagulation zones. In another embodiment, a cutting edge on the rotating member is rotated into position to cut tissue after a further, blunt edge of the rotating member has been positioned relative to the fixed member to provide coagulation.

Bipolar surgical devices and surgical methods

A controlled return path monitoring system is used in combination with an electrosurgical generator unit employing an active electrode for performing electrosurgery. The system includes internal electrode which is disposed, in use, within the body of a patient in proximity to the active electrode and is electrically connected to the electrosurgical generator unit so as to provide a preferred current return path back to the electrosurgical generator unit, and an external electrode which is disposed, in use, on the body of the patient and is electrically connected to the electrosurgical generator unit so as to provide a safety current return path back to the electrosurgical generator unit. A detector monitors the return current flow from the two electrodes back to the electrosurgical generator unit and controls the unit in accordance with the monitored return current flow, e.g., shuts off the unit when the flow exceeds a predetermined level.

Return path monitoring system

An insufflation needle apparatus which creates a pneumoperitoneum during the preparation of a patient for endoscopic surgical procedures is disclosed. The insufflation needle apparatus is characterized by a helical needle having a central helical passageway for gas therethrough. The helical needle is associated with a guide support member which maintains the helical needle in position for insertion into a patient while at the same time permitting free rotation of the helical needle about the central longitudinal axis of the support member independent of movement of the support member. In this manner, an upward traction force can be exerted on the support member to gently pull the wall of a patient's body cavity upwardly away from vulnerable internal organs while at the same time a downward force can be exerted on the helical needle while it is rotated in order to penetrate the peritoneum with the needle. The invention results in a safer method for gas insufflation and creation of a pneumoperitoneum during the preparation of patients for endoscopic surgical procedures.

Gas insufflation needle apparatus and method of use

A bipolar electrosurgical instrument including four shearing members is disclosed. The shearing members are movable to an open position for grasping tissue, a closed position for desiccating tissue by application of electrical current and a cutting position for shearing tissue. The electrical current may be applied in an X-shaped pattern to thereby localize desiccation to the maximum extent possible. A method of using the bipolar electrosurgical instrument is also disclosed.

Bipolar electrosurgical instrument with desiccation feature

A trocar assembly includes an elongate trocar device and a surrounding cannula. The trocar device incorporates an electrosurgical cutting element which is used to make a guide hole for the cannula and thus enables the remainder of the trocar assembly to enlarge the puncture. An electronic control circuit senses the current flow to the cutting element and, when the trocar device breaks through the wall of the organ being cut, this circuit cuts off the connection to the associated electrosurgical generator. Further control circuitry prevents a surgeon from resuming electrosurgery until a predetermined time period has elapsed. Multiple trocars of different diameters are provided for the same assembly.

Electrosurgical trocar assembly

The cutting surfaces of electrosurgical instruments are provided with an electroconductive coating of an inorganic silicon-containing non-stick material such as amorphous silica deposited thereon by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition.

Non-Stick electroconductive amorphous silica coating

An self-releasing suction and irrigation apparatus for providing surgical suction and irrigation to a body cavity such that, upon obstruction of the suction port by body tissue, the resulting increased vacuum pressure is automatically vented, thereby releasing the suction hold on the obstructing tissue. In a preferred embodiment, the suction apparatus has a soft, flexible tip made from an elastomeric material that is releasably attached to a rigid tube. The flexible tip is designed to deform under a predetermined threshold vacuum pressure. A vent through the wall of the deformable portion of the tip is substantially closed during normal operating pressures, but opens in response to the deformation of the tip at the threshold vacuum pressure, thereby venting the interior of the tip and reducing the vacuum pressure. Rounded lips form sharp channels at the suction port to maximize the flow of fluids into the port while minimizing the likelihood of tissue obstruction.

Self releasing suction and irrigation apparatus and method of attachment

A device is provided for use with a medical instrument including a tip which is designed to penetrate the wall of an internal cavity (e.g., the abdomen) of a patient, for detecting when that tip penetrates through the wall. The device includes a source of a medium frequency detection signal and circuitry for coupling the signal to the tip of the medical instrument. The circuitry includes a transformer forming a high Q resonant circuit having an initial value of Q when the medical instrument is not in use. A return path for the signal provides that, in use of the instrument, a circuit is completed through the resonant circuit such that when the tip contacts patient tissue the initial Q of the resonant circuit changes and when the tip penetrates through the patient tissue of the Q of the circuit is restored to the initial value thereon. A detector detects the change in Q of the resonant circuit and produces an output when changed Q is restored to the initial value thereof so as to indicate that the tip has penetrated through the patient tissue.

System for detecting penetration of medical instruments

A manual control device for laparoscopic patient treatment by use of electrical curetage or coagulation, with means for clearing the surgical sight by irrigation or suction, finger operated buttons controlling the various functions, and an interlock mechanism disabling the electrical functions when a push button is depressed to enable irrigation or suction.

Manual control device for laparoscopic instrument

A trocar assembly includes an elongate trocar device and a surrounding cannula. The trocar device incorporates an electrosurgical cutting element which is used to make a guide hole for the cannula and thus enables the remainder of the trocar assembly to enlarge the puncture. The cutting element comprises a bi-polar electrode assembly. An electronic control circuit senses the current flow to the cutting element and, when the trocar device breaks through the wall of the body cavity being cut into, this circuit cuts off the connection to the associated electrosurgical generator. Further control circuitry prevents a surgeon from resuming electrosurgery until a predetermined time period has elapsed. Multiple trocars of different diameters are provided for the same assembly.

Growing community of inventors

Madison, NY, United States of America

John S Gentelia