Megadyne Medical Products, Inc.

Other

Beacon Laboratories, Inc.

Coral Medical

Conmed Corporation

Birtcher Medical Systems, Inc.

Pare Surgical, Inc.

Par&eacute; Surgical, Inc.

Richard P Fleenor

James D Isaacson

David B Kieda

Paul R Borgmeier

Robert L Bromley

Robert Bromley

Alan R Lee

Daniel P Bryce

An improved hand-held electrosurgical instrument includes a housing, an electrosurgical electrode, supportably interconnected to and extending from a distal end of the housing in a first direction, at least one light source supportably interconnected to the housing for emitting light in the first direction, and a light tunnel member extending away from the distal end of the housing in the first direction and defining a light tunnel therethrough for receiving and directing light emitted by the light source(s) through the light tunnel and out of a distal end of the light tunnel member. The light tunnel member yields improved tissue site illumination. The electrosurgical electrode may extend through and beyond the distal end of the light tunnel member, wherein the light tunnel extends along at least a majority of a length of the electrosurgical electrode that extends distally from the housing. The light tunnel may include an open passageway that extends proximally from the distal end of the light tunnel member for use in evacuating smoke from a tissue site. The hand-held electrosurgical instrument may include a smoke evacuation passageway fluidly interconnected to and extending proximally from the open passageway of the light tunnel, wherein smoke may be drawn in to a distal end of the open passageway, and through the open passageway and smoke evacuation passageway, to yield improved tissue site visibility and an improved working environment. The smoke evacuation passageway may be defined by a tubular member adjoined to the light tunnel member for handling as a single unit.

Multi-feature electrosurgical instrument

Electrosurgical instruments and associated methods are provided. An electrosurgical instrument may include one or more light emitters that comprise a light source in operative communication with a power supply supportably interconnected to a handle portion. The instrument may have a toggle member with one or more selectable positions that may selectively activate any of one or more operational states of an electrosurgical electrode comprising the instrument. The toggle member may selectively activate the light emitter(s) provided on the instrument alone and/or in conjunction with the activation of one or more operational state. The handle portion may include an elastomeric handle portion that extends continuously along the handle portion and over the toggle member to seal the handle portion.

Hand-held electrosurgical instrument

A removable semi-insulating sheet for use in self-limiting electrosurgical return semi-insulating sheet for use with electrosurgery. Through the selection of impedance characteristics for the electrode materials of the principal body of the semi-insulating sheet, and through tailoring of semi-insulating sheet geometries, the return electrode of the present invention is self-regulating and self-limiting as to current density and temperature rise so as to prevent patient trauma. The semi-insulating sheet has an effective bulk impedance equal to or greater than about 4,000 &#x3a9;&#xb7;cm. The effective bulk impedance of the sheet may arise from resistive components, capacitive components, inductive components, or combinations thereof. The configuration of the presently described return electrode allows the electrode to self-limit the electrode's current densities, thereby preventing burning of a patient during surgery.

Self-limiting electrosurgical return electrode

A self-limiting electrosurgical return electrode for use with electrosurgery. Through selection of impedance characteristics for the materials of the principal body of the electrode, and through tailoring of electrode geometries, the electrode is self-regulating and self-limiting as to current density and temperature rise to prevent patient trauma. The return electrode includes a sheet of material having an effective bulk impedance equal to or greater than about 4,000&OHgr;.cm and one or more connectors for making electrical connection to the sheet. The effective bulk impedance of the sheet may arise from resistive components, capacitive components, inductive components, or combinations thereof. Configuration of the return electrode allows the electrode to self-limit the electrode's current densities, thereby preventing burning of a patient during surgery. Through employment of washable surface areas, the electrode is made readily cleanable, disinfectable, sterilizable, and reusable. An optional sleeve is provided for cooperative use with the electrode.

A capacitive reusable electrosurgical return electrode pad for use with electrosurgery. Through selection of the electrode geometries and the impedance characteristics of the electrode, the electrode is self-regulating and self-limiting as to current density and temperature rise so as to prevent patient trauma. The electrosurgical return electrode can include a connector and a sheet of material having an effective bulk impedance equal to or greater than about 100,000 &OHgr;&middot;cm. The electrode can have a working surface area from about 11 to about 1,500 square inches (or about 70 to about 10,000 square centimeters). The electrode can be disposed on the working surface of an operating table or dentist's chair immediately underlying a patient during electrosurgery. This very large working surface area eliminates the need for direct contact or contact through conducting gels and by employing washable surface areas, it is made readily cleanable and reusable.

Capacitive reusable electrosurgical return electrode

In one embodiment of a suturing apparatus a needle member is provided with a suture material having a pre-tied knot disposed about a distal end of the needle member. The suturing apparatus further includes a first member, wherein the first member and needle member are disposed to permit selective relative movement therebetween. Upon such movement, the first member is positionable to engage and position the pre-tied knot beyond the distal end of the needle member. Such an arrangement facilitates internal suture stitching and knot placement. An advanceable/retractable grasping member may be advantageously included in the suturing apparatus for selectively retaining/releasing an end of the suture material. The grasping member may be defined by a spring-loaded hoop member that may be selectively deployed out of a hollow piercing tip comprising the needle member. In the deployed state the grasping member may be positioned about the end of the suture material (e.g., after the suture material has been pulled through a surgical site by the needle member). Thereafter, retraction of the hoop member into the hollow piercing tip will cause the hoop member to collapse and grasp the end of the suture material for subsequent suturing steps.

Suturing apparatus and method

A self-limiting electrosurgical electrode for use with electrosurgery and various other surgical procedures. The electrode can include a pad and a conductive element that collectively has an effective bulk impedance equal to or greater than about 4,000 &OHgr;&middot;cm. The effective bulk impedance of the electrode arises from resistive components, capacitive components, inductive components, or combinations thereof of both the pad and the conductive element. Through the selection of the impedance characteristics for the electrode materials, and through tailoring of electrode geometries, the electrode of the present invention is self-regulating and self-limiting as to current density and temperature rise so as to prevent patient trauma. Additionally, the selection of materials and electrode geometries can prevent the creation of pressure sore or decubitus ulcers on a patient resting upon the electrode. Further, alternate configurations of the electrosurgical electrode can heat and/or cool a patient during the performance of a surgical procedure.

Pressure sore pad having self-limiting electrosurgical return electrode properties and optional heating/cooling capabilities

A self-limiting electrosurgical return electrode for use with electrosurgery. Through the selection of impedance characteristics for the electrode materials of the principal body of the electrode, and through tailoring of electrode geometries, the return electrode of the present invention is self-regulating and self-limiting as to current density and temperature rise so as to prevent patient trauma. The electrosurgical return electrode includes a sheet of material having an effective bulk impedance equal to or greater than about 4,000 &OHgr;&middot;cm and one or more connectors for making electrical connection to the sheet. The effective bulk impedance of the sheet may arise from resistive components, capacitive components, inductive components, or combinations thereof. The configuration of the presently described return electrode allows the electrode to self-limit the electrode's current densities, thereby preventing burning of a patient during surgery. Furthermore, through employment of washable surface areas, the electrode is made readily cleanable, disinfectable, sterilizable, and reusable. An optional sleeve is provided for cooperative use with the electrode.

The present invention provides a knot tying apparatus having a notched thread cover and methods for using such a knot tying apparatus for placing knots. The present invention has particular utility in tying and placing knots during laparoscopic surgery. The thread cover includes at least one notch in the distal end which is sized so as to allow a thread such as a suture thread to pass therethrough while preventing a knot in the thread from passing therethrough. Using the notched thread cover which is attached to the distal end of a knot tying apparatus, it is possible to both pull and push on the knot when cinching the knot around the member being tied. Being able to simultaneously push and pull on the knot minimizes the forces exerted against the member being tied, thereby reducing the likelihood that fragile members such as blood vessels and the like are damaged during the tying procedure. The knot tying apparatus includes a knot carrier and a knot slider slidably connected thereto. The thread cover preferably at least partially surrounds a knot carrier and is connected to the distal end of a knot slider.

Knot tying apparatus having a notched thread cover and method for using same

A reusable electrosurgical return electrode pad for use with electrosurgery. In one embodiment it includes a presentation or working surface area lying in the range of from about 11 to about 1,500 square inches. In another the working surface is at least as large as that of a projection of about half of the profile of the trunk of a patient. In yet another, it includes a working surface area at least as large as that of a projection of the profile of both the trunk and legs of a patient. It is adapted for disposition on the working surface of an operating table or dentist's chair immediately underlying a patient during electrosurgery. By presenting a very large surface area, the need for direct contact or contact through conducting jells is eliminated; through employment of washable surface areas, it is made readily cleanable and reusable; and through the inclusion of capacitive. coupling and selection of impedance characteristics for the materials and geometries, it is made self-limiting as to current density and temperature rise so as to prevent patient trauma. An optional sleeve is provided for cooperative use with the electrode.

A reusable electrosurgical return electrode pad for use with electrosurgery. In one embodiment it includes a presentation or working surface area at lying in a range of from about 100 to about 20,000 square centimeters. In another the working surface is at least as large as that of a projection of about half of the profile of the trunk of a patient. In yet another, it includes a working surface area at least as large as that of a projection of the profile of both the trunk and legs of a patient. It is adapted for disposition on the working surface of an operating table or dentist's chair immediately underlying a patient during electrosurgery. By presenting a very large working surface area, the need for direct contact or contact through conducting gels is eliminated; through employment of washable surface areas, it is made readily cleanable and reusable; and through the selection of resistance characteristics for the electrode materials of the principal body of the electrode, and through tailoring of electrode geometries, it is made self-limiting as to current density and temperature rise so as to prevent patient trauma. An optional sleeve is provided for cooperative use with the electrode.

Resistive reusable electrosurgical return electrode

A reusable electrosurgical return electrode pad for use with electrosurgery. In one embodiment it includes a presentation or working surface area lying in the range of from about 11 to about 1,500 square inches. In another the working surface is at least as large as that of a projection of about half of the profile of the trunk of a patient. In yet another, it includes a working surface area at least as large as that of a projection of the profile of both the trunk and legs of a patient. It is adapted for disposition on the working surface of an operating table or dentist's chair immediately underlying a patient during electrosurgery. By presenting a very large surface area, the need for direct contact or contact through conducting jells is eliminated; through employment of washable surface areas, it is made readily cleanable and reusable; and through the inclusion of capacitive coupling and selection of impedance characteristics for the materials and geometries, it is made self-limiting as to current density and temperature rise so as to prevent patient trauma. An optional sleeve is provided for cooperative use with the electrode.

An improved bipolar electrosurgical instrument with multi-coated electrodes for use in performing medical procedures. The electrodes of the instrument include opposed electrically conductive working surfaces at the distal ends thereof which are coated with a thin layer of a nickel-free high chromium material. At least non-working exposed surfaces of the distal ends are coated with a coating of an insulating material so as to be electrically insulated.

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Englewood, CO, United States of America

Richard P Fleenor