Integ, Inc.

Gyrus Medical Limited

Angeion Corporation

Everest Medical Corporation

Scott T Latterell

Paul D Brinda

Timothy J Erskine

John P Sopp

Douglas S Wahnschaffe

Brian J Erickson

Michael E Hilgers

Michael J Shoup

Thomas B Hoegh

Theodore P Adams

Coliin C O Goble

Gene M Berghoff

Mark W Kroll

Nigel Mark Goble

David Joseph Parins

Dennis A Brumwell

Colin Charles Owen Goble

Paul Monroe

Scott R Sanders

A bipolar electrosurgical instrument comprises a handle (), a body () joined to the handle, and a jaw assembly () joined to the body and arranged such that manipulation of the handle allows the opposed jaws of the jaw assembly to be opened and closed with respect to one another. A first of said opposed jaws () has at least a first coagulating electrode, and the other of said opposed jaws () has at least a second coagulating electrode and a cutting electrode () separated from the second coagulating electrode by an insulating member (). The instrument is manipulated at the surgical site such that the jaws of the jaw assembly () are open with respect to one another, with the cutting electrode () and at least one of the first and second coagulating electrodes contacting tissue at the surgical site. A radio frequency electrosurgical signal is supplied between the cutting electrode and the at least one coagulating electrode, and the electrosurgical instrument is moved while maintaining the jaws () in their open position so as to cut tissue at the surgical site.

Surgical instrument

A sampling apparatus for sampling body fluid includes a sampler having an external geometry selected to mate with an internal geometry of a testing apparatus such that the sampler may be inserted within the testing apparatus in a predetermined alignment&#x2014;and with a sampling location positioned accurately within a light path for detecting an amount of a desired constituent within fluid collected by the sampler.

Body fluid sampler

Electrosurgical forceps are described that have jaws capable of being closed relative to one another, the jaws each supporting electrode structures especially shaped to enhance the ability of the instrument to desiccate/seal or cut tissue structures clamped between the opposed jaws. One of the opposed jaws has a generally arcuate cross-section with a raised central zone and the other electrode has a recess adapted to accommodate the raised central zone of the cooperating electrode. By appropriating the shaping the mating electrode surfaces, tissue structures placed between the jaws are stretched laterally as clamping occurs. The stretching action prevents bunching of the tissue and results in improved desiccation, sealing and cutting. A fine, uninsulated conductor disposed on the one jaw, but insulated from the electrode surface on that jaw, serves as a cutting electrode.

Bipolar electrosurgical instrument for cutting desiccating and sealing tissue

A sampling apparatus for interstitial fluid includes a pressure ring surrounding a collection needle. The pressure ring and needle are movable relative to one another for the ring to first engage a patient's skin surface prior to insertion of the needle.

Enhanced interstitial fluid collection

An electrosurgical system includes a generator () for generating radio frequency power, and an electrosurgical instrument () including at least three electrodes. The generator comprises a radio frequency output stage having at least a pair of output lines (C), and a power supply () coupled to the output stage for supplying power to the output stage. The generator also includes a controller () capable of varying a radio frequency signal supplied to the output lines, and a switching circuit () having three or more output connections (A,B,C) each electrically connected with a respective one of the at least three electrodes. This switching circuit is operable to vary the connections between the output lines (C) and the output connections (A,B,C). A switching device (A,B) forming part of the system is operable by the user to send a signal to the switching circuit () within the generator in order to vary the electrode or electrodes to which radio frequency power is supplied, the switching device also causing a signal to be sent to the controller () such that the radio frequency signal supplied to at least one of the three or more output connections varies depending on the electrode or electrodes to which radio frequency power is supplied. In one arrangement of the switching circuit, one of the electrodes has no direct connection to the output stage of the generator and is connected via a capacitor to another of the electrodes.

Electrosurgical system

A sampling apparatus for sampling interstitial fluid includes a sampler having an external geometry selected to mate with an internal geometry of a testing apparatus such that the sampler may be inserted within the testing apparatus in a predetermined alignment and with a sampling location positioned accurately within a light path for detecting an amount of a desired constituent collected by the sampler.

An electrosurgical system includes a generator for generating radio frequency (RF) power, and an electrosurgical instrument including at least three electrodes. The generator comprises an RF output stage having at least a pair of RF output lines, a power supply coupled to the output stage for supplying power to the output stage, and a controller capable of varying the RF power signal supplied to the output lines. The system also includes a selection circuit having at least three output connections each in electrical connection with a respective one of the at least three electrodes. This selection circuit operates to vary the coupling between the RF output stage and the three or more output connections. A switching device operable by the user causes the selection circuit to vary the electrode or electrodes to which RF power is supplied, and also causes the RF power signal supplied to at least one of the at least three output connections to vary depending on the electrode or electrodes to which RF power is supplied. In one arrangement of the selection circuit, one of the electrodes has no direct connection to the output stage of the generator and is connected via a capacitor to another of the electrodes.

A bipolar electrosurgical hook probe includes an end effector that includes first and second electrodes placed in parallel, closely-spaced relationship, each being of a relatively large surface area and a conductive reciprocally movable hook member that is movable into and out of a space between the first and second electrodes. A switch mechanism is provided by which an RF current can alternatively be made to flow between the first and second electrodes during electrocoagulation and from the hook electrode to each of the first and second electrodes when the instrument is operating in its cut mode.

Bipolar electrosurgical hook probe for cutting and coagulating tissue

A sampling apparatus for sampling body fluid includes a sampler having an external geometry selected to mate with an internal geometry of a testing apparatus such that the sampler may be inserted within the testing apparatus in a predetermined alignment-and with a sampling location positioned accurately within a light path for detecting an amount of a desired constituent within fluid collected by the sampler.

Methods of sampling body fluid

A surgical instrument for performing three functions at the tip of a tube. The first function is for suction or irrigation of an area where surgery is being performed. The tubing can have a vacuum attached for sucking solid particles, liquids, gases or smoke from the area adjacent the end of the tubing. The tubing may also be used to pump fluids into the area adjacent the end of the tube to flush the area or apply a treatment. The tubing has an electrical current such that when the tube is applied to blood it will coagulate the blood. The tubing also has a cutting electrode for electrically cutting tissue. The cutting electrode extends out from the lumen of the tube and retracts therein when not in use. Therefore a surgeon has three instruments compactly arranged at his disposal at the distal end of the tube. Since the tube can be made long and thin it is useful when operating in a limited space and can be used in laparascopic or other microsurgeries. The tube is malleable for shaping it for ease of use. Thus the surgeon can electrically cut, suck out blood, smoke and other debris and electrically coagulate blood all with one instrument and at preferred angles or shapes.

Electrosurgical instrument with suction capability

A sampling apparatus for sampling body fluid includes a sampler having an external geometry selected to mate with an internal geometry of a testing apparatus such that the sampler may be inserted within the testing apparatus in a predetermined alignment--and with a sampling location positioned accurately within a light path for detecting an amount of a desired constituent within fluid collected by the sampler.

A sampling apparatus for sampling body fluid includes a sampler having an external geometry selected to mate with an internal geometry of a testing apparatus such that the sampler may be inserted with in the testing apparatus in a predetermined alignment-and with a sampling location positioned accurately within a light path for detecting an amount of a desired constituent within fluid collected by the sampler.

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Minneapolis, MN, United States of America

Scott T Latterell