Ethicon, Gmbh

Ethicon Endo-surgery, Inc.

Terry McFarland

Chad Paul Boudreaux

Foster B Stulen

Catherine A Corbett

David Alexander Monroe

Frederick E Shelton, IV

William Bruce Weisenburgh, Ii

Jeffrey L Aldridge

David A Witt

Gregory A Trees

Tamara S Widenhouse

John B Schulte

Aaron C Voegele

Patrick J Minnelli

Craig T Davis

Rafael J Ruiz Ortiz

Jonathan T Batross

Edward G Chekan

John Michael Sarley

Alex W Kiturkes

William A Crawford

Adam Brown

Kenneth V Moran

Susan Arshonsky

Devices and methods for applying energy to tissue are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a surgical device includes a monopolar end effector, a cannulated, insulated outer sheath, a translating nozzle coupled to the proximal end of the sheath, and a handle portion coupled to a proximal end of the end effector. Various translating means, such as switches, thumbwheels, rings, and buttons, are associated with the handle portion, and are effective to advance the outer sheath to cover a distal end of the end effector and retract the outer sheath to expose the distal end of the end effector. The translating means are configured in a manner that allows a user to operate the translating means without having to adjust a location of the user's hand on the device. A variety of translating means are provided for, as are methods for cutting, coagulating, irrigating, and suctioning tissue.

Energy delivery device having a translating outer sheath

A medical device includes an end effector configured to apply bipolar energy to target tissue along a working portion thereof and a fluid control system to control the flow of a fluid produced when the end effector applies the bipolar energy to heat the target tissue. The fluid control system includes a fluid path element defining a fluid path, a distal fluid port configured to intake the fluid adjacent to the working portion of an end effector for transport through the fluid path, and a proximal fluid port configured to intake the fluid transported through the fluid path and to exhaust the transported fluid.

Integrated systems for electrosurgical steam or smoke control

A surgical instrument includes an end effector and a feedback system. The end effector includes a first jaw and a second jaw, wherein at least one of the first jaw and the second jaw is movable relative to the other one of the first jaw and the second jaw to transition the end effector during a closure stroke between an open configuration, a first approximated configuration, and a second approximated configuration. The feedback system includes an indicator, the indicator transitionable between a first indicator position, a second indicator position, and a third indicator position, wherein the indicator is in the first indicator position when the end effect is in the open configuration, wherein the indicator is in the second indicator position when the end effector is in the first approximated configuration, and wherein the indicator is in the third indicator position when the end effector is in the second approximated configuration.

Device status feedback for bipolar tissue spacer

An apparatus for operating on tissue includes an end effector, an actuator, and a spring assembly. The end effector includes a first jaw and a second jaw that pivots relative to the first jaw from an open position to a closed position. The actuator is coupled with the second jaw to pivot the second jaw relative to the first jaw. The spring assembly is coupled with the actuator and is adjustable from a first position to a second position. The spring assembly compresses to resiliently bias the actuator to pivot the second jaw to the open position when the spring assembly is in the first position. The spring assembly compresses a smaller amount when the spring assembly is in the second position.

Surgical instrument with jaw opening assist feature

A surgical instrument for supplying energy to tissue can comprise an end effector comprising a first jaw member and a second jaw member, wherein at least one of the first jaw member and the second jaw member is movable relative to the other to clamp tissue intermediate the first jaw member and the second jaw member. The instrument can further include an electrode configured to generate heat when electrical energy is supplied to the electrode and, in addition, at least one steam path within the electrode, wherein the at least one steam path is configured to vent steam generated when the tissue is heated by the electrode.

Surgical instrument for transmitting energy to tissue comprising steam control paths

A notch-locating fixture for forming notches at predetermined locations along a needle wire used in a surgical suturing apparatus includes a base having at least one semi-circular recess shaped and dimensioned for receiving the needle wire. The fixture also includes a cover member including at least one aligned slot formed therein in a manner providing a grinding wheel with access to needle wire held between the base and the cover member. The fixture further includes a securing structure selectively coupling the base to the cover member.

Producing notch feature in small diameter steel alloy needle wire

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Burlington, KY, United States of America

Terry McFarland