Abstract:
An end effector has three degrees of freedom in operation: (1) opening and closing of the jaws, (2) adjustable articulation of the jaw plane relative to the longitudinal axis, and (3) rotation of the jaw assembly, regardless of its articulation, about the longitudinal axis. A split yoke assembly is coupled to rotatable jaw mounts, which in turn are coupled to the jaws. A pushrod is configured to open and close the jaws, and cables coupled to the rotatable jaw mounts cause articulation of the jaw plane.
Abstract:
An interventional device for cutting tissue at a targeted cardiac valve, such as a mitral valve. The interventional device includes a catheter having a proximal end and a distal end. A cutting mechanism is positionable at the distal end, such as by routing the cutting mechanism through the catheter to position it at the distal end. The cutting mechanism includes one or more cutting elements configured for cutting valve tissue when engaged against the tissue. A handle is coupled to the proximal end of the catheter and includes one or more controls for actuating the cutting mechanism.
Abstract:
A microsurgical fine gripping and diathermy forceps comprises a tube defining a conduit and having a diameter of at most 1 millimeter. Forceps jaws protrude from the conduit at a distal end of the tube. The forceps jaws and/or the tube form at least two bipolar electrodes for providing a bipolar diathermy at a distal end of the forceps jaws and/or tube. The forceps jaws can be configured to grasp a vitreoretinal membrane. An elongated element extends through the conduit of the tube and is movable with respect to the tube and comprises at least one electrically conducting core which extends through the conduit of the tube, wherein the forceps jaws are fixed to the elongated element, and wherein the at least one electrically conducting core is electrically connected to at least one of the forceps jaws. A microsurgical cutting and diathermy device is also disclosed.
Abstract:
An electrosurgical instrument (1) includes an end effector (115) having first and second jaw members (150, 160) disposed about a longitudinal axis (z). The first and second jaw members (150, 160) include proximal portions (150a, 160a) defining a gap (G J ) therebetween and distal portions (150b, 160b) having first and second tissue contacting surfaces (152, 162), respectively, and shear edges at opposed sides (154, 164) of the first and second tissue contacting surfaces (152, 162). The end effector (115) is configured to selectively communicate electrosurgical energy between the first and second tissue contacting surfaces (152, 162) of the first and second jaw members (150, 160) upon actuation thereof. At least one of the first and second jaw members (150, 160) is movable relative to the other between an open position, a first approximated position in which the first and second tissue contacting surfaces (152, 162) are substantially opposed to each other, and a second approximated position in which the first and second tissue contacting surfaces (152, 162) are laterally offset with respect to each other.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to surgical dissection tips comprising a substrate comprising beryllium copper and a ferromagnetic layer coating at least a portion of the substrate, and methods of making such surgical dissection tips. The present invention relates to improved structures for manufacturing surgical tips. In one aspect, the present invention provides a metal sheet comprising a plurality of surgical dissection tip substrates connected at the base of the surgical dissection tip substrate by a tab, wherein each surgical dissection tip substrate comprises two substantially parallel planar extension strips connected to a tip.
Abstract:
A surgical device comprises an elongate shaft defining a longitudinal axis. The shaft comprises a distal end and a proximal end. An arm medially deflectable and comprises a mating feature. An elongate pin is positioned medially relative the arm. The elongate pin is axially slideable relative the arm between a locked position preventing medial deflection of the arm and an unlocked position allowing medial deflection of the arm. An energy based surgical end effector is selectively attachable and detachable to the mating feature of the arm. The end effector may include a torque arm to engage the elongate shaft.
Abstract:
An electrically energized medical instrument uses one or more drive cables to both actuate mechanical components of a wrist mechanism or an effector and to electrically energize the effector. Electrical isolation can be achieved using an insulating main tube through which drive cables extend from a backend mechanism to the effector, an insulating end cover that leaves only the desired portions of the effector exposed, and one or more seals to prevent electrically conductive liquid from entering the main tube. Component count and cost may be further reduced using a pair of pulleys that are shared by four drive cables.
Abstract:
A method and system for ablating tissue to provide a desired set of lesions. The system includes an ablation apparatus having an elongated shapeable section carrying a mechanism such as an electrode for applying ablation energy along the shapeable section. The shapeable section includes a member of shape memory material having a memorized configuration. The shapeable section is shaped manually or using fixtures to display a configuration corresponding to one of the desired lesions and is then employed to create the desired lesion. Thereafter the shapeable section is heated to cause it to resume its memorized configuration. Shaping, heating and ablating to create lesions are continued as necessary provide the desired set of lesions. In some embodiments of the invention, heating may be accomplished using heating elements built into the shapeable section.
Abstract:
A bipolar electrosurgical instrument having a pair of relatively moveable jaws, each of which includes a tissue contacting surface. The tissue contacting surfaces of the jaws are in face-to-face relation with one another, and adjacent each of the tissue contacting surfaces are first and second spaced-apart electrodes that are adapted for connection to the opposite terminals of a bipolar RF generator so as to generator a current flow therebetween. The first and second electrodes of one jaw are in offset opposed relation, respectively, with the first and second electrodes of the other jaw. The tissue contacting surfaces are disposed between the electrodes on each jaw, and the first opposed electrodes of each jaw are connectable to one terminal of the bipolar RF generator, while the second opposed electrodes of each jaw are connectable to the other terminal of the bipolar RF generator. A cutting portion is provided between the jaws. The cutting portion is moveable to provide the instrument with a scissors-like capability or a grasper-like capability, depending on the position of the cutting portion.