A surgical stapling device particularly suited for endoscopic procedures is described The device includes a handle assembly and an elongated body extending distally from the handle assembly The distal end of the elongated body is adapted to engage a disposable loading unit A control rod having a proximal end operatively connected to the handle assembly includes a distal end extending through the elongated body A control rod locking member is provided to prevent movement of the control rod until the disposable loading unit is fully secured to the elongated body of the stapling device

Surgical Stapling Apparatus

An endoscopic bipolar forceps includes an elongated shaft having opposing jaw members at a distal end thereof. The jaw members are movable relative to one another from a first position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. The forceps also includes a source of electrical energy connected to each jaw member such that the jaw members are capable of conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a seal. A generally tube-like cutter is included which is slidably engaged about the elongated shaft and which is selectively movable about the elongated shaft to engage and cut tissue on at least one side of the jaw members while the tissue is engaged between jaw members.

Vessel sealer and divider

A surgical stapling instrument (1) comprises a body portion (2, 3), a handle (4) and a staple fastening assembly (8). The staple fastening assembly (8) includes a curved cartridge (10), which comprises at least one curved open row of staples, and a curved anvil (22), which is adapted to cooperate with the cartridge (10) for forming the ends of the staples exiting from the cartridge (10). The staple fastening assembly (8) is adapted to allow unobstructed access towards the concave inner faces of the cartridge (10) and the anvil (22). The cartridge (10) can be moved towards the anvil (22) from a spaced position for positioning tissue therebetween to a closed position for clamping the tissue. Preferably, a knife is contained within the cartridge (10) and is positioned such that there is at least one row of staples on at least one side of the knife.

Surgical stapling instrument

Newness and distinctiveness is claimed in the features of ornamentation as shown inside the broken line circle in the accompanying representation.

Display screen or portion thereof with graphical user interface

A surgical instrument can comprise a channel configured to support a staple cartridge and, in addition, an anvil pivotable between open and closed positions relative to the channel. The surgical instrument can further comprise a cutting member configured to incise tissue positioned captured between the staple cartridge and the anvil and, in addition, means for stopping the cutting member prior to a distal end datum, wherein the distal end datum can be defined by the distal-most staple cavity in the staple cartridge. In such embodiments, the incision within the tissue may not extend beyond the portion of the tissue that has been stapled.

Surgical stapling instrument with an articulatable end effector

A design and method of manufacture is disclosed for an electrosurgical electrode with a silicone coating The coating resists the buildup of eschar The silicone material is thick enough in the flat area of the blade to withstand the electrosurgical voltage without breakdown The electrosurgical current path is primarily through the blade edges and tip The flat of the blade remains insulated under most conditions The relatively thick coating also provides high tear strength and added durability The composition of the electrode coatings may include silicone elastomers in the form of adhesives, dispersions, or liquid rubbers The coating composition may also contain adhesion promoters, heat stabilizers, plasticizers, release enhancers, crosslinking agents, and colorants Several methods of manufacture are illustrated by way of examples

Coated electrosurgical electrode

A partially coated electrosurgical electrode has a portion of a medical grade metallic material as a substrate for energy application. Conductive of sites of metallic material or alloys thereof pass energy through peaks that define valleys nearby. A partial coating in the valleys has a low surface free energy. A treated surface across the peaks and generally over the filled valleys is relatively smooth for non stick characteristics during application of electrosurgery to tissue and bodily fluids. Openings in the treated surface through the partial coating are at the peaks of conductive sites to expose the metallic material or alloys thereof. The partial coating is a fluorinated polymer. The treated surface is a relatively even level that is not flat. The metallic material substrate is an alloy of stainless steel or nickel chrome. A mechanically deformed surface finish, plasma or vapor deposition on the substrate forms the conductive sites. A method of manufacturing the electrode has steps including preparing it the metallic conductor, making it with the conductive material having peaks above the valleys as conductive sites, applying the partial coating to it and treating the surface across the peaks and generally over the filled valleys of the partially coated electrically conductive electrode. Locating the openings among the valleys is a step. Treating may be mass finishing, such as vibratory or tumbling the partially coated electrodes with or without abrasive material media or polishing, buffing, surface grinding, abrasive belt grinding or sanding with abrasive material. Making the peaks and valleys can be by stamping, coining, burnishing, embossing, threading, tumbling, vibrating, shot peening, wire brushing, grit blasting, thermal spraying, with powder, with wire supplied to melt and be distributed, or with high velocity oxygen fuel and a nickel, cobalt alloy, stainless steel or a nickel chrome alloy. A manufacturing method for the electrode has coating a strip of metal with the low surface energy polymer and forming it in a stamping operation with a raw edge metal edge.

Partially coated electrodes

Partially coated electrodes, manufacture and use

A design and method of manufacture are disclosed for an electrosurgical electrode (10) with a silicone coating. The coating resists the build-up of eschar. The silicone material is thick enough in the flat area of the blade to withstand the electrosurgical voltage without breakdown. The electrosurgical current path is primarily through the blade edges (15) and tip. The flat of the blade remains insulated under most conditions. The relatively thick coating also provides high tear strength and added durability. The composition of the electrode (10) coatings may include silicone elastomers (11) in the form of adhesives, dispersions, or liquid rubbers. The coating composition may also contain adhesion promoters, heat stabilizers, plasticizers, release enhancers, cross-linking agents, and colorants. Several methods of manufacture are illustrated by way of examples.

Coated electrosurgical electrode and method of manufacture

A method of mass manufacturing a plurality of electrodes coated with a non-stick layer is disclosed for reducing eschar buildup and the like on the working tip of an electrode during electrosurgical procedures and facilitating ease of cleaning the tip. The plurality of electrodes are mass manufactured for connection to an appropriate electrical power source. One preferred method of mass manufacturing a plurality of electrodes includes the steps of: simultaneously coating at least a portion of a stock material with a non-stick layer; and forming the plurality of electrode blanks having the non-stick layer. The plurality of electrode blanks may be subjected to further finishing. Preferably, the plurality of electrode blanks are formed having the non-stick layer as the material is advanced through a stamping operation. Also, the material may be configured and dimensioned in the form of a tree to provide a plurality of electrode blanks with a non-stick layer.

Gene H. Arts

Papers

Coated electrosurgical electrode

Partially coated electrodes

Partially coated electrodes, manufacture and use

Coated electrosurgical electrode and method of manufacture

Method of mass manufacturing coated electrosurgical electrodes