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

Surgical devices for treating tissue are provided. Also provided are systems for treating tissue and methods of treating tissue. An exemplary surgical device has a handle, a fluid passage connectable to a fluid source, a tip portion and a distal end. The tip portion can simultaneously provide RF power and conductive fluid to tissue. The tip portion includes an electrode having a domed portion having a domed surface and a cylindrical portion having a cylindrical surface. The domed portion is located distal to the cylindrical portion and occupies at least a portion of the distal end of the surgical device. The device includes a fluid outlet opening in fluid communication with the fluid passage, the fluid outlet opening configured to provide the conductive fluid to a surface of the electrode proximal to the distal end surface of the surgical device.

Fluid-assisted medical devices, systems and methods

A removable electrode assembly for use in combination with a forcep having opposing end effectors and a handle for effecting movement of the end effectors relative to one another. The electrode assembly includes a housing which is removably engageable with the forceps and a pair of electrodes which are attachable to a distal end of the housing. The electrodes are removably engageable with the end effectors of the forceps such that the electrodes reside in opposing relation relative to one another. The electrode assembly also includes a cover plate which is removably attachable to the housing and at least one stop member (439) for controlling the distance between the opposing electrodes. The stop member is selectively engageable with the electrodes.

Vessel sealing forceps with disposable electrodes

A method of fusing biomaterial and tissue using radiofrequency energy includes the steps of: providing a vessel sealing instrument having opposing jaw members which are movable relative to one another to compress tissue therebetween. The vessel sealing instrument includes at least one stop member affixed thereto for regulating the distance between the opposing jaw members. The method also includes the steps of: providing a biomaterial; positioning the biomaterial in abutting relation to tissue; approximating the biomaterial and tissue between the jaw members; compressing the biomaterial and tissue between the jaw members under a working pressure within the range of about 3 kg/cm 2 to about 16 kg/cm 2 ; and energizing the jaw members with radiofrequency energy to effectively fuse the biomaterial and the tissue such that the biomaterial and the tissue reform into a single, fused mass.

Method of fusing biomaterials with radiofrequency energy

A control circuit of a surgical device is disclosed. The control circuit includes a first circuit portion coupled to at least one switch operable between an open state and a closed state. The first circuit portion communicates with a surgical generator over a conductor pair to receive a control signal to determine a state of the at least one switch.

Surgical generator for ultrasonic and electrosurgical devices

Medical devices, methods and systems for treating tissue are provided. An exemplary system comprises a fluid from a fluid source, a surgical device which provides energy and the fluid to the tissue and a control mechanism which changes a flow rate of fluid provided from the surgical device and changes a rate of energy provided from the surgical device. The fluid flow rate changes between at least two non-zero flow rates and the energy rate changes between at least two non-zero energy rates. An exemplary method comprises providing a fluid from a fluid source, providing a surgical device which provides energy and the fluid to the tissue, and changing a flow rate of fluid provided from the surgical device with a change in a rate of energy provided from the surgical device. Exemplary devices comprise a tip portion configured to provide energy and a fluid to a tissue.

Fluid assisted medical devices, fluid delivery systems and controllers for such devices, and methods

The invention provides a medical device that includes a housing, a tubular member extending from the distal end of the housing, a first arm extending from the distal end of the tubular member, the first arm including a first electrode, a second arm extending from the distal end of the tubular member, the second arm including a second electrode and being disposed coaxially with the first arm, at least one solution infusion opening on each electrode, and a solution delivery channel for delivery of a conductive solution to the solution infusion openings. According to the invention, at least one of the first arm or the second arm is translationally moveable, and at least one of the first arm or the second arm is adapted to be coupled to a source of radiofrequency energy. The invention also provides a corresponding method for treating blood vessels or other tissues of the body.

Fluid-assisted medical device

The invention provides a system for treating tissue that includes a power measurement device, a flow rate controller coupled to the power measurement device, and an electrosurgical device configured and arranged to provide radio frequency power and conductive fluid to the tissue, wherein the flow rate controller is configured and arranged to modify a flow rate of the conductive fluid to the tissue, based on signals from the power measurement device. The invention also provides methods and devices for modifying flow rate of conductive fluid to tissue based on measurement of radio frequency power delivered to the tissue.

Fluid delivery system and controller for electrosurgical devices

Fulguration of surface tumors using radiofrequency (RF) energy is a well-established technique However, the depth of tissue destruction has been limited to a few millimeters because of charring of the surface at the point of electrode contact Charring converts the surface from a good to a poor electrical conductor, and causes such a steep rise in the impedance (resistance) that current effectively ceases This limits the depth of tissue destruction Therefore fulguration has not been useful for solid organ tumors such as hepatic tumors

Saline-linked surface radiofrequency ablation is a new technique designed to prevent surface charring The strategy was first applied to catheter ablation of cardiac lesions1 The saline-linked RF device provides a continuous flow of saline, a good coolant, and electrical conductor that maintains the temperature of the surface below 100°C Charring does not occur, and greater depths of tissue destruction are possible However, although the surface is maintained below 100°C, temperatures in the subsurface may rise above 100°C This can lead to steam formation and expansion and then to disruption of the surface This undesirable side effect is called “steam popping”2,3

This study had 2 purposes The first was to determine factors that lead to steam popping and, subsequently, to learn how to avoid it Once safe nonpopping parameters were established, it was possible to pursue the second aim, which was to determine factors that affect the depth of tissue destruction Of particular interest was the effect of inflow occlusion, which has been shown to extend the size of ablations induced by interstitial radiofrequency electrodes4

Saline-linked surface radiofrequency ablation: factors affecting steam popping and depth of injury in the pig liver.

The invention provides surgical devices and methods to treat tissue. In one device embodiment, the invention comprises a bipolar electrosurgical device to treat tissue in a presence of radio frequency power and a fluid provided simultaneously from a distal portion of the device, with the device comprising a disc shaped distal end. In one method embodiment, the invention comprises a method of treating tissue having a blood vessel during spine surgery, with the method comprising pressing a portion of the blood vessel against a supporting spine structure with a surgical device to provide a compressed portion of the blood vessel, and heating the compressed portion of the blood vessel with the surgical device sufficiently to inhibit a blood flow through the vessel after the surgical device is removed from the blood vessel.

Michael E. Mcclurken

Papers

Fluid assisted medical devices, fluid delivery systems and controllers for such devices, and methods

Fluid-assisted medical device

Fluid delivery system and controller for electrosurgical devices

Saline-linked surface radiofrequency ablation: factors affecting steam popping and depth of injury in the pig liver.

Surgical devices and methods of use thereof