An end-effector and a surgical instrument including the end-effector are disclosed. The end-effector includes a clamp arm and an ultrasonic blade configured to acoustically couple to an ultrasonic transducer and to electrically couple to a pole of an electrical generator. The clamp arm includes a clamp jaw, a cantilever electrode configured to electrically couple to an opposite pole of the electrical generator. The cantilever electrode is fixed to the clamp jaw at a proximal end and free to deflect at a distal end. The clamp arm includes control features to adjust a tissue path relative to the clamp arm to create a predefined location of contact.

An end-effector configured to grasp tissue is disclosed herein. The end-effector includes an ultrasonic blade configured to transfer ultrasonic energy to the tissue and a clamp arm. The clamp arm includes a clamp arm pad including an electrically conductive material and an electrically non-conductive material. The clamp arm pad is configured as an electrode of a radiofrequency energy circuit, wherein the electrode is configured to transfer radiofrequency energy through the tissue to a return electrode of the radiofrequency energy circuit, and wherein the electrically non-conductive material is configured to reduce the possibility of an electrical short between the electrically conductive material and the ultrasonic blade as the clamp arm pad degrades throughout the usable life of the end effector.

An energy generator includes a connector port configured to couple to an electrosurgical instrument including an electrode having a polymeric dielectric coating; a power converter configured to generate energy; and a sensor coupled to the power converter and configured to sense a parameter of the energy. The energy generator also includes a controller coupled to the sensor and the power converter. The controller is configured to: control the power converter to output energy to modify an electrical property of the polymeric dielectric coating; and determine whether the electrical property of the polymeric dielectric coating has been sufficiently modified by the energy.

A surgical instrument comprises first and second jaws movable relative to each other between open and closed positions, a cutting electrode with a cutting surface for tissue dissection and at least one sealing electrode for sealing or coagulating tissue. The cutting electrode includes one or more insulation layers for securing the cutting electrode to one of the jaws and for protecting the jaws from the heat and energy generated at the cutting surface during operation. An actuator mechanism is coupled to the first and second jaws for moving the jaws between the open and closed positions. At least one portion of the actuator mechanism comprises a conductive pathway for electrically coupling the cutting and/or sealing electrode(s) to a source of energy. Thus, the mechanical components of the actuator mechanism include electrically conductive pathways to reduce the number of conductors extending through the device, thereby providing a more compact and maneuverable instrument.

A surgical instrument includes an end effector with opposing jaws that open and close relative to each other. The jaws each include a cam slot for receiving a cam pin. Translation of the pin through the cam slots opens and closes the jaws. The cam slots are shaped such that at least one of the jaws applies a grip force that is substantially proportional to a force applied to the pin to translate the pin through at least a portion of the slots (i.e., the ratio between force input and the resulting force output remains substantially the same as the pin travels through at least one portion of the slots). This design provides a constant mechanical advantage between the force applied to the pin and the force applied by the jaws, thereby allowing a user to more easily regulate the forces applied to tissue held by the jaws.

A vessel sealing device having a pair of electrodes that are maintained in spaced apart configuration when closed by non-uniform coating formed from a non-conductive material that has been applied to roughened electrodes so that the coating allows for the passage of a predetermined amount of radiofrequency (RF) energy between the electrodes. The coating has a predetermined thickness that spaces the electrodes apart while also having the predetermined non-uniformity that allows RF energy to pass between the electrodes when a vessel is trapped therein, thus desiccating the vessel positioned in the jaws. The electrodes may include a series of grooves in a herringbone pattern, with each electrode having the pattern oriented in the same direction or in opposite directions.

An electrosurgical instrument includes a jaw member having an electrically conductive tissue sealing plate configured to operably couple to a source of electrosurgical energy for treating tissue. A polydimethylsiloxane coating having a thickness in the range of from about 35 nm to about 85 nm is disposed on the tissue sealing plate.

An electrosurgical instrument is disclosed including a pencil-grip handle, a shaft coupled to the pencil-grip handle, and an end effector coupled to the shaft. The end effector includes a body, a source electrode, and one or more return electrodes. The source electrode and the one or more return electrodes are configured to provide a multi-phase bipolar electrosurgical signal to tissue. The one or more return electrodes each comprise a first return electrode and a second return electrode. The electrosurgical instrument further includes an electrosurgical generator coupled to the end effector. The electrosurgical generator is configured to produce the multi-phase bipolar electrosurgical signal including a first phase, a second phase, and a third phase. The electrosurgical generator is coupled to the source electrode, the first return electrode, and the second return electrode. The first phase, the second phase, and the third phase are combined to generate the multi-phase bipolar electrosurgical signal.

An electrosurgical device can be delivered to a tissue site to provide supplemental sealing of vessels and/or vascular tissue that include suturing, stapling, or the like. The electrosurgical device is generally in the form of forceps, and includes an end effector assembly including opposing movable jaws. Each jaw includes a deformable pad or cushion including an electrode array positioned thereon. Each deformable cushion is configured to deliver a fluid, such as saline, during activation of the electrode array, thereby creating a virtual electrode which couples radiofrequency (RF) energy emitted from the electrode array into tissue in which the RF energy is converted into thermal energy. The deformable cushion and electrode array provide a controlled degree of compression upon the target tissue or vessel to maintain integrity of a suture, staple, or clip, as well as controlled energy emission for sealing, cauterizing, coagulating, and/or desiccating the target tissue or vessel.

The present invention discloses a plasma operation electrode for an otolaryngology department. The plasma operation electrode for the otolaryngology department includes a tubular loop electrode, a water absorption tube and an effluent flow guiding component. The water absorption tube is sheathed in the tubular loop electrode, a water inlet channel is formed between the water absorption tube and the tubular loop electrode. An end part, away from the handle, of the tubular loop electrode is provided with at least one water outlet hole. The effluent flow guiding component is correspondingly installed at the water outlet hole, and sealed and connected on an outer wall of the tubular loop electrode. A water injecting channel is formed between the effluent flow guiding component and the tubular loop electrode. The plasma operation electrode for the otolaryngology department has a good flow guiding effect to normal saline, and high in reliability and safety.