Exhaust removal apparatus and methods for cryogenic treatment are described herein. The apparatus may generally include a housing having an inlet for fluidly coupling to a source of water and an outlet for fluidly coupling to a drain, and a suction chamber in fluid communication with the housing, wherein the suction chamber is further configured to be detachably coupled to an exhaust collection reservoir having a volume of exhaust gas. Introduction of water through the inlet generates a pressure reduction within the suction chamber such that the volume of exhaust gas is drawn from the exhaust collection reservoir and into the housing for dissolving into the water and out through the drain.

A knife limit for a surgical instrument includes a housing having a shaft extending therefrom configured to support an end effector at a distal end thereof, the end effector including first and second jaw members. One or both of the jaw members including a knife channel defined therein and extending therealong to a distal portion thereof. A knife assembly is disposed within the housing and cooperates with a trigger to translate a knife within the knife channel to the distal portion of the jaw member upon actuation thereof. A knife limit button is disposed within the housing and is configured to limit the distal translation of the knife within the knife channel upon selective actuation thereof. The knife limit button is movable between a first position allowing full translation of the knife within the knife channel and a second position limiting distal translation of the knife within the knife channel.

Various embodiments are directed to battery unit for use with surgical instruments. The battery units may comprise a plurality of cells and include a translatable discharge drain. When attached to the surgical instrument, the discharge drain may electrically connect an anode of the battery unit to a cathode of the battery unit, for example, via a resistive element in order to drain the battery unit.

A medical device includes a shaft including a distal end including a passive electrode that defines a central opening extending through the passive electrode, and an active electrode within the central opening. The active electrode is movable between at least an extended position in which the active electrode does not contact the passive electrode, and a retracted position in which the active electrode contacts the passive electrode.

Adjustable distal tips of cold plasma generating devices configured for introduction to and operation within narrow intra-body confines. In some embodiments, a plasma delivery tip of a cold plasma generating device is expandable from a compact delivery configuration, allowing device operation with plasma plume parameters difficult to achieve within size constraints of a narrow delivery catheter and/or endoscope working channel. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, operating parameters of a plasma delivery tip are adjustable to tune characteristics of the plasma plume. Adjustable parameters optionally include, for example: lumen diameter, lumen aperture shape/direction, discharge electrode geometry, dielectric barrier characteristics, and/or relative placement of these components, including placement relative to a stream of ionizing gas. In some embodiments, plasma delivery tip elements are adapted to assist device navigation and/or tissue penetration.

Plasma delivery tips of medical-grade plasma generating devices are configured to exclude potential contaminants while operating within body cavities. In some embodiments, delivery tips are provided with an antechamber, which is optionally filled by pressure of ionizing gas to prevent contamination. Some embodiments are provided with one or more interior and/or exterior valves configured to prevent proximal ingress of contamination to the longitudinal position of the discharge electrode, or at all into the gas delivery lumen. In some embodiments, an expandable distal section of the plasma delivery tip acts as a valve which seals when closed, and when open expands to generate an inflated antechamber into which plasma is delivered.

Various embodiments are directed to battery unit for use with surgical instruments. The battery units may comprise a plurality of cells and include a translatable discharge drain. When attached to the surgical instrument, the discharge drain may electrically connect an anode of the battery unit to a cathode of the battery unit, for example, via a resistive element in order to drain the battery unit.

An antenna system comprises a transmission member and an antenna at a distal end of the transmission member. The antenna includes a first conductive arm, an insulator extending around the first conductive arm, and a second conductive arm wound around at least a first portion of the insulator to form a second conductive arm coil. A property of the insulator varies along an insulator longitudinal axis of the insulator. The insulator includes a set of formed patterns along at least a portion of the insulator longitudinal axis.

An electrically conductive irrigation fluid for use in bipolar resectoscopic surgery, wherein the irrigation fluid being brought into contact with the electrode of a resectoscope and tissue being coagulated and/or resected by means of the electrode surrounded by the irrigation fluid, wherein the irrigation fluid includes metal ions. Moreover, the method relates to a resectoscopy system including a resectoscope and an irrigation system that is connected to the resectoscope, the resectoscope having a handle and a tubular shaft, and the shaft including an electrode instrument that is arranged so as to be longitudinally displaceable and has in its distal end region an electrode to which high-frequency current can be applied, wherein the irrigation system includes an irrigation fluid, which can be conducted through the shaft of the resectoscope to the electrode.

A surgical instrument end effector assembly includes a first jaw member defining an insulative tissue-contacting surface and first and second electrically-conductive tissue-contacting surfaces disposed on either side of the insulative tissue-contacting surface. A second jaw member includes an ultrasonic blade body positioned to oppose the insulative tissue-contacting surface of the first jaw member. The first jaw member is movable relative to the second jaw member between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position to apply a first grasping force to tissue disposed therebetween. A slider is movable, independent of the first jaw member, between a retracted position, wherein the slider is disposed proximally of the first and second jaw members, and an extended position, wherein the slider extends about the first jaw member and urges the first jaw member from the approximated position further towards the second jaw member to apply a second, greater grasping force to tissue.