An electrosurgical probe includes an elongated shaft assembly having a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis. A distal housing is mounted on the distal end of the shaft and optionally includes a laterally open window where a plane of the window is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shaft. An interior channel extends axially through the shaft and further through an interior of the housing to the window in the housing. An electrode member with a serrated or other elongated edge may extend longitudinally across the window and may be configured to reciprocate the elongated edge longitudinally relative to the window.

A continuous rotation assembly that may be positioned in the housing of an electrosurgical device to maintain electrical continuity between an electrosurgical power source and an electrosurgical implement positioned at the end of a rotatable shaft. A stator is positioned about the shaft and fixed against rotation and includes a pair of rings that are electrically isolated from each other. A rotor having first and second sets of pins that are electrically isolated from each other is positioned about the shaft and rotatable therewith. The pins are positioned to stay contact with the pair of rings as the shaft and rotor rotate. A first pair of wires couples the pins to the electrosurgical implement. A second pair of wires couples the pair of rings to an electrosurgical power source, thereby providing power to the implement even if the shaft is rotated continuously.

An electrosurgical device (10) is provided that is operable to deliver microwave energy within a controlled angular expanse to cause targeted tissue ablation. The device (10) comprises a blocking or reflecting material such as cylindrical members (34) that are laterally spaced from the antenna (20) that is operable to emit the microwave energy. The reflecting material creates regions in and/or surrounding the device into which sensors (51), such as thermocouple wires, may be placed to monitor a condition associated with the device or the patient's body.

Provided is a system and medical device that includes self diagnosing control switches. The control switch may be slidable within a slot in order to control activation of some function of the medical device. Due to natural wear and tear of movement of a control switch, the distances along the sliding slot that correspond to how much energy is used for the function may need to be adjusted over time in order to reflect the changing physical attributes of the actuator mechanism. The self diagnosing control switches of the present disclosures may be configured to automatically adjust for these thresholds using, for example, Hall effect sensors and magnets. In addition, in some cases, the self diagnosing control switches may be capable of indicating external influences on the controls, as well as predict a time until replacement is needed.

A forceps having at least a first jaw with a longitudinal axis is disclosed. The first jaw can include a body portion, a first flange, a second flange and a cam pin. The first flange can define a first cam slot with a longitudinal extent along the longitudinal axis. The second flange can be spaced from the first flange a distance transverse to the longitudinal axis of the first jaw and can have a second cam slot. The cam pin, with a longitudinal axis, can be moveably secured within the first cam slot and the second cam slot. A diameter of the cam pin can be less than a width between a first longitudinal edge that defines a first side of each of the first cam slot and the second cam slot and a second longitudinal edge that defines a second opposing side of each of the first cam slot and the second cam slot so that the cam pin is moveably received by both the first cam slot and the second cam slot. With the first jaw pivoted to at least a first position, the cam pin and first flange can be configured such that the first longitudinal edge is contacted by the cam pin but the second longitudinal edge is spaced from the cam pin. The cam pin and second flange can be configured such that the first longitudinal edge is spaced from the cam pin but the second longitudinal edge is contacted by the cam pin.

A method for removing tissues may comprise disposing a tissue resection device at a target tissue site, causing the tissue resection device to resect a core of tissue from the target tissue site, removing the core of tissue from the body, wherein the removing the core of tissue from the body creates a core cavity at the target tissue site.

Disclosed herein are various embodiments of electrosurgical devices. In one embodiment a removable tip for use with an electrosurgical tool comprises a first tip member and a second tip member, each having a proximal end and a distal end; an actuator for moving the first and second tip members between a closed position where the distal ends of the first and second tip members are proximate one another, and an open position where the distal ends of the first and second tip members are separated by a distance from one another, wherein the actuator includes a first actuating member comprising a portion of the first tip member and a second actuating member comprising a portion of the second tip member; and an insertion member coupled with the proximal ends of the tip members for inserting the removable tip within an opening in the electrosurgical tool.

An apparatus includes a shaft assembly. A sliding electrical coupling provides electrical continuity between components of the shaft while permitting movement of a second shaft component relative to a first shaft component at the joint. An end effector is positioned at a distal end of the shaft assembly and is operable to engage tissue of a patient. A sensor is positioned adjacent to the joint and is configured to measure a joint parameter indicating a state of the sliding electrical coupling. The sensor transmits a first signal indicative of the measured joint parameter to a control module. The control module determines whether the measured joint parameter exceeds a maximum deviation from a predetermined value. When the measured joint parameter exceeds a maximum deviation from a predetermined value, the control module initiates a responsive action.

Tissue treatment systems include an actuator handle assembly coupled with a clamp assembly having a first jaw mechanism and a second jaw mechanism. A first jaw mechanism includes a first flexible boot, a first flexible ablation member coupled with the first flexible boot, and a first rotatable jawbone disposed within the first flexible boot. A second jaw mechanism comprises a second flexible boot, a second flexible ablation member coupled with the second flexible boot, and a second rotatable jawbone disposed within the second flexible boot.

There is provided a surgical instrument having a plurality of methods of use and reducing the number of times that treatment portions are detachably replaced. The surgical instrument includes a treatment unit having a first treatment portion on an end portion thereof and a second treatment portion on another end portion thereof, and a holder that supports the treatment unit so as to allow the states of use of the first treatment portion and the second treatment portion to be switched. The holder supports the holder so as to be rotatable around a switching shaft for switching the states of use of the first treatment portion and the second treatment portion, and supports the treatment unit such that, while one of the first treatment portion and the second treatment portion is in a usable state, the other is in a standby state.