An electrosurgical instrument has a movable tissue cutting mechanism and a pair of opposing jaws having a first jaw and a second jaw. The jaws move between a closed position for clamping and sealing tissue therebetween and an open position. At least one jaw has a conductive core member and a non-conductive coating, the non-conductive coating covering a portion of the core member and exposing a portion of the core member to form a sealing surface area recessed relative to the non-conductive coating. Each jaw has an elongated slot for receiving a portion of the cutting mechanism, the cutting mechanism movable between a proximal position and a distal position for cutting tissue clamped between the pair of opposing jaws. A related method is also described.

A surgical end effector assembly includes a clevis, first and second jaw members, and first and second lead wires. The clevis defines first and second arms spaced-apart relative to one another and extending from a proximal body and a finger extending from the proximal body at least partially between the arms. The finger defines a mouth at a free distal end thereof and a channel in communication with the mouth. The jaw members include proximal flange portions at least partially disposed between the arms, distal body portions extending distally from the clevis, and electrically conductive tissue contacting surfaces. At least one jaw member is movable to grasp tissue. The lead wires are connected to the tissue contacting surfaces and extend proximally from the distal body portions of the first and second jaw members through the mouth and into the channel of the finger of the clevis.

A method for treating the lung dining an acute episode of reversible chronic obstructive pulmonary disease such as an asthma attack. The method comprises transferring energy to an airway wall of an airway such that a diameter of the airway is increased. The energy may be transferred to the airway wall prior to, during or after an asthma attack. The energy may be transferred in an amount sufficient to temporarily or permanently increase the diameter of the airway. The method may be performed while the airway is open, closed or partially closed.

The invention relates to a tissue ablation system including an ablation device having a deployable applicator head configured to be delivered to a tissue cavity and ablate marginal tissue surrounding the tissue cavity. The deployable applicator head is configured to be delivered to a tissue cavity while in a collapsed configuration and ablate marginal tissue surrounding the tissue cavity while in an expanded configuration.

An end effector assembly of a forceps includes a first jaw member having an electrically conductive tissue sealing surface configured to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy and a second jaw member having an electrically conductive tissue sealing surface configured to connect to the source of electrosurgical energy. The first and the second jaw members are disposed in space opposition relation relative to one another, and at least one of the jaw members is movable relative to the other between a first, open position and a second, closed position for the jaw members to grasp tissue therebetween. The tissue sealing surfaces of the first and the second jaw members are configured to form complementary stepped portions along an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the end effector assembly. The complementary stepped portions include a medial portion and a lateral portion on each of the first and second jaw, and one or both of the lateral surfaces has nonconductive stops.

A surgical instrument includes a handle assembly, an elongate body, a tool assembly, and an electrical energy source. The handle assembly includes an actuation knob. The elongate body extends distally from the handle assembly and defines a longitudinal axis. In particular, tool assembly is operatively coupled to the handle assembly and extends from a distal end of the elongate body. The tool assembly includes first and second jaw members each including an electrically conductive cutting element. The cutting elements are operatively coupled to the actuation knob. In particular, the cutting elements are movable between a first position in which the cutting elements are disposed within the respective jaw members and a second position in which the cutting elements extend out of the respective jaw members and are in general vertical registration with each other such that electrical energy can be transferred from the first jaw member to the second jaw member.

In one aspect, a fixed position RF electrode for conducting surgical procedures, includes a main device body detachably connectable to an RF generating system, a first polarized conductor and a second oppositely polarized conductor, a bipolar electrical conduit passing through the main device body that passes RF energy from the RF generating system to the first polarized conductor and the second oppositely polarized conductor, and a bipolar electrode for contacting a surgically operative material.

A treatment instrument includes: a first holding surface including a first high frequency electrode portion; a second holding surface configured to hold living tissue cooperatively with the first holding surface and including a second high frequency electrode portion; a blade configured to apply pressure to the living tissue held between the first and second holding surfaces by a projected surface; and a heater which is capable of heating the first holding surface to a second temperature higher than the first temperature and sufficient to incise the living tissue held between the first and second holding surfaces by the blade, upon receipt of energy supplied at the same time as or after energy supply to the first and second high frequency electrode portions.

A surgical instrument includes a housing, first, second, and third actuators operably coupled to the housing, an at least partially semi-rigid shaft extending distally from the housing, an end effector assembly disposed at a distal end of the shaft, and first, second, and third bars extending through the shaft in non-coaxial arrangement. The first bar is operably coupled between the first actuator and the end effector assembly such that actuation thereof effects manipulation of the end effector assembly. The second bar is operably coupled between the second actuator and a first deployable component such that actuation thereof effects deployment of the first deployable component relative to the end effector assembly. The third bar is operably coupled between the third actuator and a second deployable component such that actuation thereof effects deployment of the second deployable component relative to the end effector assembly.

A surgical instrument has an end-effector located on the end of a rotatable shaft, the shaft projecting from a handle. A thumbwheel is provided at the proximal end of the handle, which controls the rotation of the shaft, and hence the rotational orientation of the end-effector. The end-effector is capable of grasping, cutting, and sealing and/or coagulating tissue, and one of the operations is controlled by a switch located on the upper surface of the proximal end of the handle. The switch is oriented on the handle to be generally above the thumbwheel, in a relative position to the thumbwheel so that both the thumbwheel and the switch may be activated by the user's thumb, without the user having to alter his grip on the handle. In one embodiment of the invention the switch is therefore vertically oriented above the thumbwheel.