A vein harvesting device for harvesting a vein in a living body comprises a tubular member possessing a lumen, a dissecting member positioned in the lumen of the tubular member to dissect tissue surrounding the vein, a protrusion at the distal end portion of the dissecting member, and a heating member located at the distal end portion of the dissecting member and being separate from the protrusion. The tubular member is rotatable relative to at least one of the dissecting member and the heating member.

A vein harvesting device for harvesting a vein in a body comprises: an elongated hollow member possessing a distal end portion and a proximal end portion; and a dissecting member at the distal end portion of the elongated hollow member and configured to dissect tissue in the body surrounding the vein during harvesting of the vein, with the dissecting member possessing a proximal end portion communicating with the elongated hollow member, and the dissecting member also possessing a distal end portion. The distal end portion of the dissecting member is an upturned distal end portion that is upturned toward a distal-most end of the distal end portion, and the upturned distal end portion of the dissecting member contacting tissue surrounding the vein during the harvesting of the vein.

A surgical instrument includes a hollow member having a sidewall provided with a window and a closure member movably connected to the hollow member for alternately covering and uncovering the window. The hollow member has a first clamping surface along an edge of the window, while the closure member has a second clamping surface opposing the first clamping surface and disposable substantially adjacent thereto in a clamping or closure configuration of the instrument. The instrument additionally comprises a tissue occlusion component mounted to at least one of the hollow member and the closure member for acting on tissues gripped between the first clamping surface and the second clamping surface, to couple the tissues to each other.

Bipolar electrosurgical instrument having a first and a second opposing jaw member at a distal end thereof, wherein each jaw member includes an outer housing, and an inner tissue engaging surface corresponding to the inner tissue engaging surface of the opposing jaw. The instruments includes the ability to move the jaw members 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. The jaws include asymmetrical electrodes disposed on the inner tissue engaging surfaces. A first contact region of the electrode has a greater surface area than that of the second contact region. During resection procedures wider electrodes impart improved sealing energy to the patient-side vessel while providing sufficient energy to resected tissue to effect hemostasis.

A surgical instrument includes an end effector and a housing mechanically coupled to the end effector. The end effector includes a first actuating device configured to perform a first surgical procedure and a second actuating device integrally associated with the first actuating device and configured to perform a second surgical procedure, the second surgical procedure being independently operable and different than the first surgical procedure. An outer portion of the first actuating device and an outer portion of the second actuating device form a portion of an outer housing of the end effector. The housing includes a first actuator, mechanically coupled to the first actuating device and configured to impart movement to the first actuating device and a second actuator, mechanically coupled to the second actuating device and configured to impart movement to the second actuating device.

A system, apparatus, and method of using the same are disclosed for carrying out a transvascular procedure such as a Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt (TIPS) procedure using energy to create a tract between the hepatic vein and the portal vein. The present invention provides a flexible puncturing solution to effectively perform a transvascular procedure such as a TIPS procedure while minimizing damage to the liver and surrounding soft tissues or organs.

A vessel dissector for harvesting a target vessel from a donor has a generally cylindrical tip body with a sloping channel formed along a longitudinal side. A channel bottom provides a channel depth that decreases from a distal channel end to a proximal channel end. The tip body has a crescent-shaped forward lip extending distally from the channel. An arcuate collar is slidably disposed in an arcuate recess within the tip body to selectably bridge the channel at the distal end of the channel to form a ring profile with the forward lip. A first ferromagnetic heating element is disposed along a radially outward surface of the forward lip. A second ferromagnetic heating element is disposed on a distal edge of the arcuate collar. The first and second ferromagnetic heating elements are adapted to be energized simultaneously to make a vasiform cut including a pedicle around the target vessel.

An electrosurgical system is disclosed. The electrosurgical system includes an electrosurgical generator adapted to supply electrosurgical energy to tissue. The electrosurgical generator includes impedance sensing circuitry which measures impedance of tissue, a microprocessor configured to determine whether a tissue reaction has occurred as a function of a minimum impedance value and a predetermined rise in impedance, wherein tissue reaction corresponds to a boiling point of tissue fluid, and an electrosurgical instrument including at least one active electrode adapted to apply electrosurgical energy to tissue.

A female insertion system is provided. The system includes a conformable insert shaped for insertion into one or more structures of a female human that are associated with at least one of reproduction and one or more erogenous zones; one or more sensors, at least one of the sensors included in the insert, and configured to measure and to relay data, wherein the data is acquired on one of a one-time basis and a multiple-time basis included one of a non-continuous period, a continuous period, and an intermittent temporal period; and a processor configured to: control the insert; generate a treatment for one of the structures of the female human; store the data; and based on the data, automatically affect one or more of the structures via the insert.

A catheter for use in a system for forming a fistula between two vessels. The catheter comprises a catheter shaft, and a split backstop coupled to the catheter shaft and configured to receive a fistula-forming electrode. The split backstop has a proximal section and a distal section. The proximal section and the distal section are moveable relative to each other.