An improved electrosurgical scalpel, with fume evacuation, for generating electrical signals intended for applications to the body of a patient via an electrosurgical electrode is provided that includes a channel to evacuate fumes generated. An electrosurgical scalpel includes a handle with a receptacle portion of a conductive hollow member for mounting and retaining an electrode blade and evacuating fumes, an optional light source with a power source that may be encapsulated within the handle and a vacuum port for applying a vacuum source to draw fumes away from the electrode tip through the chanel. Operation of a slide on the handle serves to retract or extend the electrode blade, and direct fume evacuation.

An electrosurgical device is described. The device can include a housing, a channel, and an actuator. The channel can comprise an electrode forming a tip. The actuator can be mechanically coupled to the electrode and the housing. The actuator can be configured to move between a first position and a second position and can be further configured to transition the tip from a retracted position when the actuator is at the first position to an extended position when the actuator is at the second position. A movement of the actuator from the first position to the second position can close an electrical circuit comprising the electrode and a source of electrical energy to generate a flow of current through the electrode for heating the tip to an elevated temperature suitable for cauterizing tissue.

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.

The disclosure provides a method of manufacturing a flexible circuit electrode assembly and an apparatus manufactured by said method. According to the method, an electrically conductive sheet is laminated to an electrically insulative sheet. An electrode is formed on the electrically conductive sheet. An electrically insulative layer is formed on a tissue contacting surface of the electrode. The individual electrodes are separated from the laminated electrically insulative sheet and the electrically conductive sheet. In another method, a flexible circuit is vacuum formed to create a desired profile. The vacuum formed flexible circuit is trimmed. The trimmed vacuum formed flexible circuit is attached to a jaw member of a clamp jaw assembly.

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.

An electrode assembly for an electrosurgical instrument includes a housing having an active electrical connector and a return electrical connector configured to operably engage a distal end of an electrosurgical instrument shaft, the housing encapsulating an elongated return electrode and a pair of insulative tubes configured to house a wire-like active electrode. The elongated return electrode includes a clevis at a distal end thereof and operably engages to the return electrical connector at a proximal end thereof. The wire-like active electrode operably engages at one end to the active electrical connector. A donut-like insulator is operably engaged to the clevis of the elongated return electrode and is configured to support the wire-like active electrode therearound. A tensioning mechanism is configured to operably engage an opposite end of the wire-like electrode and tension the wire-like active electrode about the donut-like insulator during assembly.

An integrated cannula/RF electrode for an RF ablation system includes a cannula including a cannula hub and a shaft extending from the cannula hub, wherein the shaft includes a distal portion; an RF electrode including a distal portion, wherein at least a portion of the RF electrode is permanently disposed within the cannula; and a deployment mechanism coupled to the RF electrode and either coupled to the cannula hub or extending from the cannula hub, wherein the deployment mechanism includes an actuator coupled to the RF electrode and is configured to extend the distal portion of the RF electrode out of the distal portion of the shaft of the cannula by actuation of the actuator.

A surgical instrument includes a housing, a shaft extending distally from the housing, an end effector assembly at a distal end portion of the shaft, and a drive assembly. The drive assembly includes a movable handle, a carriage operably coupled to the movable handle, an inner drive operably coupled to the end effector assembly, and a spring assembly operably coupling the carriage and the inner drive. The spring assembly includes inner and outer coil springs arranged in a nested configuration. Initial actuation of the movable handle slides the carriage such that the spring assembly transfers the sliding of the carriage into translation of the inner drive to apply a jaw force by the end effector assembly. Subsequent actuation of the movable handle slides the carriage to compress the spring assembly to substantially maintain a position of the inner drive, thereby controlling the jaw force.

A surgical instrument includes a housing and a trigger assembly. The trigger assembly includes a trigger including a drive portion and a manipulation portion, a rocker, a linkage, and a slider. The trigger is pivotably coupled to the housing such that the drive and manipulation portions are moved in different directions in response to actuation of the trigger. The drive portion of the trigger is pivotably coupled to the rocker. The linkage is pivotably coupled to the rocker and the housing at opposing end portions thereof. The slider is pivotably coupled to the rocker and operably coupled to the deployable component. Actuation of the manipulation portion of the trigger moves the drive portion of the trigger distally to thereby urge the rocker distally, pivot the linkage about the second end portion thereof, and slide the slider distally to deploy the deployable component distally.

The present teachings provide for a device with a membrane and an underlying switch, an underlying switch actuator, or both that has a unique tactile pattern that is felt through the membrane when the membrane is aligned with the switch, switch actuator, or both, corresponding to the electrical state of the device. The membrane, the switch, the switch actuator or a combination thereof can be repositioned from a first position to a second position so that a different tactile feel is present through the membrane corresponding to a second electrical state.