A surgical cautery device includes a voltage generator, a controller, forceps, an actuator, and a receiver. The voltage generator is configured to be electrically connected to a power source. The forceps are electrically coupled to the voltage generator and configured to cauterize tissue. The actuator is configured to generate and wirelessly transmit an on/off signal. The receiver is operable to wirelessly receive the on/off signal. The controller controls power to the voltage generator from the power source in response to the on/off signal.

A surgical instrument is provided and includes a housing having a shaft. An end effector assembly is operatively connected to a distal end of the shaft and has a pair of first and second jaw members that are movable relative to one another. A drive assembly operably couples to a handle assembly associated with the housing and is configured to impart movement of a respective jaw member when the handle assembly is actuated. A spring component operably associated with each of the jaw members is configured to provide a sealing force at the jaw members.

Embodiments are directed to various monopolar and bipolar electrosurgical scissor instruments. A monopolar electrosurgical scissor instrument includes one scissor blade that has an electrically conductive tapered edge, where the tapered edge is insufficiently sharp to shear or otherwise mechanically cut tissue. The scissors also include another electrically insulated scissor blade movably mounted to the first scissor blade. The second scissor blade includes a flat contact surface that is aligned with the tapered edge of the first scissor blade. The scissors further include a scissor body that includes a conductor that transfers electrical energy from an energy source to the tapered edge of the first electrically conductive scissor blade to electrically cut interlaying tissue located between the first electrically conductive scissor blade and the second electrically insulated scissor blade.

A jaw assembly includes an electrically-conductive tissue-engaging structure, a jaw member including a support base, and a non-electrically conductive member including a first portion configured to engage the electrically-conductive tissue-engaging structure and a second portion configured to engage the support base of the jaw member. The non-electrically conductive member adapted to electrically isolate the electrically-conductive tissue-engaging structure from the jaw member. The electrically-conductive tissue-engaging structure and the non-electrically conductive member cooperatively define a longitudinally-oriented knife channel therethrough.

A medical heater includes: a heat generating portion that is made of a material containing nickel, the heat generating portion being configured to generate heat when energized; and a passivation film that is made of nickel fluoride, the passivation film being configured to cover at least a part of a surface of the heat generating portion.

A medical heater includes: a substrate having a first plate surface and a second plate surface; and a conductive portion provided on the first plate surface. The substrate is folded back in a state where the first plate surface forms an outer surface in a longitudinal direction of the substrate, the conductive portion includes: a pair of connecting portions to which wiring members are electrically connected; a heat generating portion; and an electric path portion that is connected from the connecting portions to the heat generating portion, and the heat generating portion has a configuration in which a resistance value of the heat generating portion is higher than resistance values of other parts in the conductive portion, and a thickness measurement of at least a part of the heat generating portion is smaller than thickness measurements of other parts in the conductive portion.

Methods and devices for treating nasal airways are provided. Such devices and methods may improve airflow through an internal and/or external nasal valve, and comprise the use of mechanical re-shaping, energy application and other treatments to modify the shape, structure, and/or air flow characteristics of an internal nasal valve, an external nasal valve or other nasal airways.

A thermal cutting element for a surgical instrument includes a substrate, a Plasma Electrolytic Oxidation (PEO) coating disposed on the substrate, and a heating element disposed on the PEO coating and including first and second end portions adapted to connect to different potentials of electrical energy to heat the heating element. A jaw member of a surgical instrument includes a structural frame including a proximal flange portion and a distal body portion, a jaw housing surrounding the distal body portion of the structural frame, a tissue-treating plate disposed atop the jaw housing and defining a longitudinal slot therethrough along at least a portion of a length thereof, and the thermal cutting element disposed within the longitudinal slot.

A method of manufacturing a thermal cutting element for a surgical instrument includes manufacturing a substrate, coating at least a portion of the substrate via Plasma Electrolytic Oxidation (PEO), and disposing a heating element on at least a portion of the PEO-coated substrate. The method may further include attaching the thermal cutting element to a jaw member of a surgical instrument.

Apparatus and methods are provided for performing a medical procedure, such as a laparoscopic appendectomy using a stapler apparatus including a reusable handle portion including a shaft include proximal and distal ends, a disposable end effector attached to the distal end of the shaft of the reusable handle carrying one or more staples. For example, the end effector may include first and second jaws movable relative to one another between open and closed positions, the first jaw carrying a cartridge which includes the one or more staples. A Doppler sensor, a cutting element, and, optionally, a thermal element are also provided on the end effector. The end effector is introduced into a patient's body, tissue is positioned/locked between the jaws, and a plurality of staples are deployed into the tissue. The Doppler sensor is used to confirm that blood flow has discontinued in the stapled tissue, and the cutting element is actuated to sever the stapled tissue.