A connection system for an electrosurgical instrument comprises first and second connectors capable of being mated one with the other, the first connector (5) being associated with an electrosurgical generator (1) and the second connector (12) being associated with the electrosurgical instrument (9). The first and second connectors each include at least three connector components, each of the three connector components of the first connector (5) being capable of being connected and disconnected to a to respective one of the three connector components of the second connector (12). When the first connector components (14, 19) are connected to each other they are capable of delivering an RF energy output from the electrosurgical generator (1) to the electrosurgical instrument (9). When the second connector components (16, 22) are connected to each other they are capable of delivering a supply of ionizable gas to the electrosurgical instrument (9). When the third connector components (15, 21) are connected to each other they capable of identifying the electrosurgical instrument (9) to the electrosurgical generator (1). When the first and second connectors are mated one with the other, the third connector components (15, 21) are connected one to the other only after the first and second connector components are connected one to the other.

An electrosurgical apparatus for the treatment, even without contact, of an inner and/or outer tissue is described. The apparatus includes a graspable handpiece and has an end fitted with a single active electrode, a generator system configured to generate a radio frequency electrical signal adapted to bias the active electrode to generate a plasma glow discharge between the active electrode and the tissue when the active electrode is in the proximity of the tissue. The apparatus also includes a stabilizing cable configured to close a circuit with the handpiece and the plasma glow discharge and to allow a return of a part of the current generated in the plasma discharge from the tissue toward the generator system.

A plasma guide wire includes a guide wire main body, a first tube that is made of an insulating resin and covers a distal end side of the guide wire main body, a second tube that is made of an insulating resin and covers a proximal end side of the guide wire main body, and a third tube that is made of an insulating resin, covers an intermediate portion of the guide wire main body located between the distal end side and the proximal end side, has a distal end portion joined to a proximal end portion of the first tube, and has a proximal end portion joined to a distal end portion of the second tube. Any one or more of the first tube, the second tube, and the third tube forms a gas layer filled with gas, in conjunction with the guide wire main body.

An electrosurgical wand is disclosed for treating a plurality of tissues at a variety of tissue locations. The electrosurgical wand includes a handle on a proximal end and an elongate shaft with a combination active electrode at the distal end. The combination active electrode includes with a blade and screen portion; the blade portion extending along and laterally from the wand longitudinal axis, forming a dissecting tip. The screen portion extends from the blade portion at an obtuse angle and has at least one aspiration aperture through it. The wand also includes a second and third electrode, proximally spaced from the combination active electrode. The second electrode spans a portion of an outside surface of the wand adjacent the blade portion, while the third electrode spans a portion of the outside surface of the wand opposite the second electrode.

A multifunctional medical device, apparatus or system that is capable of perforating a surgical procedure or operation and also capable of attracting, collecting, removing or reducing debris generated by the surgical procedure or operation, on a subject The apparatus comprising a plurality of electrodes, two of which are configured to be in electrical communication with or being electrically connectable to opposite poles of a source of high voltage dc electricity to ionize, attract, collect, and remove or reduce debris. At least one of the electrodes is also configured to be part of a RF circuit to perform a surgical procedure or operation such as tissue cutting, cauterization tissue sealing or coagulating at a surgical site on the subject.

A high-frequency surgical device for treating a tissue surface, device having an electrode device, in which a first electrode is formed on a working surface intended for contact with the tissue, and having a high-frequency generator, to the one pole of which the first electrode can be connected for operation. The surgical device is wherein a second electrode is formed on the working surface which electrode can be connected to the same pole, wherein a control device is connected to this and is designed initially to connect the first electrode and then to switch on the second electrode.

A tissue cutting device has an outer sleeve with a distal window and an inner cutting sleeve which moves past the window to cut tissue. The inner cutting sleeve has a lumen which may have a larger proximal diameter than distal diameter. A perimeter of the window may comprise a dielectric material. A distal edge of the inner sleeve may be displaced inwardly.

A multifunctional medical device, apparatus or system that is capable of perforating a surgical procedure or operation and also capable of attracting, collecting, removing or reducing debris generated by the surgical procedure or operation, on a subject. The apparatus comprising a plurality of electrodes, two of which are configured to be in electrical communication with or being electrically connectable to opposite poles of a source of high voltage dc electricity to ionize, attract, collect, and remove or reduce debris. At least one of the electrodes is also configured to be part of a RF circuit to perform a surgical procedure or operation such as tissue cutting, cauterization tissue sealing or coagulating at a surgical site on the subject.

An electrosurgical apparatus for generating a plasma discharge beam is provided. In one aspect, the electrosurgical apparatus includes a first fluid flow housing, a second fluid flow housing, and an electrode. A first gas is provided to the distal end of the first fluid flow housing, where the electrode is energized to ionize the first gas and generate a plasma discharge beam. A second gas is provided to the distal end of the second fluid flow housing, where the distal end of the second fluid flow housing injects the second gas into the plasma discharge beam. In another aspect, the electrosurgical apparatus includes a single fluid flow housing having an external electrode and an internal electrode. In another aspect, the electrosurgical apparatus includes a transformer assembly having a plurality of serially-connected transformers.

Disclosed herein are embodiments of an electrosurgical device that include one or more floating electrodes and are specifically adapted to remove, resect, ablate, vaporize, denaturize, coagulate and form lesions in soft tissues, preferably in combination with a resectoscope, particularly in the context of urological, gynecological, laparoscopic, arthroscopic, and ENT procedures. Specific adaptations for urological and gynecological applications, for example BPH treatment, are also described.