An electrosurgical instrument comprising an end effector including a first jaw and a second jaw. The end effector is transitionable from an open configuration to a closed configuration to grasp tissue. The second jaw comprises a gradually narrowing body extending from a proximal end to a distal end. The gradually narrowing body comprises a conductive material, a first conductive portion extending from the proximal end to the distal end, and a second conductive portion defining a tapered electrode protruding from the first conductive portion and extending distally along at least a portion of the gradually narrowing body. The second jaw further comprises an electrically insulative layer configured to electrically insulate the first conductive portion from the tissue but not the second conductive portion. The first conductive portion is configured to transmit an electrical energy to the tissue only through the second conductive portion.

An electrosurgical instrument comprising an end effector is disclosed. The end effector comprises a first jaw and a second jaw. At least one of the first jaw and the second jaw is movable to transition the end effector from an open configuration to a closed configuration to grasp tissue therebetween. The second jaw comprises linear portions cooperating to form an angular profile and a treatment surface comprising segments extending along the angular profile. The segments comprise different geometries and different conductivities. The segments are configured to produce variable energy densities along the treatment surface.

An electrosurgical instrument comprising an end effector including a first jaw, a second jaw, and an electrical circuit is disclosed. The first jaw comprises a first conductive skeleton, a first insulative coating selectively covering portions of the first conductive skeleton, and first-jaw electrodes comprising exposed portions of the first conductive skeleton. The second jaw comprises a second conductive skeleton, a second insulative coating selectively covering portions of the second conductive skeleton, and second-jaw electrodes comprising exposed portions of the second conductive skeleton. The circuit is configured to transmit a bipolar RF energy and a monopolar RF energy to the tissue through the first-jaw electrodes and the second-jaw electrodes. The monopolar RF energy shares a first electrical pathway and a second electrical pathway defined by the electrical circuit for transmission of the bipolar RF energy.

An electrosurgical instrument comprising a jaw configured to define an electrode is disclosed. The jaw comprises a first electrically conductive portion, a second electrically conductive portion, and an electrically insulative layer. The first electrically conductive portion is configured to resist heat transfer therethrough. The second electrically conductive portion is integral with and extending at least partially around the first electrically conductive portion. The second electrically conductive portion is configured to define a heat sink. The electrode is defined by selective application of the electrically insulative layer to an outer surface of the second electrically conductive portion.

A circuit for generating a radio-frequency signal for a surgical device is disclosed. The circuit has a voltage regulator that supplies direct current (DC) voltage, a first MOSFET, a second MOSFET, and a MOSFET driver. The MOSFET driver receives the DC voltage supplied from the voltage regulator and has a local oscillator. The local oscillator switches the first MOSFET and the second MOSFET on and off at a frequency generated by the local oscillator. The circuit further includes a transformer connected to the first and second MOSFETs, having a center tap and a main voltage applied at the center tap, and providing an alternating current (AC) output.

A cold plasma medical device includes a plasma generator and a nozzle. The plasma generator is located within a housing. The plasma generator is configured to generate key RONs radicals from cold atmospheric plasma at energy levels less than 4 watts. The nozzle is in communication with the plasma generator and is configured to receive the cold atmospheric plasma and to enhance the RONs. The nozzle contains an electrode and a catalyst. The electrode is configured to converge the cold atmospheric plasma into the nozzle. The catalyst is adjacent the electrode and is configured to enhance the cold atmospheric plasma RONs. A controller is configured to regulate the performance of the medical device. In use, plasma with enhanced RONs is discharged through a tip of the nozzle.

A battery assembly includes a battery pack configured to supply energy to a load having a required energy, a housing enclosing the battery pack therein, a converter configured to convert an internal energy of the battery pack, and a controller configured to adjust a parameter of the converter based on information received from the load via a communication interface such that the converter converts the internal energy to the energy required by the load, wherein the converted internal energy is supplied to the load as the supplied energy.

A surgical instrument includes a first power source and a second power source. The first power source is configured to deliver power to a surgical instrument at a first rate of discharge. The second power source is configured to deliver power to the first power source at a second rate of discharge. The first power source and the second power source are positioned within the surgical instrument. The first power source and the second power source are further configured to communicate with a control module. The control module may rely on power from the first power source to drive an end effector of the surgical instrument. The end effector may comprise a harmonic/ultrasonic blade, RF electrosurgical electrodes, powered cutting/stapling features, and/or various other types of components.

Disclosed is a method of controlling a modular battery powered handheld surgical instrument. The surgical instrument including a battery, a user input sensor, a controller, a radio frequency (RF) drive circuit, an ultrasonic transducer, ultrasonic transducer drive circuit, and an end effector. The end effector including an electrode electrically coupled to RF drive circuit, an ultrasonic blade acoustically coupled to the ultrasonic transducer, and a sensor to measure tissue parameters. The method includes applying an RF current drive signal to the electrode by the RF drive circuit; applying an ultrasonic drive signal to the ultrasonic transducer by the ultrasonic transducer drive circuit to acoustically excite the ultrasonic blade; controlling intensity, wave shape, and/or frequency of the RF current drive signal and the ultrasonic drive signal on a sensed measure of a tissue or user parameter.

Apparatus, consisting of a power supply having a first electrical connection to a relatively high voltage source and connectable to ablation circuitry in a catheter via a second electrical connection. There are rechargeable first and second subsidiary power sources in the power supply. The apparatus also has a control unit, and a first switch alternately connecting the ablation circuitry to the first and second subsidiary power sources responsively to control signals from the control unit. The apparatus also has a second switch alternately connecting one of the first and second subsidiary power sources to the high voltage source for recharging thereof responsively to the control signals while the one of the first and second subsidiary power sources is disconnected from the ablation circuitry and another of the first and second subsidiary power sources is connected to the ablation circuitry by the first switch.