An end effector assembly for a surgical instrument includes first and second jaw members each including a jaw housing, an electrically-conductive tissue-treatment plate, and a longitudinally-extending channel. The first and/or second jaw member is movable relative to the other between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position. A cutting mechanism is disposed at least partially within the second jaw member. The cutting mechanism may include an inflatable bladder, a fluid line coupled to the inflatable bladder, and a knife coupled to the inflatable bladder. The cutting mechanism may alternatively include a fluid line, a knife, and a sealing member that defines a variable-volume sealed chamber within the longitudinally-extending channel of the second jaw member. The cutting mechanism may alternatively include at least one electromagnet, at least one electrical wire coupled to the at least one electromagnet, and a knife operably coupled to the at least one electromagnet.

A matrix router with frequency switching is provided having an energy source electrically connected to a plurality of interface ports. A switching device is provided between the energy source and the plurality of switches. One of the plurality of interface ports includes a paired electrode interface port for the connection of a paired electrode device thereto. The paired electrode device has a first pair of opposed electrodes and a second pair of opposed electrodes for clamping on tissue. When the paired electrode device is operably connected to the paired electrode interface port and actuated, the switching device alternates energy such as bipolar RF from the first pair of opposed electrodes to the second pair of opposed electrodes.

An HF surgical instrument includes two instrument branches movable toward each other into a closing position. Each branch is equipped with at least one electrode and can be supplied with electric power from a power source. The HF instrument includes a separately configured bridge which is connectable to the power source via at least one electric connection or at least one electric line and includes at least one electrically conductive contact point for supplying the at least one electrode with electric power. The bridge can be introduced to at least one of the two branches so that the at least one contact point is electrically contacted by the at least one electrode. A method of assembling a HF surgical instrument includes equipping two instrument branches with at least one electrode.

A tissue treatment system configured to ablate a tissue, the system comprising: (a) a clamp assembly comprising a first jaw mechanism and a second jaw mechanism configured to receive and compress a tissue therebetween; (b) a first electrode disposed on the first jaw mechanism and configured to contact the tissue; and (c) a second electrode disposed on the second jaw mechanism and configured to contact the tissue, where the first electrode and the second electrode are configured so that at least one of an ablation energy output of the first electrode and an ablation energy output of the second electrode is automatically adjusted to accommodate variable tissue thicknesses between the first electrode and the second electrode.

An electrosurgical device can be delivered to a tissue site to provide supplemental sealing of vessels and/or vascular tissue that include suturing, stapling, or the like. The electrosurgical device is generally in the form of forceps, and includes an end effector assembly including opposing movable jaws. Each jaw includes a deformable pad or cushion including an electrode array positioned thereon. Each deformable cushion is configured to deliver a fluid, such as saline, during activation of the electrode array, thereby creating a virtual electrode which couples radiofrequency (RF) energy emitted from the electrode array into tissue in which the RF energy is converted into thermal energy. The deformable cushion and electrode array provide a controlled degree of compression upon the target tissue or vessel to maintain integrity of a suture, staple, or clip, as well as controlled energy emission for sealing, cauterizing, coagulating, and/or desiccating the target tissue or vessel.

Unitary endoscopic vessel harvesting devices are disclosed. In some embodiments, such devices may comprise an elongated body having a proximal end and a distal end. A conical tip may be disposed at the distal end of the elongated body. In addition, the surgical instrument may include one or more surgical instruments moveable in a longitudinal direction along an axis substantially parallel to a central longitudinal axis of the cannula from a retracted position proximally of a distal end of the tip to an advanced position toward the distal end of the tip to seal and cut a blood vessel.

An apparatus includes a shaft assembly and an end effector. The shaft assembly includes an outer sheath, at least one irrigation conduit, and at least one suction conduit. The end effector includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and a web. The electrodes extend distally relative to a distal end of the outer sheath. The electrodes are operable to apply bipolar RF energy to tissue. The web extends laterally between the first and second electrodes. The web is positioned distal to the distal end of the outer sheath.

A method and apparatus for ablating tissue are disclosed that comprise positioning two or more bi-directional ablation energy sources in spaced-apart relation in sufficient proximity to the tissue to be ablated so that, upon activation each energy source creates an energy field in the tissue to be ablated. The energy sources are spaced such that the energy fields created by at least one of the activated sources partially overlaps with the energy field created by one or more of the other energy sources. The energy sources are alternately activated and deactivated, so that a substantially constant energy field results where the energy fields created by at least two of the energy sources overlap. While the energy sources are preferably RF energy sources, other energy sources, such as microwave, may be used.

Surgical devices and related methods are disclosed. An example surgical device may include an end effector disposed at a distal end of the shaft, the end effector comprising a head, the head comprising an articulating mechanism, the articulating mechanism being operable to move a first jaw between an open position in which the first jaw and a second jaw are separated and substantially non-parallel and a closed position in which the first jaw and the second jaw are substantially adjacent and substantially parallel, where each of the first jaw and the second jaw comprises a first substantially straight portion proximate the head, a second substantially straight portion, a third substantially straight portion distant from the head, a first curved portion between the first substantially straight portion and the second substantially straight portion, and a second curved portion between the second substantially straight portion and the third substantially straight portion.

An apparatus includes a shaft assembly and an end effector. The shaft assembly includes an outer sheath, at least one irrigation conduit, and at least one suction conduit. The end effector includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and a web. The electrodes extend distally relative to a distal end of the outer sheath. The electrodes are operable to apply bipolar RF energy to tissue. The web extends laterally between the first and second electrodes. The web is positioned distal to the distal end of the outer sheath.