Treatment instrument with movable handle and fixed handle includes biasing member for biasing the movable handle in an opening direction and an assist system with attraction force, e.g., magnetic force, to attract the movable handle in a closing direction toward the fixed handle. Range of movement of movable handle includes first movable range and second movable range. The second movable range occurs when a second gripping piece, e.g. a jaw, is in contact with respect to a first gripping piece, e.g., a vibration transmission member, and the movable handle is then further moved in a direction toward the fixed handle to a fully closed position. In the second movable range, attraction forces associated with the assist system are smaller than biasing force from the biasing member so that, upon release of a gripping force by an operator, the movable handle moves away from the fixed handle.

One aspect of the present disclosure is a medical treatment tool including a first arm having a first end and a second end and a second arm having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the first arm and the first end of the second arm are coupled such that a distance between the second end of the first arm and the second end of the second arm is adjustable. Each of the first arm and the second arm comprises: a conductor extending from the first end to the second end and exposed at the second end; a support containing a composite material made of a resin and a reinforcing material as a main component and extending along the conductor; and a cover covering the conductor and the support.

A surgical instrument includes a shaft defining an axis, an end effector coupled to a distal portion thereof, a fixed handle coupled to a proximal portion thereof, a drive bar, a movable handle, and a linkage. The drive bar is disposed within the shaft and operably coupled to the end effector. The movable handle is movable relative to the fixed handle between open and closed positions and is coupled to the drive bar via a first pin on the axis. The linkage includes a first end portion coupled to the movable handle via a second pin and a second end portion coupled to the shaft via a third pin on the axis. In the closed position of the movable handle, the second pin is disposed in a near-over-center position relative to the axis to reduce a force necessary to maintain the movable handle in the closed position.

A method for attaching a drive rod to a knife includes: forming a knife having proximal and distal ends; forming an aperture within the proximal end of the knife, the aperture including a series of fins disposed therein; weaving a distal end of a knife rod through the series of fins in an alternating manner; and engaging a cap onto the distal end of the knife drive rod to secure the knife drive rod within the aperture of the knife.

Certain aspects relate to systems, devices and techniques for vessel sealing and cutting. In particular, an instrument is provided that is capable of performing multiple functions, including sealing and cutting. The instrument can be robotically controlled, and can include a shaft, a multi-DOF wrist, and an end effector. The end effector is capable of generating and delivering heat via different energy modalities to perform the various functions at different temperatures.

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.

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 treatment instrument includes a rotating body and a housing. The rotating body includes a connecting portion including: a supported portion having a cylindrical outer peripheral surface, and an engaged portion that is adjacent to the supported surface. The housing includes a supporting portion that is configured to support the supported portion of the rotating body, the supporting portion being rotatable around a predetermined rotation axis; and an engaging portion that is configured to generate a frictional force larger than a frictional force between the supporting portion and the supported portion by coming into contact with the engaged portion.

A method for manufacturing a jaw assembly configured for use with an electrosurgical forceps is provided. A seal plate with an inwardly facing tab member extending along a peripheral edge thereof is formed. A cavity defined along the inwardly facing tab member of the seal plate is formed. Subsequently, the seal plate is overmolded to a jaw housing. The cavity is configured to receive an insulative substrate therein to facilitate securing the seal plate to the jaw housing.

The present invention relates to surgical dissection tips comprising a substrate comprising beryllium copper and a ferromagnetic layer coating at least a portion of the substrate, and methods of making such surgical dissection tips.