An apparatus comprises a first jaw, a second jaw, a first handle, and a second handle. The second jaw is pivotally coupled with the first jaw. The first jaw and the second jaw are configured to grasp tissue. The jaws provide offset electrode surfaces that are operable to deliver bipolar RF energy to tissue grasped between the jaws. The apparatus is further operable to sever tissue. A lockout feature selectively prevents tissue severing, based on an energization state of the jaws.

Intrauterine devices and methods for facilitating deployment thereof using a bumper are disclosed. In one embodiment, an intrauterine device comprises a structure including a first central support member and a deployment mechanism coupled to the first central support member. The intrauterine device further comprises a bumper positioned at a distal end of a second central support member and at a more distal position relative to a distal end of the structure so as to prevent the distal end of the structure from contacting the fundus of the uterus of a patient during deployment of the deployment mechanism. In another embodiment, the intrauterine device comprises a bumper coupled to the deployment mechanism and configured to move from a more distal to a more proximal position relative to a distal end of the structure.

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.

A partially-masked electrode includes a conductive material and an insulated coating having an outer surface. The insulated coating defines a contoured opening that exposes or reveals an area of the conductive material, wherein the contoured opening has an upper perimeter at the outer surface of the insulated coating. When the upper perimeter of the insulated surface coating is placed in contact with a tissue of interest, wherein the tissue of interest is proximate a blood pool, the insulated coating creates a seal between the blood pool and the contoured opening so that no blood in the blood pool can contact the conductive material. This seal reduces or eliminates the reception of far field effects in the blood pool by the electrode, making it easier to locate and diagnose unhealthy tissue.

Retrieval of material from vessel lumens can be improved by electrically enhancing attachment of the material to the removal device. The removal device can have a core assembly that includes a hypotube coupled to a first electrical terminal and a pushwire coupled to a second electrical terminal, the pushwire extending through the hypotube lumen. An insulating layer separates the hypotube and the pushwire, and an interventional element is coupled to a distal end of the pushwire. The interventional element can be disposed adjacent to a thrombus. An electrical signal is delivered to the interventional element to promote adhesion of the thrombus to the interventional element. The electrical signal can optionally be a periodic waveform, and the total energy delivered can be between 0.75-24,000 mJ and the peak current delivered via the electrical signal can be between 0.5-5 mA.

A medical device includes a thermal source that generates heat, a base that has an outer surface and to which the heat from the thermal source is transferred, a first coating that contacts one part of the outer surface of the base and a second coating that is provided on the outer surface of the base, and is exposed and electrically conductive. The second coating supplies, a high-frequency current to an object to be treated. The medical device also includes a laminated portion that includes the first coating in the outer surface of the base extends and a portion of the second coating that is laminated on the first coating.

An arthroscopic system includes a hand piece with a motor drive. an elongate shaft assembly is detachably secured to a distal end of the hand piece, and the elongate shaft assembly includes an outer sleeve and an inner sleeve rotatably mounted in the outer sleeve. The inner sleeve couples to the motor drive when the elongate shaft assembly is attached to the hand piece, and an inner distal cutting window on the inner sleeve moves in and out of alignment with an outer distal cutting window on the outer sleeve as the motor drive rotates the inner sleeve. A distal electrode is disposed on an outer surface of the outer sleeve at a location opposite to that of the outer distal cutting window, and the outer sleeve member is rotatable relative to the hand piece when the hub is secured to the hand piece such that a user can hold the hand piece in one hand and rotate the outer sleeve to selectively place the outer distal cutting window or the distal electrode in an upward orientation relative to the user while continuing to hold the hand piece in the one hand.

A knife assembly for use with a surgical instrument includes a knife having proximal and distal ends, the proximal end including an aperture defined therein having a series of spaced apart fins extending thereacross. A knife drive rod is included and is configured to operably engage the fins to secure the knife drive rod to the knife. A retention mechanism is operably disposed at a distal end of the knife drive rod and is configured to secure the knife drive rod in engagement between the fins.

The present invention relates to comprehensive systems, devices and methods for delivering energy to tissue for a wide variety of applications, including medical procedures (e.g., tissue ablation, resection, cautery, vascular thrombosis, treatment of cardiac arrhythmias and dysrhythmias, electrosurgery, tissue harvest, etc.). In certain embodiments, systems, devices, and methods are provided for delivering energy to difficult to access tissue regions (e.g. peripheral lung tissues), and/or reducing the amount of undesired heat given off during energy delivery.

A knife assembly for use with a surgical instrument includes a knife having proximal and distal ends, the proximal end including an aperture defined therein having a series of spaced apart fins extending thereacross. A knife drive rod is included and is configured to operably engage the fins to secure the knife drive rod to the knife. A retention mechanism is operably disposed at a distal end of the knife drive rod and is configured to secure the knife drive rod in engagement between the fins.