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.

A surgical instrument comprising an end effector is disclosed. The end effector comprises a surgical dissector. The surgical dissector can apply mechanical and/or electrosurgical energy to treated tissue.

An electrosurgical system is provided and includes a bipolar electrosurgical instrument and an electrosurgical generator. The bipolar electrosurgical instrument is arranged to seal and cut tissue captured between jaws of the bipolar electrosurgical instrument. The electrosurgical generator is arranged to supply RF energy through the bipolar electrosurgical instrument, monitor the supplied RF energy, and adjust or terminate the supplied RF energy to optimally seal the tissue.

An electrosurgical instrument (1) includes a first shaft member (110) pivotably coupled to a second shaft member (120), and a trigger (184) disposed on the second shaft member (120). The first and second shaft members (110,120) respectively include first and second handle members (130,140), and first and second jaw members (150,160). The first and second shaft members (110,120) define a longitudinal axis extending through a pivot, and first and second pivot axes that are substantially orthogonal to each other and the longitudinal axis. At least one of the first or second handle members (130,140) is pivotable about the first pivot axis to move the first and second jaw members (150,160) to an open position, a grasping position, or a sealing position. The trigger (184) is movable to pivot at least one of the first or second shaft members (110,120) about the second pivot axis to laterally displace the first and second jaw members (150,160) relative to each other to a cutting position.

A surgical forceps includes an end effector assembly including a first jaw member and a second jaw member pivotally engaged with one another. At least one of the first or second jaw member is pivotable between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position. The first jaw member includes first and second surfaces on opposite sides thereof. The first surface is disposed in opposition to the second jaw member. The second surface includes a cutting edge disposed on a proximal portion thereof. The second jaw member includes a proximal flange having first and second raised sidewalls defining a proximal channel therebetween. The proximal channel receives the cutting edge of the first jaw member when the first and second jaw members are in the approximated position. The cutting edge of the first jaw member is exposed when the first and second jaw members are in the spaced apart position.

Various embodiments provide an electrosurgical resector tool comprising: a shaft defining a lumen; an energy conveying structure for carrying electromagnetic (EM) energy through the lumen of the shaft; an instrument tip mounted at a distal end of the shaft. The instrument tip comprises: a static portion comprising a first blade element; and a movable portion comprising a second blade element, wherein the movable portion is movable relative to the static portion between a closed position in which the first blade element and second blade element lie alongside each other to an open position in which the second blade element is spaced from the first blade element by a gap for receiving biological tissue. The instrument tip also includes a travel limiting mechanism operable to limit a maximum extent of relative movement between the second blade element and the first blade element in the open position and/or the closed position. The instrument tip further includes a first electrode, a second electrode and a planar dielectric body, the first and second electrodes being spaced apart and electrically isolated from each other by the planar dielectric body, and wherein the first electrode and the second electrode are connected to the energy conveying structure for delivery of the EM energy from the instrument tip. The tool further comprises an actuator for controlling relative movement between the movable portion and the static portion.

Various methods of treating a heart of a patient having a cardiac arrhythmia are disclosed. The method can comprise dissecting tissue at an inferior aspect of a right inferior pulmonary vein of the patient to create an oblique sinus defect, dissecting tissue to open a space between a superior vena cava and a left atrium, and dissecting tissue to open a space across a transverse sinus between a pulmonary artery and a roof of the left atrium. The method can further comprise passing a catheter through an oblique sinus defect underneath the heart and beyond a left ventricle and passing a first flexible guiding device across the transverse sinus and under the superior vena cava and the pulmonary artery.

A surgical instrument comprising a jaw assembly is disclosed. The surgical instrument further comprises a motor-driven drive system configured to open the jaw assembly. The surgical instrument also comprises a control system configured to control the drive system and, also, control a power supply system configured to supply electrical power to electrodes defined in the outer surface, or outer surfaces, of the jaw assembly. In use, the surgical instrument can be used to apply mechanical energy and electrical energy to the tissue of a patient at the same time, or at different times. In certain embodiments, the user controls when the mechanical and electrical energies are applied. In some embodiments, the control system controls when the mechanical and electrical energies are applied.

A surgical device, is disclosed herein. The surgical device can include an end effector including a clamp jaw, a trigger configured to open and close the clamp jaw, a sensor configured to detect a relative position of the trigger, and a control circuit communicably coupled to the sensor and a generator, wherein the control circuit is configured to cause the generator to administer energy associated with a surgical operation to be performed on the tissue, receive a signal from the sensor, determine that the clamp jaws are not positioned to administer the energy associated with the surgical operation, and cause the generator to administer energy configured to release the tissue from an ultrasonic blade, wherein the energy configured to release the tissue from the clamp jaw is different than the energy associated with a surgical operation to be performed on the tissue.

An electrosurgical forceps includes first and second shaft members and first and second jaw members extending distally from the respective first and second shaft members. A pivot couples the first and second shaft members with one another such that the first and second shaft members are movable relative to one another between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position to move the first and second jaw members relative to one another between an open position and a closed position. The jaw members are configured to facilitate tissue treatment, tissue division, and blunt tissue dissection.