Electrosurgical systems and cartridges for use therewith

Abstract

A cartridge for use with an electrosurgical system includes a housing, a conduit, and a conductor. The housing includes a path defined therein. The conduit is disposed at least partially within the housing such that the path is configured to position at least a portion of the conduit within the housing. A chamber of the path is configured to dampen shock forces on the conduit. The conductor is adapted to transmit energy is disposed within the housing. At least a portion of the conductor is disposed at least partially within the housing.

What it is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A cartridge for use with an electrosurgical system, the cartridge comprising:
 a housing including a path defined therein;   a conduit disposed at least partially within the housing such that the path is configured to position at least a portion of the conduit within the housing, and wherein a chamber of the path is configured to dampen shock forces on the conduit; and   a conductor adapted to transmit energy, wherein at least a portion of the conductor is disposed at least partially within the housing.   
     
     
         2 . The cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein a width of the chamber is at least two times larger than a width of a portion the conduit positioned therein. 
     
     
         3 . The cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein the conduit includes a length and a width, at least a portion of the chamber being configured to allow the conduit to move in a direction substantially perpendicular to the length of the conduit at a distance of at least twice the width of the conduit. 
     
     
         4 . The cartridge of  claim 1 , further comprising a conduit fitting configured to operatively connect the conduit disposed at least partially within the housing with an external conduit disposed external to the housing. 
     
     
         5 . The cartridge of  claim 1 , further comprising a conductor fitting configured to operatively connect the conductor disposed at least partially within the housing with an external conductor disposed external to the housing. 
     
     
         6 . The cartridge of  claim 4 , further comprising a conductor fitting configured to operatively connect the conductor disposed at least partially within the housing with an external conductor disposed external to the housing, wherein the conduit fitting is disposed adjacent the conductor fitting. 
     
     
         7 . The cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein the chamber is configured to allow slack in the conduit. 
     
     
         8 . The cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the conduit is slidably engaged within the path. 
     
     
         9 . A cartridge for use with an electrosurgical system, the cartridge comprising:
 a housing including a path defined therein, the path being configured to position at least a portion of a conduit and at least a portion of a conductor within the housing; and   wherein a chamber of the path is configured to dampen shock forces on at least a portion of a conduit disposed in mechanical cooperation therewith.   
     
     
         10 . The cartridge of  claim 9 , wherein a width of the chamber is at least two times larger than a width of a portion a conduit configured for positioning therein. 
     
     
         11 . The cartridge of  claim 9 , at least a portion of the chamber being configured to allow a conduit positioned therein to move in a direction substantially perpendicular to a length of the conduit at a distance of at least twice a width of the conduit. 
     
     
         12 . The cartridge of  claim 9 , further comprising a conduit fitting configured to operatively connect a conduit disposed at least partially within the housing with an external conduit disposed external to the housing. 
     
     
         13 . The cartridge of  claim 9 , further comprising a conductor fitting configured to operatively connect the conductor disposed at least partially within the housing with an external conductor disposed external to the housing. 
     
     
         14 . The cartridge of  claim 12 , further comprising a conductor fitting configured to operatively connect the conductor disposed at least within the housing with an external conductor disposed external to the housing, wherein the conduit fitting is disposed adjacent the conductor fitting. 
     
     
         15 . The cartridge of  claim 9 , wherein the path is configured to position a portion of a conduit such that the portion of the conduit is slidably engaged within the path. 
     
     
         16 . The cartridge of  claim 9 , wherein the chamber is configured to allow slack in the conduit. 
     
     
         17 . An electrosurgical system, comprising:
 a surgical instrument;   a conduit disposed in mechanical cooperation with the surgical instrument;   a conductor disposed in mechanical cooperation with the surgical instrument;   a cartridge including a path defined therein, the cartridge configured to position at least a portion of the conduit and at least a portion of the conductor, and wherein a chamber of the path is configured to dampen shock forces on the conduit;   a pump disposed in mechanical cooperation with a portion of the conduit; and   a generator disposed in electro-mechanical cooperation with a portion of the conductor.   
     
     
         18 . The electrosurgical system of  claim 17 , wherein a width of the chamber is at least two times larger than a width of a portion the conduit positioned therein. 
     
     
         19 . The electrosurgical system of  claim 17 , wherein the conduit includes a length and a width, at least a portion of the chamber being configured to allow the conduit to move in a direction substantially perpendicular to the length of the conduit at a distance of at least twice the width of the conduit. 
     
     
         20 . The electrosurgical system of  claim 17 , wherein the chamber is configured to allow slack in the conduit.