Abstract: A device for the ablation of tissue for use with the fingers of a human hand and a radio frequency power supply and controller providing a source of radio frequency energy and controls for controlling the application of radio frequency energy to the device comprising a handle sized so that is adapted to be grasped and supported by the human hand and having proximal and distal extremities. A single conductive needle formed of a conducting material is disposed in the distal extremity of the handle. An edge card is mounted in the handle and has edge mounted contacts with circuitry connected thereto. An edge mount board connector is mounted in the handle and is removably secured to the edge mounted contacts of the edge card. A cable is connected to the edge mount connector and extends from the proximal extremity of the handle and is adapted to be coupled to the radiofrequency power supply and controller. A second printed circuit board is mounted in the handle in a spaced-apart position from the edge card.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for a wire based temperature sensing electrode for surgical procedures. A temperature sensing energy delivery device includes an elongated member having a groove formed in at least portion of the elongated member; and a first temperature sensor mechanically connected to the elongated member, the first temperature sensor including a first temperature sensor lead that is routed along the groove. The systems and methods provide advantages in that the wire based temperature sensing electrode for surgical procedures can simultaneously accommodate a temperature sensor and associated leads, exhibit sufficient strength without bulk, and be provided at lower cost.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a multi-channel radio frequency (RF) power delivery and control system for applying energy to multiple electrodes of an RF tissue heating device. In a first embodiment of the invention an apparatus for controlling electrical cross-talk in an electro-surgical instrument is disclosed. The apparatus includes: a driver, a first electrode, a second electrode, a ground for delivery of power to a surgical site, a power measurement circuit and a waveform generator. The power measurement circuit computes differences between a target power and an actual power delivered to the first electrode and the second electrode to establish an amount by which to increase and to decrease the power emanating from the first electrode and the second electrode.

Abstract: This invention is an improved method and apparatus for tissue electrical impedance determination and electrical power control in a surgical device. In an embodiment of the invention an apparatus for controlling power delivery in an electro-surgical instrument is disclosed. The electro-surgical instrument includes a first channel and a second channel for delivery of energy to a surgical site. The apparatus includes: a switch, a measuring unit, a processor and a drive unit. The switch electrically isolates the second channel during a first measurement interval and the first channel during a second measurement interval. The measuring unit is coupled to the first and the second channel. The measurement unit measures a first power level of the first channel during a first measurement interval and a second power level of the second channel during a second measurement interval. The processor is coupled to the measuring unit and to the switch.

Abstract: The present invention provides for an electro-surgical instrument with a rich graphical user interface (GUI) capability and a verifiable hardware and software platform meeting Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requirements. The rich GUI makes for a device which is more easily operated than prior art devices which lacked a sophisticated user interface. The increased functionality is achieved without sacrificing the ability to validate the device for FDA purposes. This goal is achieved by a dual processor design. In the dual processor design a control or master processor with verifiable source code implements the functions of: power delivery, temperature measurement, power measurement and power control. A display or slave processor, is functionally isolated from the first processor receiving only messages from the first processor. In a first embodiment of the invention an electro-surgical instrument is disclosed.

Abstract: In an embodiment of the invention an apparatus for power measurement in an electro-surgical instrument is disclosed. The apparatus includes: sensors, a first summer and differencer, a peak detector, a second summer and differencer, and a multiplier. The sensors produce a voltage signal and a current signal proportional to a voltage and a current delivered by the first channel to the surgical site. The first summer and differencer sum the voltage signal together with the current signal to produce a first signal and difference the voltage signal with the current signal to produce a second signal. The peak detector couples to the first summer and differencer to form a third and a fourth signal proportional respectively to peak voltage levels in the first and the second signals. The second summer and differencer produce a fifth signal and a sixth signal proportional respectively to a difference and a sum of the third signal and the fourth signal.

Abstract: An apparatus that reduces a volume of a selected site in an interior of the tongue includes a handpiece means and an electrode means at least partially positioned in the interior of the handpiece means. The electrode means includes an electrode means electromagnetic energy delivery surface and is advance able from the interior of the handpiece means into the interior of the tongue. An electrode means advancement member is coupled to the electrode means and configured to advance the electrode means an advancement distance in the interior of the tongue. The advancement distance is sufficient for the electrode means electromagnetic energy delivery surface to deliver electromagnetic energy to the selected tissue site and reduce a volume of the selected site without damaging a hypoglossal nerve. Means are provided to provide a controlled delivery of energy to the electrode means. A cable means is coupled to the electrode means.

Abstract: An apparatus that reduces a volume of a selected site in an interior of the tongue includes a handpiece means and an electrode means at least partially positioned in the interior of the handpiece means. The electrode means includes an electrode means electromagnetic energy delivery surface and is advance able from the interior of the handpiece means into the interior of the tongue. An electrode means advancement member is coupled to the electrode means and configured to advance the electrode means an advancement distance in the interior of the tongue. The advancement distance is sufficient for the electrode means electromagnetic energy delivery surface to deliver electromagnetic energy to the selected tissue site and reduce a volume of the selected site without damaging a hypoglossal nerve. A cable means is coupled to the electrode means.

Abstract: A cell necrosis apparatus is described. The cell necrosis apparatus includes an identification and usage device capable of performing an encrypted handshake protocol with an energy source. The identification and usage device is capable of identifying the cell necrosis apparatus, to prevent the use of unauthorized devices with the energy source, as well as controlling and causing a record to be made of a usage of the cell necrosis apparatus.

Abstract: A method for reducing a volume of a tongue includes providing an ablation apparatus with an energy delivery device configured to be coupled to an energy source. The energy delivery device is positioned in an interior of the tongue. A sufficient amount of energy is delivered from the energy delivery device in the interior of the tongue to ablate a section of the tongue without damaging the main branches of the hypoglossal nerve. The energy delivery device is thereafter removed from the interior of the tongue.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for delivery of energy by an electro-surgical instrument to a surgical site is disclosed. The apparatus delivers power to electrodes of an electro-surgical instrument during an operation performed at a surgical site. The apparatus includes a processor and a plurality of power delivery channels. The processor signals the onset of an impedance interval and a heating interval. The processor determines a target value of a control parameter to be delivered to a corresponding one of the electrodes. The plurality of power delivery channels are each coupled to the processor and to a corresponding electrode. Each of the power delivery channels responsive to signaling from the processor transitions between the impedance interval and the heating interval. Each of the power delivery channels measures, during the impedance interval, an impedance associated with a delivery of energy to the surgical site by a corresponding electrode.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for a wire based temperature sensing electrode for surgical procedures. A temperature sensing energy delivery device includes an elongated member having a groove formed in at least portion of the elongated member; and a first temperature sensor mechanically connected to the elongated member, the first temperature sensor including a first temperature sensor lead that is routed along the groove. The systems and methods provide advantages in that the wire based temperature sensing electrode for surgical procedures can simultaneously accommodate a temperature sensor and associated leads, exhibit sufficient strength without bulk, and be provided at lower cost.

Abstract: An apparatus that reduces a volume of a selected site in an interior of the tongue includes a handpiece and an energy delivery device at least partially positioned in the interior of the handpiece. The energy delivery device includes an energy delivery surface and is advanceable from the interior of the handpiece into the interior of the tongue. An energy delivery device advancement member is coupled to the energy delivery device and configured to advance the energy delivery device an advancement distance in the interior of the tongue. The advancement distance is sufficient for the energy delivery surface to deliver energy to the selected tissue site and reduce a volume of the selected site without damaging a main branch of the hypoglossal nerve. A cable is coupled to the energy delivery device.

Abstract: A device for the ablation of tissue for use with the human hand and a radio frequency power supply and controller providing a source of radio frequency energy and a control for controlling the application of radio frequency energy to the device. The device includes a handle sized so that is adapted to be grasped by the human hand and has proximal and distal extremities. A needle formed of a conducting material has proximal and distal extremities. The proximal extremity of the needle is mounted on the distal extremity of the handle so that it is insulated from the handle. Conductors are carried by the handle and are connected to the needle and extend from the handle and are coupled to the radio frequency power supply and controller for supplying radio frequency energy to the needle.

Abstract: A tissue ablation apparatus for minimally invasive treatment for disorders of the upper airway by the treatment of soft tissues in the upper airway comprising a hand-held device adapted to be held by the human hand. Radio frequency energy is delivered to the hand-held device. The hand-held device comprises a housing having a handle portion adapted to be grasped by the human hand and a probe portion. At least one guide tube is mounted in the probe portion and has a bore extending therethrough. A carrier block is slidably mounted in the housing relative to the guide tube. At least one needle assembly is mounted in the carrier block assembly and is movable with the carrier block assembly. The at least one needle assembly extends distally of the carrier block and is slidably disposed in the at least one guide tube. A slider is mounted on the housing exterior of the housing for slidable movement longitudinally of the housing and is adapted to be grasped by the thumb of the hand holding the housing.

Abstract: An apparatus that reduces a volume of a selected site in an interior of the tongue includes a handpiece and an electrode at least partially positioned in the interior of the handpiece. The electrode includes an electrode electromagnetic energy delivery surface and is advance able from the interior of the handpiece into the interior of the tongue. An electrode advancement member is coupled to the electrode and configured to advance the electrode an advancement distance in the interior of the tongue. The advancement distance is sufficient for the electrode electromagnetic energy delivery surface to deliver electromagnetic energy to the selected tissue site and reduce a volume of the selected site without damaging a hypoglossal nerve. A cable is coupled to the electrode.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for ablating at least a portion of a nasal concha. The apparatus includes a catheter having a distal portion with a dimension configured for positioning through a nostril of a patient into a nasal meatus adjacent a nasal concha, and an energy delivery device coupled to the catheter distal portion including one or more energy delivering probes extendable from the catheter distal portion a sufficient distance to be inserted into an interior of the nasal concha to deliver ablative energy therein. The distal portion of the apparatus may also include an expandable member, expansion of the expandable member within the nasal meatus immobilizing the distal portion within the nasal meatus.