Abstract: A catheter has a body including a proximal region, a neck region, and a distal region. A shaping wire is disposed within the distal region to predispose it into at least a partial loop, which may have a fixed or variable radius of curvature. The shaping wire includes a distal portion having a circular transverse cross-sectional shape and a proximal portion having a non-circular (e.g., rectangular) transverse cross-sectional shape. The proximal portion of the shaping wire can have a width-to-thickness ratio of at least about 4, such as about 4.67. A transition portion can promote a gradual transition from the circular to the non-circular transverse cross-sectional shape, for example by increasing a width of the shaping wire by about 0.001? and/or by decreasing a thickness of the shaping wire by about 0.001? for every about 0.004? in length through the transition portion.

Abstract: Described embodiments include apparatus that includes a catheter and a tip electrode, at a distal end of the catheter, shaped to define a plurality of microelectrode apertures. The apparatus further includes at least one printed circuit board (PCB) disposed within a lumen of the catheter, and a plurality of microelectrodes coupled to the PCB and at least partly situated within the microelectrode apertures, the PCB being configured to carry signals from the microelectrodes. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A leadwire for physiological patient monitoring is provided that transfers potentials received at a chest electrode to a data acquisition device. The leadwire includes an electrode end connectable to the chest electrode and a first conductive layer extending from the electrode end. The leadwire also has a device end connectable to a data acquisition device and a second conductive layer extending from the device end. The first conductive layer is galvanically isolated from the second conductive layer such that the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer form a capacitor.

Abstract: A method and device for controlling a treatment procedure includes a treatment tool, an energy source, and a controller. The controller controls the energy source such that in a first treatment phase, power fed into the material to be treated is controlled with an increasing course. An impedance detector determines the impedance course and/or the present impedance of the material to be treated, and recognizes the achievement of an impedance minimum. A timer is started upon recognition of an impedance minimum, and upon recognition of a further impedance minimum within the specific time interval, the timer is reset. If no new impedance minimum is detected within the specific time interval and the time interval expires, the controller switches the power control to constant power or to a power course with an altered gradient. Upon fulfilling a specific criterion, there is a switchover from power control to voltage control.

Abstract: A heat exchanger is disclosed for causing cryolysis of adipose tissue of a human tongue. The heat exchanger includes a body having cooling channels for circulating fluids therein. The body forms a contact surface that contacts a portion of the dorsal surface of the tongue and a portion of the base of the tongue. The heat exchanger includes a pair of side walls extending from the body and forming a pair of side contact surfaces that are dimensioned so that they contact the dorsal and lateral surfaces of the tongue in a manner so as to constrict the tongue when the contact surface is in contact with the tongue. A method of treatment for apnea using the heat exchanger and/or administering a chemical adipolysis formulation/vasoconstriction agent is also disclosed.

Abstract: Examples described herein may include medical devices and electrosurgical generators with resonant isolated transformers to perform filtering and gain functions. An example electrosurgical generator includes a radio frequency (RF) inverter stage configured to receive an input signal and, in response to control feedback signals, to provide an output signal that provides power to a load. The RF inverter stage includes a resonant isolated transformer configured to receive the input signal and to provide gain and filtering adjustments to the input signal to provide the output signal.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods of the present disclosure can overcome physical constraints associated with catheter introduction to facilitate the use of a catheter with a large distal portion as part of a medical procedure benefiting from such a large distal portion, such as, for example, cardiac ablation. More specifically, devices, systems, and methods of the present disclosure can compress an expandable tip of a catheter from an expanded state to a compressed state along a tapered surface of an insertion sleeve for advancement of the expandable tip into vasculature of a patient. The tapered surface of the insertion sleeve can, for example, apply compressive forces at an angle against the advancing expandable tip. As compared to other approaches to the application of compressive force to an expandable tip, compressing the expandable tip using an angled force can reduce the likelihood of unintended deformation of the expandable tip.

Abstract: A catheter force control system including: a hand-held catheter force control device including: a base sized to be hand-held; a cover reversibly fastened to the base in a closed position; a sheath clamp coupled to the base, the sheath clamp capturing a sheath handle to immobilize the sheath handle relative to the base, the sheath clamp is an aperture formed in corresponding abutting edges of the cover and the base, the aperture being formed when the cover and the base are in the closed position; a catheter clamp capturing a catheter, a remote end of the catheter configured to deliver an ablation therapy; the catheter clamp aligned to be substantially co-axial with the sheath clamp; and a linear actuator effecting linear motion of the catheter clamp relative to the sheath clamp; a force sensor located at the remote end of the catheter, the remote end configured for contact with a target tissue, the force sensor detecting real-time contact force data; a controller for receiving the real-time contact force data

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument (1) is disclosed including a housing (2) comprising an elongate main body (3), extending in an axial direction and a grippable member (12). An implement (4) is fixed relative to and projecting from a forward region of the main body (3). A smoke evacuation passage (8) is defined within the main body (3) and extends from an inlet proximal to the implement (4). An electrical conductor (11) is housed within the housing (2) for supplying an electro-surgical current to the implement (4). The grippable member (12) is slidably connected to the main body (3) such that the axial position of the grippable member (12) relative to the main body (3) may be adjusted in use. Further there is provided a controllable smoke passage obstructor (25) for enabling adjustment of the throughput of the smoke passing through the interior of the housing (2).

Abstract: The embodiments disclosed herein relate to various robotic and/or in vivo medical devices having compact joint configurations. Other embodiments relate to various medical device components, including forearms having grasper or cautery end effectors, that can be incorporated into certain robotic and/or in vivo medical devices.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a housing, a shaft coupled to and extending distally from the housing, an end effector assembly disposed at a distal end of the shaft, a movable handle coupled to the housing, a drive assembly coupled to the end effector assembly, and an extension mechanism disposed within the housing. The extension mechanism is configured to couple to the shaft and between the movable handle and the drive assembly for moving the shaft and drive assembly between a retracted position and an extended position relative to the housing. The extension mechanism is coupled between the movable handle and the drive assembly in each of the retracted and extended positions such that the movable handle is operable to effect manipulation of the end effector assembly in each of the retracted and extended positions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to comprehensive systems 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 and methods are provided for identifying and treating a target tissue region adjusting for ablation-related anatomical changes (e.g., tissue contraction).

Abstract: A method and system in accordance with a particular embodiments of the technology includes applying a substance onto skin of a human subject. An applicator is then applied to the subject to cool a region of the subject. After cooling the tissue, a nucleation initiator is used to initiate a freeze event in the tissue. The nucleation initiator can be an ice crystal that inoculates the skin upon contact to create a predictable freeze event therein. The time of contact between the ice crystal and the skin can be controlled to achieve desired effects.

Abstract: A mouthpiece for being worn on the upper dentition of a user includes electrodes and a microprocessor that operate as an electroencephalograph for detecting electrical activity in the user's brain. The mouthpiece may be useful in a variety of applications, such as athletics, gaming, and personal hobbies.

Abstract: An electrosurgical generator includes: a power supply configured to output a DC waveform; a power converter coupled to the power supply and configured to generate a radio frequency waveform based on the DC waveform; an active terminal coupled to the power converter and configured to couple to a first electrosurgical instrument and a second electrosurgical instrument; at least one sensor coupled to the power converter and configured to sense at least one property of the radio frequency waveform; and a controller coupled to the power converter. The controller is configured to: determine a first impedance associated with a first electrosurgical instrument and a second impedance associated with a second electrosurgical instrument based on the at least one property of the radio frequency waveform; and adjust at least one parameter of the radio frequency waveform based on the first impedance and the second impedance.

Abstract: A surgical end effector assembly includes a pair of jaw members, a knife defining a longitudinal slot, a pivot pin coupling the jaw members to one another, and a drive member including a drive pin that is engaged to the jaw members. The pivot pin and/or the drive pin extends through the longitudinal slot of the knife to couple the knife to the jaw members and/or the drive member. The end effector assembly is transitionable between a use position, wherein the knife and drive member are generally aligned with one another to facilitate releasable engagement of the end effector assembly with a surgical instrument, and a cleaning position, wherein the jaw members, knife, and drive member are fanned apart from one another to facilitate cleaning of the end effector assembly. Methods of disengaging and sterilizing end effector assemblies for reuse are also provided.

Abstract: A bipolar electrosurgical device including an outer shaft, an inner shaft, first and second electrode surfaces, and an irrigation channel. The outer shaft defines a lumen, a proximal end and a distal end forming a cutting window. The inner shaft is rotatably disposed within the outer shaft, and defines a distal portion forming a cutting tip. The cutting tip and the cutting window combine to define a cutting implement. The first and second electrode surfaces are electrically isolated, and are formed at the cutting implement. The irrigation channel extends parallel to the outer shaft, and terminates in at least one outlet port. The outlet port is proximally spaced from the cutting window and is located radially outside of the outer shaft. Fluid (e.g., saline) is emitted at the exterior surface of the device near the cutting window and is readily present for interacting with the electrode surfaces.

Abstract: The disclosed technology is directed to a RF power generator and feedback control system used to regulate the electrical power delivered to a cutting filament (i.e., a cutting electrode) of an electrosurgical instrument. The electrosurgical instrument uses the delivered energy to form a cutting arc for ablating a tissue mass to access a target tissue therein. The instrument forms a basket-like receptacle around the target tissue to excise the target tissue from the ablated tissue mass. As the instrument forms the receptacle, the length of exposed filament ablating the tissue changes. To this end, the RF power generator described herein is configured to vary the total power delivered during the deployment of the instrument based on a measurement of output power derived from a differential phase angle between a current sense output and a voltage sense output, in some embodiments, to maintain a uniform power density along the length of exposed filament.

Abstract: A tool (16) for the coagulation and dissection of biological tissue including a counter-bearing (35) that has at least one recess (37) open toward the outside and/or one or more hollow chambers (63). The recess (37) or the hollow chamber (63) is configured to provide a force/path elasticity characteristic curve with a plateau-like region II, V, during compression and reexpansion. The path section x in which the elasticity characteristic curve indicates the plateau II, IV preferably is as long as the tissue to be dissected is thick, and is, for example, in the range of 0.2 to 1.5 mm. As a result, the force exerted on the tissue during the cutting operation remains substantially constant in the effective work region.

Abstract: An electrosurgical wand is disclosed for treating a plurality of tissues at a variety of tissue locations. The electrosurgical wand includes a handle on a proximal end and an elongate shaft with a combination active electrode at the distal end. The combination active electrode includes with a blade and screen portion; the blade portion extending along and laterally from the wand longitudinal axis, forming a dissecting tip. The screen portion extends from the blade portion at an obtuse angle and has at least one aspiration aperture through it. The wand also includes a second and third electrode, proximally spaced from the combination active electrode. The second electrode spans a portion of an outside surface of the wand adjacent the blade portion, while the third electrode spans a portion of the outside surface of the wand opposite the second electrode.