Abstract: An electrosurgical probe for ablating tissue includes an elongated shaft having an axis and a distal end. An electrically insulating housing at the distal end of the shaft has a window, and an interior channel in the shaft extends through the housing to the window. The window faces laterally relative to the axis, and a moveable member with a blade-like electrode edge is disposed within the window. A motor drives the energized electrode edge axially in the window to ablate tissue.

Abstract: A surgical instrument end effector assembly includes a first jaw member defining an insulative tissue-contacting surface and first and second electrically-conductive tissue-contacting surfaces disposed on either side of the insulative tissue-contacting surface. A second jaw member includes an ultrasonic blade body positioned to oppose the insulative tissue-contacting surface of the first jaw member. The first jaw member is movable relative to the second jaw member between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position to apply a first grasping force to tissue disposed therebetween. A slider is movable, independent of the first jaw member, between a retracted position, wherein the slider is disposed proximally of the first and second jaw members, and an extended position, wherein the slider extends about the first jaw member and urges the first jaw member from the approximated position further towards the second jaw member to apply a second, greater grasping force to tissue.

Abstract: An ablation apparatus for creating a lesion in target tissue, the ablation apparatus having an ablation shaft including a handle, a first portion, an ablation portion, distal tip, at least one ablation energy delivery lumen, at least one ablation energy return lumen, and a stylet lumen that extends substantially along a length of the ablation shaft from the handle to at least the ablation portion. The ablation apparatus also includes a stylet that is capable of being inserted into the stylet lumen where the stylet is made of a shape-memory material.

Abstract: An electrosurgical system comprising: a plurality of electrosurgical connection units, each electrosurgical connection unit comprising an input port connectable to an electrosurgical channel and an output port connectable to an electrosurgical instrument, the electrosurgical connection unit configured to connect the input port to the output port; an electrosurgical network comprising a plurality of electrosurgical links that connect the input ports of the electrosurgical connection units to an electrosurgical channel; and a control unit configured to: receive information from a device indicating that the device has detected an electrosurgical generator connected to the electrosurgical channel, the device being one of the electrosurgical connection units and an electrosurgical output device connected to the electrosurgical channel; determine a location of the electrosurgical generator in the electrosurgical network based on the received information; and transmit one or more control signals to the electrosurgic

Abstract: A vapor delivery system and method is provided that is adapted for treating prostate tissue. The vapor delivery system includes a vapor delivery needle configured to deliver condensable vapor energy to tissue. In one method, the vapor delivery system is advanced transurethrally into the patient to access the prostate tissue. The vapor delivery system includes a generator unit and an inductive heating system to produce a high quality vapor for delivery to tissue. Methods of use are also provided.

Abstract: A method for use with an intra-body probe, a distal end of which includes an ablation electrode and a temperature sensor, is described. While (i) the ablation electrode is driving an ablating current into tissue of a subject, and (ii) fluid is passed from the distal end of the intra-body probe at a fluid-flow rate, a processor receives a temperature sensed by the temperature sensor. The processor estimates a temperature of the tissue, based at least on the sensed temperature and at least one parameter selected from the group consisting of: the fluid-flow rate, and a parameter of the ablating current. The processor generates an output in response to the estimated temperature. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: An electrosurgical apparatus having a feed structure comprising a radiofrequency (RF) channel for conveying RF electromagnetic (EM) radiation from an RF signal generator to a probe and a microwave channel for conveying microwave EM radiation from a microwave signal generator to the probe, wherein the RF channel and microwave channel comprise physically separate signal pathways, wherein the feed structure includes a combining circuit having an input connected to the signal pathway on the RF channel, another input connected to the signal pathway on the microwave channel, and an output connected to a common signal pathway for conveying the RE EM radiation and EM radiation separately or simultaneously to the probe, and wherein the microwave channel includes a waveguide isolator connected to isolate the signal pathway on the microwave channel from the RF EM radiation.

Abstract: An ultrapolar electrosurgery blade and an ultrapolar electrosurgery pencil. The ultrapolar electrosurgery blade has a non-conductive planar member with opposing planar sides, a cutting end, and an opposite non-cutting end, first active and return electrodes located on one opposing planar side, and second active and return electrodes located on the other opposing planar side.

Abstract: A device for treating tissue includes a catheter including an elongated body extending from a proximal end to a distal end and including a lumen extending therethrough, a distal tip connected to the distal end of the elongated body and including a first electrode and a second electrode extending thereabout, the first electrode extending to a distal opening of the lumen and a first needle extending longitudinally from a proximal end to a distal end, the first needle slidably received within the lumen of the catheter to be moved between a retracted bipolar configuration, in which the distal end of the needle is proximal the distal opening of the catheter, and an extended monopolar configuration, in which the distal end of the first needle extends distally past the distal opening of the catheter so that the first needle contacts the first electrode and is configured to cut tissue.

Abstract: In an energy control device, a processor detects a gradual decrease start time at which the electric characteristic value in relation to electric energy output to an ultrasonic transducer starts a gradual decrease after a gradual increase. The processor calculates a difference value by subtracting the electric characteristic value from a peak value at gradual decrease start time and calculates an integrated value of the difference value from the gradual decrease start time. The processor executes, based on a fact that the integrated value become greater than a predetermined threshold, at least one of causing to stop or reduce the output of the electric energy to the ultrasonic transducer, and notifying that the integrated value become greater than the predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A method for treating hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) utilizes an RF ablation electrode needle system that has an RF ablation generator, and an electrode needle. The electrode needle is introduced to puncture within myocardium and to reach the hypertrophic area of the interventricular septum. The RF ablation generator is then turned on to implement single-point or multi-point ablation on the hypertrophic area of the interventricular septum, and then the RF electrode needle is withdrawn from the patient.

Abstract: A method and system of adaptive cold atmospheric based treatment for diseased tissues, such as an area with cancerous cells, is disclosed. A plasma device generates a cold atmospheric plasma jet directed at the area having cancerous cells. A sensor is operable to sense the viability of the cancerous cells in the area. A controller is coupled to the plasma device and sensor. The controller is operative to control an initial plasma jet generated by the plasma device. The controller receives a sensor signal from the sensor to determine cell viability of the selected cells from the initial plasma jet. The controller adjusts the plasma jet based on the viability of the cancerous cells.

Abstract: A method and system for assessing lesion formation in tissue is provided. The system includes an electronic control unit (ECU). The ECU is configured to acquire values for first and second components of a complex impedance between the electrode and the tissue, and to calculate an index responsive to the first and second values. The ECU is further configured to process the ECI to assess lesion formation in the tissue.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A bipolar surgical instrument (1) comprises a body (2), first and second opposed jaws (18, 20) located at the distal end of a shaft (10), the first jaw (18) being movable with respect to the second jaw (20) between an open position in which the first and second jaws (18, 20) are spaced apart from one another, and a closed position in which the first and second jaws (18, 20) are adjacent one another. The first and second elongate jaw members (18, 20) have respective first and second electrodes. A power cable having a pair of electrically conductive elements, is provided to connect a source of radio frequency electromagnetic energy to the first and second electrodes. A capacitive element is located in the instrument, and is connected in series between a first one of the pair of electrically conductive elements of the cable and the first electrode.

Abstract: An electrosurgical system includes an RF current generator, a handle body, and an end effector. The end effector may include a first and a second energy delivery surface. At least a portion of either first or second energy delivery surfaces, or both, may include one or more patterned coatings of an electrically non-conducting non-stick material. The material may be deposited on a surface of, within a depression in, or on features extending from the energy surfaces, or through an overmolding process. The patterned coating may be formed from a coating of the material from which portions have been removed. An energy delivery surface has a first area, and the patterned coating has a second area. A ratio of the second area to the first area may be less than or equal to about 0.9, less than or equal to about 0.7, or less than or equal to about 0.5.

Abstract: Methods and devices described herein facilitate ablation patterns on the heart within a pericardial sac and without opening or deflating the lungs.

Abstract: A cooled radiofrequency ablation system and method are provided. In particular, a method to map active radiofrequency channels to respective pump assemblies for cooled radiofrequency ablation is provided. The system includes a pump system having a plurality of pump assemblies, a radiofrequency generator unit, and a plurality of cooled radiofrequency probes, wherein each cooled radiofrequency probe comprises a cable-tubing assembly having a radiofrequency cable connected to the radiofrequency generator unit and fluid tubing in communication with a pump assembly and connected to a cooling fluid source. Each pump assembly of the plurality of pump assemblies is activated individually in sequence. The system and method map each cooled radiofrequency probe to a respective pump assembly connected thereto by measuring a temperature drop delay time at the tip of each probe. The system and method can further detect the presence of multiple probes daisy-chained to a single pump assembly.

Abstract: A cold plasma accessory having a hand piece having within in it flexible tubing, wiring, a PCB board connected to the wiring, and a conductive connector tube electrically connected to the PCB board, the conductive connector tube having an inner channel, a rigid tube extending from the distal end of the hand piece, and an electrode within the rigid tube. The electrode comprises a conductive connector having a contact surface contacting the conductive connector tube, a distal end surface facing away from the conductive connector tube, and a channel extending through a center of the conductive connector, the channel being fluidly connected to the flexible tubing, the distal end surface of the conductive connector being outside of the channel in the conductive connector, and a conductive wire connected to the distal end surface of the conductive connector.

Abstract: A surgical instrument end effector assembly includes a first jaw member and a second jaw member. The second jaw member includes an ultrasonic blade body and first and second electrodes disposed on either side of the ultrasonic blade body and extending longitudinally along a majority of a length of the ultrasonic blade body. The ultrasonic blade body is adapted to receive ultrasonic energy from an ultrasonic waveguide. The first and second electrodes taper in width proximally to distally and are adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy. The first jaw member is movable relative to the second jaw member between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween.