Abstract: An intravascular catheter for peri-vascular and/or peri-urethral tissue ablation includes multiple needles advanced through supported guide tubes which expand with open ends around a central axis to engage the interior surface of the wall of the renal artery or other vessel of a human body allowing the injection an ablative fluid for ablating tissue, and/or nerve fibers in the outer layer or deep to the outer layer of the vessel, or in prostatic tissue. The system also includes means to limit and/or adjust the depth of penetration of the ablative fluid into and beyond the tissue of the vessel wall. The preferred embodiment of the catheter includes structures which provide radial and lateral support to the guide tubes so that the guide tubes open uniformly and maintain their position against the interior surface of the vessel wall as the sharpened injection needles are advanced to penetrate into the vessel wall.

Abstract: An elongated medical sheath is configured to be movable and positionable proximate to a biological feature of a patient. An expandable-and-collapsible support structure is configured to be selectively movable, at least in part, between an interior of the elongated medical sheath and an exterior of the elongated medical sheath. An energy-emitting assembly is supported by the expandable-and-collapsible support structure.

Abstract: This disclosure provides an apparatus for a thermoelectric (TE) contrast therapy device and related methods. The thermoelectric contrast therapy device includes a control node (610) and a plurality of thermoelectric nodes (605). The control node electrically and mechanically connected to the plurality of thermoelectric nodes, the control node configured to direct the heating and cooling functions as well as timing functions. Each of thermoelectric nodes includes a thermoelectric module (105) structured with a supply side (115) and a waste side (120), a phase change material (110), a reservoir (725), a thermal sink (320), a spreader (125) and a controller (1010). The thermoelectric contrast therapy device pre-charges (1105) the PCM contained in the reservoir; provides (910) opposite heating and cooling functions using the supply side and the waste side of the thermoelectric module; and directs, using the controller, the heating and cooling functions as well as timing functions.

Abstract: An end effector assembly for use with an electrosurgical instrument is provided. The electrosurgical instrument includes a handle having a shaft that extends therefrom, an end effector disposed at a distal end of the shaft, at least one electrode operably coupled to the end effector and adapted to couple to a source of electrosurgical energy, a chromium nitride coating covering at least a portion of the electrode, and a hexamethyldisiloxane plasma coating covering at least a portion of the chromium nitride coating.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an apparatus (1) for fractional treatment of skin tissue of a patient. The apparatus (1) comprises a handpiece with a housing, at least one first electrode (11) and at least one second electrode (15) located on a distal end of the handpiece and an energy source, which is connected to said at least one first (11) and said at least one second (15) electrode. The apparatus (1) is adapted for applying radio frequency (RF) energy to the tissue. The at least one second electrode (15) is arranged on a base plate (13) and the at least one first electrode (11) is or comprises a pin or a needle (11), in particular a microneedle, which penetrates the base plate (13) through a through hole (17).

Abstract: A surgical instrument is provided and includes a housing having a shaft. An end effector assembly is operatively connected to a distal end of the shaft and has a pair of first and second jaw members that are movable relative to one another. A drive assembly operably couples to a handle assembly associated with the housing and is configured to impart movement of a respective jaw member when the handle assembly is actuated. A spring component operably associated with each of the jaw members is configured to provide a sealing force at the jaw members.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides electroporation catheters that are capable of forming a loop, generally a circular loop, an oval loop, or like in shape, located on the distal end portion of a catheter shaft within the vasculature of an individual. The electroporation catheters of the present disclosure may be delivered into the vasculature of the individual in a straight conformation and allow for the formation of the loop once positioned in the desired location. Some embodiments of the present disclosure include an electroporation catheter that includes a loop member pull wire in a spiral or helical configuration on an inside surface of the distal end portion of the catheter shaft.

Abstract: A forceps includes a housing having a shaft. An end effector assembly operatively connects to a distal end of the shaft and includes a pair of first and second jaw members. One or both of the first and second jaw members is movable relative to the other jaw member from a clamping position to an open position. A resilient member operably couples to the first and second jaw members. The resilient member is configured to bias the first and second jaw members in the clamping position and provide a closure force on tissue disposed therebetween.

Abstract: A microwave ablation probe including a probe body including a shielded portion and a radiation window that is at least partially transparent to microwave energy. The shielded portion includes a cannula, a coaxial cable within the probe body, and an antenna comprising a radiating portion for emission of microwave energy at a distal portion of the probe body, wherein the radiating portion is aligned with the radiation window. The probe body defines an irrigation path configured to carry cooling fluid to and from the distal portion of the probe body. At least one wall defining the irrigation path comprises a heat exchange surface having an average radius, wherein a surface area of the heat exchange surface is larger than a surface area of a smooth surface with a radius equal to the average radius.

Abstract: Catheter apparatuses, systems, and methods for achieving renal neuromodulation by intravascular access are disclosed herein. One aspect of the present technology, for example, is directed to a treatment device having a direct heating element configured to be delivered to a renal blood vessel. The treatment device is selectively transformable between a delivery or low-profile state and a deployed state. The direct heating element is housed within an occlusion element which is sized and shaped so that the direct heating element contacts an interior wall of the occlusion element, an outer wall of which is simultaneously in contact with the inner wall of a renal blood vessel when the treatment assembly is in the deployed state. The direct heating element is configured to apply thermal energy to heat neural fibers that contribute to renal function.

Abstract: The disclosure provides various embodiments of catheters that can be used for various procedures. Embodiments of methods are also provided that can be performed with catheters in accordance with the present disclosure.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for degassing fluid prior to applying fluid to a treatment site during ablation therapy are provided. In one embodiment, an ablation system can include an elongate body, an ablation element, a heating assembly, and a fluid source. Fluid in the fluid source can be at least partially degassed prior to being provided as part of the system, or, in some embodiments, a degassing apparatus can be provided that can be configured to degas fluid within the system prior to applying the fluid to the treatment site. The degassing apparatus can include one or more gas-permeable and fluid-impermeable tubes disposed therein, which can allow gas to be removed from fluid passing through the apparatus. Other exemplary devices, systems, and methods are also provided.

Abstract: A tissue treatment assembly comprising an elongate flexible energy delivery device extending along a longitudinal axis and terminating at a distal opening and a circuit assembly including a plurality of conductors wrapped in a spiral configuration around the elongate flexible energy delivery device.

Abstract: Methods and systems for distributing electrical energy to tissue which minimize Joule heating, thermal effects, and/or thermal damage, without sacrificing efficacy of treatment, are described. The methods and systems are particularly suitable to electrical energy-based therapies employing multiple electrodes, such as arrays of electrodes.

Abstract: An end effector has three degrees of freedom in operation: (1) opening and closing of the jaws, (2) adjustable pivoting of the jaws relative to the longitudinal axis, and (3) rotation of the jaw assembly, regardless of its articulation, about the longitudinal axis. A split yoke assembly is coupled to rotatable jaw mounts, which in turn are coupled to the jaws. A pushrod is configured to open and close the jaws, and a translatable line, which may be implemented by a set of cables or by an additional pushrod, is configured to cause pivoting of the jaws.

Abstract: Concepts presented herein relate to an interface module that can be electrically coupled to an electrical stimulation generator, a radio frequency generator and an instrument. A selection module is coupled to the interface module and operates in a first mode to deliver electrical stimulation signals from the electrical stimulation generator to the instrument and in a second mode to deliver radio frequency signals from the radio frequency generator to the instrument.

Abstract: A medical device and a treatment method, in which energy is accurately applied to a target site by suppressing a positional displacement between an expansion body and a biological tissue. The medical device includes an elongated shaft portion and an expansion body disposed in a distal portion of the shaft portion and configured to expand and contract in a radial direction. The expansion body includes a holding portion having a proximal side holding portion and a distal side holding portion configured to hold the biological tissue, and a movable portion configured to open and close the holding portion.

Abstract: A method of determining contact status of electrodes includes applying drive signals between pairs of electrodes, measuring a bipolar electrode complex impedance (BECI) value generated in response to the drive signals over a collection period, and determining a baseline BECI value representing a minimum value measured during the collection period. The method further includes determining contact status of the electrode by applying drive signals between pairs of electrodes over a given interval, measuring a BECI value generated in response to the drive signals, measuring a peak-to-peak value associated with the BECI values measured over the given interval, and determining contact status based on a combination of the baseline BECI value, the measured BECI value, and the peak-to-peak value associated with the measured BECI values.

Abstract: Various catheters are provided herein for recording, mapping, and/or ablating target tissue to reduce or eliminate unwanted electrical impulses. In one embodiment, a catheter can have a handle, an elongate body, and an end effector. The end effector has expanded and contracted configurations and can rotate about the elongate body. A plurality of electrodes can also be disposed on the end effector for recording, mapping, and/or ablating target tissue surrounding the catheter. The handle can guide the end effector through transitioning between the configurations and rotating about the elongate body.

Abstract: A surgical device that includes a first support member extending along a longitudinal axis; a bladder located on the first support member; a first sealing member located on the bladder; and a second sealing member located on the bladder. The sealing member is located on one side of the longitudinal axis; and the second sealing member is located on another side of the longitudinal axis. The bladder is inflatable, and inflating the bladder changes a position of the first sealing member, the second sealing member, or both relative to the first support member.