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: 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: 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: 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.

Abstract: Devices, and methods of use thereof, are disclosed for preventing tumor seeding when withdrawing the device along an entry-exit path. Some embodiments of the present invention comprise a method of withdrawing a probe through a tissue via a path that traverses at least some bone tissue, the method including withdrawing the probe through the path, and at least partially concurrently delivering energy in a bipolar manner from the probe to heat a layer of tissue surrounding the probe to a temperature sufficient for thermal coagulation necrosis of cells. The device may be withdrawn incrementally.

Abstract: A modular surgical system is disclosed. The modular surgical system comprises a header module, a first surgical module, a second surgical module, and a module identification circuit. The second surgical module is arrangeable in a stack configuration with the header module and the first surgical module. The module identification circuit is configured to cause a pre-determined current to be transmitted to the first surgical module through the second surgical module in the stack configuration, detect a first voltage indicative of a first position of the first surgical module in the stack configuration, and detect a second voltage indicative of a second position of the second surgical module in the stack configuration. The second voltage is different than the first voltage.

Abstract: A medical system includes a medical device and an analysis system. The medical device includes a perforation device having a shaft. The shaft has a proximal portion, and an opposed distal portion. A perforating tip is associated with the distal portion. At least a first light emitter is associated with the distal portion and is positioned proximate the perforating tip for illuminating a region surrounding the perforating tip. The analysis system is for analyzing returned light that is returned towards the shaft from the region surrounding the perforating tip. The analysis system includes a light sensor configured to detect one or more parameters of the returned light, a processor configured to perform an analysis of the one or more parameters, and an alert system connected to the processor for alerting a user to a result of the analysis.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and systems of performing immunotherapy on a subject and/or determining if a subject will be responsive to ablation immunotherapy.

Abstract: Example embodiments relate to surgical systems and methods. The system includes an arm assembly and end-effector assembly. The arm assembly includes a first drive portion and wrist drive portion. The end-effector assembly is securable to and removable from the arm assembly. The end-effector assembly includes an instrument assembly and wrist assembly. The instrument assembly includes a first instrument, first instrument driven portion, and first instrument insulative portion. The first instrument driven portion is configured to move the first instrument relative to a first axis when the first instrument driven portion is driven by the first drive portion. The wrist assembly includes a wrist driven portion. The wrist driven portion is configured to move the first instrument relative to a second axis when the wrist driven portion is driven by the wrist drive portion. The end-effector assembly is secured to and removable from the arm assembly via a wrist connector portion.

Abstract: Example embodiments relate to surgical systems. The system includes an end-effector assembly having an instrument. The system includes a first arm assembly. A distal end of first arm assembly is securable to the end-effector assembly. The system includes an elbow joint assembly. A distal end of elbow joint assembly is secured to a proximal end of first arm assembly. A proximal end of elbow joint assembly is secured to a distal end of second arm assembly. The second arm assembly includes a first elbow drive assembly. The first elbow drive assembly includes an integrated motor for driving the elbow joint assembly to pivotally move the first arm assembly relative to an axis. The second arm assembly also includes a second elbow drive assembly. The second elbow drive assembly includes an integrated motor for driving the elbow joint assembly to pivotally move the first arm assembly relative to another axis.

Abstract: A medical device that includes a handle, a shaft extending distally from the handle and defining a lumen, and an actuator disposed in the shaft and including a distal tip. The actuator and the distal tip are movable relative to the lumen. The medical device includes an expandable member having an inner cavity. The actuator is configured to engage the expandable member when moving distally relative to the lumen and in response to the distal tip entering the inner cavity. The actuator is configured to disengage the expandable member when moving proximally relative to the lumen and in response to the distal tip exiting the inner cavity.

Abstract: An electrosurgical generator supplies, during operation, a high-frequency alternating current to an electrosurgical instrument for plasma cutting of body tissue. The electrosurgical generator has outputs for connecting an electrosurgical instrument to supply an electrosurgical instrument connected to the outputs with a high-frequency alternating current, and for determining the impedance of a load connected to the outputs. The electrosurgical generator features impedance and voltage measuring units as well as an output voltage control unit. The output voltage control unit is designed to control the AC output voltage depending on a maximum output voltage value that is set during operation depending on an output value of the impedance measuring unit and/or depending on an output value of the voltage measuring unit, such that the maximum output voltage value predefines a lower AC output voltage during a vaporization phase than during an ignition phase occurring subsequently to the vaporization phase.

Abstract: A flexible instrument comprises an antenna having a distal tip portion shaped to perforate tissue, a proximal base, and an antenna body therebetween. The antenna body comprises a patterned cylindrical structure having antenna body elements spatially separated from each other and having a proximal end coupled to the proximal base and a distal end coupled to the distal tip portion. The distal tip portion is disposed distally of the distal end. The antenna comprises a first material having a flexible plastic deformation limit and a second material plated onto the first material. The second material is more conductive than the first material. The flexible instrument further comprises an adjustment device configured to adjust pitch lengths between adjacent antenna body elements and is configured to generate a radiation pattern from the antenna that varies based on the pitch length between the adjacent antenna body elements to ablate tissue.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an end effector, a handle assembly, a knife drive assembly, an electrode activation assembly, and a lockout assembly. The end effector includes a first jaw, a second jaw, a knife, and an electrode assembly. The handle assembly includes a housing associated with the first jaw and an arm associated with the second jaw, where the arm is configured to pivot the second jaw between an open position and a closed position. The lockout assembly is may transition between a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration. The lockout assembly may prevent activation of the electrode and prevent actuation of the knife drive assembly while in the locked configuration. The lockout assembly may allow activation of the electrode and allow actuation of the knife drive assembly while in the unlocked configuration.

Abstract: Systems and methods for endometrial ablation. The systems include a handle and elongated introducer sleeve extending to an expandable working end having a fluid-tight interior chamber. A thin dielectric wall surrounds at least a portion of the interior chamber and has an external surface for contacting endometrial tissue. The thin dielectric wall surrounds a collapsible-expandable frame and receives an electrically non-conductive gas. First and second polarity electrodes are exposed to the interior and exterior of the chamber, respectively. A radiofrequency power source operatively connects to the electrode arrangement to apply a radiofrequency voltage across the first and second electrodes, wherein the voltage is sufficient to initiate ionization of the neutral gas into a conductive plasma within the interior chamber, and to capacitively couple the current in the plasma across the thin dielectric wall to ablate endometrial tissue engaged by the external surface of the dielectric structure.

Abstract: Current cancer treatments such as surgery, radiation and chemotherapy have significant side-effects for the patients. New treatments are being developed to reduce these side-effects while giving doctors alternative methods to treat patients. This invention introduces a new apparatus for treatment of malignant tumors including brain cancer, pancreatic cancer, lung cancer, ovarian cancer, and breast cancer. The apparatus couples RF power into the tumor using evanescent waves. The evanescent waves disrupt the division of cancer cells causing the cancer cells to die and shrink the size of the tumor. Due to the targeted approach of the evanescent waves, less RF energy is wasted in healthy cells.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present disclosure is directed to methods of treating various conditions including bladder conditions in a patient, comprising: positioning at least one ablative element of an ablative device on or over an adventitial surface of the bladder; and using the ablative device to denervate bladder nerve fibers. Other aspects of the present disclosure pertain, for example, to devices and kits for of treating bladder conditions.

Abstract: Various embodiments of multielectrode radiofrequency (RF) ablation probes are described herein that disclose methods and apparatus for improved control and predictability of the size and shape of RF thermal electrocoagulations. The features of the invention include the ability to make irregularly shaped ablations in order to conform to irregularly shaped target tissue volumes, and to make very large ablations without the requirement for electrode cooling.

Abstract: An electrosurgical apparatus with a retractable blade for use in cold plasma applications, electrosurgical cutting and mechanical cutting is provided. The electrosurgical apparatus employs a tip of the retractable blade as a sharp conductive point to generate a plasma beam or discharge. When the blade is retracted within the electrosurgical apparatus, it is electrically energized while an inert gas flows over it, producing a cold plasma discharge. In the de-energized state, the blade is advanced and used as a traditional, mechanical surgical blade.