Abstract: An electrosurgical forceps instrument in which an energy conveying structure for efficiently transferring electromagnetic energy (e.g. microwave energy and/or radiofrequency energy) from a coaxial cable to electrodes on the forceps jaws is incorporated into a compact jaw opening structure. The jaw opening structure may be dimensioned to be suitable for insertion down the instrument channel of a endoscope or other scoping device. Alternatively, the device may be configured as a laparoscopic device or be used in open procedures. The instrument may be used as a tool to perform new minimally invasive surgical techniques such as Natural Orifice Transluminal Endosurgery (NOTES) or the like.

Abstract: Systems and related methods for identifying and/or ablating targeted nerves are provided. A probe with stimulating electrodes and/or ablation members are provided. The probe may be inserted into a nasal cavity and current may be introduced through the electrodes to stimulate a targeted area. The response to stimulation may be used to identify the targeted nerve. Once identified, the ablation member may ablate the targeted nerve.

Abstract: Provided is a medical system comprising a medical device, a feature sensor and a logic controller or processor wherein the logic controller is configured to monitor or control an operation of the medical device in response to the input of the feature sensor. Also provided is a method of monitoring or controlling an operation of a medical device by a logic controller through a plurality of sensors. Further provided is a method of minimizing or preventing tissue sticking of an electrosurgical device during a medical procedure on a patient.

Abstract: An electrosurgical tool or pencil for use in performing surgery includes an elongate, non-conductive housing having an elongate passage extending from a front end. An elongate electrode is mounted in the passage and slidable therein and has an operating forward section, an insulated central section, and an non-insulated rear section. The electrode can be adjusted in its longitudinal direction by a user. A conducting member is mounted on the rear section of the electrode and an elongate conducting strip is fixedly mounted in the elongate passage adjacent one side of the electrode and parallel thereto. The strip is supported by the housing so as to be in electrical contact with the conducting member which is slidable relative to the conducting strip. A circuit board for controlling the tool's operation is mounted in the housing and connected to the conducting strip.

Abstract: A surgical instrument (100) includes first and second shaft members (110, 120) defining proximal and distal end portions (112a, 122a, 112b, 122b) and including handles (114, 124) at the proximal end portions (112a, 122a) thereof. A pivot member (130) couples the distal end portions (112b, 122b) with a gap (G) defined therebetween proximally of the pivot member (130). First and second jaw members (210, 220) extend distally from the shaft members (110,120), distally of the pivot member (130). A lockout bar (160, 560, 660, 760) is movable between an unlocked position, withdrawn from the gap (G), and a locked position, disposed within the gap (G). The handles (114, 124) are pivotable between spaced-apart and approximated positions to pivot the jaw members (210, 220) between open and closed positions. The handles (114, 124) are yawable between the approximated position and a yawed position to yaw the jaw members (210, 220) between the closed position and a cutting position.

Abstract: Methods are provided for automatically actuating and positioning a first medical device in a subject anatomy with a remote medical navigation system together with a localized second medical device that passes through the first device and is also actuated by the remote navigation system to access a desired target location. After an initial calibration step, an exemplary method comprises: (a) determining configurational variables for the first medical device based on a computational model of device deformation and a set of geometrical constraints, and (b) automatically steering the first medical device with the remote navigation system to the computationally determined configuration.

Abstract: A method and system for energy-based (e.g., ultrasound treatment and/or other modalities) of skin glands are provided. An exemplary method and system for targeted treatment of skin glands, such as sweat and/or sebaceous glands, can be configured in various manners, such as through use of therapy only, therapy and monitoring, imaging and therapy, or therapy, imaging, and monitoring, and/or through use of focused, unfocused, or defocused ultrasound (or other energy) through control of various spatial and temporal parameters. As a result, ablative energy can be deposited at the particular depth at which the skin gland population is located below the skin surface.

Abstract: A method and system for noninvasive face lifts and deep tissue tightening are disclosed. An exemplary method and treatment system are configured for the imaging, monitoring, and thermal injury to treat the SMAS region. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the exemplary method and system are configured for treating the SMAS region by first, imaging of the region of interest for localization of the treatment area and surrounding structures, second, delivery of ultrasound energy at a depth, distribution, timing, and energy level to achieve the desired therapeutic effect, and third to monitor the treatment area before, during, and after therapy to plan and assess the results and/or provide feedback.

Abstract: The invention comprises novel microwave antennas wherein the microwave field profile generated by an antenna is tailored and optimized for a particular clinical application. The antennas disclosed herein incorporate one or more additional elements called shaping elements that use unique properties of microwaves such as interaction of a microwave field with one or more conductive or non-conductive elements to shape or redistribute the microwave field. Such shaping elements may be used to reduce the undesired backward coupling of the emitted microwave field to the transmission line. Such shaping elements may be used to increase the power efficiency of the antenna. The invention also discloses devices and methods for treating tissue with microwave energy emitted from the antennas for use in applications such as destroying a soft tissue by microwave ablation.

Abstract: Flexible apparatus for ablating unhealthy spinal tissue. A housing includes a distal end and a proximal end. Multiple thermocouples mounted on the housing measure spinal tissue temperatures at locations between the proximal end and the distal end. A sensor measures spinal tissue impedance. The measured spinal tissue impedance corresponds to various physical state data of the spinal tissue. The spinal tissue impedance and the spinal tissue temperatures are displayed to the surgeon, enabling the surgeon to determine with certainty the location of the unhealthy spinal tissue, and to exercise control over the ablation apparatus. Nerve stimulation by IMP/STM switch system to detect nerve responses before and after treatment.

Abstract: An electrosurgical probe includes an elongated shaft assembly having a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis. A distal housing is mounted on the distal end of the shaft and optionally includes a laterally open window where a plane of the window is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shaft. An interior channel extends axially through the shaft and further through an interior of the housing to the window in the housing. An electrode member with a serrated or other elongated edge may extend longitudinally across the window and may be configured to reciprocate the elongated edge longitudinally relative to the window.

Abstract: An arthroscopic system includes a re-useable, sterilizable handle integrated with a single umbilical cable or conduit. The single umbilical cable or conduit carries electrical power from a power and/or control console to the handle for operating both a motor drive unit within the handle and delivering the RF power to a disposable RF probe or cutter which may be detachably connected to the handle. The RF power delivered to the handle and on to the probe or cutter is typically bi-polar, where the handle includes first and second electrical bi-polar contacts that couple to corresponding bi-polar electrical contacts on a hub of the disposable RF probe or cutter is connected to the handle.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a housing and an elongated shaft operably coupled to an actuating mechanism moveable between an actuated position and an unactuated position. An end effector includes a pair of opposing first and second jaw members. One or more drive surfaces are disposed on the actuating mechanism and configured to compress a spring upon movement of the actuating mechanism to the actuated position. The spring imparts a spring force in a distal direction to bias the actuating mechanism to the unactuated position. An electrically conductive tissue sealing surface extends along a length of one or both of the jaw members and is adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy.

Abstract: A method for maintaining patency in a duct or hollow vessel located within the body of a patient is described wherein the duct includes one or more obstructions. The method comprises the steps of introducing a device into the duct, the device comprising a catheter having a distal and a proximal end, wherein the distal end includes a distal tip portion and wherein the distal tip portion comprises at least one energy delivery member; locating the device within the duct at a position proximal to the obstruction; delivering energy to the duct and any surrounding tissue via the at least one energy delivery member for a specified time period, so that the obstruction is removed from the duct; and withdrawing the device from the duct. It is optional to subsequently place a device such as a stent at the therapy site in order to further maintain long term patency of the duct. It is also optional to apply a dilation force to the duct or hollow vessel after the energy delivery phase.

Abstract: An HF surgical instrument includes two instrument branches movable toward each other into a closing position. Each branch is equipped with at least one electrode and can be supplied with electric power from a power source. The HF instrument includes a separately configured bridge which is connectable to the power source via at least one electric connection or at least one electric line and includes at least one electrically conductive contact point for supplying the at least one electrode with electric power. The bridge can be introduced to at least one of the two branches so that the at least one contact point is electrically contacted by the at least one electrode. A method of assembling a HF surgical instrument includes equipping two instrument branches with at least one electrode.

Abstract: A matrix router with frequency switching is provided having an energy source electrically connected to a plurality of interface ports. A switching device is provided between the energy source and the plurality of switches. One of the plurality of interface ports includes a paired electrode interface port for the connection of a paired electrode device thereto. The paired electrode device has a first pair of opposed electrodes and a second pair of opposed electrodes for clamping on tissue. When the paired electrode device is operably connected to the paired electrode interface port and actuated, the switching device alternates energy such as bipolar RF from the first pair of opposed electrodes to the second pair of opposed electrodes.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus includes a housing that supports a shaft assembly. The shaft assembly defines a longitudinal axis therethrough and includes coaxially aligned outer and inner shaft members. The inner shaft member is movable within the outer shaft member. An end effector includes a pair of jaw members disposed at a distal end of the outer shaft. At least one of the jaw members is pivotably coupled to the outer shaft and is movable between open and clamping configurations for grasping tissue. The inner shaft contacts a proximal end of the moveable jaw member to maintain the movable jaw member in the open configuration and is slidable against the movable jaw member to move the moveable jaw member between the open configuration and clamping configuration.

Abstract: An endoscopic vessel harvester cuts and cauterizes side branches from a target vessel using a cutter member that extends at a distal end of an insertion member. The cutter member has a plate defining a slit for receiving a side branch. A cutting electrode is disposed at a base of the slit and a pair of grounding electrodes are each mounted to an outer surface of the plate on opposite sides of the slit. Each grounding electrode has a raised longitudinal ridge adjoining a portion of the slit including the base of the slit and has a spot cautery wing extending laterally away from the slit with a surface configured to engage a surface of the tunnel. The longitudinal ridges each have an upright jamb surface configured to contact the side branch remotely from the cutting electrode so that it is unnecessary to make a grounding contact on the tunnel.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to catheter devices, including irrigated and non-irrigated ablation catheters. More specifically, this disclosure relates to irrigated ablation catheters including an irrigation lumen having at least one electronic device at least partially disposed therein. In many embodiments, the irrigation lumen further includes at least one sideport. In some embodiments, the electronic device has a distal end extending out of the irrigation lumen and into an electrode tip assembly. In some embodiments, a proximal end of the electronic device extends through the sideport in the irrigation lumen.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to apparatus and methods for tightening tissue of the female genitalia by heating targeted connective tissue with radiant energy, while cooling the mucosal epithelial surface over the target tissue to protect it from the heat. Embodiments include a handle and treatment tip that has both an energy delivery element and a cooling mechanism. The handle may be a two-handed handle allowing control even while rotating and maneuvering the treatment around the genital opening. The apparatus or system may also include an integrated controller, which may confirm tissue contact without applying RF energy, based only on the temperature of the applicator and the time since the last application of energy from the applicator.