Abstract: Method, system and apparatus for carrying out accurate electrosurgical cutting. A thin resilient electrode is utilized at the forward end region of an instrument which is deployable from a longitudinally disposed slot positioned rearwardly of the tip of the instrument. Lateral sides of the slot extend between a forward location adjacent the tip and a rearward location. The electrode is deployed by urging it forwardly in compression to form an arch profile supported by the abutting slot sides adjacent the forward and rearward locations. Electrosurgically excitable with a cutting output, the electrode may carry out a cutting action both during its deployment and retraction into the noted slot. This permits a pivoting maneuver effective for circumscribing a volume of targeted tissue.

Abstract: Method, system and apparatus for carrying out accurate electrosurgical cutting. A thin resilient electrode is utilized at the forward end region of an instrument which is deployable from a longitudinally disposed slot positioned rearwardly of the tip of the instrument. Lateral sides of the slot extend between a forward location adjacent the tip and a rearward location. The electrode is deployed by urging it forwardly in compression to form an arch profile supported by the abutting slot sides adjacent the forward and rearward locations. Electrosurgically excitable with a cutting output, the electrode may carry out a cutting action both during its deployment and retraction into the noted slot. This permits a pivoting maneuver effective for circumscribing a volume of targeted tissue.

Abstract: System, method and apparatus for carrying out the recovery of an intact volume of tissue wherein a delivery cannula distal end is positioned in confronting adjacency with the volume of tissue to be recovered. A capture component formed of a plurality of metal leafs is deployed from the distal end of the delivery cannula. The tips of these leafs carry a pursing cable assembly which is electrically excited to electrosurgically cut around and circumscribe the tissue volume. These pursing cables are tensioned to complete the envelopment of the tissue volumes by drawing the leaf tips together. Drive to the capture component ultimately is developed from an electric motor and electrosurgical cutting current is supplied initially at a boost voltage level and thereafter at a lower normal cutting voltage level.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems, apparatus and methods for selectively applying electrical energy to cut or incise structures in a patient's body. The electrosurgical systems and methods are particularly useful for removing tissue or ligaments from a patient's joint, such as the patellar ligament in the knee, in dermatological procedures, i.e., surface treatment of the patient's outer skin, such as the removal of pigmentations, vascular lesions (e.g., leg veins), scars, tattoos, etc., and in procedures for removing tissue in regions of the head and neck. The method of the present invention comprises positioning an electrosurgical probe adjacent the target tissue so that one or more electrode terminal(s) are brought into at least partial contact or close proximity with the target site in the presence of electrically conductive fluid.

Abstract: System, method and apparatus for carrying out the recovery of an intact volume of tissue wherein a delivery cannula distal end is positioned in confronting adjacency with the volume of tissue to be recovered. A capture component formed of a plurality of metal leafs is deployed from the distal end of the delivery cannula. The tips of these leafs carry a pursing cable assembly which is electrically excited to electrosurgically cut around and circumscribe the tissue volume. These pursing cables are tensioned to complete the envelopment of the tissue volumes by drawing the leaf tips together. Drive to the capture component ultimately is developed from an electric motor and electrosurgical cutting current is supplied initially at a boost voltage level and thereafter at a lower normal cutting voltage level.

Abstract: A system and method for measuring total circulating blood volume and cardiac output employing an analyte diffusion approach. The analyte sensor as well as the analyte-containing fluid infusion procedure may be carried out with instruments which are inserted in the bloodstream at peripheral locations of the body spaced from the heart. A controller is provided to automatically carry out these measurements as well as to provide threshold comparisons for alerting the practitioner to excursion in the parameters. The preferred analyte containing fluid is an ammoniacal fluid and the preferred sensed components is ammonia gas.

Abstract: Apparatus system and method for cauterizing a volume of tissue wherein electrode assemblies are deployed from the forward end region of an instrument in conjunction with an electrosurgical cutting activity. Upon deployment to one or more deployed orientations, the electrodes assemblies are made biactive and the cauterization of tissue is carried out in a bipolar fashion. Following the procedure, the electrode assemblies are retracted toward the instrument and the instrument is withdrawn from the tissue region.

Abstract: System, method and apparatus for carrying out the recovery of an intact volume of tissue wherein a delivery cannula distal end is positioned in confronting adjacency with the volume of tissue to be recovered. An expandable metal capture component is expressed from the distal end of the cannula to expand while being electrically excited to electrosurgically cut around and circumscribe the tissue volume. Pursing cables are tensioned to complete the envelopment of the tissue volume, whereupon the volume is recovered by withdrawal of the instrument.

Abstract: Total ammoniacal concentration (TAC) in blood is measured and displayed on a repetitive basis by a controller driven sensor arrangement which may be utilized either with a catheter structure or with a bypass system. The catheter based sensors may be employed with a peripheral region of the vascular system of the body. Repetitive measurements are carried out and these measurements are subjected to a moving average filtering procedure, whereupon the filtered TAC values are displayed numerically and graphically. The controller functions to compute the rate-of-rise of TAC and compares that value with a threshold rate-of-rise valuation which is inputted by the practitioner. Threshold values for TAC also may be inputted and the system not only provides alarm warnings for threshold excursions in TAC above threshold or excursions in rate-of-rise of TAC above threshold but also provides a visual cuing as a warning that TAC is elevating from one filtered measurement to the next.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for removing fatty tissue underlying a patient's epidermis (e.g., blepharoplasty, brow lifts, eyelid shortening procedures, and the like). These methods include positioning one or more active electrode(s) and one or more return electrode(s) in close proximity to a target site on an external body surface of the patient. A high frequency voltage difference is applied between the active and return electrode(s), and the active electrode(s) are translated across the external body surface to create an incision therein. The bipolar configuration controls the flow of current to within and around the distal end of the probe, which minimizes tissue necrosis and the conduction of current through unwanted paths in the patient. The residual heat from the electrical energy also provides simultaneous hemostasis of severed blood vessels, which increases visualization and improves recovery time for the patient.

Abstract: Surgical forceps which are configured having oppositely disposed tissue grasping surfaces at the tip regions of corresponding tines. An electrically insulative spacer assembly is positioned on and supported from at least one of the tissue grasping surfaces to space the tissue contacting surfaces apart an optimized distance, T, when the tines are in a substantially closed orientation. A preferred, strip form of spacer assembly formed of an electrically insulative material is employed and improved current paths are defined between the grasping surfaces to derive an efficient and effective hemostasis substantially without sticking of tissue to the surfaces. The geometric configuration of the spacer regions functions to enhance cleanability of the forceps and the tines of the forceps additionally are formed with side and nose surfaces at the tip regions having effective side surface current delivery areas improving forceps performance when used in a coagulative painting modality.

Abstract: Bipolar surgical instruments for simultaneously cutting and coagulating tissue are provided that feature increased manufacturability and durability, reduced component cost and reduced assembly requirements. The bipolar instruments include opposite polarity electrodes isolated by a layer of electrical insulation deposited and specially prepared to reduce electrical breakdown and increase smoothness. A pivot pin connecting the electrodes is impregnated with hydrophobic material, and organic materials are generally avoided in the components and manufacture of the instruments. A simplified design for an endoscopic bipolar instrument is also provided to reduce cost and improve manufacturability and durability of such devices.