Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods for monitoring temperature at a region near a surgical site during a procedure. A temperature-indicating element of an electrosurgical device comprises an indicator composition adapted to undergo a change in appearance in response to a pre-defined temperature range. The change in appearance of the temperature-indicating element indicates to the operator of the device a temperature condition at the working end of the device.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for ablating, severing, cutting, shrinking, coagulating, or otherwise modifying a target tissue to be treated. In a method for treating a target tissue, an active electrode of an electrosurgical probe is positioned in at least close proximity to the target tissue in the presence of an electrically conductive fluid. A high frequency voltage is then applied between the active electrode and a return electrode, wherein, the high frequency voltage is sufficient to volumetrically remove (ablate), sever, or modify at least a portion of the target tissue. The probe comprises a multi-lumen shaft having a plurality of internal lumens, and a return electrode coil oriented substantially parallel to the shaft distal end. The active electrode may be in the form of a metal disc, a hook, or an active electrode coil. In the latter embodiment, the active electrode coil is typically arranged substantially orthogonal to the return electrode coil.

Abstract: An electrosurgical method for treating open angle and narrow angle glaucoma, comprising positioning an active electrode in close proximity to a drainage angle of the eye, the active electrode disposed on a distal end of a shaft; and applying a high frequency voltage difference between the active electrode and a return electrode sufficient to ablate and coagulate target tissue in the vicinity of the drainage angle, to create drainage canals with prolonged patency.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for ablating, severing, cutting, shrinking, coagulating, or otherwise modifying a target tissue to be treated. In a method for treating a target tissue, an active electrode of an electrosurgical probe is positioned in at least close proximity to the target tissue in the presence of an electrically conductive fluid. A high frequency voltage is then applied between the active electrode and a return electrode, wherein, the high frequency voltage is sufficient to volumetrically remove (ablate), sever, or modify at least a portion of the target tissue. The probe comprises a multi-lumen shaft having a plurality of internal lumens, and a return electrode coil oriented substantially parallel to the shaft distal end. The active electrode may be in the form of a metal disc, a hook, or an active electrode coil. In the latter embodiment, the active electrode coil is typically arranged substantially orthogonal to the return electrode coil.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument comprising a shaft that includes a distal end section and a distal tip. Near the distal tip is an active electrode and a fluid collection chamber. The fluid collection chamber comprises an ingress port for suctioning a fluid flow over the active electrode and into the fluid collection chamber; a regulator adapted to adjust the fluid flow through the ingress port; and an aspiration port for exhausting the fluid from the fluid collection chamber, and a method thereof.

Abstract: An electrosurgical apparatus for performing a surgical procedure on a target site, comprising a shaft having a distal end portion, the distal end portion comprising an active electrode including a fuse leg, the fuse leg adapted to break and disable the instrument upon applying a voltage differential between the active electrode and a return electrode for a predetermined amount of time. In another embodiment, the present invention is a method of performing an electrosurgical procedure on a target tissue, comprising: placing an electrosurgical instrument in close proximity to the target tissue, the electrosurgical instrument comprising an active electrode having a pre-selected portion adapted to break and disable the instrument upon applying a voltage differential thereto for a working time; and applying the voltage differential.

Abstract: An electrosurgical apparatus for treating body tissue, comprising an active and a return electrode, a vacuum inlet located near the active electrode, and at least one pinhole defined on the apparatus near the return electrode that is adapted to provide a conductive fluid bridge between the active and return electrodes during use regardless of the orientation of the electrodes relative to the tissue, without flooding the electrodes or the tissue. Also, a method and system of performing a dry field surgical procedure comprising applying ablative energy to a target tissue wherein the target tissue is not flooded or submerged in electrically conductive fluid; and maintaining a fluid bridge between the electrodes regardless of the orientation of the shaft. Advantageously, since the conductive fluid bridge is maintained for any orientation of the electrodes relative to the tissue without flooding, the instrument can be used to treat tissue from any orientation without breaking the fluid bridge.

Abstract: Electrosurgical systems, apparatus, and methods for the controlled removal and treatment of a target tissue. An instrument of the invention includes a rotating member housed longitudinally within a shaft, a tissue removal port disposed at the shaft distal end portion, and an active electrode disposed at the instrument distal end. The active electrode is adapted to electrosurgically remove at least a portion of the target tissue as the rotating member rotates within the shaft. According to alternative embodiments, the active electrode may be disposed on the rotating member or on the shaft.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems, apparatus, and methods for dissecting, resecting, severing, cutting, contracting, coagulating, or otherwise modifying a tissue or organ of a patient. An apparatus of the invention includes an electrosurgical probe configurable between an open configuration and a closed configuration, the probe including an active electrode terminal, a fixed return electrode disposed proximal to the active electrode terminal, and a movable return electrode configured to move linearly with respect to the active electrode terminal between the open configuration and the closed configuration. A method of the present invention comprises clamping a blood vessel between the active electrode terminal and the movable return electrode, coagulating the clamped blood vessel by application of a first high frequency voltage, and severing the coagulated blood vessel by application of a second high frequency voltage.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods for monitoring temperature at a region near a surgical site during a procedure. A temperature-indicating element of an electrosurgical device comprises an indicator composition adapted to undergo a change in appearance in response to a pre-defined temperature range. The change in appearance of the temperature-indicating element indicates to the operator of the device a temperature condition at the working end of the device.