Abstract: A suture anchor device and method for attaching soft tissue to bone includes an anchor body and a suture locking wedge movably disposed within the anchor body. Tension applied to one side of a suture causes the suture locking wedge to translate and rotate into a position which compresses the suture, thereby locking the suture in the anchor. A resilient or spring biasing member within the anchor device urges the suture locking wedge to compress the suture, facilitating suture locking.

Abstract: Ablation performance indicator for electrosurgical devices is described where ablation is typically characterized by the generation of a plasma discharge at the electrode assembly of an electrosurgical probe. When the electrode begins firing, the current waveform assumes a distinct appearance characterized by a spike at the leading edge of each half cycle followed by a lower level for the remaining period of the half cycle. A calculation of the waveform's Crest Factor can be used to determine the state at the electrode, e.g., whether the ablative energy is causing a desirable ablative effect on the electrode. This provides real-time measurements of the RMS and peak current amplitudes along with the Crest Factor and may also be used as limits or inputs to control algorithms or as inputs to indicate whether the device is in its ablative or non-ablative state.

Abstract: An innovative bone anchor and methods for securing soft tissue, such as tendons, to bone, which permit a suture attachment that lies entirely beneath the cortical bone surface. The suturing material between the soft tissue and the bone anchor may be secured without the need for tying a knot. The suture attachment to the bone anchor involves the looping of a length of suture around a suture return member or path within the bone anchor, tightening the suture and attached soft tissue, and compressing the suture against the bone anchor. The bone anchor may be a tubular body having a lumen with a locking plug that compresses the suture therein. One of the components of the locking structure may include a deformable or flexible section, member, or surface. The locking plug may include a shaft and an enlarged head that interferes with the tubular body to provide a positive stop.

Abstract: System and methods of an electrosurgical controller having multiple modes of operation that are configured for treatment of a specific targeted tissue type and the electrosurgical effect desired where the treatment and effect are provided by a single controller and an electrosurgical probe. The electrosurgical controller includes an integrated fluid control apparatus or pump where activation of the controller allows for selective energy delivery and corresponding fluid volume flow rates. The electrosurgical probe includes a fluid transport lumen and is in communication with the controller and the pump for operation of the probe in the various user selected modes with accompanying energy delivery and fluid control directed to the desired treatment and surgical effect.

Abstract: In repairing soft tissue with a bone anchoring instrument (such as reattaching a tendon of a torn rotator cuff), the bone anchoring instrument may be used to anchor the soft tissue to a region of bone. The anchors inserted into the underlying bone may have one or more lengths of suture or wire attached thereto which may be tensioned independently of one another to affix the soft tissue to the bone by having a selector mechanism selectively engage and disengage ratcheted tensioning wheels from one another. Suture loading mechanisms may be employed for passing suture lengths into and/or through the anchors prior to deployment into the bone where such mechanisms may employ suture snares which are configured to reconfigure from an expanded shape through which suture lengths may be easily passed to a low-profile shape which secures the suture lengths within the snare.

Abstract: A knotless suture system formed from two lengths of suture joined at a suture junction point, with at least four suture limbs extending from the suture junction. The knotless suture system provides the ability to construct a suture bridge for soft tissue repair and fixation across a medial and lateral row bone fixation anchor configuration while passing the suture system in a simplified method of suture management.

Abstract: An electrosurgical wand. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are electrosurgical wands including an elongate shaft that defines a handle end and a distal end, a first discharge aperture on the distal end of the elongate shaft, a first active electrode of conductive material disposed on the distal end of the elongate shaft, the first active electrode has an edge feature, a first return electrode of conductive material disposed a substantially constant distance from the first active electrode, and an aspiration aperture on the distal end of the elongate shaft fluidly coupled to a second fluid conduit.

Abstract: System and method for selectively applying electrical energy to structures within or on the surface of a patient's body and controlling the flow of an electrically conductive fluid from the application site to provide or maintain a desired operating condition of the electrosurgical device. An electrosurgical probe is in communication with a fluid transport apparatus through a fluid transport lumen having an opening at an end proximate the application site and disposed proximate the electrosurgical probe. A controller in communication with the fluid transport apparatus provides control signals to the fluid transport apparatus in response to at least one operating parameter associated with the system. Based on the received control signals, the fluid transport apparatus adjusts a flow rate of the electrically conductive fluid at the application site through the fluid transport lumen in response to at least one operating parameter associated with the system.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes an electrosurgical apparatus for treating tissue at a target site. The apparatus has a shaft with a proximal end and a distal portion, the distal portion comprising a return electrode and electrode support. There is also at least one active electrode on the shaft distal portion, which has a proximal portion and a distal portion and a plurality of aspiration apertures disposed therebetween. These apertures are fluidly connected to a fluid aspiration cavity that is located within the electrode support, and the cavity is connected with a fluid aspiration element that is located along the shaft. The plurality of apertures vary in size and are generally arranged so that the larger sized apertures are disposed towards the electrode proximal portion and the smaller sized apertures are generally located towards the electrode distal portion.

Abstract: An electrosurgical method for sterilizing chronic wound tissue, comprising: positioning an active electrode in proximity to the chronic wound tissue; delivering an electrically conductive fluid proximate the active electrode; and applying a high frequency voltage between the active electrode and a return electrode in the presence of the electrically conductive liquid sufficient to generate an ionized vapor layer at the active electrode, wherein the ionized vapor layer sterilizes at least a portion of the chronic wound tissue.

Abstract: Methods of stapling a nasal septum using a nasal septal stapling apparatus comprising obtaining a nasal septal stapling apparatus comprising a body, at least one arm extending from the body and comprising an end distal from the body, a staple bank comprising a plurality of staples proximal to the end of the at least one arm, and a staple moving member configured to discharge a staple from the staple bank, and a trigger. The methods comprise placing the at least one arm against a nasal septum of a patient and moving the trigger, wherein moving the trigger causes the staple moving member to discharge a staple from the staple bank and through the nasal septum of the patient.

Abstract: A suture anchor device and method for attaching soft tissue to bone includes an anchor body and a suture locking wedge movably disposed within the anchor body. Tension applied to one side of a suture causes the suture locking wedge to move in a translational and angular dimension to a position which compresses the suture, thereby locking the suture in the anchor. The anchor body includes tracks or slots which guide the suture locking wedge from the unlocked open configuration to the locked configuration.

Abstract: A suturing device for grasping soft tissue and placing stitches in soft tissue during endoscopic procedures is described. An elongate housing with a stationary jaw and a movable jaw disposed at the distal end are configured for grasping and releasing soft tissue. A movable needle disposed within the housing is actuated to engage a length of suture and drive the suture into and through the grasped soft tissue. A suture capture member is disposed on the movable jaw and is configured to allow passage of the needle therethrough while securing a portion of the stitched length of suture.

Abstract: Electrosurgical wand. At least some of the illustrative embodiment are electrosurgical wands including: an elongate housing that defines a handle end and a distal end; an aspiration aperture on the distal end of the elongate housing the aspiration aperture fluidly coupled to a first fluid conduit, the first fluid conduit within the elongate housing; a discharge aperture on the distal end of the elongate housing, the discharge aperture fluidly coupled to a second fluid conduit, and the second fluid conduit within the elongate housing; a first active electrode of conductive material on the distal end of the elongate housing, the first active electrode between the discharge aperture and the aspiration aperture; and a conductive plate that abuts the discharge aperture, at least a portion of the conductive plate disposed over the discharge aperture.

Abstract: A suture anchor apparatus and method for anchoring a length of suture with respect to a target tissue has an anchor body with an anchoring structure for fixing the anchor body within the target tissue and a suture locking member. The moveable suture locking member is disposed at least partially within an anchor body lumen while a portion of the length of suture is looped around the suture locking member such that a first and second limb of suture exits the lumen. A suture locking member includes at least two elongate arms, and each arm has an extension dimension respectively, such that the first arm extension dimension is substantially greater than the second arm extension dimension.

Abstract: A bone anchor insertion device is disclosed for attaching a suture that is fixed to portion of soft tissue to a portion of bone. The device has a handle, a nosepiece connected to a distal end of the handle, a bone anchor connected to the nosepiece, and an actuator disposed on the handle for deploying the bone anchor. A suture ratchet or tensioning mechanism is disposed in the handle for tensioning suture which is associated with the bone anchor. This mechanism permits precise tensioning, while also permitting one-handed operation, thereby allowing the practitioner to use his or her other hand for other activities, such as camera operation or the like.

Abstract: An electrosurgical wand. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are electrosurgical wands including an elongate shaft that defines a handle end and a distal end, a first discharge aperture on the distal end of the elongate shaft, a first active electrode of conductive material disposed on the distal end of the elongate shaft, the first active electrode has an edge feature, a first return electrode of conductive material disposed a substantially constant distance from the first active electrode, and an aspiration aperture on the distal end of the elongate shaft fluidly coupled to a second fluid conduit.

Abstract: An electrosurgical method for sterilizing chronic wound tissue, comprising: positioning an active electrode in proximity to the chronic wound tissue; delivering an electrically conductive fluid proximate the active electrode; and applying a high frequency voltage between the active electrode and a return electrode in the presence of the electrically conductive liquid sufficient to generate an ionized vapor layer at the active electrode, wherein the ionized vapor layer sterilizes at least a portion of the chronic wound tissue.