Abstract: Embodiments of a system and method are described for delivering energy to a body of a human or animal through a plurality of energy delivery devices. In some embodiments, a plurality of energy delivery devices are coupled to a generator and the number of energy delivery devices is automatically detectable. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the amount of energy delivered through the energy delivery devices is controlled, at least in part, by dynamically varying the amount of time that each energy delivery device is delivering energy.

Abstract: A method for creating a channel through an occlusion located in a substantially elongated body vessel of a patient, The method uses a channel creating apparatus defining an apparatus distal end portion insertable into the body vessel, the channel creating apparatus including an energy delivery component operatively coupled to the apparatus distal end portion for delivering energy substantially adjacent the apparatus distal end portion. The method includes: inserting the apparatus distal end portion into the body vessel; creating a channel first portion through the occlusion harder section using, at least in part, a delivery of energy into the occlusion harder portion; and creating a channel second portion through the occlusion softer portion by pushing the apparatus distal end portion through at least a portion of the occlusion softer portion substantially without delivering energy into the occlusion softer portion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for improving accuracy of placement of a cannula during delivery of electrical energy to neural structures. The apparatus includes a cannula operable to deliver electrical current where a portion of the cannula is electrically insulated and a portion of the cannula is exposed and electrically conductive. The cannula further includes a radiopaque marker located to differentiate the electrically insulated region from the electrically exposed region by allowing it to be more clearly delineated using fluoroscopy or other radiographic imaging techniques. The cannula may be used to treat pain by delivering energy to a neural structure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for a positioning tool that aids in the positioning of a treatment device under image guidance. The tool is positioned on the external surface of the patient's skin and comprises an alignment portion and an instrument positioning portion that may be viewed under an imaging means. The tool is also visible to the user without any imaging means. The tool is aligned with an internal target and provides a visual reference indication for the target location for orienting at least one treatment device at a desired treatment site relative to the internal target.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for detecting, analyzing and displaying errors in a medical treatment system. Detected errors are analyzed to define further errors. Errors may be classified, for example, in response to severity, and prioritized. Prioritization may depend on a scope of the error, an order of occurrence, importance, or other factors.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for improving accuracy of placement of a cannula during delivery of electrical energy proximate to bodily tissue, e.g. neural structures. The apparatus optionally includes a cannula operable to deliver electrical current where a portion of the cannula is electrically insulated and a portion of the cannula is exposed and electrically conductive. The cannula further includes a radiopaque marker to identify a specific portion of the cannula, for example to differentiate the electrically insulated region from the electrically exposed region, by allowing it to be more clearly delineated using fluoroscopy or other radiographic imaging techniques. The radiopaque marker is optionally tapered in order to reduce the force required to insert a cannula comprising a radiopaque marker into the patient's body.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for detecting, analyzing and displaying errors in a energy source of a medical treatment system. Detected errors are analyzed to define further errors. Errors may be classified, for example, in response to severity, and prioritized. Prioritization may depend on a scope of the error, an order of occurrence, importance, or other factors.

Abstract: A stent to be used in an intraluminal cavity is disclosed. The stent comprises an elongated scaffold formed by a plurality of cells formed by a plurality of interlinked struts. In some embodiments, the scaffold comprises two longitudinally opposed ends, each of the ends having at least one protrusion that can be used to secure a cover to the stent. Each protrusion defines a cavity extending therethrough. The cover is secured to the scaffold at the protrusion by an adhesive extending through the cavity. Alternatively, the scaffold comprises at least two protrusions or segments, each defining a cavity for securing one end of the cover to the scaffold.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for the treatment of a thoracic region of a patient's body. Embodiments of the method comprise positioning an energy delivery portion of an electrosurgical device to face a segment of a thoracic vertebra at a distance from the segment; and cooling the energy delivery portion and delivering energy through the energy delivery portion.

Abstract: Embodiments of a device, and method of use thereof, are described for stabilizing a medical instrument, the medical instrument contacting a patient's body at a point of contact, the method using a plurality of support members for stabilizing the medical instrument, each support member comprising an instrument end and a patient end and an elongate support member body extending therebetween, the method comprising: independently coupling the instrument end of each of the plurality of support members to the medical instrument; and independently attaching the patient end of each of the plurality of support members to a surface of the patient's body for stabilizing the medical instrument.

Abstract: Embodiments of a device, and method of use thereof, are described for stabilizing a medical instrument, the medical instrument contacting a patient's body at a point of contact, the method using a plurality of support members for stabilizing the medical instrument, each support member comprising an instrument end and a patient end and an elongate support member body extending therebetween, the method comprising: independently coupling the instrument end of each of the plurality of support members to the medical instrument; and independently attaching the patient end of each of the plurality of support members to a surface of the patient's body for stabilizing the medical instrument.

Abstract: An electrosurgical apparatus is provided. The electrosurgical apparatus comprises an elongate shaft having a proximal region, a distal region comprising an electrically conductive region and one or more lumens therethrough; a stylet occluding at least a portion of an opening defined by a distal end of the elongate shaft; and a temperature sensor associated with the distal region, the stylet being a component of the temperature sensor.

Abstract: A method of treating spinal tissue of a patient's body is disclosed, the method using a system comprising an energy source and first and second internally-cooled probe assemblies, wherein each of the probe assemblies comprises an electrically conductive energy delivery device electrically coupled to the energy source. The method comprises: inserting the energy delivery devices of the first and second internally-cooled probe assemblies into spaced-apart treatment sites for the spinal tissue; delivering energy from the energy source to the spinal tissue through the energy delivery devices to create a lesion within the spinal tissue; delivering a cooling fluid to the energy delivery devices; and controlling the delivery of energy and the delivery of the cooling fluid to the energy delivery devices such that the lesion extends between the energy delivery devices.

Abstract: An electrosurgical apparatus having improved placement accuracy is provided. The electrosurgical apparatus comprises an elongate shaft having a proximal end, a distal end and at least one lumen therethrough, a stylet positioned within a lumen, a conductive tip at the distal end for delivery of energy to the tissue, an electrical coupling at or near the proximal end for flexibly coupling a power source control unit to supply energy to the conductive tip, a fluid delivery connection interface flexibly coupled at or near the proximal end for coupling a fluid delivery mechanism. The apparatus further comprises a temperature sensor. A method of delivering electrical energy to a target treatment area of an animal body is also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a medical probe signal generator. More particularly, it relates to a medical probe signal generator architecture. The present invention further relates to a system including a medical probe signal generator having an automatic probe type detector for detecting an identifier and at least one instrument cable comprising the identifier.

Abstract: A medical probe assembly, system, and methods for the use thereof to treat tissue are described. The system optionally comprises an energy source, two internally-cooled probe assemblies, and one or more cooling devices to provide cooling to at least one of the probe assemblies. The probe assemblies may be configured in a bipolar mode, whereby current flows preferentially between the probe assemblies. The probe assemblies and system described herein are particularly useful to deliver radio frequency energy to a patient's body. RF energy delivery may be used for various applications, including the treatment of pain, tumor ablation and cardiac ablation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a medical probe signal generator. More particularly, it relates to a medical probe signal generator architecture. The present invention further relates to a medical probe signal generator having an automatic probe type detector, a user interface and operational parameter settings automatically configured according to a type of medical probe connected to the generator.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for controlling energy delivery by mapping one or more devices capable of delivering energy, for example energy capable of modulating one or more properties of a tissue, to one or more sources of the energy or to one or more measuring devices. In some embodiments, associations between these components are determined by delivering energy through the energy sources and measuring a response using the measuring devices.

Abstract: Methods of treating the sacroiliac region of a patient's body by delivering energy are described. In some embodiments, the method comprises the steps of: positioning one elongated probe comprising at least one energy delivery device within a sacroiliac joint of the body; and delivering radiofrequency energy through the elongated probe. In some embodiments, the delivery of energy results in the creation of a lesion. In further embodiments, energy may be delivered substantially along a long axis of the sacroiliac joint. In yet further embodiments, at least one energy delivery device may be positioned adjacent a sacroiliac joint and energy may be delivered so as to create a lesion at least partially within the joint.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for detecting, analyzing and displaying errors in a energy source of a medical treatment system. Detected errors are analyzed to define further errors. Errors may be classified, for example, in response to severity, and prioritized. Prioritization may depend on a scope of the error, an order of occurrence, importance, or other factors.