Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for delivering energy substantially distal to an electrosurgical device. Embodiments of a device of the present invention may comprise an elongate member having one or more electrically insulated portions and a distal face comprising one or more electrically exposed conductive portions for delivering energy substantially distal to the elongate member. At least one of the one or more electrically insulated portions may extend from a proximal region of the elongate member to a distal end of the elongate member. In addition, a method is provided for creating a lesion at a target site within a body of a human or animal using an electrosurgical device.

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 system are disclosed for the mapping of energy delivery devices to energy sources. Energy capable of affecting a measurable property of the system is delivered through the energy delivery devices from the energy sources. A change in a property when the energy is delivered is measured using measuring devices that are associated in a known way with the energy delivery devices. A profile of the change is compared to a profile of the energy output in order to determine which energy sources produce an output capable of affecting the property measurable by each measuring device and, because of the association between measuring devices and energy delivery devices, each energy delivery device.

Abstract: A method and device are disclosed for performing an electrosurgical procedure on a bodily tissue. The device has insulated and conductive regions for creating lesions in bodily tissue. A method of using the device is also described, including specific methods of diagnosing and treating sacroiliac-related pain using the device.

Abstract: An electrosurgical device comprising a means for impeding flow for delivering energy to a region of tissue is described. In addition, a method of treating the sacroiliac region of a patient's body by delivering energy is also described. The method includes the steps of inserting a probe into a target site within the sacroiliac region of a patient's body and delivering energy to the probe to treat tissue within the target site.

Abstract: A device with a functional tip containing at least one active electrode capable of creating a controlled perforation in body tissue through the application of Radio Frequency (RF) energy is described. The position of the tip of the device can be determined in response to pressure sensed at the tip and determined by a monitor. The device is useful to remove or perforate unwanted tissue in a controlled manner in any location in the body, particularly in the atrial septum for controlled transseptal puncture. In this application, the device is introduced into the right atrium, and the functional tip is then positioned against the atrial septum. Energy is applied to create the perforation and pressure is monitored to determine if the perforation was created in a desired location. Other possible applications include the removal of plaque or thrombotic occlusions from diseased vessels.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method for introduction of materials into a patient's body. The method generally comprises providing an elongate member for introducing the material. The elongate member definines a lumen and comprises a distal end defining an aperture and a proximal end. The method further comprises the steps of positioning the elongate member at a target site of a patient's body; providing a motorized device at least partially disposed within the lumen; and introducing the material through the lumen into the target site using the motorized device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for removal of material from a body. The apparatus comprises an elongate member defining a lumen and comprising a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end of the elongate member defines an aperture. The apparatus further comprises a tissue removal member. The tissue removal member comprises a shaft rotatably disposed within the lumen of the elongate member. The apparatus further comprises a rigid cannula for inserting the elongate member into a patient's body. The cannula defines a lumen for receiving the elongate member, and has a proximal open end and a distal open end communicating with the lumen of the cannula.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for removal of materials from a body. The apparatus comprises an elongate member defining a lumen and comprising a distal end defining an aperture and a proximal end. The apparatus further comprises a shaft having at least one outwardly extending projection for conveying tissue through the lumen of the elongate member. The shaft is rotatably disposed within the lumen. The shaft has a proximal end and a distal end, and the distal end of the shaft is recessed proximally relative to the aperture of the elongate member when the shaft is fully disposed within the lumen of the elongate member.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method for removal of material from a patient's body. The method generally comprises the steps of providing an apparatus comprising an elongate member for receiving material. The elongate member defines a lumen and comprises a distal end defining an aperture and a proximal end. The apparatus further comprises an elongate tissue removal member for conveying material through the lumen. The tissue removal member is rotatably disposed within the lumen. The method further comprises gathering a sample of said material into said lumen; and conveying with said tissue removal member at least a portion of the material sample proximally along said lumen. The step of gathering may be accomplished by advancing the apparatus through the material.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method for removal of bone marrow tissue from a patient's body. The method generally comprises the steps of providing an apparatus comprising an elongate member for receiving bone marrow tissue. The elongate member defines a lumen and comprises a distal end defining an aperture and a proximal end. The apparatus further comprises an elongate tissue removal member for conveying bone marrow tissue through the lumen. The tissue removal member is rotatably disposed within the lumen. The method further comprises gathering a sample of said tissue into said lumen; and conveying with said tissue removal member at least a portion of the tissue sample proximally along said lumen. The step of gathering may be accomplished by advancing the apparatus through the tissue.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method for removal of tumor tissue from a patient's body. The method generally comprises the steps of providing an apparatus comprising an elongate member for receiving tissue. The elongate member defines a lumen and comprises a distal end defining an aperture and a proximal end. The apparatus further comprises an elongate tissue removal member for conveying tissue through the lumen. The tissue removal member is rotatably disposed within the lumen. The method further comprises gathering a sample of said tissue into said lumen; and conveying with said tissue removal member at least a portion of the tissue sample proximally along said lumen. The step of gathering may be accomplished by advancing the apparatus through the tissue.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for removal of intervertebral disc tissue from a body. The method generally comprises the steps of providing an apparatus comprising an elongate member for receiving tissue. The elongate member defines a lumen and comprises a distal end defining an aperture and a proximal end. The apparatus further comprises an elongate tissue removal member for conveying tissue through the lumen. The tissue removal member is rotatably disposed within the lumen. The method further comprises gathering a sample of tissue into the lumen; and conveying with the tissue removal member at least a portion of the tissue sample proximally along the lumen. The step of gathering may be accomplished by advancing the apparatus through the tissue.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for removal of material from a body. The apparatus comprises an elongate member defining a lumen and comprising a proximal end and a distal end defining an aperture. The elongate member defines at least one slot extending proximally from the distal end of the elongate member. The apparatus further comprises a tissue removal member for conveying material through the lumen of the elongate member. The tissue removal member is rotatably disposed within the lumen of the elongate member. The tissue removal member has a proximal end and a distal end, and the distal end is recessed proximally relative to the aperture of the elongate member when the tissue removal member is fully disposed within the lumen of the elongate member.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for detecting, analyzing and displaying errors in a generator 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 method of surgical perforation via the delivery of electrical, radiant or thermal energy comprising the steps of: introducing an apparatus comprising an energy delivery device into a patient's heart via the patient's superior vena cava; positioning the energy delivery device at a first location adjacent material to be perforated; and perforating the material by delivering energy via the energy delivery device; wherein the energy is selected from the group consisting of electrical energy, radiant energy and thermal energy.

Abstract: A device for creating a surgical perforation with a functional distal tip for creating a controlled perforation. The functional tip may comprise at least one active electrode for creating the perforation through the application of Radio Frequency (RF) energy. The device is curved in order to decrease the likelihood of injury to structures of a patient such as inadvertent cardiac perforation when used in transseptal perforation procedures. The device is introduced into the right atrium, and the functional tip is then positioned against the atrial septum. Energy is applied to create the perforation. The tip is advanced toward the left atrium to create the perforation and as it advances into the left atrium, the device takes on its curved shape to direct the tip away from cardiac structures. The position of the tip of the device can be determined in response to pressure sensed at the tip and determined by a monitor.

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: inserting at least one probe into the sacroiliac region, the probe comprising at least one energy delivery device; positioning the at least one energy delivery device adjacent material to be treated; and delivering energy through the at least one energy delivery device to create a longitudinal strip lesion; wherein the at least one energy delivery device remains in a substantially static position during creation of the strip lesion. In some embodiments, energy may be delivered to treat at least two branches of the sacral nerves or to create an intra-articular lesion.

Abstract: An electrosurgical apparatus comprising an energy source operable to concurrently provide a first signal and a second signal, said first and second signals having different frequencies; and a signal processor operable to receive a third signal from a patient's body, to process said third signal, and to produce an output based on a processing of said third signal; wherein said third signal is an evoked potential generated by said patient's body in response to a delivery of said second signal to said patient's body.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for detecting, analyzing and displaying errors in a generator 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.