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: 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: 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.

Abstract: This invention discloses a cannula comprising an elongate shaft comprising a distal region and a proximal region and defining a lumen therebetween, and further comprising a wall defining at least one lateral aperture therethrough and a distal end defining at least one distal aperture. The distal region comprises an electrically exposed and conductive distal tip and the outer surface of the cannula between the distal tip and the proximal region is non-conductive.

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: An electrosurgical device having improved placement accuracy is provided. The electrosurgical device comprises an elongate member having a proximal end, a distal end and a lumen therethrough, a conductive tip at the distal end for delivery of energy to the tissue, an electrical connector 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 device further comprises a temperature sensor. A method of delivering electrical energy to a target on an animal is also provided.

Abstract: An intradiscal device for treatment of a patient's intervertebral disc. The device has two elongate probes for insertion to two spaced apart treatment sites of the annulus fibrosus. The distal portions of each probe have energy delivery means for delivering energy between the distal portions of the probes through the annulus fibrosus adjacent the two treatment sites. The energy is preferably electrical energy the probes may be inserted surgically through respective elongate introducer tubes.

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: 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: For creating a hole in body tissue and then enlarging the hole, a guidewire has a continuous diameter guidewire body having a proximal end and a distal end, a distal portion including an electrically conductive exposed tip for creating a perforation when RF current is applied and for preventing the creation of a perforation when RF current is not applied. For expanding the hole, a dilator region is provided between the distal end of the guidewire body and the distal portion for expanding the hole, and has a tapered profile. Also for expanding the hole, an inflatable balloon is located circumferentially on the guidewire body, and a catheter located on the guidewire body and in communication with the balloon for delivery of fluid to the balloon for its inflation.

Abstract: The catheter has a mechanically steerable beam which can be directed at a variable angle with respect to an axis of rotation of the catheter. The ultrasonic transducer can be mounted in a pivoting head and steered by shape memory alloy wires subject to controlled ohmic heating. A feedback system including a marker wire embedded in a capsule wall of the catheter's outer tube can be used to determine the beam angle.