Abstract: An absorbent article containing a polyolefin film is provided. The polyolefin film is formed by a thermoplastic composition containing a continuous phase that includes a polyolefin matrix polymer and nanoinclusion additive is provided. The nanoinclusion additive is dispersed within the continuous phase as discrete nano-scale phase domains. When drawn, the nano-scale phase domains are able to interact with the matrix in a unique manner to create a network of nanopores.

Abstract: A device for forming a lesion includes a hub defining a passageway and a shaft attached to the hub and defining a lumen. The shaft has a proximal end and a distal end extending away from the hub. The shaft includes an electrically conductive material on at least a portion of an inner surface and on at least a portion on an outer surface. A conductive member has a longitudinal axis and is attached to a mounting structure mateable with mounting structure of the hub so that the conductive member extends through the passageway into the lumen so that at least near the hub the conductive member longitudinal axis is spaced from the lumen longitudinal axis to create electrical contact between the conductive member outer surface and the shaft inner surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for a stabilization device for maintaining a position of a medical device relative to a body surface of a patient. The stabilization device comprises a support portion that defines a groove for receiving the medical device. The groove is structured to allow for positioning of the medical device at a plurality of angles relative to the body surface of the patient. The groove has opposing wall portions for securing the medical device.

Abstract: A novel medical probe assembly, system, and methods for the use thereof to treat tissue are described. The system optionally comprises an energy source, two 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: 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: A method, system and apparatus are disclosed for performing an electrosurgical treatment procedure on a bodily tissue. An electrosurgical apparatus is described, the apparatus comprising one or more probes having insulated and conductive regions for creating lesions in bodily tissue. A method of delivering energy to a patient's body is described, including methods of treating sacro-iliac related pain using electrosurgical probes.

Abstract: A device for treating spinal tissue of a patient's body may include an energy source and first and second probe assemblies. Each of the probe assemblies may have an electrically conductive energy delivery device electrically coupled to the energy source, and may also have an electrothermal device for cooling the probe assembly. The device is configured so that the energy source delivers energy to the spinal tissue through the energy delivery devices in a bipolar mode that concentrates delivered energy between the energy delivery devices to create a lesion within the spinal tissue while the electrothermal devices cool the probe assemblies. Related methods of use include cooling, at times via an electrothermal device.

Abstract: A device for treating spinal tissue of a patient's body may include an energy source and first and second probe assemblies. Each of the probe assemblies may have an electrically conductive energy delivery device electrically coupled to the energy source, and may also have an electrothermal device for cooling the probe assembly. The device is configured so that the energy source delivers energy to the spinal tissue through the energy delivery devices in a bipolar mode that concentrates delivered energy between the energy delivery devices to create a lesion within the spinal tissue while the electrothermal devices cool the probe assemblies. Related methods of use include cooling, at times via an electrothermal device.

Abstract: A device for treating spinal tissue of a patient's body may include an energy source and first and second probe assemblies. Each of the probe assemblies may have an electrically conductive energy delivery device electrically coupled to the energy source, and may also have an electrothermal device for cooling the probe assembly. The device is configured so that the energy source delivers energy to the spinal tissue through the energy delivery devices in a bipolar mode that concentrates delivered energy between the energy delivery devices to create a lesion within the spinal tissue while the electrothermal devices cool the probe assemblies. Related methods of use include cooling, at times via an electrothermal device.

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: 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 defines 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: 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: 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: 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 defines 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: An electrosurgical apparatus for treating tissue comprises an elongate shaft including a proximal region, a distal region having an electrically conductive region and one or more lumens through the shaft. A stylet is located within one of the lumens for obturating at least a portion of an opening defined by a distal end of the elongated shaft. The stylet distal end has a sensor and may include an occluding component substantially surrounding and affixed to it. The elongated shaft and the stylet can possibly be configured to allow passage of fluid through the lumen while the stylet is located within the lumen. Related stylet configurations are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods of treating spinal tissue of a patient's body are disclosed, some including providing a system including an energy source and first and second probe assemblies, wherein each of the probe assemblies includes an electrically conductive energy delivery device electrically coupled to the energy source; inserting the energy delivery devices of the first and second probe assemblies into spaced-apart treatment sites for the spinal tissue; and delivering energy from the energy source to the spinal tissue through the energy delivery devices. Various options and modifications are possible. For example, energy may be delivered in both a bipolar manner and a monopolar manner, and at least one of the fist ad second probe assemblies may be repositioned before again delivering energy.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for removing tissue from a patient's body. The apparatus comprises a first elongate member defining a lumen and having an open distal end. The open distal end defines an opening and comprises a tip, where the tip is structured to reduce damage to tissue within the patient's body. The apparatus further comprises a tissue removal member disposed within the lumen of the elongate member. The tissue removal member comprises a distal end that is recessed from the tip of the elongate member. At least a portion of the tissue removal member protrudes beyond the opening to allow access to tissue distal to the opening. Related hollow members with blunt tips are also disclosed.