Abstract: A surgical instrument comprising an instrument handle linked to a proximal end portion of a tube shaft to the distal end portion of which an instrument head is linked so as to be inclinable, in which instrument head, in turn, an effector including at least one pivotable engaging element is rotatably supported. The instrument handle comprises a number of manipulators and/or operating mechanisms designed for operating the instrument head and/or the effector. One of the manipulators consists of an operating element in the form of a rotary knob with respect to its function, the operating element being rotatably supported on the instrument handle.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for treatment of tissue in a body lumen with an electrode deployment device. Embodiments typically include a device with a plurality of electrodes having a pre-selected electrode density arranged on the surface of a support. The support may comprise a non-distensible electrode backing that is spirally furled about an axis and coupled to an expansion member such as an inflatable elastic balloon. In some embodiments, the balloon is inflated to selectively expose a portion of the electrode surface while maintaining the electrode density.

Abstract: Low temperature lesion formation apparatus, systems and methods. The apparatus includes a base member and an inflatable element carried by the base member.

Abstract: Clamp based low temperature lesion formation apparatus, systems and methods.

Abstract: Clamp based low temperature lesion formation apparatus, systems and methods.

Abstract: A catheter for ablating body tissue of the interior regions of the heart includes a handle assembly, a shaft, and a distal tip section coupled to the distal end of the shaft. The distal tip section has a non-compliant and non-porous cap that has a tubular wall that defines a bore, and an ablation element that is housed inside the bore and spaced apart from the wall of the cap.

Abstract: Side-port sheaths for catheter placement and translation are disclosed. The sheaths include a side-port opening through which a gliding catheter may be deployed during diagnosis or treatment of tissue. The side-port sheath may include a suspension ribbon used to deploy, or that aids in the deployment of, the embedded gliding catheter. The suspension ribbon may be slideably or fixably engaged with an outer surface of the sheath of the gliding catheter.

Abstract: The present invention provides method for removal of body hair using electroporation using an apparatus having a pulse generator capable of generating electrical pulses of the desired amplitude and duration to kill hair follicles and an applicator having a first electrode placed in contact with a hair follicle and a second electrode interacting with the first electrode to provide an electroporating field in the tissue volume surrounding a hair to be removed. The method utilize a TENS system to provide patient relief from discomfort experienced by application of the electroporation pulses.

Abstract: A catheter for the treatment of tumors and other affections using hyperthermia induced by radio frequency includes a tubular body with or without an anchoring balloon at its distal end. An active electrode is positioned around the body and connected to a radio frequency generator. At least one thermistor needle measures the temperature around the electrode. The active electrode is flexible and connectable to a supply source of a fluid for cooling the electrode. It includes a helical conduit, which can be metal, conductive ceramic or graphite.

Abstract: A closure device for use following various surgical procedures to close access openings through the tissue wall while permitting post operative flow through the tissue conduit includes a housing having proximal and distal ends, and defining a longitudinal axis. First and second tissue everting members are mounted adjacent the distal end of the housing and first and second jaw members are mounted adjacent the first and second tissue engaging members. The first and second jaw members are adapted for relative movement between an open position to facilitate positioning about the tissue portions in the everted condition and a closed position to at least partially draw the tissue portions together to an at least partial approximated condition. Electrodes are associated with the first and second jaw members and arranged to contact the respective tissue portions.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and devices to reduce stomach acid secretion in a patient with a hyper acid condition. For example, the invention may involve ablation of the stomach lining to destroy acid-producing cells. Destroying acid-producing cells may reduce the amount of stomach acid produced and, therefore the amount of acid refluxed in the esophagus. The invention may further provide methods and devices to monitor the esophageal acid level before and after the ablation procedure.

Abstract: A curved ablation catheter imparts ablative energy to target tissue, for example, along a trabecular slope, e.g., in the right atrium along the isthmus between the ostium of the inferior vena cava and the tricuspid valve. The catheter is formed with a preset curvature that, when deployed, both translates linearly and increases in radius to aid in the formation of spot or continuous linear lesions. A method of treating atrial flutter employs the curved ablation catheter.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a medical device with a visual indicator that changes color when exposed to a particular environment and/or chemical. The visual indicator may be printed or otherwise affixed on a portion of a medical device, for example the handle, and initially have the same color as that portion. When exposed to a particular environment and/or chemical, the visual indicator changes color so that it has a different color than that portion of the medical device.

Abstract: A high-frequency generator for high-frequency surgery is driven by a d.c. voltage supply. This d.c. voltage supply has a first working mode for transferring energy in a direction of the high-frequency generator, and also a second working mode for transferring energy in an opposite direction. With this arrangement, a particularly fast and efficient regulation of output voltage of the generator is possible. Therefore a reliable first cut may be performed on different kinds of tissue without any coagulation. Furthermore, owing to a high efficiency, a particularly small constructional size can be achieved.

Abstract: A method and device delivers microwave power to an antenna through a coaxial cable utilizing air or other gases as its dielectric core. The cable includes supports made of low-loss materials to keep the inner conductor centered in the cable, and defining spaces therebetween for the air or gas. Channels in the supports allow the air or gas to circulate in the cable. The gas may be chilled or cooled to provide an addition level of heat dissipation. The device enables delivery of large amounts of power to tissue without undue heating of the feed cable or peripheral tissues, and without increasing the diameter of the feeding cable or antenna, keeping the antenna safe for percutaneous use.

Abstract: An electrosurgical pencil is provided and includes an elongate housing, an electrocautery blade supported within the housing and extending distally from the housing. The electrocautery blade is connected to a source of electrosurgical energy. The pencil also includes an activation button supported on the housing, the activation button being configured and adapted to complete a control loop extending from the source of electrosurgical energy upon actuation thereof. The electrosurgical pencil further includes a manually operated aspirating/irrigating system operatively connected to the housing, wherein the aspirating/irrigating system is configured and adapted to deliver a quantity of fluid to a target surgical site and/or withdraw a quantity of fluid from the target surgical site.

Abstract: A surgical instrument comprising a tube shaft at the proximal end of which an instrument head for rotatably supporting an effector is pivotably supported and at the distal end of which an instrument handle is arranged which causes a pivot as well as a bending movement of the instrument head via a bending gear train and a rotation of the effector via a rotation gear train. In the rotation gear train, a motion compensating member is integrated and also is operated via the instrument handle when the bending gear train is operated, and drives the rotation gear train such that an operation of the rotation gear train caused by the pivoting movement of the instrument head, or parts thereof, is compensated.

Abstract: A tissue ablation probe, system, and method are provided. The ablation probe comprises an elongated member, an ablative element mounted on the distal end of the elongated member, and at least one thermoelectric device mounted to the member in thermal communication with the ablative element. The system may include the ablation probe, thermal control circuitry for controlling the thermal effect of the thermoelectric device, and an ablation source for suppying ablation energy to the ablative element. A plurality of circumferentially distributed thermoelectric devices can be provided, so that radial tissue sectors can be selectively affected by independently controlling the thermal effect of the thermoelectric devices. In one embodiment, the thermoelectric device(s) can be used to cool a heat ablative element. In another embodiment, the thermoelectric device(s) can be used to heat an ablative element, thereby forming a heat ablative element.

Abstract: Devices and methods for a minimally invasive procedure for cutting tissue are disclosed. The device generally includes a probe with a distal exit at an exit angle relative to the probe, a cutting loop with shape memory having a preconfigured shape, and a loop securing mechanism to secure the cutting loop in a penetrating configuration and to release the cutting loop into a cutting configuration. The cutting loop is generally within a profile of the probe in the penetrating configuration. In the cutting configuration, the cutting loop extends through the cutting loop exit and generally returns to the preconfigured shape at a cutting angle generally defined by the exit angle. The cutting loop securing mechanism may be, for example, a cover slidable over the probe, a slidable member extending from a distal tip of the probe, or a groove defined in the probe proximal to the cutting loop exit.

Abstract: A coating is provided for use in lubricating an electro-cautery probe of a cauterization device to resist sticking of tissue on the electro-cautery probe. The coating is also provided to lubricate other medical instruments as well as to facilitate sliding of one instrument against another. The coating includes an amphiphilic lipid. The coating also includes an amphiphilic phospholipid, a glycerol-based lipid, a glycerol-based phospholipid, and/or a lecithin.