Abstract: An electrosurgical pencil includes a body. The body includes a track extending along a distal end of the body. A treatment blade extends from the distal end of the body and is electrically connected to a first potential of a source of electrosurgical energy. The treatment blade is configured to treat tissue upon activation thereof. A protective guard is configured to slide along a track between a first position concealing a distal end of the treatment blade and a second position exposing the distal end of the treatment blade. A return electrode is disposed on an exposed surface of the protective guard. The return electrode is electrically connected to a second potential of the source of electrosurgical energy. A biasing member includes a first end operably connected to the distal end of the body and a second end operably connected to the protective guard.

Abstract: A bipolar ablation device for treatment of a stenosis within an implanted metallic stent may include an elongate shaft slidably disposable within an endoscope, the elongate shaft including at least one electrode configured to form a first pole of the bipolar ablation device, and an electrode lead slidably disposable within the endoscope. The electrode lead may be configured to electrically engage the implanted metallic stent to form a second pole of the bipolar ablation device. The elongate shaft may be positionable within a lumen of the implanted metallic stent.

Abstract: The present is directed to improved systems, methods, and devices for providing skin cooling treatment. The skin cooling treatment system can include a mechanical arm and a cryospray applicator coupled to a distal end of the mechanical arm. The skin cooling treatment system can include a processor that can receive imagery of a portion of skin of a patient for receiving a skin cooling treatment and automatically identify boundaries from the received imagery to designate portions of the skin of the patient for receiving the skin cooling treatment. The processor can determine an instantaneous treatment footprint and can generate a treatment path based on the treatment footprint. The processor can control the cryospray applicator to deliver the skin cooling treatment to the skin according to the treatment path.

Abstract: The disclosure provides various embodiments of catheters having articulable ends that can be used for various procedures. Embodiments of methods are also provided that can be performed with catheters in accordance with the present disclosure.

Abstract: A method for treating emphysema with a condensable vapor includes creating a plurality of collateral channels through the airway walls, and delivering the condensable vapor to the airways. The condensable vapor flows to the diseased parenchymal tissue through the airways and the collateral channels. Condensable vapor to contact the tissue heats the tissue, reducing it in volume. Apparatuses are described to create the openings and ablate the lung tissue.

Abstract: An electrosurgical system is disclosed, including an electrosurgical generator and an electrosurgical instrument which is or can be connected to the electrosurgical generator, wherein the electrosurgical instrument comprises at least a first activation element and a second activation element and the electrosurgical generator is configured to, on actuation of the first activation element, deliver an electrosurgical therapy signal having a first signal shape to the electrosurgical instrument, and, on actuation of the second activation element, deliver an electrosurgical therapy signal having a second signal shape. The system is characterized in that the first signal shape and the second signal shape are identical, and in that the electrosurgical generator is further configured to only perform success monitoring of a tissue effect achieved by the electrosurgical therapy signal on actuation of the first activation element.

Abstract: A generator, ultrasonic device, and method for controlling a temperature of an ultrasonic blade are disclosed. A control circuit coupled to a memory determines an actual resonant frequency of an ultrasonic electromechanical system comprising an ultrasonic transducer coupled to an ultrasonic blade by an ultrasonic waveguide. The actual resonant frequency is correlated to an actual temperature of the ultrasonic blade. The control circuit retrieves from the memory a reference resonant frequency of the ultrasonic electromechanical system. The reference resonant frequency is correlated to a reference temperature of the ultrasonic blade. The control circuit then infers the temperature of the ultrasonic blade based on the difference between the actual resonant frequency and the reference resonant frequency. The control circuit controls the temperature of the ultrasonic blade based on the inferred temperature.

Abstract: A system for monitoring biosignals of a user, including an attachment module configured to secure the system at an inner surface of a garment of the user; a flexible layer coupled to the attachment module, wherein the flexible layer and the attachment module cooperatively define a housing lumen; an electronics subsystem arranged within the housing lumen, the electronics subsystem including a first sensor, wherein the first sensor outputs a first signal; a respiratory sensor, wherein the respiratory sensor outputs a respiration signal, and a processing module that receives the first signal, the respiration signal, and the proximity signal, and generates a processed biometric output based on the first signal and the respiration signals.

Abstract: In methods for treating a patient, a time varying magnetic field is applied to a patient's body and causes a muscle contraction. The time-varying magnetic field may be monophasic, biphasic, polyphasic and/or static. The method may reduce adipose tissue, improve metabolism, blood and/or lymph circulation. The method may use combinations of treatments to enhance the visual appearance of the patient.

Abstract: Methods for treating Blepharitis, Meibomian Gland Dysfunction and Dry Eye Syndrome include thermal massage, thermal debridement, and thermal expression. Particular embodiments include use of handheld devices that provide the thermal therapy to tissue by contacting a surface heated with thermal energy to a patient's tissue. Thermal energy can be continuously provided during operation. In particular embodiments, a handheld device comprises a base assembly operatively connected to a removeable thermal energy applicator. A wide range of thermal applicators may be connected to the base assembly to provide different treatments, including heat application, debridement, and expression of the treated tissue or gland.

Abstract: A bipolar electrosurgical device is disclosed that operates in a mechanical cutting mode and a hemostasis mode. The device includes a housing and a blade assembly extending from the housing. The blade assembly forms a cutting tip and cutting window at a distal end region to provide mechanical cutting of tissue and first and second electrode assemblies to provide electrical energy to tissue. The first electrode assembly includes an outer shaft defining a first electrode surface and the second electrode assembly includes an electrode body extending along and electrically isolated from an outer shaft and defining a U-shape in cross section.

Abstract: A medical device, system, and method having a flexible shaft and a multi-core fiber within the flexible shaft. The multi-core fiber includes a plurality of optical cores dedicated for shape sensing sensors, and a plurality of optical cores dedicated for force sensing sensors. A tip assembly can comprise a tip electrode and a coupler comprising at least one fiber support tube center. A distal portion of the coupler can be coupled to a proximal portion of the tip electrode. The tip assembly can further comprise a multi-core fiber comprising a plurality of cores and a fiber support tube. A proximal portion of the fiber support tube can be coupled to the at least one fiber support tube center.

Abstract: A method for controlling an output of an energy module of a modular energy system is disclosed. The modular energy system includes a header module, the energy module, and a secondary module communicably coupled together. The energy module configured to provide an output driving an energy modality deliverable by a surgical instrument connected thereto. The method includes causing the energy module to provide the output driving the energy modality delivered by the surgical instrument; sensing a parameter associated with the secondary module; receiving the parameter as sensed by the secondary module at the energy module; and adjusting the output of the energy module from a first state to a second state according to the received parameter.

Abstract: A hemostatic surgical blade is formed of five symmetrically layers. A martensitic stainless steel core with oppositely disposed faces is bonded to layers exhibiting a high thermal conductivity which, in turn, are supported by buttressing layers of austenitic stainless steel. A thin aluminum layer is deposited on one side of blade blanks to enable chemical reaction bonding to electrically insulative dielectric inks formulated for use with aluminum substrates. The blade is heated by a blade heating circuit that is manufactured by thick-film printing and firing an electrically resistive heating element layer and an electrically conductive leads on an electrically insulative dielectric layer with all layers subsequently covered by a thick-film printed electrically insulative dielectric overcoat. Tissue contacting portions of blade are coated with a very thin non-stick coating.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an ablation catheter that includes an irrigation conduit, a force sensor, an electrode tip assembly, a seal, and a temperature sensor. The irrigation conduit defines an irrigation lumen configured to carry irrigation fluid to a distal end of the ablation catheter. The force sensors include a deformable body coupled to the irrigation conduit adjacent a distal end thereof. The electrode tip assembly is coupled to the deformable body and extends distally therefrom, and defines an interior cavity in fluid communication with the irrigation lumen and an exterior cavity in which a distal portion of the deformable body is received. The seal is disposed between the electrode tip assembly and the deformable body, and inhibits fluid flow between the interior cavity and the exterior cavity. The temperature sensor is coupled to the electrode tip assembly and extends from the electrode tip assembly through the irrigation lumen.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to systems and methods for therapeutically modulating nerves in or associated with a nasal region of a patient for the treatment of a rhinosinusitis condition.

Abstract: The disclosed apparatus comprises an intravascular sheath and dilator that can be placed over a guidewire after percutaneous vascular access. One or more electrodes are positioned axially at or near the distal end of the dilator, facilitating guidance of the sheath to the heart without fluoroscopy (i.e., by using electrical and/or magnetic guidance). The electrodes are in electrical conductance with leads via wires that extending proximally from the electrodes on or through the wall of the dilator or sheath.

Abstract: Medical devices include a ground link, a first actuator pivotably coupled to the ground link and a first movable element operatively coupled to the first actuator by a linkage. The linkage including: the ground link; a second link that is pivotable with respect to the ground link; a fourth link that is pivotable with respect to the ground link; and a third link having a main body extending from a first portion to a second portion and a blocking tab extending away from the main body. The medical device further including a second actuator operatively coupled to the ground link, the second actuator having a blocking surface including a blocking tab that is positioned to engage with at least a portion of the blocking surface of the second actuator to limit movement of the second actuator until the first actuator is at least partially actuated.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to systems and methods for irrigated bipolar radiofrequency ablation. Some examples of the system include an elongate inner electrode assembly and an elongate outer electrode assembly. An irrigation path for irrigation fluid flow is defined between the outer surface of the inner electrode assembly and the outer surface of the outer electrode assembly.

Abstract: An electrosurgical flux supply unit includes a first terminal configured to deliver a first electrical flux, the first terminal being configured to be electrically coupled with a first electrode of a first electrosurgical instrument, a second terminal configured to receive a second electrical flux; the second terminal being configured to be electrically coupled with a second electrode of the first electrosurgical instrument, and an electrical switching mechanism selectively configurable between a first state and a second state. In the first state, the electrical switching mechanism electrically couples the first electrode with the first terminal and, in the second state, the electrical switching mechanism electrically isolates the first electrode from the first terminal. The electrosurgical flux supply unit is configured to maintain the electrical coupling of the second terminal with the second electrode in both the first state and the second state of the electrical switching mechanism.