Abstract: Systems and methods utilizing RF energy to treat a patient's skin or other target tissues are provided herein. In various aspects, the methods and systems described herein can provide a RF-based treatment in which RF energy can be selectively controlled to facilitate heating uniformity during one or more of body sculpting treatment (lipolysis), skin tightening treatment (laxity improvement), cellulite treatment, all by way of non-limiting examples. In various aspects, the systems may include a flexible applicator comprising a plurality of layers, the plurality of layers comprises a first dielectric layer, a second dielectric layer, and a conductive layer, wherein the first dielectric layer and the second dielectric layer sandwich the conductive layer, the plurality of layers define a plurality of kerfs, an inner region and N regions extending from the inner region, wherein the plurality of kerfs divide the applicator into N regions.

Abstract: Described here are methods of treating a patient having hypertension comprising advancing a catheter into a deep ulnar vein or an artery, wherein the catheter comprises an electrode. The methods further comprise forming a fistula between the deep ulnar vein and the artery with the electrode to reduce a blood pressure of the patient.

Abstract: Ablation systems and methods of the present disclosure are directed toward delivering pulsed radiofrequency (RF) energy to target tissue. The pulsations of the RF energy, combined with cooling at a surface of the target tissue, can advantageously promote local heat transfer in the target tissue to form lesions having dimensions larger than those that can be safely formed in tissue using non-pulsed RF energy under similar conditions.

Abstract: A pulsed electric field multi-electrode ablation apparatus, comprising: an ablation catheter (1), which comprises a catheter (1100), and three or more electrodes that are arranged on the catheter (1100); a pulse energy generator, which is electrically connected to the electrodes; and an impedance measurement component, which is electrically connected to the electrodes, wherein the pulse energy generator can generate a pulse wave between any two electrodes; and the impedance measurement component can measure the impedance between any electrodes and/or between any electrode and an external electrode. The pulsed electric field multi-electrode ablation apparatus can provide accurate information of an electrode attachment condition for a user, such that the electrode attachment condition can be adjusted to an ideal state, and after a pulse wave is released between the electrodes by means of the pulse energy generator, a more ideal treatment effect can be obtained.

Abstract: A system for the recovery of expanded refrigerant from a cryotreatment system for storage and disposal may generally include first fluid flow path having a first compressor and a fluid recovery reservoir, and a closed-loop second fluid flow path having a thermal exchange device that is in thermal communication with the fluid recovery reservoir, a second compressor, and a condenser. The first fluid flow path may include a primary refrigerant from a cryotreatment system and the closed-loop second fluid flow path may contain a secondary refrigerant for cooling the primary refrigerant within the fluid recovery reservoir. The refrigerant recovery conduit may be in fluid communication with both the cryotreatment system and a medical facility scavenging system. The refrigerant recovery conduit and the cryotreatment system may be located within the same cryotreatment console.

Abstract: A bipolar electrosurgical fusion/sealer and dissector is provided that is arranged to simultaneously fuse and cut tissue captured between jaws of the instrument. The jaws include particularly positioned, shaped and/or oriented electrodes along with a compressible landing pad to perform the simultaneous fusion and cutting of tissue. An electrosurgical generator is arranged to supply RF energy through the instrument and monitors a phase angle of the supplied RF energy and adjusts or terminates the supplied RF energy based on the monitored phase angle to optimally fuse and dissect the tissue.

Abstract: A medical device system may include transducers and a structure on which the transducers are located. The structure may include at least a first portion of each elongate member of a plurality of elongate members. Each respective set of a plurality of sets of one or more of the transducers may be located on a respective one of the plurality of elongate members. The structure may be selectively moveable between a delivery configuration in which the structure is sized to be percutaneously deliverable to a bodily cavity and a deployed configuration in which the structure is sized too large to be percutaneously deliverable to the bodily cavity. The second portion of each elongate member of the plurality of elongate members may be arranged in a helical configuration or a twisted, non-helical configuration including at least 360 degrees of rotation when the structure is in the delivery configuration.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a reusable instrument portion and a disposable tip assembly. The disposable tip assembly includes an end effector assembly that in turn includes an end effector. The disposable tip assembly also includes a locking tip cover that locks the disposable tip assembly to a lock interface element of a tip interface of the reusable instrument portion. To facilitate mounting the disposable tip assembly on the tip interface of the reusable instrument portion, the disposable tip assembly includes a first quick connect/disconnect element and the tip interface includes a second quick connect/disconnect element. The second quick connect/disconnect element is coupled to a tendon. The tendon is also coupled to an actuator assembly that provides forces that push and pull (push/pull) the tendon.

Abstract: The invention relates to a patient monitoring apparatus (6) comprising a first measuring unit (7) for performing an electrical measurement of a physiological property like an electrocardiogram measurement providing a heart rate, while an electrical treatment procedure is not performed, and a second measuring unit (8) for performing a non-electrical measurement of the physiological property like an optical photoplethysmogram measurement providing the heartrate. A data communication unit (10) is adapted to receive a treatment indication, which indicates that the electrical treatment procedure will be performed, from an electrical treatment apparatus (12), and a controller (9) is adapted to control the patient monitoring apparatus such that the measurement of the physiological property is switched from the electrical measurement to the non-electrical measurement, after the treatment indication has been received.

Abstract: A forceps includes a first jaw member, a second jaw member, a drive rod assembly and a moveable handle attached to a fixed handle. The first jaw member and the second jaw member are in opposing relation relative to one another, and at least one of the first jaw member and the second jaw member is relatively movable from a first open position to a second clamping position when the first jaw member and the second jaw member cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. Moving the moveable handle relative to the fixed handle moves the drive rod assembly for imparting movement of at least one of the first jaw member and the second jaw member from the first position and the second position. The moveable handle has an actuator with a lost motion connection between the first and second jaw members and the actuator.

Abstract: Methods for treating depression and for reducing a risk associated with developing depression in patients via therapeutic renal neuromodulation and associated systems are disclosed herein. Sympathetic nerve activity can contribute to several cellular and physiological conditions associated with depression as well as an increased risk of developing depression. One aspect of the present technology is directed to methods for improving a patient's calculated risk score corresponding to a depression status in the patient. Other aspects are directed to reducing a likelihood of developing depression in patients presenting one or more depression risk factors. Renal sympathetic nerve activity can be attenuated to improve a patient's depression status or risk of developing depression. The attenuation can be achieved, for example, using an intravascularly positioned catheter carrying a therapeutic assembly configured to use, e.g.

Abstract: A system for ablating bodily tissue of a patient includes a high-voltage electrical generator configured to provide electrical pulses of at least 500 volts, a fluid having an electrical conductivity of not more than 0.01 Siemens per meter, and an ablation catheter that includes a catheter shaft, an expandable membrane attached to the catheter shaft, and a plurality of electrodes, each electrically coupled to the high-voltage electrical generator. The fluid inflates the expandable membrane when provided to the interior space of the expandable membrane.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for controlling the temperature of all or part of the body of a human or animal subject.

Abstract: Described embodiments include an apparatus that includes a flexible electrically-insulating substrate, including an inner surface and an outer surface, and shaped to define (i) multiple narrower channels passing between the inner surface and the outer surface, and (ii) one or more wider channels passing between the inner surface and the outer surface. The apparatus further includes an outer layer of an electrically-conducting metal covering at least part of the outer surface, an inner layer of the electrically-conducting metal covering at least part of the inner surface, a plating layer of the electrically-conducting metal that plates the wider channels such as to connect the outer layer to the inner layer, and respective columns of the electrically-conducting metal that fill the narrower channels such as to connect the outer layer to the inner layer. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, devices, and methods for treating heart failure. In some variations, a catheter for forming an anastomosis in a heart may comprise a first catheter comprising an electrode. A second catheter may be slidably disposed within the first catheter. The second catheter may comprise a barb and a dilator comprising a mating surface configured to engage the electrode.

Abstract: A catheter including a loop member adjustment mechanism for adjusting a diameter of a loop member is provided. The catheter further includes a longitudinally-extending catheter shaft including a proximal end portion and a distal end deflectable portion, wherein the distal end deflectable portion includes the loop member. The loop adjustment mechanism includes a loop member pull wire, wherein a distal end of the loop member pull wire is attached to the loop member, and a sliding member, located within the handle, wherein the sliding member is configured to translate within the handle, and wherein a proximal end of the pull wire is attached to the sliding member.

Abstract: Electrode assemblies include segmented electrodes disposed on a catheter. The segmented electrodes can be constructed at the tip of the catheter or more proximally located. Tip electrodes can be constructed from an electrically-insulative substrate covered with a conductive material. The conductive material can be deposited on the electrically-insulative substrate to form a single tip electrode or multiple segmented electrodes. In some embodiments the tip electrode can include irrigation flow holes for irrigation. A method of manufacturing a tip electrode comprising a thin layer of conductive material deposited on an electrically-insulative substrate is disclosed. Segmented ring electrodes can be constructed from segmented ring electrodes that can be equally separated around a circumference of a catheter. The segmented ring electrodes can be formed into segmented electrode subassemblies that can then be joined to a catheter shaft.

Abstract: Provided herein are ablation systems having an ablation component with an ablation chamber and an insulation chamber, wherein the ablation chamber comprises a plurality of channels defined there. Other embodiments include ablation systems having a substrate source, a cooling component, and an ablation component. Certain systems are closed-loop systems that reuse the cooling substrate.

Abstract: Described embodiments include a catheter tip that includes an outer layer of a thermally-conducting metal; an inner layer of a thermally-conducting metal; a polymer layer between the inner and outer layer; and a plurality of thermal bridges selectively positioned between the inner and outer layers and through the polymer layer thereby significantly increasing the heat transfer of the catheter tip through the polymer layer. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: An energy treatment system and a output control method thereof according to embodiments of the present invention perform treatment by energy supply in which ultrasonic energy and high frequency energy are combined, stop or suppress discharge by reducing the output of high frequency energy within a set period when a state in which discharge is likely to occur during treatment is detected, and change the output of ultrasonic energy. In addition, in order for a user to continue treatment without feeling uncomfortable and to ensure incision performance, each output is controlled so that the set period is as short as possible or is supplemented, and also, the set period expires, and control is performed so as to reduce the possibility of discharge even at the time of returning.