Abstract: A manually operable HF instrument in bipolar construction includes a jaw part having two electrode legs which can be moved relative to each other like pincers or scissors, and an instrument handle for operating and activating the jaw part. A separate electrode mount is articulated on at least one electrode leg of the jaw part so as to be able to pivot relative to it, an electrode in turn being elastically/pliably installed on the electrode mount.

Abstract: A medical device for diagnosis or treatment of tissue is disclosed. The device includes an electronically-controlled tool configured for diagnosis or treatment, an electrical connector, and a computer readable memory. The electrical connector is configured for connection with an electronic control unit and configured to receive control signals, including signals concerning the operation of the tool, from the electronic control unit. The computer readable memory is accessible through the connector. The memory can include a set of programming instructions for control of the tool, and the programming instructions can be configured to be downloadable from the memory upon connection of the electrical connector with the electronic control unit. A system is also disclosed in which the electronic control unit is configured to transmit a data log from memory in the electronic control unit to the memory in the medical device upon the occurrence or detection of a predetermined event.

Abstract: A treatment method is provided which exhibits a reliable therapeutic effect on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. In the treatment method, lung volume is reduced by restraining expansion and contraction of lung parenchyma present in the vicinity of a verge of a lung having an emphysema-suffering part, at least in one site of the verge.

Abstract: An electrosurgical apparatus having a feed structure comprising a radiofrequency (RF) channel for conveying RF electromagnetic (EM) radiation from an RF signal generator to a probe and a microwave channel for conveying microwave EM radiation from a microwave signal generator to the probe, wherein the RF channel and microwave channel comprise physically separate signal pathways, wherein the feed structure includes a combining circuit having an input connected to the signal pathway on the RF channel, another input connected to the signal pathway on the microwave channel, and an output connected to a common signal pathway for conveying the RE EM radiation and EM radiation separately or simultaneously to the probe, and wherein the microwave channel includes a waveguide isolator connected to isolate the signal pathway on the microwave channel from the RF EM radiation.

Abstract: A coupling means (8;8?;8?,14) serves for connecting a suction channel (27) of an electrosurgical instrument (1) to a vacuum source via a suction tubing (11) and/or for guiding an electrical cable (12), that supplies electrical energy from an electrosurgical generator to the electrosurgical instrument (1). The electrosurgical instrument (1) comprises a hollow elongated main body (2) having a first end (7) for securing a first means (3) for application of the electrical energy to a surgical site and an opposite second end (9), which hollow elongated main body (2) has a switch means (5) to be operated by means of an associated actuator (4) to control application of the electrical energy to the surgical site.

Abstract: A medical apparatus includes a first clamp portion; a pivot shaft; a second clamp portion rotatable around the pivot shaft, and movable between an opened position in which the second clamp portion is distant from the first clamp portion, and a closed position in which the second clamp portion is adjacent to the first clamp portion; and an electrode member provided on the second clamp portion, and opposed to the first clamp portion, the electrode member forming a clearance in cooperation with the first clamp portion in the closed position, the clearance in a second position distant from the pivot shaft being smaller than the clearance in a first position adjacent to the pivot shaft, to adjust holding pressure.

Abstract: Systems and methods for estimating tissue parameters, including mass of tissue to be treated and a thermal resistance scale factor between the tissue and an electrode of an energy delivery device, are disclosed. The method includes sensing tissue temperatures, estimating a mass of the tissue and a thermal resistance scale factor between the tissue and an electrode, and controlling an electrosurgical generator based on the estimated mass and the estimated thermal resistance scale factor. The method may be performed iteratively and non-iteratively. The iterative method may employ a gradient descent algorithm that iteratively adds a derivative step to the estimates of the mass and thermal resistance scale factor until a condition is met. The non-iterative method includes selecting maximum and minimum temperature differences and estimating the mass and the thermal resistance scale factor based on a predetermined reduction point from the maximum temperature difference to the minimum temperature difference.

Abstract: Devices and methods for fluid enhanced ablation therapy using microwave antennas are described herein that provide improved heat transfer into a target volume of tissue and improved antenna cooling compared to prior art designs. In one embodiment, fluid can be introduced into a target volume of tissue along with the delivery of therapeutic energy from a microwave antenna positioned within the target volume of tissue. The fluid can become heated by cooling the microwave antenna and, if additional heating of the fluid is desired, a heating element disposed within the microwave antenna can supplementally heat the fluid prior to introduction into the target volume of tissue.

Abstract: A two person portable apparatus (10) for reducing the core temperature of one or more human beings includes a trough (14) made of a waterproof, flexible fabric (56) and a generally rectangular frame (12). Portions (68, 70, 72, 74) of the fabric (56) are looped over sides (24, 26, 28, 30) of the frame (12) so that the trough is supported by and suspended from the frame. The apparatus includes four legs (16, 18, 20, 22) hinged to corners of the frame and pivotable inwardly under the trough. Cooling water is placed in the trough and the hands and forearms of human beings are immersed in the cooling water.

Abstract: An electrosurgical probe for ablating tissue includes an elongated shaft having an axis and a distal end. An electrically insulating housing at the distal end of the shaft has a window, and an interior channel in the shaft extends through the housing to the window. The window faces laterally relative to the axis, and a moveable member with a blade-like electrode edge is disposed within the window. A motor drives the energized electrode edge axially in the window to ablate tissue.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a handle, and an elongated shaft extending from the handle. An end effector extending from the elongated shaft is in communication with a source of electrosurgical energy and defines an end effector axis. A roll joint couples the end effector to the elongated shaft and includes a first tubular structure extending distally from the elongated shaft and a second tubular structure rotatably coupled to the first tubular structure. The second tubular structure supports the end effector such that the end effector is rotatable about the end effector axis.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a housing having a shaft extending distally therefrom, an end effector assembly disposed at a distal end of the shaft, a handle assembly coupled to the housing for manipulating the end effector assembly, a deployable assembly, at least one actuator for deploying and retracting the deployable assembly, and a closure member. The closure member is keyed to the actuator(s) and operably positioned relative to the movable handle of the handle assembly such that, upon rotation of the actuator(s) relative to the housing from an un-actuated position to an actuated position, the closure member is urged into contact with the movable handle to urge the movable handle from an initial position to a compressed position, thereby moving the end effector assembly to an approximated position.

Abstract: The present invention provides an irrigated ablation electrode that includes a plurality of high L/d interior fluid passageways and/or slit-shaped apertures to provide for a lower rate of fluid flow and a more uniform distribution of fluid over an exterior surface of the electrode and reduce propensity for aperture blockage. In some embodiments, the slit-shaped apertures have an aspect ratio of at least three, at least five, at least ten, or at least fifteen. Some embodiments include maintaining a pressure drop of at least 345 pascals between irrigation fluid inside the irrigated ablation electrode and fluid immediately outside the electrode when the irrigation fluid has a flow rate of no more than five milliliters per minute (5 ml/min). Some embodiments include a low-density insert with a plurality of fluid channels on its exterior surface to more efficiently cool the electrode and provide a faster thermal response.

Abstract: A medical device for renal denervation may include a catheter shaft including an outer shaft having a lumen formed therein and an inner shaft extending within the lumen of the outer shaft. The catheter may further include an expandable member having a proximal region coupled to a distal region of the outer shaft, and a distal region of the expandable member may be coupled to a distal region of the inner shaft. In some embodiments, one or more active electrodes may be disposed on an exterior surface of the expandable member and capable of providing the renal denervation treatment. In some embodiments, the inner shaft may be rotatable in relation to the outer shaft and/or the outer shaft may be rotatable in relation to the inner shaft.

Abstract: A medical treatment apparatus is an apparatus for treating a living body tissue by heating the living body tissue. The apparatus includes a heat transfer portion, a heating chip and a flexible substrate. The heat transfer portion is configured to come into contact with the living body tissue and transfer heat to the living body tissue. The heating chip is disposed on the heat transfer portion and is configured to heat the heat transfer portion. The flexible substrate is partly joined to a first surface of the heat transfer portion on which the heating chip is disposed, with a remaining portion extending outside the heat transfer portion. A heating trace for supplying power to the heating chip is formed on the flexible substrate.

Abstract: The energy treatment instrument includes an end effector performing treatment using treatment energy, and a moving part disposed so as to be movable relative to a housing and moving relative to the housing based on an operation input to move the end effector or an operation input to supply treatment energy to the end effector. The energy treatment instrument includes an energy converter converting kinetic energy due to a movement of the moving part into electric energy and storing the converted electric energy in an electricity storage.

Abstract: An end effector structure (e.g. jaws structure or similar), configured with an internal antenna for delivery of electromagnetic energy in microwave range to a straight, curved or circular end effector structure in which the portion of end effector structure includes a microwave absorbing material that absorbs microwave energy emitted by the antenna and transfers microwave energy into the heat. Such end-effector also includes surgical fasteners or staples for strengthening tissue, providing a hemostasis, tissue joint and/or welding. The microwave antenna is connected by a coaxial cable with a microwave generator. The heat generated in the microwave absorbing material is applied to the treated material (e.g. tissue) by means of capturing material in the end effector (jaw structure) and heating the tissue to the desired temperature either before, during or after a stapling procedure.

Abstract: Catheter apparatuses, systems, and methods for cryogenically modulating neural structures of the renal plexus by intravascular access are disclosed herein. One aspect of the present application, for example, is directed to apparatuses, systems, and methods that incorporate a catheter treatment device comprising an elongated shaft. The elongated shaft is sized and configured to deliver a cryo-applicator to a renal artery via an intravascular path. Cryogenic renal neuromodulation may be achieved via application of cryogenic temperatures to modulate neural fibers that contribute to renal function, or of vascular structures that feed or perfuse the neural fibers.

Abstract: A forceps includes a pair of shaft members, a pair of jaw members each including a distal body and a proximal flange, and a pair of electrode plates. The proximal flanges are engaged with the respective shaft members and pivotably coupled to each other such that pivoting the shaft members pivots the distal jaw bodies. The electrode plates each includes a tissue-contacting portion disposed on the distal body of the respective jaw member and a proximal extension portion extending at least partially through the proximal flange of the respective jaw member. The tissue-contacting portion and proximal extension portion of the first electrode plate are disposed in perpendicular planes relative to each other. Likewise, the tissue-contacting portion and proximal extension portion of the second electrode plate are disposed in perpendicular planes relative to each other.

Abstract: A deployment and retraction mechanism for a surgical instrument includes a gear box defining a longitudinal slot, a slider, a ring gear, and a planet gear. The slider is configured to engage a deployable component of the surgical instrument and is translatable along the longitudinal slot between a proximal end, corresponding to a storage condition of the deployable component, and a distal end, corresponding to a use condition of the deployable component. The planet gear is operably engaged with the ring gear and configured to orbit within the ring gear. The planet gear includes an off-center pin rotatably supporting the slider thereon. The planet gear and ring gear are configured such that a one-half orbit of the planet gear within the ring gear translates the slider from one end of the longitudinal slot to the other end of the longitudinal slot.