Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a housing, a rotating assembly including a rotation wheel coupled to the housing, a shaft engaged with the rotation wheel within the housing and extending distally from the housing, an end effector assembly disposed at a distal end of the shaft, a drive assembly slidably disposed within the shaft and operably coupled to the end effector assembly for manipulating the end effector assembly, a knife assembly slidably disposed within the shaft translatable relative to the end effector assembly between a retracted position and an extended position, an elongated insulative sheath slidably disposed about the shaft, and an energizable member slidably disposed within the shaft. The instrument is configured such that rotation of the rotation wheel relative to the housing similarly rotates the shaft, end effector assembly, drive assembly, knife assembly, elongated insulative sheath, and energizable member relative to the housing.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a housing, a shaft extending from the housing, and an end effector assembly that is disposed at a distal end of the shaft. The end effector assembly includes a tubular portion, a connection arm, and a toolbox. The tubular portion defines a lumen and the connection arm is extendable from the lumen. The toolbox has a micro-tip that is configured to be selectively secured to a connection tip of the connection arm. The toolbox has a transport configuration where the toolbox is disposed within the lumen and a deployed configuration where the toolbox is disposed entirely outside of the lumen.

Abstract: A bipolar forceps includes a mechanical forceps including first and second shafts each having a jaw member extending from a distal end thereof and a handle disposed at a proximal end thereof for effecting movement of the jaw members relative to one another about a pivot. A disposable housing is configured to releasably couple to at least one of the shafts and an electrode assembly is associated with the disposable housing. The electrode assembly includes electrodes releasably coupleable to the jaw members. At least one of the electrodes includes a knife channel configured to receive a knife blade therethrough to cut tissue grasped between the jaw members. A switch is configured to initiate delivery of electrosurgical energy from the source of electrosurgical energy to the electrodes. An actuation mechanism is configured to selectively advance the knife blade through the knife channel to cut tissue.

Abstract: A treatment device for an endoscope includes a pair of forceps pieces which has forceps surfaces in contact with a subject tissue and are opened and closed with the forceps surfaces facing each other. Concave portions are formed in the central portions of the forceps surfaces to form the forceps surfaces around the concave portions, and on the forceps surfaces, a first region on the proximal end side of the forceps pieces has a plurality of first teeth with top surfaces formed to be unsharp, and a second region on the distal end side of the forceps pieces to the first region has a plurality of second teeth with top surfaces formed to be sharp.

Abstract: The invention provides devices and systems, as well as associated methods of using them, that employ a remote Dicke switching element—i.e., distal to a radiometer. The devices, systems, and methods are suitable for both diagnostic and therapeutic applications in a wide variety of tissues.

Abstract: Surgical devices are provided having end effectors including a jaw closure. The devices herein generally include a handle portion, an elongate shaft, and an effector having first and second jaws configured to engage tissue. In some embodiments, the devices can be configured to allow for the removal of the upper jaw and the cutting blade when the device is not in use. In certain aspects, the jaw and/or cutting blade can be cleaned, sterilized, and reused or completely replaced. In some aspects, the device can then be reassembled including the cleaned or new elements, and reused.

Abstract: A coil electrode for use with an RFA (radio frequency ablation) apparatus, has a lead portion, and a helical portion coupled to the lead portion, the helical portion being formed of Nitinol SE510. Further, an RFA (radio frequency ablation) apparatus, comprises an applicator, the applicator including a handle and a cannulating delivery needle mounted to the handle, the cannulating delivery needle including a tip spaced apart from the handle. A coil electrode includes a lead portion housed in the cannulating delivery needle, and a helical portion coupled to the lead portion, the helical portion formed of Nitinol. The helical portion has a retracted state when housed within the cannulating delivery needle and a deployed state when moved out of the tip of the cannulating delivery needle.

Abstract: The present invention provides a medical system, including a catheter defining an injection lumen, a chamber in fluid communication with the injection lumen, and an exhaust lumen in fluid communication with the chamber; a first temperature sensor positioned in the exhaust lumen proximal to the chamber; a second temperature sensor positioned in the chamber; and a console in electrical communication with the first and second temperature sensors, the controller modifying coolant flow through the medical device based at least in part upon a signal received from the first and second temperature sensor. The system may further include a thermally-conductive element circumscribing a substantial portion of the exhaust lumen proximal to the chamber, where the first temperature sensor is mounted to the thermally-conductive element, and the thermally-conductive element may include at least one of a braid, coil, and band.

Abstract: A renal nerve ablation device may include an elongate tubular member having a distal region. An expandable member may be coupled to the distal region. One or more active electrodes may be coupled to the expandable member. One or more ground electrodes may be coupled to the expandable member. The one or more active electrodes and/or the one or more ground electrodes may be oriented helically about the length of the expandable member.

Abstract: An endoscopic bipolar forceps includes a housing having a shaft affixed thereto, the shaft including jaw members at a distal end thereof. The forceps also includes a drive assembly which moves the jaw member relative to one another for manipulating tissue and a knife assembly for cutting tissue disposed between jaw members. The forceps also includes a knife lockout mechanism operatively connected to the drive assembly. Movement of the drive assembly moves the knife lockout mechanism from a first orientation in obstructive relationship with the knife bar to prevent movement thereof to a second position which allows selective, unencumbered movement of the knife assembly to cut tissue disposed between the jaw members.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a reusable component and a disposable component selectively separable from and engagable with the reusable component. The disposable component includes an end effector and a mechanical actuator operable to induce mechanical movement of the end effector. The reusable component is configured for providing electrosurgical energy to the disposable component when engaged with the disposable component. A physical mating feature is configured to maintain engagement between the reusable and disposable components when the reusable and disposable components are engaged, and an electrical mating feature is configured to transmit electrical energy between the disposable and reusable components when the disposable and reusable components are engaged. All mechanical motion resulting from operation of the mechanical actuator may be contained within the disposable component.

Abstract: An ablation device includes first and second electrodes and an absorbent medium. The ablation device may include a permeable spacer or other mechanisms to position the ablation device in the uterus. The absorbent medium configured to absorb a conductive fluid and optionally to distend. A current can be applied to the first and second electrodes to convert the conductive fluid to a vapor or steam for ablation of the uterus.

Abstract: A biomedical polymer composite that exhibits ultra-low thermal conductivity properties. In a preferred embodiment, the biomedical polymer composite comprises a base polymer component with a dispersed thermally non-conductive filler component consisting of glass or ceramic nanospheres or microspheres that have a thermal conductivity of less than 5 W/m-K, and preferably less than 2 W/m-K. In one embodiment, the polymer composite has an electrically conductive filler and can be used in a filament for treating arteriovascular malformations. In another embodiment, the polymeric composite can be used as an energy-coupling means to apply energy to tissue.

Abstract: An instrument and method for applying thermal energy to targeted tissue. An instrument and method for tissue thermotherapy. In one embodiment, a method includes providing a vapor source comprising a pump configured for providing a flow of liquid media from a liquid media source into a vaporization chamber having a heating mechanism, actuating the pump to provide the liquid into the vaporization chamber, applying energy from the heating mechanism to convert a substantially water liquid media into a minimum water vapor level for causing an intended effect in tissue. For examples such levels can comprise at least 60% water vapor, at least 70% water vapor, at least 80% water vapor or at least 90% water vapor for causing an intended effect in tissue.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for diagnosis or treatment of a vessel or organ. The apparatus includes a deformable body such as a catheter having a tissue ablation end effector and an irrigation channel in fluid communication therewith. At least two sensors are disposed within a distal extremity of the deformable body, the sensors being responsive to a wave in a specified range of frequency to detect deformations resulting from a contact force applied to the distal extremity. A microprocessor can be operatively coupled with the sensors to receive outputs therefrom, the microprocessor being configured to resolve a multi-dimensional force vector corresponding to the contact force. In one embodiment, the sensors are fiber Bragg grating sensors, and the wave is injected into the fiber Bragg grating strain sensors from a laser diode.

Abstract: A jaw of a grasping treatment apparatus includes abutment portion spacing a distal treatment section and a jaw electrode portion apart from each other in a state that the abutment portion abuts on the distal treatment section, and a jaw insulation portion disposed in a part spaced apart from the abutment portion in a width direction of the jaw on an electrode facing-surface. a spacing distance from the distal treatment section to an insulation facing-surface is less than a distance from the electrode facing-surface to the distal treatment section in the state that the abutment portion abuts on the distal treatment section.

Abstract: Provided is a steerable electrode catheter assembly capable of easily contacting an affected part of a patient when performing an operation on a human body while adjusting a direction of the electrode catheter assembly. In detail, provided is a steerable electrode catheter assembly whereby a length by which a catheter is inserted into an affect part of a patient during an operation on a human body may be easily adjusted and also an angle of a tip portion of the catheter may be easily adjusted by a user.

Abstract: A probe includes a probe distal end body, a vibration transmission body and a heat dissipation unit. The probe distal end body includes a first electrode. The vibration transmission body is arranged to a proximal end of the probe distal end body. The vibration transmission body transmits ultrasonic vibration generated by an ultrasonic transducer to the probe distal end body, and transmits current to the first electrode. An interior surface of the probe distal end body and an interior surface of the vibration transmission body define an interior space. The heat dissipation unit dissipates heat generated at the probe distal end body, wherein at least a portion of the heat dissipation unit is arranged in the interior space defined by the probe distal end body and the vibration transmission body. A treatment instrument includes the probe and an end effector including a second electrode.

Abstract: A method for treating an infection using irreversible electroporation is presented. The method includes providing an ablation device that has at least one electrode and inserting the ablation device into a target tissue of a patient. The tissue at least partially surrounds the implanted medical device. The outer surface of the medical device is at least partially covered by infectious cells. The method also involves positioning at least one electrode in or near the implanted medical device and delivering electrical pulses to or near the implanted medical device sufficient to irreversibly electroporate the infectious cells.

Abstract: Liners for cryogenic treatment systems are described where a cryogenic fluid or gas may be introduced into a liner expanded within a body lumen such as the uterine cavity. The liner may be intentionally sized to be substantially larger than the typical size of the uterine cavity, e.g., 1.2 times (or more), greater than the size of the uterine cavity into which the liner is inserted. Because the liner is sized intentionally larger than the body lumen to be treated, the liner may never fully expand when deployed. But even with folds or portions of the liner being folded upon itself, the liner may remain sufficiently supple such that the resulting uncontrolled folds allow for complete conformance of the liner against the anatomy of the contacted tissue.