Abstract: A microwave ablation system includes a power source. A microwave antenna is adapted to connect to the power source via a coaxial cable that includes inner and outer conductors having a compressible dielectric operably disposed therebetween. The inner conductor in operative communication with a radiating section associated with the microwave antenna. The outer conductor includes a distal end transitionable with respect to each of the inner conductor, compressible dielectric and radiating section from an initial condition wherein the distal end has a first diameter to a subsequent condition wherein the distal end has second diameter. Transition of the distal end from the initial condition to the subsequent condition enhances the delivery of microwave energy from the power source to the inner conductor and radiating section such that a desired effect to tissue is achieved.

Abstract: A dielectric spacer for use during microwave ablation of tissue is disclosed. The dielectric spacer includes a housing having a predetermined thickness and a skin-contacting bottom surface. The housing is configured to be filled with a dielectric material having a predetermined dielectric permittivity. The housing is further configured to be placed on the tissue in proximity with at least one microwave antenna assembly, wherein the thickness and the dielectric permittivity are configured to shift a maximum voltage standing wave ratio of the at least one microwave antenna assembly.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a medical instrument (for example, an ablation device) comprises an elongate body having a proximal end and a distal end, an energy delivery member positioned at the distal end of the elongate body, a first plurality of temperature-measurement devices carried by or positioned within the energy delivery member, the first plurality of temperature-measurement devices being thermally insulated from the energy delivery member, and a second plurality of temperature-measurement devices positioned proximal to a proximal end of the energy delivery member, the second plurality of temperature-measurement devices being thermally insulated from the energy delivery member.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a body, a shaft assembly, and an end effector. The end effector includes an ultrasonic blade and a clamp arm assembly. The ultrasonic blade is in acoustic communication with an acoustic waveguide of the shaft assembly. The clamp arm assembly is pivotable toward and away from the ultrasonic blade. The clamp arm assembly includes a first electrode and a second electrode. The first and second electrodes are operable to cooperate to apply bipolar RF energy to tissue.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for cutting and sealing of tissue such as bone and soft tissue. Devices, systems and methods include delivery of energy including bipolar radiofrequency energy for sealing tissue which may be concurrent with delivery of fluid to a targeted tissue site. Devices include debridement devices which may include a fluid source. Devices include inner and outer shafts coaxially maintained and having cutters for debridement of tissue. An inner shaft may include electrodes apart from the cutter to minimize trauma to tissue during sealing or hemostasis. Devices may include a single, thin liner or sheath for electrically isolating the inner and outer shafts.

Abstract: Described herein are cryolipolysis devices, systems, and methods for facilitating percutaneous access to a target blood vessel by performing cryolipolysis on subcutaneous adipose tissue obscuring the target blood vessel (e.g., a vessel used for hemodialysis treatment). Generally, the devices include a cooling member carrying a coolant that cools a selected portion of adipose tissue overlying the target blood vessel to reduce the selected portion of adipose tissue, thereby forming a depression in the adipose tissue and allowing the target blood vessel closer to the surface of the skin. In some variations, the cooling member is placed subcutaneously to directly cool the selected portion of adipose tissue. In other variations, the cooling member is placed external to the patient to indirectly cool the selected portion of adipose tissue through the skin.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a housing, an energizable member, a proximal hub, and a deployment mechanism. The energizable member is movable between a storage position and a deployed position. The proximal hub is disposed within the housing, coupled to the energizable member, and translatable relative to the housing along a translation axis to deploy the energizable member. The deployment mechanism is configured to selectively translate the proximal hub and includes an actuator movable along a surface of the housing that extends in non-parallel orientation relative to the translation axis. The actuator is operably coupled to the proximal hub and is movable along the surface of the housing in non-parallel orientation relative to the translation axis between a proximal position and a distal position to translate the proximal hub along the translation axis and move the energizable member between the storage position and the deployed position.

Abstract: An ablation generator may include an input port for receiving a monitoring signal respective of tissue of the patient and an output port for providing the monitoring signal another device. A filtering circuit may be disposed between the input port and the output port, the filtering circuit configured to present a high impedance at one or more frequencies at or near which a mapping and navigation system associated with the ablation generator transmits a signal. The filtering circuit may additionally or alternatively be provided in a monitoring system or another component in an electrophysiology system.

Abstract: A method of ablating a tissue region within a blood-filled environment comprises restraining a fluid within a visualization field in a portion of the blood-filled environment and visualizing the tissue region through the fluid within the visualization field. The method also includes transmitting ablating electrical energy from the fluid into the visualized tissue region.

Abstract: A medical device that includes a support member, a heat insulator provided on at least a portion of a first surface of the support member, an energy output member configured to output energy, the energy output member provided on at least a portion of a first surface of the heat insulator, the output energy configured to treat biological tissue and a heat conductor provided on at least a portion of the first surface of the support member and contacting a second surface of the heat insulator, the second surface of the heat insulator opposite the first surface of the heat insulator, wherein a portion of the support member is located proximal than the energy output, and the energy output member is configured to transfer heat to the heat insulator, and wherein the heat conductor is configured to conduct the heat from the heat insulator to the support member.

Abstract: A treatment instrument which is used under an environment filled with an electrically conductive liquid includes a probe, a hollow sheath and an insulating member. The probe has a distal portion to chip a treatment target part by ultrasonic vibration and which allows the distal portion to function as one pole in a bipolar electrode. The sheath surrounds the probe. The insulating member covers the sheath except for a partial region on the distal side of the sheath. The partial region on the distal side of the sheath functions as the other pole in the bipolar electrode.

Abstract: A device, system and method for measuring the impedance during a medical procedure being performed on a patient is disclosed. The device, system and method include an electrode capable of being used in the medical procedure, a plurality of patches operationally located on the surface of a body of the patient, and a sensor for measuring a signal between the electrode and at least one of the plurality of patches, the signal being processed using a processor using a first filter and a second filter, and combining the result of the first filter and the second filter using a weighting of the filters to provide a measurement of the impedance, wherein the impedance indicates the end of the medical procedure.

Abstract: Methods and devices described herein facilitate ablation patterns on the heart within a pericardial sac and without opening or deflating the lungs.

Abstract: Ablation devices, more specifically needle injectors configured to deliver flowable thermal treatment media into an interface with tissue and that can provide a single dose of ablative energy.

Abstract: A system includes an energy source and a surgical device. The energy source has a receptacle configured to delivery energy to the surgical device through a receptacle. The surgical device is configured to deliver the energy to tissue. The surgical device includes a plug selectively engagable to the receptacle to couple the surgical device to the energy source. The plug includes a prong configured to mechanically transition from a condition permitting engagement of the plug and the receptacle to another condition inhibiting engagement of the plug with the receptacle upon reaching a predetermined usage threshold.

Abstract: A treatment-energy applying structure includes a flexible substrate having a wiring pattern having a heat-generation region and a connection region. A heat transfer plate faces a surface of the flexible substrate, and transfers heat to a body tissue. An adhesive sheet, having heat conductivity, is disposed between the flexible substrate and the heat transfer plate to cover the entirety of the heat-generation region and the heat transfer plate. A region of the adhesive sheet protrudes from the heat transfer plate to cover a region of the connection region. A pair of lead wires connects to the connection region outside of the covered region. The adhesive sheet is longer than the heat transfer plate and shorter than the flexible substrate. A gap between an end of the heat transfer plate and the lead wires is longer than a diameter of the lead wires or a thickness of the heat transfer plate.

Abstract: A treatment energy application structure includes a flexible substrate having an electric resistance pattern and a lead wire connection portion. A heat transfer plate faces the flexible substrate and transfers heat to the body tissue. An insulating adhesive sheet is interposed between the flexible substrate and the heat transfer plate. The insulating adhesive sheet comprises a first area to cover an entire surface of the electric resistance pattern and the heat transfer plate and a second area protruding from the heat transfer plate to cover a part of the lead wire connection portion. The heat transfer plate has a chamfered corner facing the insulating adhesive sheet. An adhesive may adhere the second area to at least one of the heat transfer plate and the substrate. The insulating adhesive sheet may adhere the substrate to both the heat transfer plate and the bridge portion of a cover.

Abstract: An end effector for an electrosurgical instrument includes a pair of opposing first and second jaw members movable between an open position in which the jaw members are disposed in a spaced relation relative to one another, and a closed position in which the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. A first sealing electrode is located on the first jaw member, and a second sealing electrode is located on the second jaw member. One or more stop members are disposed on the sealing electrodes, the one or more stop members being formed of a compliant material such that they are capable of deforming when the jaw members are moved to their closed position with tissue grasped therebetween.

Abstract: Described here are methods and systems for the manipulation of ovarian tissues. The methods and systems may be used in the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The systems and methods may be useful in the treatment of infertility associated with PCOS.

Abstract: A medical device includes an energy-generating unit configured to produce energy for conduction through tissue to treat tissue. Waste heat produced by the energy-generating unit during energy production is conducted to tissue to facilitate treating tissue.