Abstract: Cardiac tissue ablation catheters including an inflatable and flexible toroidal or spherically shaped balloon disposed at a distal region of an elongate member, a flexible circuit carried by an outer surface of the balloon, the flexible circuit including, a plurality of flexible branches conforming to the radially outer surface of the balloon, each of the plurality of flexible branches including a substrate, a conductive trace carried by the substrate, and an ablation electrode carried by the substrate, the ablation electrode in electrical communication with the conductive trace, and an elongate shaft comprising a guidewire lumen extending in the elongate member and extending from a proximal region of the inflatable balloon to distal region of the inflatable balloon and being disposed within the inflatable balloon, wherein a distal region of the elongate shaft is secured directly or indirectly to the distal region of the inflatable balloon.

Abstract: A device, system, and method for optically evaluating and treating or ablating tissue. Specifically, device, system, and method allow for the optical and/or electrical evaluation of tissue at the same location(s) at which ablation or treatment or ablation energy is delivered. This allows for a more accurate evaluation of lesion formation and tissue condition before, during, and/or after a treatment or ablation procedure. In one embodiment, a device for performing a medical procedure includes an elongate body including a proximal portion, a distal portion having a distal end, and a longitudinal axis, and a distal tip electrode at the elongate body distal end, the tip electrode being optically transparent and electrically conductive. The device may also include optical windows in the elongate body aligned with one or more transparent lateral electrodes for optically interrogating tissue and/or for delivering treatment or ablation 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: The instant disclosure relates to electrophysiology catheters for tissue ablation within a cardiac muscle, for example. In particular, the instant disclosure relates to an electrophysiology ablation balloon catheter with a combination of coated and uncoated surfaces for focusing ablation energy at a desired portion of tissue.

Abstract: A bipolar dissector includes a handle actuatable by squeezing, a housing extending from and coupled to a distal end of the handle, and a shaft coupled to a proximal end of the handle and extending past the distal end of the handle and through the housing to a distal end of the housing. The shaft includes first and second electrical lines extending from a proximal end to a distal end of the shaft and an insulating material electrically insulating the electrical lines from each other and from the handle and the housing. The bipolar dissector also includes a pair of forceps including a first tine and a second tine. The tines extend from the electrical lines at the distal end of the shaft at the distal end of the housing. Squeezing the handle actuates the forceps in the same direction as the squeezing.

Abstract: An end effector apparatus for a surgical instrument is disclosed including a housing having a first jaw mounted on a revolute joint and providing a first electrical conduction path between the housing and the first jaw. A second jaw is mounted on a revolute joint within the housing and is insulated from the housing, the jaws each having a manipulating portion and a lever arm. A yoke is received within the housing and mechanically coupled to the lever arms and to a control link and is moveable in response to movements of the control link to cause opening and closing of the jaws, the yoke being electrically insulated from the housing and the first jaw. A second electrical conduction path is provided between the control link and the second jaw. The electrical conduction paths facilitate conduction of an electrocauterization current through tissue grasped between the jaws.

Abstract: A method of ultrasonic sealing includes activating an ultrasonic blade temperature sensing, measuring a first resonant frequency of an ultrasonic electromechanical system that includes a transducer coupled to the blade via a waveguide, making a first comparison between the measured first resonant frequency and a first predetermined resonant frequency, and adjusting a power level applied to the transducer based on the first comparison. The first predetermined frequency may correspond to an optimal tissue coagulation temperature. The method may further include measuring a second resonant frequency of the system, making a second comparison between the measured second frequency and a second predetermined frequency, and adjusting the power level based on the second comparison. The second predetermined frequency may correspond a melting point temperature of a clamp arm pad. An ultrasonic instrument and a generator may implement the method.

Abstract: Tumors can be treated with an alternating electric field. The size of cells in the tumor is determined prior to the start of treatment by, for example, biopsy or by inverse electric impedance tomography. A treatment frequency is chosen based on the determined cell size. The cell size can be determined during the course of treatment and the treatment frequency is adjusted to reflect changes in the cell size. A suitable apparatus for this purpose includes a device for measuring the tumor impedance, an AC signal generator with a controllable output frequency, a processor for estimating the size of tumor cells and setting the frequency of the AC signal generator based thereon, and at least one pair of electrodes operatively connected to the AC signal generator such that an alternating electric field is applied to the tumor.

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: 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: A surgical instrument connectable to a surgical energy module that is configured to provide a first drive signal at a first frequency range for driving a first energy modality and a second drive signal at a second frequency range for driving a second energy modality is provided. The surgical instrument can comprise a surgical instrument component configured to receive power from a direct current (DC) power source, an end effector, and a circuit. The circuit can be configured to convert the first electrical signal to a DC voltage, apply the DC voltage to the surgical instrument component, and deliver the second energy modality to the end effector according to the second drive signal. Alternatively, the circuit can be disposed within a cable assembly configured to connect the surgical instrument to the surgical energy module.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to circuitry to provide amplitude modulated waveforms in electrosurgical devices. The circuitry can be included in an electrosurgical generator device to provide the amplitude modulated waveforms to an electrosurgical probe coupled with the electrosurgical generator device.

Abstract: A cooling radiofrequency ablation probe for delivering electrical and thermal energy to tissue of a patient's body is provided. The probe comprises a handle having an upper portion, a lower portion, and a Luer connector. The probe further comprises an extended electrocap assembly interfacing with one end of the handle, and a cable-tubing assembly interfacing with another end of the handle. The cable-tubing assembly includes an electrical cable that terminates at an electrical connector and a dual-lumen fluid tubing that terminates at inlet and outlet fluid connectors. An active tip of the extended electrocap assembly is configured to deliver the electrical and thermal energy to the tissue of the patient's body.

Abstract: A cryoablation system is provided that can assume a directional activated state and includes a cryoablation probe and a controller. The cryoablation probe has an active region that includes a cooling compartment and an opposing heating compartment that are thermally insulated from one another to minimize energy losses therebetween such that ice is selectively and directionally formed at the target site. The cooling compartment can include a temperature sensor and an exhaust tube to guide a fluid or gas that exhibits a Joule Thomson cooling effect through the probe. The heating compartment can include a temperature sensor and a heater cartridge having a heater zone. The controller of the cryoablation system can process temperature measurement data from the sensors of the heating and cooling compartments and regulate the heater zone based on the temperature measurement data processing to maintain a temperature that is sufficiently constant to mitigate or prevent formation of ice on the heating compartment.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a catheter device sized and shaped for vascular access that has an elongate body extending between a proximal end and a distal end. Further, the elongate body has at least one inner lumen configured to receive a fluid. The catheter also has an ablation electrode configured to provide ablative energy, wherein the electrode is located distally along the elongate body and includes a passageway fluidly connected to the lumen of the elongate body. Also, the catheter has a sensor configured to provide a signal representative of temperature, and an insulating chamber extending at least partially about the ablation electrode and configured to at least partially insulate the sensor.

Abstract: An ultrasonic device may include an electromechanical ultrasonic system that includes an ultrasonic transducer coupled to an ultrasonic blade. A method of delivering energy to the ultrasonic device may include sensing a vessel type in contact with the blade, determining that the vessel type is either a vein or an artery, and delivering power to the transducer based on the vessel type. Power may be applied to the transducer at a power level P that differs from a nominal power level Pn for a period T that differs from a nominal period Tn based on the vessel. The power level P may be lower than Pn for a period T that is longer than Tn when the vessel is a vein. Alternatively, the power level P my be greater than Pn for a period T that is shorter than Tn when the vessel is an artery.

Abstract: Methods and system are provided to mitigate RF interferences during operation of an electrosurgical system. An electrosurgical system configured to output therapeutic RF energy may refrain from outputting RF energy in order to measure an RF interference for a group of candidate frequencies, and to select a frequency from the group of candidate frequencies for which the measured RF interference is below a threshold value, and to produce a feedback signal (a control signal) at the selected frequency to control operation of the electrosurgical system. During operation of the electrosurgical system the feedback signal may be filtered by a BPF whose fundamental frequency is set to the selected frequency, to thus obtain an interference free feedback signal and, consequently, a reliable control of the electrosurgical system.

Abstract: An arthroscopic cutting probe includes an elongated shaft assembly having a distal end, a proximal end, and a longitudinal axis therebetween. A working end at the distal end of the elongated shaft assembly includes a first active electrode and a second active electrode The shaft assembly is rotates the first electrode relative to the second electrode about the longitudinal axis, and a return electrode is carried on the shaft assembly proximal of the working end. The first and second active electrodes are electrically coupled to each other and electrically isolated from the return electrode.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for sending test signals to an instrument, and checking the resultant and subsequently arriving echo signals in order to detect specific properties and changes of properties on the line, the instrument, the tissue or also on a fluid body, e.g., plasma body, present on an electrode of the instrument, and to control the operation of the supply arrangement accordingly.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure include a surgical device comprising electrodes on the sides of an end of an effector to aide in sealing during various surgical procedures, such as a liver resection. During a sealing procedure, the surgeon may wipe the surgical site with the end effector, causing the electrodes to touch the fractured area. Electrosurgical energy may be applied to the electrodes during the wiping, causing coagulation of smaller vessels, such as tiny blood vessels and bile ducts in the parenchyma of the liver. In some cases, due to the nature of some smaller vessels, electrosurgical energy should be delicately applied to cause sealing but to avoid overly damaging the remaining tissue. In some embodiments, the thin design of the electrodes allows for an appropriate amount of electrosurgical energy to be applied to the fractured area.