Abstract: An electrosurgical forceps includes first and second shaft members pivotably coupled to one another such that pivoting of the first and second shaft members between spaced-apart and approximated positions pivots jaw members thereof between open and closed positions. A handle of the first shaft member may be moved against a resilient bias of a spring element.

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: A method of producing an array of sharp tips including a biocompatible coating, wherein the biocompatible coating is thicker at a sharp end of the sharp tips than at a broader section of the sharp tips, the method including providing an array of sharp tips, and coating the sharp end of the sharp tips differentially from coating the broader section of the sharp tips. A method of treating skin including producing a hollow in the skin by heating and mechanically compressing epidermis while retaining a covering of stratum corneum. A method of treating tissue including heating a tip to a temperature suitable for producing a crater in the tissue, advancing the tip toward the tissue, detecting when the tip comes into contact with the tissue by detecting a change in mechanical resistance to the advancing, and measuring the mechanical resistance to the advancing. Related apparatus and methods are also described.

Abstract: An electrosurgical generator for generating radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic (EM) energy and microwave EM energy comprises: a microwave source for generating a microwave signal; a microwave channel for conveying the microwave signal from the microwave source to be output from the generator; an RF channel for conveying an RF signal to be output from the generator; and a microwave-to-RF converter connectable to receive the microwave signal, the microwave-to-RF converter being arranged to: generate the RF signal from the microwave signal, and deliver the RF signal to the RF channel.

Abstract: A focused treatment tip (FTT) for controlling the evaporation rate and providing targeted delivery of low temperature liquified gases for contact with living tissue includes a contoured body. When filled with liquified gas, the device insulates the gas from waste heat sources, such as the surrounding environment. The device can control the evaporation rate of the liquified gas at the treatment site. The controlled evaporation rate affects the rate of heat transfer from the treated tissue allowing for controlled exposure times and desired outcomes. The device can be used with various application tips to further define the target tissue area to be treated while minimizing collateral damage to surrounding tissue and isolating the gas within the contoured body and focusing heat transfer to the desired treatment area. The device may use transparent materials that make the treatment visible to the operator while the liquified gas is evaporating.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a high-frequency treatment device for spinal endoscopic surgery, the device including: a casing; an insert rod extending in a longitudinal direction of the casing; and an electrode tip formed at a front end of the insert rod to apply heat to a treatment part. Accordingly, it is possible to not only immediately remove in-body soft tissues or ligaments that interfere with the visual field of an endoscope in an operation, but quickly stop bleeding, and it is also possible to discharge contaminated substances with a saline solution from a treatment part, thereby allowing an accurate and effective operation.

Abstract: A device for dividing a fibrous structure comprising a catheter; an expandable member positioned near a distal end of the catheter and in fluid communication with a lumen of the catheter; and a cutting element situated on an outer surface of the expandable member. A method for dividing a fibrous structure comprising positioning, proximate the fibrous structure, an expandable member having a cutting element situated thereon; expanding the expandable member outwards to tension the fibrous structure across the cutting element; and activating the cutting element to weaken or cut the fibrous structure. A method for treating carpal tunnel syndrome comprising inserting a needle into the carpal tunnel; directing a guidewire to a position proximate the transverse carpal ligament; advancing, along the guidewire, a device having an expandable member and a cutting element; positioning the cutting element; tensioning the ligament across the cutting element; and weakening or cutting the ligament.

Abstract: An endoscopic bipolar forceps includes a housing having a shaft extending therefrom including an end effector assembly disposed at a distal end thereof having jaw members. A movable handle is pivotable relative to the housing from an initial position wherein the jaw members are spaced relative to one another to a compressed position wherein the jaw members are closed about tissue. A trigger assembly is pivotably coupled to the movable handle and includes a trigger operably coupled to a knife assembly having a knife, a knife drive bar and a cam pin. The trigger includes an elongated slot defined therein configured to house the cam pin for translation therein. Upon actuation of the movable handle, the trigger moves in unison with the movable handle to the compressed position and the cam pin rides within the elongated slot maintaining consistent angle between the movable handle and the trigger during movement thereof.

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.

Abstract: A gas-enhanced electrosurgical generator. The gas-enhanced generator has a housing, a first gas control module in the housing and configured to control flow of a first gas, a second gas control module in the housing and configured to control flow of a second gas, a high frequency power module, and a controller, processor or CPU within the housing and configured to control the first gas control module, the second gas control module and the high frequency power module. The first gas and second gas may be any of CO2, argon and helium or another gas. The gas-enhanced electrosurgical generator may have a third gas control module in the housing and configured to control flow of a third gas and a third connector secured on an exterior of the housing.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a plurality of transducers of a transducer-based device may be selected for activation. A first pair of subsets of the selected transducers may be identified for initial activation, each subset of the first pair being activated with a different phase angle range than the other. No transducer in one subset is sufficiently close to a transducer in the other subset to cause a confluence of ablated tissue regions therebetween. The first pair of subsets may be activated simultaneously or concurrently. Upon activation or a conclusion thereof of the pair of subsets of the selected transducers, one or more subsequent pairs of subsets of the selected transducers may be activated iteratively on a pair-by-pair basis, until all of the selected transducers have achieved desired activation results, according to some embodiments. Each subsequent pair may include the same or similar characteristics as the first pair.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a treatment apparatus and a method of controlling the same. There are provided a treatment apparatus, including a handpiece, an RF generator generating RF energy, an insertion unit configured to advance and retract toward one direction of the handpiece, selectively inserted into a tissue, and electrically connected to the RF generator to transfer the RF energy to the inside of the tissue, and a substance storage unit receiving a therapeutic substance therein and detachably installed on one side of the handpiece to transfer the substance to the inside of the tissue by the advancing operation of the insertion unit and a method of controlling the same.

Abstract: An electrode assembly comprises an electrode support, an electrode on the electrode support, the electrode having a working surface extending generally transverse to a thickness of the electrode, and a filament of electrically insulative material overlying a portion of the working surface of the electrode and at least partially extending through the thickness of the electrode. An electrosurgical may include an end effector having a jaw member comprising such an electrode assembly.

Abstract: The invention relates to a shaft for a medical instrument (12), in particular a homopolar or bipolar medical instrument, comprising a shaft member (16) that accommodates a tool (18) at the distal end, said tool (18) being provided with a first jaw part (19) and a second jaw part (21) which can be moved relative to each other from an open position (29) into a closed position (28) by a draw bar/push rod (26) that is guided inside the shaft member (16); at the proximal end, the shaft member (16) has a connecting piece (14) for attachment to a manipulating device (23) that allows the draw bar/push rod (26) to be moved back and forth; at the distal end, each jaw part (19, 21) is pivotally guided inside the shaft member (16) by means of a sliding block (49).

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system, a method and a catheter that provide improved ablation capabilities and improved energy efficiency by selectively energizing catheter electrodes on the basis of impedance measurements. In particular, the invention is directed to the selective energization of catheter radial electrodes that together with a tip electrode form a generally continuous tissue contact surface, wherein the selection is made on the basis of impedance measurement as an indication of the amount of tissue contact of each radial electrode.

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: A power device is configured couple to an electrosurgical generator (410). The power device includes at least one connector (420, 422, 423, 510, 511), a rectifier (113), an energy storage device (115), and a bipolar energy controller (101). The at least one connector (420, 422, 423, 510, 511) is configured to couple to the electrosurgical generator (410) and receive electrosurgical energy. The rectifier (113) is configured to rectify at least a portion of the electrosurgical energy and provide rectified energy. The energy storage device (115) is configured to store at least a portion of the rectified energy. The bipolar energy controller (101) is configured to be powered by the energy storage device (115) and to control providing of an output bipolar energy.

Abstract: An electrosurgical system includes an electrosurgical instrument having an electrode with a polymeric dielectric coating; and an electrosurgical generator, which includes a power converter configured to generate RF energy; a sensor coupled to the power converter and configured to sense a parameter of the RF energy; and a controller coupled to the sensor and the power converter. The controller is configured to control the power converter to output an RF waveform to achieve conductor breakthrough through the polymeric dielectric coating. The controller is further configured to determine whether the conductor breakthrough occurred based on the parameter; and execute a treatment algorithm based on a determination of the conductor breakthrough.

Abstract: An electrosurgical system is provided and includes a bipolar electrosurgical instrument and an electrosurgical generator. The bipolar electrosurgical instrument is arranged to seal and cut tissue captured between jaws of the instrument. The jaws include particularly positioned, shaped and/or oriented electrodes to perform the sealing of tissue. The electrosurgical generator is arranged to supply RF energy through the instrument, monitor the supplied RF energy and adjust or terminate the supplied RF energy to optimally seal the tissue.

Abstract: An electrosurgical system includes a radiofrequency (RF) generator having a controller configured to detect an occurrence of a vaporization point of target tissue and a vaporization duration between commencement of delivery of the RF energy and the occurrence of the vaporization point. The controller can apply the vaporization duration to adjust a parameter during subsequent electrode activation, such as RF power level, an electrode activation sequence, a distance between activated electrodes, and a number of activated electrodes. The controller can apply the vaporization duration to determine if whether a predetermined depth of effect has been reached for use in subsequent parameter adjustments.