Abstract: A method of cooling a material including the steps of (i) providing a cryotherapy instrument, (ii) positioning a portion of the cryotherapy instrument adjacent the material to be cooled, and (iii) circulating a cryogenic fluid through the cryotherapy instrument under physical conditions near a critical point of a liquid-vapor system for the cryogenic fluid. The critical point defines a point in a phase diagram of the liquid-vapor system where molar volumes are substantially equivalent for liquid and gas, whereby vapor lock associated with cooling of the cryotherapy instrument is avoided.

Abstract: Medical devices and related methods, and, more specifically, cryogenic surgical systems and related methods are disclosed. Some example cryogenic surgical systems may include a cryosurgical control unit configured to cool a cryosurgical probe to a temperature colder than a temperature at which flow of cryogenic fluid to the probe is stopped. Some example tank level indicating systems may utilize the pressure of the fluid in the tank and a temperature of the exterior wall of the tank to indicate liquid level.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to three enhancements for a surgical snare: an electrosurgical snare in which the loop of snare wire extends from an energy transfer surface which can act both as a physical reaction surface for mechanical cutting using the snare and as a region for emitting electromagnetic energy; a surgical snare having a snare wire having a first end connected to a movable boss that is slidably mounted on a coaxial cable; and a surgical snare having an end cap with a distally facing reaction surface and a pair of channels for guiding a snare wire, where the distally facing reaction surface is arranged to contact the retractable loop when fully retracted.

Abstract: A system and method for determining the optimum dose of cryotreatment to an area of target tissue to achieve isolation based on the time to effect (TTE). The system may generally include a treatment device, a sensing device, and a processor programmed to calculate the optimum dose of cryotreatment, in seconds, based on TTE. The TTE may be based on electrical signals received by the processor from the sensing device. The processor may be further programmed to automatically terminate a cryoablation procedure when the optimum dose of cryotreatment has elapsed. The optimum dose of cryotreatment may be the time, in seconds, it takes to achieve isolation, which may be the time it takes for an area of tissue to reach approximately ?20° C.

Abstract: An arthroscopic device is used with a hand piece having a motor drive with a rotating drive shaft. An elongate probe extending along a longitudinal axis and includes a proximal hub on a proximal end. The proximal hub detachably couples to the hand piece, and an openable-closeable jaw structure is disposed on a distal end of the elongate probe. A conversion mechanism carried by the hub converts a rotational motion of the motor drive shaft to a longitudinal motion of an actuator member. The actuator member drives the jaw structure between jaw-open and jaw-closed positions to resect bone and other hard tissues.

Abstract: In a treatment system, an energy treatment instrument includes a pair of grasping pieces closing with respect to each other. An energy output source outputs electric energy to the energy treatment instrument, thereby applying treatment energy to a treatment target grasped between the grasping pieces. A processor creates an optical flow of the treatment target observed by an observation element, and switches an actuation state of the energy treatment instrument between a first mode for treating the treatment target and a second mode for treating the treatment target that is different from the first mode, based on the optical flow.

Abstract: An ultrapolar electrosurgery blade includes lop and bottom thin elongated conductive members in vertical, alignment and spaced apart, from one another along their lengths, a non-conductive coating covering both the top and bottom thin elongated conductive members and the space located between them to create opposing non-conductive sides of the blade with conductive cutting and ends and conductive non-cutting ends exposed, and both return and active contact layers located on each of the opposing non-conductive sides of the blade. An ultrapolar electrosurgery blade assembly having argon beam capability further includes a non-conductive tube member having a slot positioned over the top of the ultrapolar electrosurgery blade and a conductive hollow tubular member contained within at least a portion of the non-conductive tube member.

Abstract: A catheter system includes a proximal base having a distal diagonal end surface and a distal tip connected to the proximal base and movable relative to the proximal base, wherein the distal tip has a proximal diagonal end surface. The distal diagonal end surface and the proximal diagonal end surface contact opposing sides of a tissue portion to create the fistula. A peripheral edge defines the proximal distal end surface. A proximal point is disposed on the peripheral edge. The proximal point comprises a shortened angle and a fully radiused edge relative to a remaining portion of the peripheral edge and a relief recess is disposed on a distal end of the proximal base, both for the purpose of minimizing tissue snagging.

Abstract: A control device for use with a treatment tool that includes a heating element to apply heat to a treatment target. The control device comprises a processor configured to set a target temperature for the heating element and to control the heating element so that temperature of the heating element follows the target temperature. The processor is configured to switch the control of the heating element from a first phase to a second phase. A first followability of the temperature of the heating element in the first phase is higher than a second followability of the temperature in the second phase. The processor is configured to terminate the controlling of following the temperature of the heating element to the target temperature when a parameter is beyond a predetermined range wherein the parameter being defined as a fluctuation between the temperature of the heating element and the target temperature.

Abstract: Methods for collapsing a tubular organ, such as the esophagus, involve inserting a device into the tubular organ, at least partially sealing off a section of the tubular organ, and drawing in the wall of the tubular organ by application of suction. The devices may be used to move the wall of the tubular organ away from an area undergoing treatment or therapy, such as to minimize damage to the tubular organ by application of radiofrequency energy or to limit temperature increase of the tubular organ.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an electrosurgical device. The electrosurgical device includes an electrode having a first portion whose exterior is electrically uninsulated, a second portion whose exterior is electrically insulated, and a third portion. The device includes an elongated hollow body formed by a first member and a second member. The second member is capable of rotating relative to the first member. The hollow body has an internal cavity, a front end, a rear end, an external surface, and an electrical wire arranged within the body. The hollow body is configured to reversibly receive the third portion of the electrode at the front end of the body such that electrical contact is made between the electrode and the electrical wire and the second portion of the electrode is not surrounded by the hollow body. The device includes a first button, a vacuum tube and a vacuum outlet.

Abstract: A therapeutic treatment system includes a holding section configured to hold a biological tissue, electrodes provided in the holding section and capable of outputting first high-frequency energy for sealing the biological tissue at a first sealing temperature and second high-frequency energy for dissecting the biological tissue at a first dissection temperature higher than the first sealing temperature, electrodes provided in the holding section and capable of outputting first thermal energy for sealing the biological tissue at a second sealing temperature higher than the first sealing temperature and second thermal energy for dissecting the biological tissue at a second dissection temperature lower than the first dissection temperature and higher than the second sealing temperature, and a control section configured to control temperature of each of the electrodes to output the second thermal energy after the output of the first high-frequency energy.

Abstract: A surgical instrument, system and method for adjusting a compression force applied by a surgical instrument are disclosed. The method includes determining tissue impedance of tissue in contact with an end effector of the surgical instrument, determining a tissue type based on the tissue impedance, selecting a first energy modality to deliver to the surgical instrument, generating a first signal waveform based on the first energy modality, selecting a second energy modality to deliver to the surgical instrument, generating a second signal waveform based on the second energy modality, outputting the first and second signal waveform to deliver energy to the end effector, and adjusting a compression force applied by the end effector by changing a size of a gap between the tissue and the clamp arm based on a proportion of the first signal waveform to the second signal waveform.

Abstract: An electrode unit for a medical resectoscope for the electrosurgical resection of tissue in a fluid-filled cavity in a patient includes an elongated rod-shaped electrode shaft which on its distal end has an electrode support and a cutting electrode that is fastened to the electrode support and may be acted on by alternating current. A spatula element that is designed for supporting tissue and that extends distally beyond the cutting electrode is situated on the electrode support, the spatula element having two support flanks that extend distally on both sides of the cutting electrode to form outer edges of the spatula element, at least one of the support flanks having an inwardly directed indentation to form a constriction in the area of the cutting electrode.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a housing having an elongated shaft extending distally therefrom configured to support an end effector at a distal end thereof. A handle operably couples to a drive assembly and is moveable to actuate the end effector. The drive assembly includes: front and rear drive tubes, the rear drive tube including a front washer disposed at a distal end thereof, the front drive tube including a rear washer disposed at a proximal end thereof; a stopper slidably disposed atop the front tube, the stopper and the rear washer defining a dead space therebetween; and a spring operably associated with the stopper. Initial actuation of the handle moves the front and rear drive tubes to close the end effector to grasp tissue and, once closed, further movement of the handle moves the rear drive tube to slide the stopper to eliminate the dead space.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of endoscopically ablating/resecting/excluding (A/R/E) the mucosa of the gastric fundus and body. The method of the present invention is intended to cause cellular death to the X/A-like, ghrelin producing and other hormone cells. This is in contrast to present methods to provide only transient ischemia. The use of the method of the present invention results in a more permanent and robust method of reducing ghrelin and other hormone levels. In addition, a method according to the present invention can be used to induce scarring of the gastric fundus which will reduce gastric accommodation of excess food and result in early satiety.

Abstract: A microwave ablation system includes a microwave ablation antenna assembly, a generator, a first fluid supply source, and a second fluid supply source. The microwave ablation antenna assembly includes a fluid port for receiving fluid. The generator is coupled to the microwave ablation antenna assembly. The first fluid supply source is configured to be selectively in fluid communication with the fluid port to supply a first fluid to the microwave ablation antenna assembly. The second fluid supply source is configured to be selectively in fluid communication with the fluid port to supply a second fluid to the microwave ablation antenna assembly.

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 electrosurgical cutting tool comprising a pair of pivotable blades that are mechanically operable as scissors or pliers. The blades have electrodes capable of delivery RF and/or microwave energy to cut or coagulate tissue between them. The tool combines the actuation and energy delivery mechanisms in a compact arrangement that enables the tool to be inserted through an instrument channel of a surgical scoping device, such as an endoscope, gastroscope or laparoscope. Each blade may comprise a planar body made of dielectric material that separates a first conductive element from a second conductive element. The blades may rotate relative to each other in the plane of the blades.

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.