Abstract: A device for creating an arteriovenous (AV) fistula includes a proximal base having a distal tapered end surface and a distal tip connected to the proximal base and movable relative to the proximal base. The distal tip has a proximal tapered end surface. A first heating assembly, including an energized heating element, is disposed on at least one of the distal tapered end surface and the proximal tapered end surface. A second heating assembly, comprising a passive non-energized heat spreader, is disposed on the other one of the distal tapered end surface and the proximal tapered end surface. The distal tapered end surface and the proximal tapered end surface are adapted to contact opposing sides of a tissue portion to create the fistula. The taper of the proximal tapered end surface matches the taper of the distal tapered end surface, so that the two surfaces match one another.

Abstract: A method and system for tattoo removal from a subject by exposing tattoo ink particles trapped within the dermis to a cold plasma is described herein. The tattoo removal method and system can be used to remove the tattoo from the skin of the subject being treated. In addition, the method and system described allows for the extraction of the tattoo ink particles, which may have toxic properties, from the subject's body.

Abstract: An end effector assembly for use with a forceps includes a pair of jaw members, a knife assembly, and one or more cam assemblies. One or more of the jaw members are moveable relative to the other about a pivot between open and closed positions. One or more of the jaw members include a knife channel. The pivot includes first and second sections defining a passage therebetween. The knife assembly includes a knife blade and an actuation shaft. The knife blade is disposed distally relative to the pivot. The actuation shaft is configured for slidable translation through the passage to allow selective advancement of the knife blade through the knife channel. The one or more cam assemblies are operably coupled to the one or more moveable jaw members and are actuatable to move the one or more jaw members between the open and closed positions for grasping tissue therebetween.

Abstract: Systems, methods and computer-accessible mediums can be provided that can establish particular parameters for electric pulses based on a characteristic(s) of the tissue(s), and control an application of the electric pulses to tissue(s) for a plurality of automatically controlled and separated time periods to ablate the tissue(s) through mediation of membrane potential and through inducing the cells through a plurality of charge-discharge cycles such that an electroporation of a majority of the tissue(s) is prevented or reduced.

Abstract: A flexible catheter has an ablation electrode disposed in its distal segment. The ablation electrode a cavity formed in its external surface, a microelectrode configured to fit into the cavity, a conductive wire lead connecting the microelectrode to receiving circuitry, and an electrical shield surrounding the wire lead. A power generator is connected to the ablation electrode and the electrical shield in a generator circuit. A back patch electrode adapted to contact with the subject is connected in the generator circuit. The microelectrodes can be active while energizing the ablation electrode.

Abstract: A surgical device for use in removing a lesion from a brain includes a first tube, a second tube disposed within the first tube, a sleeve that encloses a portion of the first tube, wire loops attached to a distal end of the first tube, a loop expander and rotation mechanism drivingly coupled with the wire loops, an aspiration port, and an irrigation port. The loop expander and rotation mechanism is operable to expand the wire loops while rotating the wire loops relative to the first tube and contract the wire loops while rotating the wire loops relative to the first tube. Cut tissue is aspirated via the aspiration port. Irrigation fluid is supplied to irrigate the cut tissue via the irrigation port.

Abstract: A surgical device integrating a suction mechanism with a coagulation mechanism is provided for improving lesion creation capabilities. The device comprises an elongate member having an insulative covering attached about means for coagulating soft tissue. Openings through the covering expose regions of the coagulation-causing elements and are coupled to lumens in the elongate member which are routed to a vacuum source. A fluid source to passively transport fluid along the contacted soft tissue surface may be provided in order to push the maximum temperature deeper into tissue.

Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments of the invention there is provided a device for vaporizing one or more holes in tissue, comprising an array of vaporizing elements and a heating element configured to heat the vaporizing elements, wherein a geometry of at least a portion of the vaporizing elements is configured to prevent excessive penetration of other vaporizing elements into the tissue. In some embodiments, the vaporizing elements are heated to a temperature ranging between 300-600 degrees Celsius.

Abstract: A vapor delivery system and method is provided that is adapted for ablating bladder tissue to treat overactive bladder (OAB). The vapor delivery system includes an anchor tip configured anchor the system in the bladder while condensable vapor is delivered to target tissue. In one method, the vapor delivery system is advanced transurethrally into the patient to access the target tissue of the bladder, which can include a surface sensor of the bladder responsible for creating an urge incontinence sensation. The vapor delivery system includes a vapor source that provides a high quality vapor for delivery to tissue.

Abstract: An adapter element for receiving an HF surgical handpiece is proposed. The adapter element is characterized in that it is possible by receiving the handpiece in the adapter element to form a smoke duct in said adapter element for discharging smoke from a treatment area, at least one stick-, point-, ring-, sphere- or loop-shaped electrode or combinations of the same being attached on the distal end of the adapter element.

Abstract: A method of controlling an electrosurgical HF apparatus, as well as an HF apparatus, includes an electrosurgical instrument and an HF generator for generating an HF current. The HF generator is in a locked state in which its activation is not possible. An application to be carried out is to be selected prior to a user-side activation of the HF generator, whereby the HF generator is unlocked.

Abstract: Systems and methods for continuous infusion of a fluid, which may be heated, into a balloon catheter. A system for balloon inflation, the system comprising a catheter having an inflow lumen and an outflow lumen, a balloon positioned at a distal end of the catheter, the balloon being in fluid communication with the inflow and the outflow lumen, and an infusion device in fluid communication with the balloon through the inflow and outflow lumens, the infusion device configured for continuously circulating a fluid into and out of the balloon to maintain the balloon at a constant pressure and volume by matching a flow of the fluid into the balloon via the inflow lumen with a flow of the fluid out of the balloon via the outflow lumen in order to keep the balloon volume and pressure constant during an entire infusion.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention relates to an electrosurgical handpiece that has a first main body and a second main body. A squeezable handle connects to and across the first main body and the second main body such that, when the handle is unsqueezed, the first main body and the second main body assume a first position relative to one another. When the handle is squeezed, the first main body and the second main body assumes a second position relative to one another. An active electrosurgical electrode is slidingly mounted within the second main body and extends from the second end. A spacer is positioned around and in sliding engagement with the smaller diameter region of the first main body.

Abstract: An endovascular near critical fluid based cryoablation catheter for creating an elongated lengthwise-continuous lesion in tissue can comprise an elongated shaft, a flexible distal tissue treatment section, and a distal tip. A plurality of flexible tubes can extend through the distal treatment section to transport a near critical fluid to and from the distal tip. The distal treatment section can also include a flexible fluid-sealed cover or barrier layer surrounding the delivery tubes. The cover and tubes can collectively define a space which is filled with a fluidic thermally conductive media. The thermally conductive media, fluid delivery tubes, and the cover can be arranged such that a flow of the near critical fluid through the tube bundle transfers heat between a target tissue and the distal treatment section of the catheter thereby creating the elongated lengthwise-continuous lesion in the tissue.

Abstract: An ablation apparatus places electrodes at the perimeter of a cavity. In an embodiment, the alternating electric field is used to expose the cavity to enough energy to ablate the cavity. In an embodiment, two modes are used to expose different regions of the cavity to different amounts of power so that the thermal effect is more uniform. In an embodiment, the electrodes have a relatively large surface area so as to avoid charring the cavity, but are shaped so as to fit within a body orifice.

Abstract: A surgical cutting and fastening instrument comprises an end effector, a shaft connected to the end effector, and a handle connected to the shaft. The handle comprises an electric, DC motor connected to a drive train for powering the drive train and a plurality of series-connected DC power source connected to the motor for supplying electrical power to the motor. The handle also comprises a power source selection switch for connecting, when in a first state, all of the DC power sources to the motor, and, when in a second state, a subset of the DC power sources to the motor. Also disclosed are means for actuating a RF electrode in the end effector and means for indicating actuation of the RF electrode.

Abstract: Controlling a level of electrosurgical energy provided to tissue based on detected arcing patterns or impedance changes. The drag force imposed on an electrode or blade of an electrosurgical instrument may be controlled by adjusting the level of electrosurgical energy based on the arcing patterns or impedance changes. The arcing patterns or impedance changes may be detected by sensing and analyzing voltage and/or current waveforms of the electrosurgical energy. The current and/or voltage waveform analysis may involve calculating impedance based on the voltage and current waveforms and calculating changes in impedance over time. The waveform analysis may involve detecting harmonic distortion using FFTs, DFTs, Goertzel filters, polyphase demodulation techniques, and/or bandpass filters. The waveform analysis may involve determining a normalized difference or the average phase difference between the voltage and current waveforms.

Abstract: A surgical system that includes a surgical glove configured to be removably attached to a human hand is disclosed. The surgical glove can include a first surgical instrument attached to the surgical glove, where the first surgical instrument is nonremoveably, integrally attached to the surgical glove during the formation of the surgical glove, and where the first surgical instrument is coupled to a finger of the surgical glove; a first switch attached to the surgical glove for controlling the first surgical support system; and a first actuating element attached to a thumb of the surgical glove. The first actuating element can be a discrete element. The first switch can be actuated when the first actuating element is placed in close proximity to the first switch, and a thumb of said surgical glove can be free of surgical support systems.

Abstract: An actuator assembly for selectively transmitting a heating current from a bipolar electrical generator to a surgical tool includes an actuating component with a connector for mounting the actuator assembly to the tool in a predetermined orientation. A lever arm mounted for rotation to the actuating component controls a switch that introduces current to tool electrodes when the switch is closed. A user holds the tool and the mounted actuator assembly in one hand and operates the switch with an ergonomic lever arm rotatably mounted to the actuating component. Different left- and right-hand versions of the lever arm can be used with the same actuator assembly, or the actuator assembly can accept a different lever arm configuration for use with either hand. In another version, the actuator assembly can include a guard for preventing inadvertent actuation of the switch during one-handed manipulation of the tool.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed, including methods and systems/apparatus, that can be used to treat cancerous tissue by exploiting the fact that such tissues have vascular branching with fractal descriptions and fractal dimensions, which are different from those found in normal soft tissue vascular branching. Such fractal branching of diseased tissue can produce resonances, or preferential energy absorption, when irradiated by either ultrasound and/or radio frequencies of EM energy; these resonances are not shared by the vascularization in normal soft tissue. Accordingly, one or more specific arrangements of multiband radiation (e.g., RF and/or ultrasonic) used to irradiate such diseased tissue will cause heating and possibly localized necropsy of tumor blood vessels, with little or minimal damage to surrounding healthy tissue. Embodiments can utilize ablation devices in conjunction with RF and/or ultrasonic sources.