Abstract: A medical device is described having a handle and an end effector coupled to the handle. The end effector has at least one electrode for providing electrical signals to a tissue or vessel to be treated. An RF drive circuit is provided for generating an RF drive signal that is applied to the end effector electrode. The RF drive circuit includes a resonant circuit and a frequency controller is used to vary the frequency of a signal passed through the resonant circuit in order to control the power supplied to the end effector electrode.

Abstract: Medical devices and methods for making and using medical devices are disclosed. An example medical device includes an ablation system. The ablation system may include an elongate shaft having a distal region. A plurality of ablation tines may be disposed at the distal region. Each of the ablation tines may include a tubular member having a flexible circuit disposed therein. The flexible circuit may include a substrate, one or more electrodes coupled to the substrate, and a temperature sensor coupled to the substrate and positioned adjacent to the one or more electrodes. The plurality of ablation tines may include a first ablation tine and a second ablation tine. A pair of bipolar electrodes may defined by a first electrode disposed at the first ablation tine and a second electrode disposed at the second ablation tine.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring tissue temperature during microwave ablation of such tissue is disclosed. The method includes applying a predetermined correction value to a temperature measurement to provide a corrected temperature value.

Abstract: Systems and methods for creating an arteriovenous (AV) fistula comprise an elongate member, a distal member connected to the elongate member and movable relative to the elongate member, and a heating member disposed on at least one of the movable distal member and the elongate member. The distal member comprises structure for capturing tissue to be cut to create the fistula, and the heating member is adapted to cut through the tissue to create the fistula. The elongate member comprises an elongate outer tube. A shaft connects the distal member to the elongate member, and is extendable and retractable to extend and retract the distal member relative to the elongate member.

Abstract: A medical microwave delivery system comprises a microwave generator for providing microwave energy, wherein the microwave generator is electrically isolated from an electrical earth of the medical microwave delivery system, a coaxial cable configured to transfer microwave energy from the microwave generator, and a ferrite element configured to at least partially surround at least part of the coaxial cable.

Abstract: The subject of this disclosure includes an apparatus for visually supporting a tissue ablation procedure, including a display comprising a user interface; and at least one processor in communication with the display, the at least one processor configured to control one or more of a plurality of electrodes of a radiofrequency balloon catheter to ablate organ tissues of one or more targeted pulmonary veins; determine a characteristic, based on ablation parameters of the radiofrequency balloon catheter, of pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) success rate; and present, on the display, visual information corresponding to each electrode for an indication, based on the characteristic, for PVI success rate.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring a microwave tissue ablation process, particularly the determination of an ablation size estimate during microwave ablation of such tissue. The method includes applying a correction value to the determined temperature value, so as to provide a corrected temperature value.

Abstract: A forceps includes an end effector assembly with a first jaw having a tissue sealing surface and an electrode on the sealing surface, and a second jaw having a tissue sealing surface and an electrode on the sealing surface. The first jaw and the second jaw move between an open position and a closed position. The sealing surface of at least one of the first jaw and the second jaw has a flexible medial section and rigid lateral sections.

Abstract: The subject of this disclosure includes systems, devices and methods to treat a predetermined patient population for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, the method including ablating tissue of one or more targeted pulmonary veins with one or more of a plurality of the electrodes of an independently controlled multi-electrode radiofrequency balloon catheter, the balloon catheter comprising the plurality of electrodes for radiofrequency ablation that are independently controllable; determining a predictor, based on ablation parameters of the balloon catheter, of single shot pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) success rate; and achieving, based on the predictor and step of ablating tissue, a single shot isolation PVI success rate in the isolation of all targeted pulmonary veins for the predetermined patient population.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for electroporation ablation therapy are disclosed, with a protection device for isolating electronic circuitry, devices, and/or other components from a set of electrodes during a cardiac ablation procedure. A system can include a first set of electrodes disposable near cardiac tissue of a heart and a second set of electrodes disposable in contact with patient anatomy. The system can further include a signal generator configured to generate a pulse waveform, where the signal generator coupled to the first set of electrodes and configured to repeatedly deliver the pulse waveform to the first set of electrodes. The system can further include a protection device configured to selectively couple and decouple an electronic device to the second set of electrodes.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an end effector including a first jaw and a second jaw, a drive beam disposed inside the end effector, a first blade, and a second blade. The drive beam is slidably attached to the first jaw. The drive beam includes a cut-out defining a first surface, a second surface, and a vertical strut. The first blade is attached to the first surface and the vertical strut. The second blade is attached to the first blade and the second surface.

Abstract: An energy-delivery device suitable for delivery of energy to tissue includes an antenna assembly, a chamber defined about the antenna assembly, and a cable having a proximal end suitable for connection to an electrosurgical energy source. The energy-delivery device also includes a flexible, fluid-cooled shaft coupled in fluid communication with the chamber. The flexible, fluid-cooled shaft is configured to contain a length of the cable therein and adapted to remove heat along the length of the cable during delivery of energy to the antenna assembly.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for operating a surgical instrument, the surgical instrument comprising a radio frequency (RF) energy output, an ultrasonic energy output, and a first jaw and a second jaw configured for pivotal movement between a closed position and an open position, the method comprising: receiving a first input indicating a user selection of one of a first option and a second option; receiving a second input indicating whether the first jaw and the second jaw are in the closed position or in the open position; receiving a third input indicating electrical impedance at the RF energy output; and selecting a mode of operation for treating a tissue from a plurality of modes of operation based at least in part on the first input, the second input and the third input.

Abstract: Multi-electrode ablation systems, methods, and controllers are described. In one example, a method of beginning an ablation procedure using a multi-electrode ablation system is described. The method includes selectively coupling the output of a power supply to a first electrode of a plurality of electrodes to increase a temperature at the first electrode to a first temperature set-point and limit a rate of increase of the temperature at the first electrode to a predetermined first rate.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a system and method for resecting a tissue mass. The system for resecting a tissue mass includes a surgical instrument and a first sensor for measuring a signal corresponding to the position and orientation of the tissue mass. The first sensor is dimensioned to fit insider or next to the tissue mass. The system also includes a second sensor attached to the surgical instrument configured to measure the position and orientation of the surgical instrument. The second sensor is configured to receive the signal from the first sensor. A controller is in communication with the first sensor and/or the second sensor, and the controller executes a stored program to calculate a distance between the first sensor and the second sensor. Accordingly, visual, auditory, haptic or other feedback is provided to the clinician to guide the surgical instrument to the surgical margin.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an ultrasonic transducer, a shaft extending distally along a shaft axis, a waveguide acoustically coupled with the ultrasonic transducer and extending distally through the shaft, and an end effector at a distal end of the shaft. The end effector includes an ultrasonic blade acoustically coupled with the waveguide. A nodal support element is arranged within a distal portion of the shaft and encircles the waveguide at a distal-most acoustic node of the waveguide. The nodal support element includes a support portion aligned with the distal-most acoustic node, and a sealing portion extending axially from the support portion. The support portion engages an inner surface of the shaft and is configured to support the waveguide in coaxial alignment with the shaft axis. The sealing portion sealingly engages the inner surface of the shaft and is configured to prevent proximal ingress of fluid through the shaft.

Abstract: A device for compressing a renal artery prior to delivery of radiofrequency ablative energy to the renal nerves. The device includes a stent structure with a focal region that expands outwards to place the RF electrodes located on the stent structure in close proximity to the renal nerves. A covering is applied to the stent structure to prevent intimal hyperplasia.

Abstract: A sub-microsecond pulsed electric field generator is disclosed. The field generator includes a controller, which generates a power supply control signal and generates a pulse generator control signal, and a power supply, which receives the power supply control signal and generates one or more power voltages based on the received power supply control signal. The field generator also includes a pulse generator which receives the power voltages and the pulse generator control signal, and generates one or more pulses based on the power voltages and based on the pulse generator control signal. In some embodiments, the controller receives feedback signals representing a value of a characteristic of or a result of the pulses and generates at least one of the power supply control signal and the pulse generator control signal based on the received feedback signals.

Abstract: The electrosurgical systems and corresponding methods of the present disclosure involve an electrosurgical generator, sensing circuitry, and a controller. The electrosurgical generator includes a radio frequency (RF) output stage that supplies power to tissue. The sensing circuitry measures impedance of tissue. The controller controls the power supplied from the RF output stage to track a nonlinear power curve until the power supplied from the RF output stage has reached a predetermined peak power of the nonlinear power curve. The controller further determines whether a tissue reaction has occurred based on impedance measured by the sensing circuitry and controls the power supplied from the RF output stage during a cooling phase if the controller determines that a tissue reaction has occurred. The controller may further control the power supplied from the RF output stage to track a linear power curve.

Abstract: A method of perforating a tissue of a heart of a patient when an inferior approach to the heart is contraindicated. The method utilizes an electrosurgical apparatus and a delivery system comprising at least two dilators wherein a first dilator is configured for facilitating positioning of the electrosurgical apparatus adjacent the tissue and wherein a second dilator is configured for advancement through a perforation in the tissue. An outer diameter of the second dilator is substantially equal to or less than an outer diameter of the first dilator.