Abstract: A catheter that distributes bipolar radiofrequency for use during the percutaneous ablation of cardiac arrhythmias. The catheter comprising a flexible sheath, a handle, a pull-wire, holes for irrigation in its distal tip, sensing means and electrodes.

Abstract: An electrosurgical generator includes an RF output stage, a DC blocking capacitor, a measuring circuit, and a sensor circuit. The RF output stage generates electrosurgical energy for application to an active electrode. The DC blocking capacitor is electrically coupled between the RF output stage and the active electrode. The measuring circuit is coupled to the DC blocking capacitor and measures the voltage across the DC blocking capacitor. The sensor circuit determines the current of the electrosurgical energy as a function of the voltage across the DC blocking capacitor.

Abstract: A fingertip-mountable electrosurgical instrument includes a monopolar electrode capable of directing energy into tissue, and a holder configured to be operably coupled to the monopolar electrode. The holder is also configured to be operably coupled to an energy source. The holder includes a housing body and one or more attachment members coupled to the housing body. The one or more attachment members are configured to be removeably attachable to a user's finger. The housing body includes a distal end and a proximal end. The monopolar electrode is mechanically coupled to the distal end of the housing body.

Abstract: A bipolar electrosurgical coagulator utilizes a handle having distal and proximal ends with a conductor carried by the handle and having coaxial inner and outer electrically conductive elements. The conductor extends from the distal end of the handle to a coagulating tip, with the proximal end of the conductor secured within the handle for electrical interconnection with a power source entering the handle at its proximal end.

Abstract: A device for producing anastomoses between first and second hollow organs, each having inner and outer surfaces. The device comprises a sleeve with an electrode arrangement, over which the first hollow organ is placed such that its inner surface comes to lie on an outermost surface of the sleeve, and an outer electrode arrangement, which can be brought into electrical contact with the opposing electrode arrangement carrying the second hollow organ, which is pushed over the first hollow organ. The outer electrode arrangement comprises a plurality of lamellae, configured and arranged such that, in a closed state, the lamellae form a through aperture and the inner edges of the lamellae lie against the second hollow organ and, in an open state, a gap is formed between the lamellae through which the hollow organs connected to one another can be guided outwardly out of the through aperture.

Abstract: An ablation device comprising a positioning catheter adapted to be positionable in a heart and comprising a fixation mechanism for fixing the positioning catheter in the heart, and an ablation catheter adapted to ablate material of the heart using the ablation catheter, wherein the ablation catheter is designed to ablate tissue along an isthmus of the heart, wherein the positioning catheter and the ablation catheter are provided to be movable relative to one another.

Abstract: A method of operating a medical system, including coupling a medical system to an outlet of a fluid distribution network having a plurality of fluid outlets in a patient treatment center; delivering fluid from the outlet to the medical system; compressing the delivered fluid with the medical system; decreasing the moisture content of the delivered fluid with the medical system; cooling the fluid with the medical system; delivering the fluid from the medical system to a medical device; and removing the fluid from medical device with the medical system.

Abstract: A bipolar electrosurgical instrument is provided. The bipolar electrosurgical instrument includes first and second shafts each having a jaw member extending from a distal end thereof and a handle disposed at a proximal end thereof for effecting movement of the jaw members relative to one another. A first conductive lead is adapted to connect to a first electrical potential and a second conductive lead is adapted to connect to a second electrical potential. One of the first and second conductive leads extends through the pivot to connect to a respective jaw member.

Abstract: Apparatus, including an energy generator, configured to supply first ablation power modulated at a first frequency and second ablation power modulated at a second frequency different from the first frequency. The apparatus also includes a probe, having at least one electrode coupled to receive the first and second ablation powers simultaneously and to dissipate the first and second ablation powers in body tissue in contact with the at least one electrode.

Abstract: Apparatus, including a current source which has a transformer having a primary winding coupled to receive input power. The transformer has a secondary winding having a first plurality of secondary taps configured to supply electrical power at an ablation frequency to an electrode in contact with body tissue. The tissue has an impedance, and is ablated by the electrical power. The current source has a second plurality of capacitors. The apparatus also includes a controller which is configured to select one of the secondary taps and at least one of the capacitors in response to the impedance and the ablation frequency, and to connect the selected secondary tap to the selected at least one of the capacitors.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for use in performing ablation or coagulation of organs and other tissue includes a metallized fabric electrode array which is substantially absorbent and/or permeable to moisture and gases such as steam and conformable to the body cavity. Following placement of the ablation device into contact with the tissue to be ablated, an RF generator is used to deliver RF energy to the conductive regions and to thereby induce current flow from the electrodes to tissue to be ablated. As the current heats the tissue, moisture (such as steam or liquid) leaves the tissue causing the tissue to dehydrate. Suction may be applied to facilitate moisture removal. The moisture permeability and/or absorbency of the electrode carrying member allows the moisture to leave the ablation site so as to prevent the moisture from providing a path of conductivity for the current.

Abstract: A surgical device control circuit. The control circuit may comprise a first circuit portion comprising at least one first switch. The first circuit portion may communicate with a surgical generator over a conductor pair. The control circuit may also comprise a second circuit portion comprising a data circuit element. The data circuit element may be disposed in an instrument of the surgical device and transmit or receive data. The data circuit element may implement data communications with the surgical generator over at least one conductor of the conductor pair.

Abstract: Thermochemical ablation techniques may provide ablation of bodily tissue using chemical reaction energy. The chemical reaction energy is provided by chemical reactions including a highly reactive electrophilic reagent provided to a target tissue location.

Abstract: Tissue ablation is carried out using insertion tube having at least one ablation electrode, a first temperature sensor disposed on the distal portion sufficiently proximate the ablation electrode to detect heat generated during the ablation procedure, a second temperature sensor disposed on the distal portion sufficiently distant from the ablation electrode to be unable to detect the heat, and electronic logic circuitry linked to the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor and programmed to compute a temperature differential between respective temperatures sensed by the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor when conveying the electromagnetic energy. Satisfactory contact status between the ablation electrode and the target tissue is indicated when the temperature differential exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for supplying energy to tissue may comprise a handle, a trigger, an electrical input, and a shaft extending from the handle. The surgical instrument may comprise an end effector first and second tissue engaging surfaces that are slanted with respect to a transection plane. The end effector may, for example, have an electrode defining a V-shaped cross sectional profile. The end effector may comprise a plurality of raised surfaces that are received by a plurality of indentions when the end effector is in the closed position. The end effector may comprise a cutting member having a plurality of bands.

Abstract: An ablation apparatus comprises an ultrasonic transducer which includes a piezoelectric element having a cylindrical shape; a plurality of external electrodes disposed on the outer surface of the piezoelectric element; and at least one internal electrode disposed on the inner surface of the piezoelectric element. The at least one internal electrode provides corresponding internal electrode portions that are disposed opposite the external electrodes with respect to the piezoelectric element, the external electrodes and the at least one internal electrode to be energized to apply an electric field across the piezoelectric element.

Abstract: An electrosurgical device for directing energy to a target volume of tissue includes a coaxial feedline having an inner conductor, an outer conductor and a dielectric material disposed therebetween. A proximal cylindrical dielectric sleeve is coupled to the inner conductor at a distal end of the coaxial feedline. A distal cylindrical dielectric sleeve is coupled to the inner conductor. First and second dielectric segments are coupled to the inner conductor and disposed between the proximal cylindrical dielectric sleeve and the distal cylindrical dielectric sleeve. The device also includes an elongated shaft overlying the proximal cylindrical dielectric sleeve, the first dielectric segment, the second dielectric segment and the distal cylindrical dielectric sleeve. The elongated shaft includes an opening defined therethrough, wherein the opening is at least partially aligned with the first dielectric segment.

Abstract: The present invention is direct to a nano-probe corona tool and uses thereof. A nano-probe corona tool is disclosed having a tip with a diameter in the nano-scale, typically around 100 nm. The nano-probe corona tool is constructed of electrically conductive material. On the other end of the tool, a pulsed voltage source outputs a pulsed voltage to generated a pulsed electrical potential at the tip. The pulsed electrical potential at the tip causes a plasma discharge corona to occur. Uses of the corona discharge include, but are not limited to, optical emission spectroscopy, in the enhancement of deposition of coatings and nanoscale welding, e.g., nanotube or nanowires to a contact pad and welding two nanowires together, and in nanoscale surgery. For example, a nano-probe comprising CNTs may be inserted into cell membranes. The resulting corona discharge may be used to destroy tumors within the cell.

Abstract: A bipolar electrosurgical instrument is provided. The bipolar electrosurgical instrument includes first and second shafts each having a jaw member extending from a distal end thereof and a handle disposed at a proximal end thereof for effecting movement of the jaw members relative to one another. A first conductive lead is adapted to connect to a first electrical potential and a second conductive lead is adapted to connect to a second electrical potential. One of the first and second conductive leads extends through the pivot to connect to a respective jaw member.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for treatment of a tubular anatomical structure is disclosed. The method includes using an electrical signal to destroy elongated cells on the tubular anatomical structure. The apparatus may include one or more electrodes for creating an electric field, and a cooling system for carrying heat away from the electrode. The elongated cells can include nerve cells on the tubular anatomical structure.