Abstract: A method of controlling the application of energy to a radio frequency (RF) instrument based on a surgical technique may include activating the instrument for a first period T1, during which time a portion of an end effector contacts a tissue, plotting at least two electrical parameters associated with the tissue to classify an amount of the end effector in contact with the tissue, applying a classification algorithm to classify the amount of the end effector in contact with the tissue, and applying an amount of energy to the end effector based on the amount of the end effector in contact with the tissue. The parameters may include a minimum impedance of the tissue and an amount of time that the impedance slope is ˜0. The end effector may contact the tissue with a tip end or with an entire surface.

Abstract: A medical device that includes an expandable member, a fluid lumen, and a heating element. The expandable member has an inner expandable member and an outer expandable member. The fluid lumen is between the inner expandable member and the outer expandable member. The heating element is located inside of the fluid lumen.

Abstract: A system for performing ablation includes an ablation device (102) configured to ablate tissue in accordance with control parameters and configured to make measurements during the ablation process. An imaging system (104) is configured to measure an elastographic related parameter to monitor ablation progress. A parameter estimation and monitoring module (115) is configured to receive the measurements from the ablation device and/or the elastographic related parameter to provide feedback to adaptively adjust imaging parameters of the imaging device at different times during an ablation process.

Abstract: A bipolar surgical instrument having a front region (3) with at least four coagulation elements (6, 7, 8, 9) entered in the slots at the at least four corners of a rectangle or at least four quarters of a circle of the insulation body (22) for coagulating and one cutting element at the centre of insulating body for cutting the tissue and/or vessel in the body, thereby having an at least five electrode arrangement for handling and treating the tissue and/or vessel. The cutting element (10) can be at least one blade or at least one needle and it can be fixed or moved longitudinally in an advanced position or retracted position.

Abstract: A process and related assemblies for delivering slush through a tube towards a patient. Obtaining an elongated container partially filled with slush with a port end that has a first port and a second port. Placing the first port in fluid communication with tubing for delivery of slush towards the patient. Placing the second port in fluid communication with a source of gas which may be air. Subjecting the elongated container to automated repetitive movements so that the slush in the partially filled elongated container moves against interior surfaces within the elongated container. Ideally, two different forms of repetitive motion are used to impose complex movement upon the slush within the elongated container. Applying a pressure gradient to cause slush to flow out of the first port towards the patient. The elongated container may be made from a slush bottle with a reversibly engaged cap with the two ports.

Abstract: A device for RF skin treatment includes an outer electrode arranged on an operational side of the device. The outer electrode has an annular or equilateral polygonal shape. An inner electrode is arranged at a center of the outer electrode and is surrounded by the outer electrode. An RF generator is arranged to supply an RF treatment voltage between the inner electrode and the outer electrode. A skin contact surface of the inner electrode has a largest cross-sectional dimension in a range of 200-500 ?m, and the RF treatment voltage is less than 50 V.

Abstract: A bipolar ablation device for treatment of a stenosis within an implanted metallic stent may include an elongate shaft slidably disposable within an endoscope, the elongate shaft including at least one electrode configured to form a first pole of the bipolar ablation device, and an electrode lead slidably disposable within the endoscope. The electrode lead may be configured to electrically engage the implanted metallic stent to form a second pole of the bipolar ablation device. The elongate shaft may be positionable within a lumen of the implanted metallic stent.

Abstract: This document describes methods and materials for reducing incision sizes for improving the treatment of pathological conditions, including arrhythmias and trauma, using temperature modulation via implantable devices. For example, this document describes methods and devices for treating atrial and/or ventricular fibrillation by cooling the epicardium.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an end effector, a handle assembly, and a firing assembly. The end effector includes a first jaw, a second jaw, a knife, and an electrode assembly. The second jaw pivot between an open position and a closed position. The handle assembly includes a housing associated with the first jaw and an arm associated with the second jaw. The arm can pivot the second jaw between the open position and the closed position. The firing assembly can actuate the knife between a pre-fired position and a fired position. The firing assembly includes a first body slidably attached to the housing and a second body slidably attached to the arm. The second body couples with the first body when the second jaw is in the closed position. The second body decouples with the first body when the second jaw is in the open position.

Abstract: A flexible dry electrode comprises a multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)/polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) composite. The flexible dry electrode may be utilized for monitoring electrocardiogram (ECG) signals. The dry ECG electrode may be fabricated by screenprinting silver (Ag) ink on flexible polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrate, followed by bar coating of a MWCNT/PDMS composite.

Abstract: An electrode includes a body and a breakable container of contact-enhancing fluid on or in the body. The container is impermeable to the fluid, and is breakable in response to physical manipulation of the electrode to disperse the fluid into the body.

Abstract: Ablation catheters and systems include flexible catheter tips with a distal needle or ports for delivery of an ablative agent to a target tissue. Pressure monitoring during ablation ensure operation is performed within safe limits and with desired efficacy. Positioning elements help maintain the devices in the proper position with respect to the target tissue and also prevent the passage of ablative agent to normal tissues.

Abstract: An electrocardiography patch is provided. A backing includes two rounded ends connected by a middle section that is narrower than the two rounded ends. An electrode is positioned on a contact surface of the backing on each rounded end. A circuit trace is electrically coupled to each of the electrodes. A battery is positioned on an outer surface of the backing, opposite the contact surface, on one of the rounded ends.

Abstract: A system for controlling the flow of fluid through a medical device may include a medical device having a lumen that extends to a distal end of the medical device; a fluid source configured to supply fluid having a positive pressure to the lumen of the medical device; and a flow controller configured to apply a negative pressure to the fluid within the lumen, wherein the flow controller is triggered to apply the negative pressure upon a lowering of the positive pressure from the fluid source.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods are provided in which movement of a tool is controlled based on sensed parameters. In one embodiment, an electromechanical tool is provided having an instrument shaft and an end effector formed thereon. The electromechanical tool is configured to be mounted on an electromechanical arm, and the electromechanical tool is configured to move with or relative to the electromechanical arm and perform surgical functions. A controller is operatively coupled to the electromechanical arm and the electromechanical tool and is configured to retard advancement of the electromechanical tool toward a tissue surface based on a sensed amount of displacement of a tissue surface, a strain on the tissue of the patient, the temperature of the electromechanical tool, or the like.

Abstract: The present invention is a minimally invasive articulating configured to be advanced through tortuous anatomy, particularly within a lung, and subsequently deliver at least two separately deployable ablation devices to a target site located at a bifurcated section of the lung (i.e., at a bronchial airway bifurcation). The pair of ablation devices are separately steerable towards respective first and second pathways extending from the bifurcation, such that each of the ablation devices can be positioned on either side of a target tissue proximate the bifurcation. The first and second ablation devices include expandable distal tips configured to transition to a deployed configuration, in which each expands in diameter and is configured to apply a degree of compression and/or RF energy emission to target lung tissue (i.e., diseased tissue, such as cancer or emphysema-related damaged tissue) for subsequent ablation thereof.

Abstract: Provided is an electrode sheet allowing easy connection of a wiring that is extended, when required, to a measurement position on a living body. The electrode sheet (main sheet (1), auxiliary sheet (10)) includes a sheet-shaped flexible substrate (2, 11), wirings (3, 12) formed on the flexible substrate (2, 11), electrodes (5, 14) formed on the flexible substrate (2, 11) and electrically connected to the wirings (3, 12), and an insulating layer (4, 13) laid on the flexible substrate (2, 11) in such a manner that the wirings (3, 12) are overlaid with the insulating layer (4, 13) while the electrodes (5, 14) are exposed. The electrodes (5, 14) are formed of a conductive material in which conductive particles are dispersed in a thermoplastic resin.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a catheter, a sensor, a first pair of wire segments, an artifact reduction feature, and a correction module. The sensor is positioned at a distal end of the catheter and is configured to generate a sensor signal. The first pair of wire segments is coupled with the sensor and extends along the length of the catheter. The artifact reduction feature is positioned proximate to the sensor and includes a second pair of wire segments. The correction module is configured to subtract motion-induced artifacts from signals received from the first pair of wire segments, based on motion-induced artifacts from signals received from the second pair of wire segments, to thereby provide a corrected sensor signal.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a shaft, configured for insertion into a body of a subject, and an expandable element coupled to a distal end of the shaft. The expandable element includes multiple electrodes arranged in a hexagonal grid when the expandable element is expanded. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A system includes two or more pairs of electrodes and a processor. The electrodes are disposed over a distal end of a catheter for insertion into a heart of a patient. The electrodes in each pair are parallel with one another, and the pairs are not parallel with one another. The processor is configured to receive electrophysiological (EP) signals acquired by the pairs of electrodes, and, based on a timing of the received EP signals, calculate a local direction at which the received EP signals propagate in the heart.