Abstract: A system includes a pulse waveform generator and an ablation device coupled to the pulse waveform generator. The ablation device includes at least one electrode configured for ablation pulse delivery to tissue during use. The pulse waveform generator is configured to deliver voltage pulses to the ablation device in the form of a pulsed waveform. The pulsed waveform can include multiple levels of hierarchy, and multiple sets of electrodes can be activated such that their pulsed delivery is interleaved with one another.

Abstract: A method for suppressing arc formation during an electrosurgical tissue treatment procedure includes the steps of supplying pulsed current from an energy source to tissue and measuring the pulsed current supplied from the energy source. The method also includes the steps of comparing an instantaneous measured pulse to a predetermined threshold and controlling the pulsed current supplied from the energy source based on the comparison between the instantaneous measured pulse and the predetermined threshold.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for delivering energy to a body of a human or animal during a treatment procedure using an electrosurgical generator, a pre-set overall procedure time being defined for the treatment procedure, a ramp time being defined for a parameter to reach a pre-set threshold during the treatment procedure, the method comprising: measuring the parameter over time; and if the parameter has not substantially reached the pre-set threshold by the ramp time, setting a procedure extension time responsive to the time difference between the ramp time and the time at which the pre-set threshold was reached, and extending the overall procedure time by the procedure extension time.

Abstract: Devices and methods for treating rhinitis are described where the devices are configured to ablate a single nerve branch or multiple nerve branches of the posterior nasal nerves located within the nasal cavity. A surgical probe may be inserted into the sub-mucosal space of a lateral nasal wall and advanced towards a posterior nasal nerve associated with a middle nasal turbinate or an inferior nasal turbinate into a position proximate to the posterior nasal nerve where neuroablation of the posterior nasal nerve may be performed with the surgical probe. The probe device may utilize a visible light beacon that provides trans-illumination of the sub-mucosal tissue or an expandable structure disposed in the vicinity of the distal end of the probe shaft to enable the surgeon to visualize the sub-mucosal position of the distal end of the surgical probe from inside the nasal cavity using, e.g., an endoscope.

Abstract: A method includes providing a bipolar energy source, a monopolar energy source, a bipolar assembly, and a monopolar assembly. The method further includes moving the monopolar assembly to a retracted position. Moving the monopolar assembly to the retracted position couples the bipolar energy source to the bipolar assembly and decouples the monopolar energy source from the monopolar assembly. The method further includes moving the monopolar assembly to a deployed position. Moving the monopolar assembly to the deployed position decouples the bipolar energy source from the bipolar assembly and couples the monopolar energy source to the monopolar assembly.

Abstract: Cardiac ablation is carried out by placing two ablation electrodes on opposite sides of a wall of the heart to generally oppose one another. The effective current transmission area of one of the electrodes is then varied according to the distance between the two electrodes or the thickness of the wall. Sufficient electrical current is transmitted between the two electrodes to achieve transmural ablation.

Abstract: An end effector including a first jaw, a second jaw, a longitudinal slot, and a cutting member is disclosed. The first jaw includes a first lateral side and a second lateral side. At least one of the first jaw and the second jaw is moveable through a range of positions to move the end effector between an open configuration and a fully clamped configuration. The longitudinal slot extends intermediate a proximal portion and a distal portion. The longitudinal slot transects the first jaw between the first lateral side and the second lateral side and extends distally beyond a portion of the second jaw. The cutting member is movable along the longitudinal slot. The first jaw is expandable laterally relative to the longitudinal slot to apply a tensile force to tissue clamped between the first jaw and the second jaw when the end effector is in the fully clamped configuration.

Abstract: A surgical device includes an elongated needle body defining an interior lumen extending longitudinally therethrough, having a sharpened distal tip portion. The device further includes an assembly operatively associated with the interior lumen of the needle body. The assembly includes a shaft having an outer surface profile corresponding to an inner surface of the interior lumen of the needle body and a pair of arms extending distally from the shaft. The pair of arms are biased radially outward from the longitudinal axis of the shaft, and each of the pair of arms having a blunt front surface, wherein one of the arms is in a fixed axial alignment with the sharpened distal tip portion of the needle body such that the arms act as an obturator relative to the sharpened distal tip portion of the needle body to guard the needle body from causing accidental needle tip trauma.

Abstract: A medical device, including an elongate body having a proximal portion and a distal portion; a shaft at least partially disposed within the elongate body; an expandable element at the distal portion of the elongate body; and a fluid delivery conduit defining a deflectable segment movably coupled to the shaft, the deflectable segment being transitionable from a substantially linear configuration to a substantially curvilinear configuration.

Abstract: A device for treating esophageal target tissue comprises a catheter, a balloon and a refrigerant delivery device. The catheter has a distal portion and a refrigerant delivery lumen. The balloon is mounted to and the refrigerant delivery device is coupled to the distal portion. The refrigerant delivery device comprises a chamber with the refrigerant delivery lumen opening into the chamber, a refrigerant delivery opening fluidly coupled to the balloon interior, and a distribution passageway fluidly coupling the chamber and the refrigerant delivery opening. A refrigerant is deliverable through the refrigerant delivery lumen, into the chamber, through the distribution passageway, through the refrigerant delivery opening and into the balloon interior so to place the balloon into an expanded, cooled state so that the balloon can press against and cool esophageal target tissue. The medical device may include means for sensing a leak in the balloon.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument includes a needle configured as a first electrode and a coil extending through the needle and configured as a second electrode. The coil is movable relative to the needle, and as the coil is deployed it attains a coiled configuration and a twisted configuration. After the needle and the coil are inserted into tissue and energized with an electrical energy source, the needle and the coil apply current to the tissue to coagulate the tissue.

Abstract: A surgical device is disclosed that comprises a shaft member and a pair of electrodes. The shaft member has a pair of electrode channels that open at the distal end of the shaft member, wherein the electrode channels are positioned adjacent to one another. The pair of electrodes are configured to deliver energy, and one of the pair of electrodes are configured to be disposed in each electrode channel such that distal ends of each of the electrodes are arranged to protrude from the distal end of the shaft member. The shaft member further includes at least one lumen opening at the distal end of the shaft member.

Abstract: A system for controlling operation of a radiofrequency treatment device to apply radiofrequency energy to tissue to heat tissue to create lesions without ablating the tissue. The system includes a first treatment device having at least one electrode for applying radiofrequency energy to tissue, a controller including a connector to which a first treatment device is coupled for use, and a generator for applying radiofrequency energy to the electrodes. The controller controls application of energy so that the tissue is thermally treated to create lesions but preventing thermal treatment beyond a threshold which would ablate the tissue.

Abstract: A treatment device includes, a probe that conveys ultrasonic vibration and a high-frequency current; a treatment section that comprises a first treatment surface provided at a distal end of the probe for treating body tissue and a second treatment surface opposed to the first treatment surface, and treats the body tissue with the ultrasonic vibration and the high-frequency current conveyed to the first treatment surface and the second treatment surface via the probe; and an electrically-insulating coating portion that covers at least one of the first treatment surface and the second treatment surface.

Abstract: A system for controlling operation of a radiofrequency treatment device to apply radiofrequency energy to tissue to treat tissue to create lesions without ablating the tissue. The system includes a first treatment device having a plurality of electrodes. The electrodes are maintained in axial alignment and fixed radial spacing in retracted and extended positions. The device includes a basket having a plurality of arms. The arms are maintained in a fixed radial spacing in the collapsed position of the basket.

Abstract: An electrosurgical unit having power monitoring circuitry for reducing leakage current in an electrosurgical unit. The electrosurgical unit includes a power source configured to produce direct current, an RF waveform generator configured to convert the direct current into an RF signal, a voltage sensor configured to measure DC input voltage to the RF waveform generator, a current sensor configured to measure output current feedback, and a processor. The processor is configured to estimate output voltage feedback based at least upon the measured DC input voltage and the measured output current feedback, and output a control signal to control the DC input voltage to the RF waveform generator, the control signal based at least upon the estimated output voltage and the output current feedback.

Abstract: Methods of treating spinal tissue of a patient's body are disclosed, some including providing a system including an energy source and first and second probe assemblies, wherein each of the probe assemblies includes an electrically conductive energy delivery device electrically coupled to the energy source; inserting the energy delivery devices of the first and second probe assemblies into spaced-apart treatment sites for the spinal tissue; and delivering energy from the energy source to the spinal tissue through the energy delivery devices. Various options and modifications are possible. For example, energy may be delivered in both a bipolar manner and a monopolar manner, and at least one of the first ad second probe assemblies may be repositioned before again delivering energy.

Abstract: A system for treatment target tissue comprises an ablation device and an energy delivery unit. The ablation device comprises an elongate tube with an expandable treatment element. The system delivers a thermal dose of energy to treat the target tissue. Methods of treating target tissue are also provided.

Abstract: A cryogenic treatment system has a housing that includes a dispensing nozzle operably connected with a CO2 dispensing conduit that includes a valve for controlling the flow of CO2 therethrough. A connector fitting is adapted for operably connecting the CO2 dispensing conduit with the separate CO2 source, which is not mounted on the housing. A temperature sensor is operably mounted for monitoring the temperature of a treated area of the patient, and an accelerometer is operably mounted for monitoring movement of the housing. A computer controller is operably connected with the temperature sensor and the accelerometer for controlling the valve responsive to the temperature sensor and the accelerometer.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for performing non-invasive treatment of the human face and body by electroporation in lieu of cosmetic surgery is provided. The apparatus comprises a high voltage pulse generator and an applicator having two or more electrodes in close mechanical and electrical contact with the patient's skin for applying the pulses to the patient's skin. The applicator may consist of two pieces with one electrode having a sharp tip and another having a flat surface. High voltage pulses delivered to the electrodes create at the tip of the sharp electrode an electric field high enough to cause death of relatively large subcutaneous fat cells by electroporation. Moving the electrode tip along the skin creates a line of necrotic subcutaneous fat cells, which later are metabolized by the body. Multiple applications of the electrode along predetermined lines on the face or neck create shrinkage of the skin and the subcutaneous fat volume underlying the treated area.