Abstract: A vital signs monitor includes an equipment housing defining an equipment compartment, a circuit assembly and a battery residing inside the equipment compartment, an electrical connector forming a connection between the battery assembly and the circuit assembly, and a battery discharge circuit. A retainer joined to the equipment housing retains the battery assembly in the housing. The retainer is separable from the housing so that its separation causes a break in the electrical connection and activates the discharge circuit.

Abstract: A method of using an ice therapy machine involves replacing water with windshield washer fluid containing ethanol or ethylene glycol, and placing the main unit of the ice therapy machine, including the ice chest and pump, in a freezer to prevent the ice in the ice chest from melting. The freezer has been modified to include openings for passage of the fluid-circulating tubes of the ice therapy machine, and an opening for the power cord of the ice therapy machine, which supplies power to the pump. Alternatively, the door of the freezer may be replaced by an insulated panel having openings for the coolant circulating tubes and power cord. An on/off switch may be installed in the power cord so that the pump can be turned on and off without having to open the freezer door.

Abstract: A system includes signal acquisition circuitry, an oscillator circuit, and a processor. The signal acquisition circuitry is configured to receive from an intra-cardiac probe multiple intra-cardiac signals acquired by multiple electrodes of the probe, and to further receive a common ground signal for the multiple intra-cardiac signals. The signal acquisition circuitry is further configured to digitize the intra-cardiac signals relative to the common ground signal so as to produce multiple digital signals. The oscillator circuit is configured to generate an Alternating Current (AC) signal and to apply the AC signal to the common ground signal provided to the signal acquisition circuitry. The processor is configured to detect the AC signal in the multiple digital signals, and to assess, based on the detected AC signal, respective qualities of physical contact between the electrodes and cardiac tissue.

Abstract: A multi-pole synchronous pulmonary artery radiofrequency ablation catheter may comprise a control handle, a catheter body and an annular ring. One end of the catheter body may be flexible, and the flexible end of the catheter body may be connected to the annular ring. The other end of the catheter body may be connected to the control handle. A shape memory wire may be arranged in the annular ring. One end of the shape memory wire may extend to an end of the annular ring and the other end of the shape memory wire may pass through a root of the annular ring and be fixed on the flexible end of the catheter body. The annular ring may be provided with an electrode group. The device possesses advantages of simple operation, short operation time and controllable precise ablation. The device can be used to treat pulmonary hypertension with pulmonary denervation.

Abstract: A medical device including an energy generator, a proximal end, and a distal end. The proximal end may include a handle and one or more connectors coupled to the energy generator. The distal end may include a number of movable branch members connected to one or more movable filaments at the distal end to form at least one expandable snare. At least one of the one or more movable filaments may be coupled to the one or more connectors to transfer energy to the at least one of the one or more movable filaments. A portion of the at least one of the one or more movable filaments forming the at least one expandable snare may be insulated.

Abstract: A resectoscope has an elongated shaft tube, an elongated optic arranged therein with a lens at the distal end and an electrode assembly, wherein the electrode assembly in turn includes an electrode arranged at the distal end of the arms of a fork assembly, which are arranged on opposing sides of the lens and are brought together in a transition region to an electrode shaft, wherein the electrode assembly can be extended in the longitudinal direction by a stroke length from a first position, in which the electrode is arranged inside the shaft tube in front of the lens, into a second position in which the arms of the fork assembly protrude out of the shaft tube. The length of the arms of the fork assembly is thereby greater than 1.2 times the stroke length. The electrode assembly is configured correspondingly.

Abstract: A surgical device includes a housing, an elongated shaft, an end effector, and an actuation mechanism. The housing pivotally supports a movable handle between unactuated, first actuated, and a second actuated positions. The elongated shaft extends distally from the housing and defines a longitudinal axis. The end effector has a pair of opposed jaw members that are movable between an open configuration in which the jaw members are spaced apart from one another and a closed configuration in which the jaw members are closer together. The actuation mechanism is configured to transition the end effector between the open and closed configurations as the movable handle is pivoted between the unactuated and first actuated positions and to maintain the end effector in the closed configuration when the moveable handle is between the first and second actuated positions.

Abstract: A medical device includes a shaft including a lumen configured to direct a flow of fluid through the shaft and an electrode. A proximal end of the electrode and a distal end of the shaft form a coupling configured to releasably couple the proximal end of the electrode with the distal end of the shaft. When the proximal end of the electrode is coupled to the distal end of the shaft, fluid delivered through the lumen is emitted from the electrode.

Abstract: Disclosed is a soft tissue excision apparatus having a handle and an elongated blade support member extending from the handle. The distal end of blade support member includes a first thermally conductive blade support arm and a second thermally conductive blade support arm. An electrically heatable blade is supported at and electrically isolated from the distal ends of the two thermally conductive blade support arms. A first electrically conductive lead extends from the proximal end of the thermally conductive blade support member to a first blade heater contact pad. A second electrically conductive lead extends from the proximal end of the thermally conductive blade support member to a second blade heater contact pad. First and second electrically conductive flexible leads extend from the proximal end of the thermally conductive blade support member to a controller.

Abstract: A system and method for adding or removing heat from a heat exchange fluid circulating between an external heat exchanger and an intravascular heat exchange catheter is described. The system includes a two stage cooling system providing for a high rate of cooling in one stage and a lower rate of cooling in a second stage. Both stages may be used to provide maximal cooling while the second stage is used to provide improved control of the cooling rate as a target temperature is approached. The second stage may also be used to provide heat to the heat exchange fluid.

Abstract: Apparatus, including a guidewire, having a distal end dimensioned to penetrate into a nasal sinus and a balloon, which is fitted over the guidewire in proximity to the distal end. There is an inflation channel, which runs along the guidewire and is coupled to convey a pressurized fluid into the balloon so as to inflate the balloon. The apparatus also includes a first electrode, fixedly attached to a distal tip of the guidewire, and a second electrode, fixedly attached to the guidewire at a location proximal to the distal tip. There are conductive leads running along the guidewire and coupled to apply an electrical potential between the first and second electrodes.

Abstract: A sphincterotome device can be used to achieve appropriate positioning within the biliary duct during cannulation. The sphincterotome device enables performance of a “double-wire” or multiple wire procedure without the need for removal and reintroduction of the sphincterotome device, thereby allowing for a shorter procedure.

Abstract: An electrosurgical device is described. The device can include a housing, a channel, and an actuator. The channel can comprise an electrode forming a tip. The actuator can be mechanically coupled to the electrode and the housing. The actuator can be configured to move between a first position and a second position and can be further configured to transition the tip from a retracted position when the actuator is at the first position to an extended position when the actuator is at the second position. A movement of the actuator from the first position to the second position can close an electrical circuit comprising the electrode and a source of electrical energy to generate a flow of current through the electrode for heating the tip to an elevated temperature suitable for cauterizing tissue.

Abstract: An endoscopic surgical device includes: a sheath; a forceps section protruding from a cover provided at a distal end of the sheath and including a pair of openable-closable forceps components; an operable member that is connected to a proximal end of the forceps section, that opens the forceps components when moved forward in a longitudinal direction, and that closes the forceps components when moved rearward; and a flow-path formation member having a through-hole through which the operable member extends and having a first liquid delivery hole constituted by a gap between the through-hole and the operable member and a second liquid delivery hole constituted by a gap between the flow-path formation member and an inner peripheral surface of the cover. The operable member is provided with a large-diameter section that abuts on the flow-path formation member when the operable member is moved forward to block the first liquid delivery hole.

Abstract: An end effector assembly adapted to couple to an electrosurgical instrument, the end effector assembly including a plurality of spaced apart small seal plates on opposing jaw members where each seal plate forms a pair of seal plates with the corresponding seal plate on the opposing jaw member. Each pair of seal plates is individually activatable, and the pair of seal plates are activated in sequence. When the opposing jaw members are in an approximated position, the pairs of seal plates around the periphery of each jaw member define a gap therebetween that is larger than the gap between pairs of seal plates along the center of each jaw member.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument with smoke evacuation, having an electrode, a suction lumen, and a plurality of slots connected to suction lumen, in which the slots may be longer than they are wide and wider than they are thick. The electrosurgical instrument may have the slots arranged longitudinally about its central axis, and the suction lumen may be wider than the slot widths.

Abstract: A medical device for sympathetic nerve ablation may include a catheter shaft, an expandable member disposed on or coupled to the catheter shaft, and a plurality of elongate electrode assemblies each constructed as a flexible circuit having a plurality of layers. The expandable member may be configured to shift between an unexpanded configuration and an expanded configuration. The plurality of electrode assemblies may be disposed on an outer surface of the expandable member. Each of the plurality of electrode assemblies may include enhanced tear resistance properties such as through the inclusion of a reinforcement structure with one or more of the layers of the electrode assemblies.

Abstract: A bipolar electrosurgical device is disclosed that operates in a mechanical cutting mode and a hemostasis mode. The device includes a housing and a blade assembly extending from the housing. The blade assembly forms a cutting tip and cutting window at a distal end region to provide mechanical cutting of tissue and first and second electrode assemblies to provide electrical energy to tissue. The first electrode assembly includes an outer shaft defining a first electrode surface and the second electrode assembly includes an electrode body extending along and electrically isolated from an outer shaft and defining a U-shape in cross section.

Abstract: A thermal pack including: a pouch containing a thermal source; and a bendable and deformable support one of attached to or disposed within the pouch, the support being configured such that the pouch is deformed into a shape matching a contour of a body part and the pouch is maintained in the shape while applied to the body part by the support. The support can include one or more deformable elongated members extending in at least one direction of the pouch.

Abstract: An electrosurgical apparatus performs a cut or incision on epithelial tissue of the body of a human or animal patient. The apparatus includes a generator system configured to generate a radio-frequency electric signal, and a hand piece held by an operator and having an end provided with a single active electrode electrically connected to the generator system. The electric signal generates a cut or an incision when the active electrode comes into contact with epithelial tissue of the body. The electric signal has a power ranging from 0.5 W-20 W and a frequency ranging from 40 kHz-90 kHz. The energy emitted by the signal is transferred from the active electrode to the tissue of the body through capacitive coupling. The tissue is cut at a peripheral temperature ranging from 45° C.-60° C. The electric circuit is closed to ground through a capacitive effect, as the apparatus does not use a return plate.