Abstract: Various control systems for controlling a surgical system according to detected airborne particulate characteristics are disclosed.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a cooling system for a surgical ablation device, the device having a cooling circuit comprising a device coolant supply line having a supply coupling; a coolant return line having a return coupling; coolant passageways within the device to circulate coolant within the device, the supply line and the return line being in fluid communication via the device coolant passageway(s); a coolant manifold configured to fluidly connect a cooling fluid source to at least one manifold fluid outlet port, such as to place the cooling fluid source in fluid communication with the one or more device coolant passageways, wherein the supply coupling is configured for connection to a manifold outlet port of the manifold.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a medical system includes a catheter configured to be inserted into a body part of a living subject, and including an elongated deflectable element including a distal end, a proximal coupler connected to the distal end, an expandable assembly comprising a plurality of flexible polymer circuit strips, the flexible polymer circuit strips having respective proximal ends connected to, and disposed circumferentially around, the proximal coupler, respective ones of the flexible polymer circuit strips including respective multiple strip electrodes, respective contact arrays disposed at the respective proximal ends, and respective multiple circuit traces electrically connecting the respective multiple strip electrodes with the respective contact arrays, and a plurality of surface mountable electrodes mounted on, and bulging over respective ones of the flexible polymer circuit strips.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a first drive assembly, a second drive assembly, and a deployment mechanism. The first drive assembly is coupled to a first component and is configured to translate a first longitudinal distance X1 to deploy the first component. The second drive assembly is coupled to a second component and is configured to translate a second longitudinal distance X2 to deploy the second component. The deployment mechanism is operably coupled to both the first and second drive assemblies and is configured to move from a first position to a second position to translate the first and second drive assemblies the respective first and second longitudinal distances X1 and X2 to deploy the first and second components.

Abstract: A jaw member of an electrosurgical instrument includes an insulative spacer including a face and defining first and second elongated recesses on either side of the face, first and second cleats disposed at least partially within the first and second elongated recesses, respectively, a structural frame, and a tissue treating plate. The structural frame is configured to receive at least a portion of the insulative spacer therein such that first and second elongated sides of the structural frame at least partially overlap the first and second cleats, respectively. The first and second elongated sides are engaged with the first and second cleats, respectively, to thereby secure the insulative spacer relative to the structural frame with the face exposed. The tissue treating plate is disposed on the face of the insulative spacer and is adapted to connect to a source of energy to treat tissue therewith.

Abstract: A thermal cutting element for a surgical instrument includes a substrate, a Plasma Electrolytic Oxidation (PEO) coating disposed on the substrate, and a heating element disposed on the PEO coating and including first and second end portions adapted to connect to different potentials of electrical energy to heat the heating element. A jaw member of a surgical instrument includes a structural frame including a proximal flange portion and a distal body portion, a jaw housing surrounding the distal body portion of the structural frame, a tissue-treating plate disposed atop the jaw housing and defining a longitudinal slot therethrough along at least a portion of a length thereof, and the thermal cutting element disposed within the longitudinal slot.

Abstract: A handpiece for a surgical instrument having a valve position sensing circuit arranged to detect the position of a valve arranged to control the flow of fluid through the suction lumen of the instrument. The distal end of the handpiece is arranged to couple to a cutting accessory. The handpiece comprises: a housing; a suction lumen within the housing extending from the distal end of the handpiece to a proximal end of the handpiece; a valve arranged to control the flow of fluid through the suction lumen; and a valve position sensing circuit arranged to detect a position of the valve. The valve position sensing circuit can be used to alert a surgeon if the valve is closed when it would be preferable for it to be open. For example, if the motor is overheating, the in-joint temperature is too high, or the RF component is activated.

Abstract: A medical device includes a body and at least one electrode disposed thereon. The electrode includes a metallic substrate, such as a platinum group metal, an alloy of platinum group metals, or gold. The surface of the substrate is modified in a manner that increases its effective surface area without inducing bulk heating. For example, the surface of the substrate can be laser textured and/or coated, such as with titanium nitride or iridium oxide.

Abstract: A surgical device having an apparatus with a generator and an instrument supplied by a generator. A sensor is part of the device that is attached to the patient, for example to an extremity thereof, during surgery to detect the movement of the patient. The sensor is connected with a control device that modifies the operation of generator and particularly switches the generator off, if the sensor detects a movement of the patient exceeding a threshold. Injuries of patient that could occur by involuntary twitches during surgery process are thus avoided.

Abstract: Provided herein is an electronic patch for applying to a wearable item. The electronic patch includes a sensor comprising a sensor pad and a sensor base that together define a stepped arrangement, an electrically conductive underlayer disposed under the sensor base, a circuit layer disposed under the underlayer and electrically coupled to the sensor via the underlayer, a first elastic layer overlying the sensor base and arranged adjacent the sensor pad, and a second elastic layer disposed under the circuit layer. Also provided is a wearable item that includes the aforementioned electronic patch as well as methods of making said wearable item and electronic patch.

Abstract: Catheters, systems, and related methods for optimized for mapping, minimizing, and treating cardiac fibrillation in a patient, including an array of at least one stacked electrode pair, each electrode pair including a first electrode and a second electrode, wherein each electrode pair is configured to be orthogonal to a surface of a cardiac tissue substrate, wherein each first electrode is in contact with the surface to record a first signal, and wherein each second electrode is separated from the first electrode by a distance which enables the second electrode to record a second signal, wherein the catheter is configured to obtain one or more measurements from at least a first signal and a second signal in response to electrical activity in the cardiac tissue substrate indicative of a number of electrical circuit cores and distribution of the electrical circuit cores for a duration across the cardiac tissue substrate.

Abstract: Various methods, systems, and devices for treating tissue ablation are disclosed. Some embodiments disclosed herein pertain to methods of treating tumors, systems used for irradiating tissue and tumors with electromagnetic radiation, components and devices of that system, and kits for providing systems used for irradiating tissue and tumors with electromagnetic radiation. In some embodiments, the system provides sub-ablative infrared radiation that is absorbed by nanoparticles. In some embodiments, the nanoparticles absorb the radiation converting it into heat energy. In some embodiments, though the infrared radiation itself may be sub-ablative, the heat energy generated by the nanoparticles is sufficient to cause thermal coagulation, hyperthermia, and/or tissue ablation.

Abstract: A headpiece, acquisition device, system and method for making electroencephalography (EEG) measurements. The EEG headpiece fits, or adjusts to fit, on a person's scalp, each of a plurality of electrodes is located in the headpiece corresponding to selected respective positions on the scalp, the electrodes are electrically connected to at least one electrical transmitter, and the headpiece is attached to the scalp after the electrodes have been located in the headpiece.

Abstract: A device and a method for detecting a stress level of a driver are provided. The device includes an electrocardiogram sensor for measuring an electrocardiogram of the driver using electrodes arranged on a steering wheel of a vehicle, and a controller that monitors the electrocardiogram of the driver, determines an invalid section in the electrocardiogram based on a shape of the electrocardiogram, and compensates for an electrocardiogram in the determined invalid section.

Abstract: A guidewire includes a metal wire, a first electrically-insulating layer, and a second electrically-insulating layer. The metal wire has a distal end. The first electrically-insulating layer covers the wire. The second electrically-insulating layer covers the distal end of the guidewire, wherein a breakdown voltage of the second electrically-insulating layer is larger than that of the first electrically-insulating layer.

Abstract: Surgical systems include an ultrasonic device, a generator coupled to the ultrasonic device, and a return pad. The generator is configured to control supply of the ultrasonic energy to the ultrasonic device and control supply of an energy pulse to the ultrasonic device at different times. The ultrasonic device generates a current pulse signal in response to the energy pulse. The generator also measures a current feedback signal at the return pad, the current feedback signal resulting from the current pulse signal, and estimate a tissue property of tissue grasped by the ultrasonic device based on the current feedback signal.

Abstract: An electrosurgical system for generating high-frequency alternating current for an ablation of body tissue, containing a high-frequency voltage supply unit which is or is to be electrically connected to a first and second electrode, and which is configured to supply the electrodes with a high-frequency alternating voltage. The electrosurgical system further includes a feedback unit which is electrically connected to the first and second electrodes and which is configured to generate and transmit an output signal dependent on the electrical resistance between the first and second electrodes. The electrosurgical system also includes a control unit that is configured to control the high-frequency voltage supply unit in such a way as to be able to automatically switch between at least one first and one second operating mode.

Abstract: A robotic surgical arm includes a puck containing motors to drive an end effector. A tool assembly attached to the puck generates ultrasonic and/or radio frequency energy to apply to tissue disposed between the jaws of the end effector. The tool assembly can include modular components such as a modular shaft that can include an ultrasonic transducer, nonvolatile memory, wireless interface, and/or a power source. The power source allows the modular shaft to communicate wirelessly with the robotic arm. The tool assembly can be moved from one robotic arm to another while remaining powered by the power source. The tool assembly can include sensors to determine a location or movement of the tool assembly after being detached from the robotic surgical arm. The modular shaft can be moved from a robotic arm to a handle manually controlled by a surgeon and back again to the robotic arm.

Abstract: A cryoablation tool may include a catheter. The catheter may have a shaft having: a proximal end, a distal end, a shaft wall extending between the proximal end and the distal end, the shaft wall having an outer surface and an inner surface and a vacuum gap defined therebetween that forms a vacuum chamber, the inner surface of the shaft wall being gas permeable, a shaft lumen bounded by the inner surface of the shaft wall, the shaft lumen for carrying a cryogen gas, and the vacuum chamber having a proximal opening connectable to a vacuum source, the proximal opening establishing vacuum communication between the vacuum chamber and the vacuum source.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a catheter having a flexible outer sheath and a flexible irrigation tube. The flexible outer sheath defines a first lumen. The flexible irrigation tube is positioned inside the first lumen and includes an inner layer and an outer coating layer. The inner layer is formed of a synthetic polymer compound and has a uniform cross-section with a hollow interior defining a second lumen. The outer coating layer is disposed around the inner layer. The outer coating layer is formed of a polymeric compound and includes first and second isomers. The first isomer is configured to carry a positive electric charge and the second isomer is configured to carry a negative electric charge.