Abstract: An electrosurgical lysing device and related methods. In some embodiments, the device may comprise a lysing tip comprising one or more beads. The bead(s) may comprise an at least substantially electrically non-conductive surface and may define, at least in part, both a distally-facing and a proximally-facing recess. At least one electrically conductive lysing member configured to deliver electrosurgical energy may be positioned adjacent to the at least one bead, the at least one lysing member defining at least one lysing segment extending within a recess at least partially defined by the at least one bead.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods of controlling energy delivered to electrodes used in electrically and/or thermally induced neuromodulation are provided to improve neuromodulation. In particular, a catheter treatment device having a control algorithm that regulates current or current density delivered to an electrode is provided. The electrode may maintain a known and consistent electrode contact surface area with the vessel. The control algorithm controls energy delivery to provide consistent current or current density to the treatment site, even though the tissue impedance Z may vary from patient to patient and vessel to vessel, and despite changes in impedance of the treatment, site during the course of the treatment. The controlled delivery of energy can be used to control and maintain placement of the zone of thermal treatment and reduce undesirable energy delivery to unwanted locations near the treatment site.

Abstract: A medical device for cutting bone and soft tissue includes a shaft having a rotating component with a distal working end. A cutting member is carried on the working end of the rotating component and a motor rotates the rotating component. The cutting member has a ceramic body with cutting edges, and the ceramic body is formed of a ceramic composite including alumina and zirconia, wherein the alumina has a grain size ranging between 0.5-1.5 microns and the zirconia has a grain size ranging between 0.1-1.0 micron. The alumina grain shape and zirconia grain shape are non-elongated.

Abstract: Electrosurgical systems and methods are provided for RF nerve ablation, wherein a control console is utilized with a passive or active cable accessory connecting to different of electrode attachments, such as monopolar and bipolar self-grounding types. The control console has multiple RF amplifiers that are associated with multiple channels of the control console and that are energized according to control signals non-simultaneously applied by a controller of the control console. The control console stores and processes identification data and usage data relating to cable accessories and electrode attachments that are connected or have been connected to the control console over time. The control console displays a representation of this processed data on a graphical user interface.

Abstract: A surgical instrument component for coupling an end effector to a shaft of a surgical instrument may comprise a distal portion made of an electrically conductive first material, a proximal portion made of an electrically conductive second material, and an intermediate portion made of an electrically insulating third material. The intermediate portion is disposed between and integrally connected to the proximal portion and to the distal portion.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument includes an elongated first shaft fabricated from thermally-conductive plastic material, an elongated second shaft, and opposing first and second jaw members each having a proximal end portion coupled to a distal end portion of the respective first and second shafts. One or both of the jaw members has a jaw frame and an electrically-conductive tissue sealing structure disposed over the jaw frame. The first shaft has a heat sink disposed therein configured to dissipate heat from the tissue sealing structure toward the thermally-conductive plastic material.

Abstract: An instrument and method for tissue thermotherapy including an inductive heating means to generate a vapor phase media that is used for interstitial, intraluminal, intracavity or topical tissue treatment. In one method, the vapor phase media is propagated from a probe outlet to provide a controlled vapor-to-liquid phase change in an interface with tissue to thereby apply ablative thermal energy delivery.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to multiple piece irrigated ablation electrode assemblies wherein the irrigation channels are insulated or separated from at least one temperature sensing mechanism within the distal portion of the electrode assembly. The present invention further pertains to methods for improved assembly and accurate measurement and control of the electrode temperatures while effectively irrigating the device and target areas.

Abstract: In general, systems, methods, and devices for electrosurgical devices with monopolar and bipolar functionality are provided. In an exemplary embodiment, a surgical device can have bipolar functionality, in which tissue engaged by the device is treated in a bipolar energy delivery mode, and can have monopolar functionality in which tissue engaged by the device is treated in a monopolar energy delivery mode.

Abstract: A method of treating a subject in need thereof, is carried out by (a) administering said subject a therapeutic intervention (e.g., an active agent) in a treatment effective amount; and concurrently (b) administering said subject caloric vestibular stimulation in a treatment effective amount, said caloric vestibular stimulation administered so as to enhance the efficacy of said active agent. In some embodiments, the caloric vestibular stimulation is administered as an actively controlled time varying waveform.

Abstract: This disclosure is relative to the field of laparoscopic surgery and gynecologic surgery. Specifically disclosed is a surgical technique for laparoscopic hysterectomy and bilateral salpingectomy-oophorectomy which encompasses dissection and removal of the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. The technique utilizes a single-entry port located at the umbilicus in conjunction with access through the vaginal opening to access and manipulate the organs within the abdominal cavity.

Abstract: A minimally invasive tissue incision system for creating joint capsulotomies and releasing/incising various tissues, tendons, and fibrous band structures is described. The system contains a penetrating needle which is retractable so as to expose a cutting element, and which may be used as a penetrating needle to pierce the skin and other soft tissue structures. The cutting element provided within the penetrating needle may be used to incise subsequent tissue structures after the initial penetration. The system facilitates such procedures by providing the cutting element with the confines of the needle which provides safe introduction of the cutting element directly to the site via the needle.

Abstract: An end effector structure for tissue ablation powered by microwave energy source and end effector including a microwave antenna surrounded by a segments from microwave absorbing materials. Microwave absorbing material is a material, transparent to microwave energy impregnated with microwave absorbing particles, and has differing microwave transmission and/or absorption characteristics at different locations along the microwave antenna to apply to the desired bi-tissue, a selective amount of microwave and/or heat energy. Microwave transparent material can be ceramic, silicone, fluorosilicone, fluorocarbon, thermoplastic rubber, ethyline propylene diene monomer, urethane etc. Microwave absorbing particles can be from nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), Aluminum (Al), Ag/Cu; Ag/Al; Ag/Ni; Ag/Glass, nickel-plated graphite, silver-plated aluminum, silver-plated copper, silver-plated nickel, silver-plated glass and pure silver etc.

Abstract: A system includes a balloon catheter having a shaft, an inflatable balloon fitted at a distal end of the shaft, and multiple electrodes disposed on the inflatable balloon, a display, and a processor configured to receive signals that are indicative of respective electrode positions of the multiple electrodes in 3D space, compute the respective electrode positions of the multiple electrodes based on the received signals, from among a plurality of virtual planes defined by different respective groups of the electrode positions, select a virtual plane that contains a maximum number of the electrode positions to within a given tolerance, fit a virtual circle to the electrode positions that are within the given tolerance of the selected virtual plane, and render to the display a 3D representation of the balloon catheter based on a position and orientation of the fitted virtual circle in 3D space.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for determining positioning of a energy delivery element include deploying a energy delivery element at a treatment site proximal to a vessel wall; using a multi-region pressure sensing apparatus to sense pressures applied in a plurality of directions about the energy delivery element; and determining an orientation of the energy delivery element based on the pressures measured in the plurality of directions about the energy delivery element.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an RF treatment apparatus, the method of controlling the RF treatment apparatus and the skin treatment method using RF energy according to the present invention have an effect in that they can improve the accuracy and efficiency of treatment because whether a target tissue corresponds to a treatment temperature is determined based on impedance of the tissue and the volume of the target tissue corresponding to the treatment temperature can be maximized while maintaining the target tissue to the treatment temperature for a predetermined time.

Abstract: A dual cooled radiofrequency ablation probe assembly optimized for treatment of a patient's knee joint includes at least two cooled radiofrequency ablation probes. Each cooled radiofrequency ablation probe includes an electrically and thermally-conductive energy delivery device for delivering electrical or radiofrequency treatment to the patient. The probe assembly further includes cooling fluid tubing for supplying the at least two cooled radiofrequency ablation probes with cooling fluid, and an electrical cable for supplying the at least two cooled radiofrequency ablation probes with electrical energy. The at least two probes are tethered together by the cooling fluid tubing and the electrical cable.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an RF treatment apparatus controlling the RF energy so that the target tissue is maintained within a range of a treatment temperature if the target tissue is determined to have reached the treatment temperature based on the impedance, a method of controlling the RF treatment apparatus, and a skin treatment method using RF energy. The RF treatment apparatus, the method of controlling the RF treatment apparatus and the skin treatment method using RF energy according to the present invention have an effect in that they can improve the accuracy and efficiency of treatment because whether a target tissue corresponds to a treatment temperature is determined based on impedance of the tissue and the volume of the target tissue corresponding to the treatment temperature can be maximized while maintaining the target tissue to the treatment temperature for a predetermined time.

Abstract: Surgical instruments and system and methods for using surgical instruments are disclosed. A surgical instrument comprises an end effector comprising an ultrasonic blade and clamp arm, an electrode, an ultrasonic transducer, and a sensor coupled to a control circuit. The electrode receives electrosurgical energy from a generator and applies the electrosurgical energy to the end effector to weld tissue based on the generator generating a drive signal. The ultrasonic transducer ultrasonically oscillates the ultrasonic blade in response to the drive signal. The control circuit receives a signal from the sensor indicative of a surgical parameter, determines a weld time of a surgical operation based on the sensor signal, and varies one or more of a clamp arm pressure applied by the clamp arm and a power level of the electrosurgical energy to maintain one or more of a predefined heat flux or power applied to tissue loaded in the end effector.

Abstract: A low cost, single-use disposable system for the thermocoagulation of tissue. The preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises an exothermic device for the treatment of cervical tissue or the like to provide low cost but effective treatment of, for example, precancerous conditions such as HPV (Human Papilloma Virus). The system provides an extremely cost efficient, easily implemented, single use, hygienic, rugged device which can be used in diverse conditions, requiring no power to operate, little training, and no other equipment.