Abstract: A medical manipulator includes: a manipulator body that has a handle; a drive unit that can be detachably attached to the handle and has a drive source; a guide mechanism that guides the movement of the drive unit when the drive unit is attached to or detached from the handle; a motive force-transmitting coupling that has a driving member and a driven member, and transmits the drive force from the drive source to the handle side; and an electrical connection mechanism that electrically connects the handle and the drive unit when the drive unit is mounted to the handle.

Abstract: A cover for an electrosurgical instrument having a wrist structure and an end effector is provided. The cover includes a hollow elongated structure, which includes a tip cover portion and a base cover portion integrally connected to the tip cover portion. The tip cover portion has a distal end with an opening therethrough sized to receive the end effector of the electrosurgical instrument and is composed of a first, electrically insulative material having a flexibility sufficient to allow the end effector to be manipulated while the end effector is received in the opening. The base cover portion is composed of a second material having a higher tear strength than the first material. The tip cover portion and the base cover portion overlap at an overlap region configured to receive the wrist structure of the electrosurgical instrument when the end effector is received in the opening.

Abstract: An electrosurgical system includes an energy source adapted to supply energy to tissue. The energy source includes a microprocessor configured to execute a tissue treatment algorithm configured to control the supply of electrosurgical energy to tissue and process a configuration file including at least one parameter of the tissue treatment algorithm. The at least one parameter is adjustable to effect a tissue seal result. The microprocessor generates a target impedance trajectory based on at least one parameter of the tissue treatment algorithm and is further configured to drive tissue impedance along the target impedance trajectory by adjusting the supply of energy to tissue to substantially match tissue impedance to a corresponding target impedance value. The system also includes an electrosurgical instrument including at least one active electrode adapted to apply electrosurgical energy to tissue.

Abstract: An energy applicator for directing energy to tissue includes a feedline and a radiating section operably coupled to the feedline, wherein the radiating section has a length. The energy applicator also includes a length adjustment member adapted to allow for selective adjustment of the length of the radiating section. The length adjustment member includes a first pivot element and a first tensioning element coupled to the first pivot element.

Abstract: An electrosurgical energy channel splitter apparatus includes a channel input a plurality of channel outputs, and a controller. The channel input is configured to receive electrosurgical energy from an electrosurgical energy source. Each channel output is configured to couple to a respective electrosurgical device. The controller is coupled to the channel input and the plurality of channel outputs. The controller is configured to selectively direct the electrosurgical energy from the channel input to one of the plurality of channel outputs.

Abstract: A surgical device employs a longevity circuit for preventing operation after a specified time based on safe use expectations. The surgical device delivers a therapy signal via a handpiece having electrodes in proximity to the surgical site. The therapy signal is a high frequency electrical signal delivered from a generator coupled to the handpiece, and activated by a control signal. A therapy circuit established by coupling the handpiece and generator delivers the therapy signal, and is monitored for activation based on a time since a first activation, a number of activations, or an aggregate time of activated intervals. A usage limit defines the activation lifespan, and is employed for monitoring either the therapy circuit or the control circuit, to determine a usage history. Following expiration of a safe usage limit, a longevity circuit in the handpiece disables the handpiece for successive uses, and is independent of a connection to a particular generator.

Abstract: A slip ring mechanism for a medical manipulator, the slip ring mechanism including: a rotating rod that rotates together with a drive shaft; rotating terminals that are positioned so as to be coaxial to the rotating rod; conductive members that contact the rotating terminals and are electrically connected to an end effector; holding members that hold the conductive members such that the conductive members are sandwiched between the holding members and the rotating terminals; and contact terminals that contact the rotating terminals so as to be capable of rotating and sliding relative thereto.

Abstract: A control device is a control device for an energy treatment tool including a first holding member and a second holding member which hold a biological tissue, and a heating element configured to generate heat corresponding to supplied power, thereby heating a holding surface. The control device includes a temperature acquiring section that acquires a temperature of the heating element; and a surface temperature estimating section that estimates, as a surface temperature, a temperature of at least a part of a surface of the first holding member which is different from a portion facing the second holding member, based on a change of the temperature of the heating element after supply of the power is stopped.

Abstract: A medical device for performing a surgical procedure may include an elongate member having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therebetween. The medical device may also include a handle connected to the proximal end of the elongate member, an end effector assembly connected to the distal end of the elongate member, and a cutting device configured to extend from the end effector assembly, wherein the cutting device has a retracted configuration in which the cutting device is withdrawn into the end effector assembly and a deployed configuration in which the cutting device extends from the end effector assembly.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for treating conditions such as rhinitis are disclosed herein where a distal end of a probe shaft is introduced through the nasal cavity where the distal end has an end effector with a first configuration having a low-profile which is shaped to manipulate tissue within the nasal cavity. The distal end may be positioned into proximity of a tissue region having a post nasal nerve associated with a middle or inferior nasal turbinate. Once suitably positioned, the distal end may be reconfigured from the first configuration to a second configuration which is shaped to contact and follow the tissue region and the post nasal nerve may then be ablated via the distal end. Ablation may be performed using various mechanisms, such as cryotherapy, and optionally under direct visualization.

Abstract: Disclosed herein, among other things, are methods and apparatus related to ablation catheters with wireless temperature sensing. The present subject matter provides an ablation catheter system including an ablation transducer and a wireless temperature sensor. The wireless temperature sensor includes at least one temperature sensing element configured to sense a temperature-dependent parameter, circuitry configured to measure the sensed parameter and compute a temperature, a transmitter configured to wirelessly transmit a signal including at least one of the sensed parameter and the computed temperature, and a power supply. A controller is provided to coordinate timing of ablation therapy and sensing of the wireless temperature sensor, in various embodiments.

Abstract: The present disclosure may include a system for delivering energy to an airway wall of a lung comprising an energy delivering apparatus and a PID controller having one or more variable gain factors. The energy delivering apparatus may include a flexible elongated member and a distal expandable basket having at least one electrode for transferring energy to the airway wall and at least one temperature sensor for measuring temperature.

Abstract: The invention provides for a medical apparatus (300) comprising: a magnetic resonance imaging system (302); an ultrasonic system (322) for connecting to a catheter (324, 504, 600) with an ultrasound array (400, 402, 404, 508, 602, 604). The ultrasonic system is operable for driving the ultrasound array. Machine executable instructions (354, 356, 358) cause a processor (334) for controlling the medical apparatus to: generate (100, 202) at least one acoustic radiation impulse with the ultrasonic system, wherein the generated ultrasound energy is below a predetermined level; acquire (102, 204) the magnetic resonance data using an acoustic radiation force imaging pulse sequence; reconstruct (104, 206) at least one acoustic radiation force pulse image using the magnetic resonance data; and determine (106, 208) an energy deposition zone for the catheter using at least partially the at least one acoustic radiation force pulse image.

Abstract: A medical TFT instrument of the bipolar design includes at least two electrodes held by electrode carriers movable relative to each other which can be charged with HF current via a respective feed line. A safety switch mechanism arranged in the area of the electrode carriers and interconnected in at least one of the feed lines is additionally provided which, upon transfer of at least one of the electrode carriers into the out-of-function/situation, is brought into an OFF or disconnect position, whereby a HF current supply to the electrode associated with this feed line is disconnected.

Abstract: A steerable electrosurgical electrode is provided. The steerable electrosurgical electrode comprises a handle, a control element, a first tube, a second tube, a third tube, an electrode and an electrical transmission unit. The handle has a flat area therein, the control element has a plurality of positioning planes and pivotally connects to the handle such that one of the positioning planes rotatably abuts against the flat area, the first tube is positioned inside the second tube and pivotally connected to the control element, the third tube is connected to the second and the first tubes through a first and a second links, respectively, and the electrode is configured at the right end of the third tube. A user may manipulate the control element such that it abuts against the flat area at different positioning planes, to move the first tube inside the second tube, which in turns rotates the third tube and the electrode.

Abstract: A shaft for a rigid endoscopic instrument includes an elongate outer shaft and an elongate transmission element that can be arranged movably inside the outer shaft, wherein the outer shaft includes a proximal portion and a distal portion, which can be connected releasably to each other. The invention also relates to a rigid endoscopic instrument having such a shaft.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument includes an instrument shaft, a suction tube extending along the shaft, and a tissue treatment electrode at the distal end of the shaft. The tissue treatment electrode includes at least a first part and a second part, the first and second parts each having an outer section including mating surfaces adapted to form a close-fitting barrier when the first and second parts are mated one with another, such as to inhibit the passage of gas across the barrier. At least one of the parts also includes an inner section with a longitudinal recess so as to form a suction lumen when the first and second parts are mated one with another. The suction lumen is in fluid communication with the suction tube, the tissue treatment electrode also including one or more apertures in communication with the suction lumen.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a shaft, the shaft including a plurality of stepped sections along the length of the shaft. The apparatus further includes a plurality of electrodes disposed along the length of the shaft, each electrode characterized by a geometric aspect ratio of the length of the electrode to the outer diameter of the electrode. Each electrode is located at a different stepped section of the plurality of stepped sections of the shaft and includes a set of leads. Each lead of the set of leads is configured to attain an electrical voltage potential of at least about 1 kV. The geometric aspect ratio of at least one electrode of the plurality of electrodes is in the range between about 3 and about 20.

Abstract: A thermal eye pod assembly for use in efficiently heating and/or cooling a plurality of thermal eye patch members, as desired. A portable thermal eye pod assembly for use in efficiently treating a user's recurring ophthalmic conditions, accelerating a user's healing process, and providing a user with a relatively faster means of pain relief.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a method of treating a subject having diabetes or symptoms associated with diabetes is provided. The method includes delivering a neuromodulation catheter within a vessel (e.g., hepatic artery) having surrounding nerves that innervate the liver (e.g., sympathetic nerves of the hepatic plexus). The method may also include modulating (e.g., disrupting, ablating, stimulating) the nerves by mechanical compression, energy delivery, or fluid delivery.