Abstract: A subcutaneously implantable device includes a housing including a receiving portion at a back end of the housing, a clip attached to the receiving portion, and an electrode. The clip is configured to move within the receiving portion between an open position and a closed position to increase or decrease an opening between the housing and the clip to anchor the device to a muscle, a bone, and/or a first tissue. The clip includes an anchoring portion that extends across a top of the housing, a mast portion within the receiving portion of the housing, and an anchoring structure extending from the anchoring portion. The anchoring structure is configured to attach to the muscle, the bone, and/or the first tissue. The electrode is configured to contact an organ, a nerve, the first tissue, and/or a second tissue.

Abstract: The coagulation arrangement (10) according to the invention comprises an instrument (11) having a tool (17) comprising coagulating electrodes (22, 23, 27, 28), as well as a dissecting electrode (36). The electrodes are powered by a circuit (44) that comprises a coagulating voltage source (54) and a dissecting voltage source (55), or that can be connected to such sources. The device comprises a dissection actuating switch (60) and a coagulation actuating switch (59). The former is connected to a power switch (58) that—in dissecting mode—connects the current path from the dissecting voltage source (55) to the dissecting electrode (36), before the dissecting voltage source (55) or the HF output voltage source (47) and the coagulating voltage source (54) are actuated. Thus, the user is presented with a reliable means in a simple manner in order to be able to more flexibly perform more complex operations.

Abstract: An electrode device is disclosed that is removably implantable at least partially in a bone or other tissue. The electrode device includes a head and a shaft connected to the head. The shaft has a shaft body extending distally from the head in an axial direction of the shaft, and a conductive element including a conductive surface at a distal end of the shaft. A plurality of discrete anchor elements can project from an outer surface of the shaft body in a transverse direction of the shaft. A conductive wire can be permanently fixed to a proximal end surface of the conductive element, the end surface being located in or adjacent the head. The head can have a convex outer surface and a concave inner surface. An electrode array and a reamer tool is also disclosed.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument includes a jaw member having an electrically conductive tissue sealing plate configured to operably couple to a source of electrosurgical energy for treating tissue. A polydimethylsiloxane coating having a thickness in the range of from about 35 nm to about 85 nm is disposed on the tissue sealing plate.

Abstract: Sensing patch systems are disclosed herein. A sensing patch system includes a flexible substrate and a sensor node. The flexible substrate includes one or more substrate sensors configured to provide sensor data, one or more substrate conductors electrically coupled to a corresponding substrate sensor to conduct the sensor data provided by the corresponding substrate sensor, and a node interface. The sensor node includes a substrate interface configured to receive the node interface of the flexible substrate. The sensor node is configured to receive the sensor data provided by the substrate sensors, process the sensor data, and communicate the processed sensor data to a remote device.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a body, a shaft assembly, an articulation section, an end effector, and an articulation drive assembly. The articulation drive assembly is configured to drive the articulation section to deflect the end effector relative to the longitudinal axis from a non-articulated configuration to an articulated configuration. The articulation drive assembly includes a rotatable housing, a static member, and an indication feature. The rotatable housing is rotatably coupled to the body. The static member is fixed relative to the body. The indication feature is configured to indicate when the end effector is deflected into the non-articulated configuration. The indication feature includes a ridge and a cantilever arm. The ridge extends from an exterior surface of the rotatable housing. The cantilever arm defines a slot configured to house the ridge when the end effector is in the non-articulated configuration.

Abstract: An instrument for large-area ablation of the mucosa including at least one first gas supply line and at least one second gas supply line whose distal ends are arranged to form an acute angle (?), so that the ends diverge distally. A free space between the distal ends of the gas supply lines allows the user to view the tissue region behind the distal end of the instrument. Due to the acute angle (?), electrodes arranged at least partially in the ends of the gas supply lines generate a wide plasma beam with which the mucosa ablation can be performed. The instrument can be guided precisely due to the view through the free space. A connecting element according to the invention is provided for attaching the ends of the gas supply lines.

Abstract: Disclosed are various examples and embodiments of a cardiac mapping catheter configured for electrophysiological (EP) mapping and suitable for intravascular insertion in a patient's heart, and methods of making same. The cardiac mapping catheter comprises a plurality support arms having electrodes disposed thereon. Various configurations of the cardiac mapping catheter are described and disclosed which provide improved spatial resolution and sensing of EP signals acquired from inside a patient's heart.

Abstract: A method comprising sealing a vessel residing within tissue between jaws of forceps by sensing an amount of tissue held within the forceps, the sensing by passing electrical current through the tissue by way of the forceps. The method comprises heating the tissue using electrical current, the heating such that impedance of the tissue changes at a first predetermined rate, the first predetermined rate selected based on the sensing. The method comprises desiccating the tissue using electrical current, such that the impedance of the tissue changes at a second predetermined rate different than the first predetermined rate. The method comprises ceasing application of the electrical current to the tissue when impedance of the tissue reaches a predetermined value. Sensing the amount of tissue held within the forceps comprises varying electrical current flowing through the tissue through the forceps such that impedance of the tissue changes at a third predetermined rate.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a first actuation assembly coupled to a first component and movable from a first position to a second position to actuate the first component. A biasing member coupled to the first actuation assembly is configured to bias the first actuation assembly towards the first position. A second actuation assembly is coupled to a second component and is selectively actuatable to actuate the second component. The second actuation assembly is coupled to the first actuation assembly such that actuation of the second actuation assembly effects movement of the first actuating assembly from the first position towards the second position. A linkage assembly is configured to reduce the bias applied to the first actuation assembly when the second actuation assembly effects movement of the first actuation assembly.

Abstract: A method of generating electrical signal waveforms. A generator includes a digital processing circuit, a memory circuit in communication with the digital processing circuit defining a lookup table, a digital synthesis circuit in communication with the digital processing circuit and the memory circuit, and a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) circuit. The method includes generating a first and second digital electrical signal waveforms, combining the first and second waveforms to form a combined waveform, modifying the combined waveform to form a modified waveform The peak amplitude of the modified waveform does not exceed a predetermined amplitude value. The method includes generating a second waveform that is a function of the first waveform. The method includes modifying a frequency of the first waveform to form a frequency modified first waveform and combining the frequency modified first and second waveforms to form a combined waveform.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of generating electrical signal waveforms by a generator. The method includes storing phase points of first and second digital electrical signal waveforms in first and second lookup tables. The first and second digital electrical signal waveforms are represented by a predetermined number of phase points that define wave shapes. At each clock cycle, a digital synthesis circuit retrieves phase points from the first and second lookup tables and the digital processing circuit combines phase points from the first and second lookup tables. A digital-to-analog converter (DAC) circuit converts the combined phase point into an analog signal. The analog signal is configured to drive a first and second ultrasonic transducer.

Abstract: Disclosed are devices, systems, and methods for operating an electrosurgical generator, including a radio-frequency (RF) output stage configured to output an electrosurgical waveform, a wireless transceiver configured to communicate with an implantable device in a patient, and a controller coupled to the RF output stage and the wireless transceiver, the controller configured to control the RF output stage to generate an electrosurgical waveform based on the implantable device.

Abstract: A medical instrument is provided and includes a housing and a shaft coupled to the housing. The shaft has a proximal end and a distal end. An end-effector assembly is disposed at the distal end of the shaft. The end-effector assembly includes first and second jaw members. At least one of the first and second jaw members is movable from a first position wherein the first and second jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to at least a second position closer to one another wherein the first and second jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. The medical instrument also includes one or more light-emitting elements and one or more light-detecting elements configured to generate one or more signals indicative of tissue florescence. The one or more light-emitting elements are adapted to deliver light energy to tissue grasped between the first and second jaw members.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument includes a jaw member having an electrically conductive tissue sealing plate configured to operably couple to a source of electrosurgical energy for treating tissue. A polydimethylsiloxane coating having a thickness in the range of from about 35 nm to about 85 nm is disposed on the tissue sealing plate.

Abstract: An end effector assembly for use with a forceps includes a pair of jaw members, a knife assembly, and one or more cam assemblies. One or more of the jaw members are moveable relative to the other about a pivot between open and closed positions. One or more of the jaw members include a knife channel. The pivot includes first and second sections defining a passage therebetween. The knife assembly includes a knife blade and an actuation shaft. The knife blade is disposed distally relative to the pivot. The actuation shaft is configured for slidable translation through the passage to allow selective advancement of the knife blade through the knife channel. The one or more cam assemblies are operably coupled to the one or more moveable jaw members and are actuatable to move the one or more jaw members between the open and closed positions for grasping tissue therebetween.

Abstract: Systems and methods for continuous infusion of a fluid, which may be heated, into a balloon catheter. A system for balloon inflation, the system comprising a catheter having an inflow lumen and an outflow lumen, a balloon positioned at a distal end of the catheter, the balloon being in fluid communication with the inflow and the outflow lumen, and an infusion device in fluid communication with the balloon through the inflow and outflow lumens, the infusion device configured for continuously circulating a fluid into and out of the balloon to maintain the balloon at a constant pressure and volume by matching a flow of the fluid into the balloon via the inflow lumen with a flow of the fluid out of the balloon via the outflow lumen in order to keep the balloon volume and pressure constant during an entire infusion.

Abstract: A method of controlling an electrosurgical HF apparatus, as well as an HF apparatus, includes an electrosurgical instrument and an HF generator for generating an HF current. The HF generator is in a locked state in which its activation is not possible. An application to be carried out is to be selected prior to a user-side activation of the HF generator, whereby the HF generator is unlocked.

Abstract: An endovascular near critical fluid based cryoablation catheter for creating an elongated lengthwise-continuous lesion in tissue can comprise an elongated shaft, a flexible distal tissue treatment section, and a distal tip. A plurality of flexible tubes can extend through the distal treatment section to transport a near critical fluid to and from the distal tip. The distal treatment section can also include a flexible fluid-sealed cover or barrier layer surrounding the delivery tubes. The cover and tubes can collectively define a space which is filled with a fluidic thermally conductive media. The thermally conductive media, fluid delivery tubes, and the cover can be arranged such that a flow of the near critical fluid through the tube bundle transfers heat between a target tissue and the distal treatment section of the catheter thereby creating the elongated lengthwise-continuous lesion in the tissue.

Abstract: A surgical cutting and fastening instrument comprises an end effector, a shaft connected to the end effector, and a handle connected to the shaft. The handle comprises an electric, DC motor connected to a drive train for powering the drive train and a plurality of series-connected DC power source connected to the motor for supplying electrical power to the motor. The handle also comprises a power source selection switch for connecting, when in a first state, all of the DC power sources to the motor, and, when in a second state, a subset of the DC power sources to the motor. Also disclosed are means for actuating a RF electrode in the end effector and means for indicating actuation of the RF electrode.