Abstract: An energizable surgical attachment is configured for positioning about a shaft of a surgical instrument. The energizable surgical attachment includes an outer sheath defining a lumen extending longitudinally through the outer sheath, an energizable rod member coupled to the outer sheath, a connector attachment electrically coupled to the energizable rod member, and at least one o-ring disposed within the lumen of the outer sheath. At least a portion of the energizable rod member extends distally from the distal end of the outer sheath. The o-ring(s) are configured to establish a fluid-tight seal between the outer sheath and the shaft of the surgical instrument and to bias the outer sheath towards a stationary position relative to the shaft of the surgical instrument.

Abstract: An ablation system including a first probe extending through a first longitudinal lumen from a proximal end to beyond a distal end of a flexible shaft, a first electrode coupled to a distal end of the first probe, and a first conductor electrically coupled to the first electrode. The ablation system further includes a second probe extending through a second longitudinal lumen from the proximal end to beyond the distal end of the flexible shaft, a second electrode coupled to a distal end of the second probe, and a second conductor electrically coupled to the second electrode. The first and second probes are rotatable and translatable within the first and second longitudinal lumens respectively. Furthermore, the first electrode and the second electrode are rotatably and translatably positionable with respect to one another, via the first probe and the second probe respectively, to define a region therebetween.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to improved medical devices, systems, and methods. In many embodiments, devices, systems, and methods for amputating a limb of a patient are provided. In many embodiments, devices, systems, and methods may provide chronic denervation of one or more nerves of a patient as part of a therapeutic treatment. The methods may employ cold for the prevention of neuromas or fibromas associated with amputation of a limb of a patient. Embodiments of the invention include needles that can be advanced through skin or other tissues to cause axonotmesis of a target nerve of the patient and to repeatedly interrupt a regeneration of the nerve so as to provide therapeutic chronic denervation of the target nerve. The therapeutic chronic denervation may delay the formation of neuromas or fibromas in a patient's residual limb and/or may provide long lasting and permanent pain relief associated with the target nerve.

Abstract: Devices and methods are disclosed for treating tissue with microwave energy. Such devices and methods are able to treat cavities or surface tissue by creating one or more area or volumetric lesions. Also disclosed are flexible, low-profile devices that can be inserted non-invasively or minimally invasively near or into the target tissue as well as microwave antennas designed to generate ablation profiles that can ablate a large area or a large volume of target tissue in a single ablation. The devices include antennas wherein the field profile generated by an antenna is tailored and optimized for a particular clinical application. The antennas use unique properties of microwaves such as interaction of a microwave field with a metallic object and the use of additional shaping elements to shape the microwave field.

Abstract: A neuromodulation system including a catheter has a balloon along its distal end. An ultrasound transducer positioned within an interior of the balloon can be selectively activated to emit acoustic energy radially outwardly, targeting nerve tissue and other portions of the subject anatomy. Targeted nerve tissue can be heated by the application of ultrasonic energy to neuromodulate the tissue. The system may be delivered over a guidewire. A catheter enhances fluid delivery to a distal end of the catheter while reducing an overall diameter of the catheter. The catheter comprises a guidewire lumen that is eccentric relative to a center axis of the catheter.

Abstract: Flexible apparatus for ablating unhealthy spinal tissue. A housing includes a distal end and a proximal end. Multiple thermocouples mounted on the housing measure spinal tissue temperatures at locations between the proximal end and the distal end. A sensor measures spinal tissue impedance. The measured spinal tissue impedance corresponds to various physical state data of the spinal tissue. The spinal tissue impedance and the spinal tissue temperatures are displayed to the surgeon, enabling the surgeon to determine with certainty the location of the unhealthy spinal tissue, and to exercise control over the ablation apparatus. Nerve stimulation by IMP/STM switch system to detect nerve responses before and after treatment.

Abstract: An end effector assembly suitable for use with a forceps includes opposing first and second jaw members pivotably mounted with respect to one another. The first jaw member includes one or more pivot holes defined therein configured to receive a portion of a pivot pin therein. The end effector assembly also includes an electrically-insulative hinge configured to electrically isolate the first and second jaw members from one another including one or more pivot-hole locators having an aperture defined therein. The electrically-insulative hinge is attached to the first jaw member such that the one or more pivot-hole locators align with the one or more pivot holes of the second jaw member.

Abstract: A pulsed RF cut waveform profile for electrosurgery, in which each pulse is formed of a composite of different pulse portions. The pulse includes a controllable treatment portion whose duration can be truncated as necessary to ensure that the average power delivered by the pulse as a whole does not exceed a predetermined value. A limit for the average power delivered by the composite pulse (i.e. total energy delivered over the duration of the ON and OFF portions divided by the pulse duration) may be selectable by the operator. The ON portion may have multiple sub-portions, which have different purposes. Each pulse may be automatically controlled for pulse width in this manner, so that the RF signal effectively responds intelligently to conditions at the probe tip during treatment.

Abstract: A surgical forceps includes a housing having a movable handle coupled thereto and movable between an initial position and a compressed position. A drive bar is operably coupled to the movable handle such that movement of the movable handle between the initial and compressed positions effects longitudinal translation of the drive bar. The drive bar further includes a coupling member disposed at a distal end thereof. An end effector assembly includes first and second jaw members movable between spaced-apart and approximated positions. Each jaw member defines a cam slot. A cam pin is slidably disposed within the cam slot of each of the jaw members. The coupling member is configured to releasably engage the cam pin such that movement of the movable handle between the initial position and the compressed position effects movement of the jaw members between the spaced-apart position and the approximated position.

Abstract: An electrosurgical unit including a radio frequency generator configured to generate electrosurgical energy. The radio frequency generator includes a first receptacle configured to electrically couple with an electrosurgical hand piece configured to deliver bipolar radiofrequency energy. A second receptacle is included and configured to electrically couple with an electrosurgical hand piece configured to deliver monopolar radiofrequency energy. The radiofrequency generator includes a relay circuit configured to allow simultaneous radiofrequency energy delivery to the electrosurgical hand pieces in the first receptacle and the second receptacle.

Abstract: Disclosed is a hyperhidrosis treatment apparatus including a contact part which is detachably mounted and gets in contact with a user's skin so that the contact part can be easily replaced with a new one.

Abstract: A control handle for a surgical tool, e.g., an irrigated ablation catheter for use with a fluid side arm, has a housing defining an interior cavity and having a port through which the component can extend into the interior cavity. The housing has a detachable plug covering at least a portion of the port and being at least partially surrounded by a recessed groove to facilitate detachment of the plug from the housing. The recessed groove may be formed on an outer surface of the housing and there may be a second recessed groove on an inner surface of the housing generally tracing the first groove. The plug may also include a hinge to allow the plug to be arranged at an angled position relative to the housing without being fully detached from the housing.

Abstract: An intravascular catheter is provided, including a flexible elongate body; an expandable element positioned on the elongate body; a substantially linear thermal segment located proximally of the expandable element, the thermal segment defining a first flexibility, where the thermal segment is positioned between two portions of the catheter body each including a flexibility less than that of the thermal segment; a first fluid flow path in fluid communication with the expandable element; and a second fluid flow path in fluid communication with the thermal segment.

Abstract: A redirecting delivery catheter includes a first longitudinal member having an inner chamber configured to receive a second longitudinal member, an outer surface surrounding the inner chamber, a first region located at a proximal end, a second region located at a distal end, and a length. An opening in the outer surface extends along a portion of the length of the first longitudinal member between the first region and the second region. A deflecting mechanism is located proximate to the opening and is configured to be capable of transforming from a first position to a second position. The deflecting mechanism is configured to enable the second longitudinal member to access the second region in the second position and to deflect the second longitudinal member towards the opening in the first position. Methods of use of the redirecting delivery catheter are also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to apparatus and methods for tightening tissue of the female genitalia by heating targeted connective tissue with radiant energy, while cooling the mucosal epithelial surface over the target tissue to protect it from the heat. Embodiments include a handle and treatment tip that has both an energy delivery element and a cooling mechanism. The handle may be a two-handed handle allowing control even while rotating and maneuvering the treatment around the genital opening. The apparatus or system may also include an integrated controller, which may confirm tissue contact without applying RF energy, based only on the temperature of the applicator and the time since the last application of energy from the applicator.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and systems are described for minimizing various leakage effects of multi-zone ablation devices. Apparatuses may include an ablation device for treatment of tissue including an ablation structure with a plurality of bipolar electrode zones. Each of the zones may include an in-zone channel pair comprising a positive channel and a negative channel. The ablation structure may be configured such that, for any adjacent electrode zone pair comprising a first electrode zone and a second electrode zone adjacent to the first electrode zone, the positive channel of the first electrode zone is electrically distinct from the positive channel of the second electrode zone, and the negative channel of the first electrode zone is electrically distinct from the negative channel of the second electrode zone. Moreover, the ablation structure may be arranged such that a total number of electrically distinct channels that is less than twice a total number of the plurality of electrode zones.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems related to electrosurgical tools are provided. The electrosurgical tools can include an electrode formed of non-linear resistance material for allowing energy to be transmitted to the electrode for heating the electrode or to tissue adjacent the electrode for heating the tissue. Such transmission of the energy can depend upon a characteristic of the electrical energy, such as voltage or frequency of the energy, which can affect the resistance properties of the electrode.

Abstract: A forceps includes a first jaw member, a second jaw member, a drive rod assembly and a moveable handle attached to a fixed handle. The first jaw member and the second jaw member are in opposing relation relative to one another, and at least one of the first jaw member and the second jaw member is relatively movable from a first open position to a second clamping position when the first jaw member and the second jaw member cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. Moving the moveable handle relative to the fixed handle moves the drive rod assembly for imparting movement of at least one of the first jaw member and the second jaw member from the first position and the second position. The moveable handle has an actuator with a lost motion connection between the first and second jaw members and the actuator.

Abstract: A method of directing energy to tissue using a fluid-cooled antenna assembly includes the initial step of providing an energy applicator. The energy applicator includes an antenna assembly and a hub providing at least one coolant connection to the energy applicator. The method also includes the steps of providing a coolant supply system including a fluid-flow path fluidly-coupled to the hub for providing fluid flow to the energy applicator, positioning the energy applicator in tissue for the delivery of energy to tissue when the antenna assembly is energized, and providing a thermal-feedback-controlled rate of fluid flow to the antenna assembly when energized using a feedback control system operably-coupled to a flow-control device disposed in fluid communication with the fluid-flow path.

Abstract: Systems and methods for treating skin and subcutaneous tissue with energy such as ultrasound energy are disclosed. In various embodiments, ultrasound energy is applied at a region of interest to affect tissue by cutting, ablating, micro-ablating, coagulating, or otherwise affecting the subcutaneous tissue to conduct numerous procedures that are traditionally done invasively in a non-invasive manner. Lifting sagging tissue on a face, neck, and/or body are described. Treatment with heat is provided in several embodiments.