Abstract: A medical instrument comprising a device for activating or deactivating a function of the instrument. The device comprises first and second parts, which are each movable into an operative position relative to the other part to activate or deactivate a function of the instrument. A second control element for moving the second part into the operative position provides a control portion and comprises, for moving the first part into the operative position, a first control element which provides an additional control portion. The first control element can be moved in an opposite direction the direction from the second control element. Accordingly, the function is activated by moving a control element in a distal direction, and by moving another control element in a proximal direction. A deflection of force by one actuating element for actuating the first part or the second part in the opposite direction is not necessary.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to an electronic switchbox for automatically switching between receive and transmit functionalities. In one embodiment, an electronic switchbox automatically switches between receiving electrocardiograph signals and transmitting cardioversion impulses.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument for applying to biological tissue RF electromagnetic energy and/or microwave frequency EM energy, wherein the instrument tip has a protective hull with a smoothly contoured convex undersurface facing away from a planar body, and wherein the planar body has a tapering distal edge, and wherein an underside of the planar body extends beyond the protective hull at the tapering distal edge. Also disclosed herein is an interface joint for integrating into a single cable assembly all of (i) a fluid feed, (ii) a needle movement mechanism, and (iii) an energy feed (e.g. a coaxial cable), and a torque transfer device for permitting controlled rotation of the cable assembly within the instrument channel of an endoscope. The interface joint and torque transfer device may be integrated as a single component.

Abstract: An electrosurgical unit including a radiofrequency generator configured to generate electrosurgical energy. The radiofrequency 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: A thermal regulation catheter system and method of use are disclosed, for moderating the temperature and other parameters of tissue surrounding a target tissue for an ablation procedure, or for performing a thermal treatment procedure. In an embodiment, the device includes a catheter having a shaft with a fluid supply line and a fluid return line disposed therein, and an inflatable heat exchange vessel at a distal end of the shaft. The fluid supply line supplies fluid to inflate the heat exchange vessel, and the fluid return line conducts fluid away from the heat exchange vessel.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to an electrosurgical system, to a method for operating an electrosurgical system, and to an electrode for an electric surgical system. An image detection system of the surgical instrument detects an image of the electrode. The corresponding image data is compared with data sets in a database, in which an identifying feature of the electrode and at least one operating parameter for the electrode are assigned to each other. After the electrode type has been identified, the corresponding operating parameters are transmitted to a controller of the surgical instrument.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an ablation system includes a probe to be inserted into a heart and including an electrode to apply radiofrequency (RF) power so as to ablate a myocardium, an RF signal generator, a tracking module to compute a relative location and orientation of the probe, and a processor to receive a signal from at least one user input device indicating an actuation of a serial ablation procedure including performing ablations at different locations of the myocardium, and control the serial ablation procedure so that for each ablation the processor is configured to check whether the relative location and orientation of the probe are steady, automatically compute an ablation duration, automatically control the RF signal generator to generate the RF power for the computed ablation duration, and render a user interface screen including a time indicator indicating a time remaining until an end of the ablation duration.

Abstract: A medical device includes a snare wire advanceable and retractable inserted through a channel in an insertion portion that is inserted through an endoscope; a substantially tubular cap member including a first portion and a second portion connected to a distal end of the insertion portion, the cap member having an annular distal end surface, the first portion being attachable to the distal end of the insertion portion in phase with the channel, and the cap member having an internal space formed by the first portion and the second portion; and a guide member being linearly extended along an internal surface of the distal end side of the cap member at a side of the second portion, the guide member being configured to guide the snare wire to form a loop and to restrict a retraction of the snare wire toward the side of the insertion portion.

Abstract: An electrosurgical assembly that includes one or more electrodes, and one or more AC conductors electrically connecting the one or more electrodes to a power source that is configured to generate and output an AC power signal to the one or more electrodes via the one or more AC conductors. A rectifier is electrically connected to the one or more AC conductors, and configured to convert the AC power signal into a DC power signal. A light source is electrically powered by the DC power signal.

Abstract: A method of using a cryotherapeutic system in accordance with a particular embodiment includes advancing an elongate shaft of a catheter toward a treatment location within a body lumen of a human patient and directing a flow of refrigerant toward a cryotherapeutic element at a distal end portion of the shaft. The directed refrigerant is expanded to cause cooling within a balloon of the cryotherapeutic element. The pressure within the balloon is monitored and its rate of change calculated. The rate of change is then processed using different feedback loops during different monitoring windows of a treatment cycle. The individual feedback loops include an upper and a lower threshold and are configured to cause the flow of refrigerant to the cryotherapeutic element to stop if the rate of change falls outside a range between the upper and the lower threshold.

Abstract: 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. Methods of lifting sagging tissue are described.

Abstract: An intra-cardiac mapping system is based on locating the ports through which blood flows in or out the heart chambers. For many procedures, such as ablation to cure atrial fibrillation, locating the pulmonary veins and the mitral valve accurately allows to perform a Maze procedure. The location of the ports and valves is based on using the convective cooling effect of the blood flow. The mapping can be performed by a catheter-deployed expandable net or a scanning catheter. The same net or catheter can also perform the ablation procedure.

Abstract: An intra-cardiac mapping system is based on locating the ports through which blood flows in or out the heart chambers. For many procedures, such as ablation to cure atrial fibrillation, locating the pulmonary veins and the mitral valve accurately allows to perform a Maze procedure. The location of the ports and valves is based on using the convective cooling effect of the blood flow. The mapping can be performed by a catheter-deployed expandable net or a scanning catheter. The same net or catheter can also perform the ablation procedure.

Abstract: An intra-cardiac mapping system is based on locating the ports through which blood flows in or out the heart chambers. For many procedures, such as ablation to cure atrial fibrillation, locating the pulmonary veins and the mitral valve accurately allows to perform a Maze procedure. The location of the ports and valves is based on using the convective cooling effect of the blood flow. The mapping can be performed by a catheter-deployed expandable net or a scanning catheter. The same net or catheter can also perform the ablation procedure.

Abstract: Microwave ablation applicators and methods for manufacturing the microwave ablation applicators are disclosed. A microwave ablation applicator includes a feed-line segment, a step-down segment, and a radiator base segment. The feed-line segment includes a first inner conductor, a first dielectric disposed on the first inner conductor, and a first outer conductor disposed on the first dielectric. The step-down segment includes a second inner conductor, a second dielectric disposed on the second inner conductor, and a second outer conductor disposed on the second dielectric. The radiator base segment includes a third inner conductor disposed on the third inner conductor, a third outer conductor disposed on the proximal end of the third dielectric so as to form a feed gap at a distal end of the radiator base segment, a balun dielectric disposed on the third outer conductor, and a balun outer conductor disposed on the balun dielectric.

Abstract: A method of operating a power source device for a high-frequency treatment instrument adapted to perform high-frequency treatment for biological tissue includes causing a high-frequency power source circuit to output power; setting a target impedance value which gradually increases from a change-over impedance value to a stop impedance value; regularly comparing a measured impedance value to the target impedance value; causing the high-frequency power source circuit to lower the power by a first ratio if the measured impedance value is greater than the target impedance value, and to raise the power by a second ratio if the measured impedance value is smaller than the target impedance value; and causing the high-frequency power source circuit to terminate the output upon the value for impedance reaching the stop impedance value.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for enhancing the efficiency and efficacy of energy delivery and tissue mapping. One system includes a treatment element having a plurality of electrodes and an energy generator that is configured to deliver electric energy pulses to the electrodes in a variety of patterns. For example, electrodes may be arranged in closely spaced pairs. The energy generator may deliver mapping energy to each electrode in each pair individually to map tissue and may deliver ablation energy to the electrodes in each pair together, such that each pair is treated like a single electrode, to deliver ablation energy, such as bipolar ablation energy between adjacent pairs. One system includes at least one concave electrode, the configuration of which concentrates the energy and drives it deeper into the tissue. One system includes neutral electrodes between active electrodes, the energy generator selectively coupling the neutral electrodes to alter the ablation pattern.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for electroporation ablation therapy are disclosed, with the system including a pulse waveform signal generator for medical ablation therapy that may be coupled to an ablation device including at least one electrode for ablation pulse delivery to tissue. The signal generator may generate and deliver voltage pulses to the ablation device in the form of a pulse waveform in a predetermined sequence where the signal generator may independently configure a set of electrodes of an ablation device. The signal generator may further perform active monitoring of a set of electrode channels and discharge excess energy using the set of electrode channels.

Abstract: Radiometric systems may comprise a radiometer, an antenna and a processor communicatively coupled together. The processor may provide a contact-focused output based on filtering or other processing of a raw radiometric output signal. The contact-focused output may facilitate determination of whether contact has been achieved and/or assessment of contact. A miniaturized reflectometer may be configured to determine an amount of reflected power from the antenna. The processor may be configured to determine a reflection coefficient of the reflected power determined by the reflectometer and to identify tissue type based on the reflection coefficient. Systems and methods for facilitating deeper temperature measurements of a radiometer are described.

Abstract: A cable assembly and methods for indicating an electrical measurement in an electrosurgical instrument are disclosed. The assembly has a circuit having a voltage sensor, a current sensor, and a processing device operatively coupled to the at least one active conductor. The assembly also has a substantially electrically non-conductive housing enclosing the circuit and a portion of at least one active conductor, and exposing a contact portion of the at least one active conductor, the at least one active conductor configured to conduct power to an electrosurgical instrument. The assembly also has an indicator operatively coupled to the processing device.