Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a handle assembly and an end effector. The handle assembly includes a trigger, a push plate coupled to the trigger, wherein actuation of the trigger rotates the push plate, a clamp plate operably coupled to the push plate, wherein actuation of the trigger to a first rotation rotates the clamp plate, and a firing plate operably coupled to the push plate, wherein actuation of the trigger between the first rotation and a second rotation rotates the firing plate. The end effector includes a jaw assembly which includes a first jaw member and a second jaw member, wherein rotation of the clamp plate transitions the jaw assembly between an open configuration and an approximated configuration by moving at least one of the first jaw member and the second jaw member relative to the other one of the first jaw member and the second jaw member.

Abstract: A fluid delivery catheter configured to allow optimal fluid distribution through each electrode by varying the diameter of a catheter lumen is disclosed. Uniform or different fluid flow rates through longitudinally spaced apart elution holes may be achieved. Exemplary fluids for use with the catheter include a cooling fluid, a therapeutic fluid, and a medication.

Abstract: A surgical instrument comprises a handle assembly including an actuator mounted for manipulation through an actuation stroke. An elongate shaft extends distally from the handle assembly and defines a longitudinal axis. A reciprocating member extends at least partially through the elongate shaft, and is mounted for longitudinal motion through the elongate shaft in response to manipulation of the actuator through the actuation stroke. A drive mechanism includes a first rotating component coupled to the actuator about a first circumference to induce rotational motion in the first rotating component. A second rotating component is coupled to the first rotating component such that rotational motion in the first rotating component induces rotational motion in the second rotating component. The second rotating component is coupled to the reciprocating member about a second circumference such that rotational motion of the second rotating component induces longitudinal motion in the reciprocating member.

Abstract: Control systems and methods for delivery of energy that may include control algorithms that prevent energy delivery if a fault is detected and may provide energy delivery to produce a substantially constant temperature at a delivery site. In some embodiments, the control systems and methods may be used to control the delivery of energy, such as radiofrequency energy, to body tissue, such as lung tissue.

Abstract: A catheter apparatus comprises an elongated catheter body having a distal end, a proximal end, and at least one fluid lumen extending longitudinally therein; and a plurality of flexible electrode segments on a distal portion of the catheter body adjacent the distal end, each pair of neighboring flexible electrode segments being spaced from each other longitudinally by a corresponding electrically nonconductive segment. Each flexible electrode segment comprises a sidewall provided with one or more elongated stiffness reductions extending through the sidewall, the one or more elongated stiffness reductions providing flexibility in the sidewall for bending movement relative to a longitudinal axis of the catheter body. The electrically nonconductive segment is substantially smaller in length than each of the corresponding pair of neighboring flexible electrode segments.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for treating diseased tissue by gentle heating. The method induces vasodilation on tissue disposed about an lumen having both healthy tissue and diseased tissue. The method includes coupling a probe surface to the luminal tissue at a target location and transmitting desired quantities of tissue remodeling energy from the coupled probe into each of a plurality of discrete remodeling zones in the luminal tissue so that the tissue remodeling energy heats the plurality of remodeling zones, the remodeling energy being configured to avoid muscular contraction and inhibit both acute and long-term occlusion of the lumen.

Abstract: A thermotherapeutic pad for applying heat or cold to a body part. The pad has a material for releasing or absorbing heat and a thermally conductive envelope for containing the granular material. The pad also has a holder for removably holding a cold pack adjacent to the envelope. The thermotherapeutic pad may provide heat by heating the material and placing the envelope against the body part, and the thermotherapeutic pad may absorb heat by placing a cooled cold pack into the holder and placing the portion of the pad comprising the cold pack against the body part.

Abstract: A removable electrode assembly for use in combination with a forceps having opposing end effectors and a handle for effecting movement of the end effectors relative to one another. The electrode assembly includes a housing which is removably engageable with the forceps and a pair of electrodes which are attachable to a distal end of the housing. The electrodes are removably engageable with the end effectors of the forceps such that the electrodes reside in opposing relation relative to one another. The electrode assembly also includes a cover plate which is removably attachable to the housing and at least one stop member for controlling the distance between the opposing electrodes. The stop member is selectively engageable with the electrodes.

Abstract: Provided are a positron emission tomography (PET)-radiofrequency ablation (RFA) complex medical device and a treatment method using the same. According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a positron emission tomography (PET)-radiofrequency ablation (RFA) complex medical device comprising: a PET module which obtains, in real time, a location of a target to be treated by scanning a patient; and an RFA module which remotely treats the target using heat by focusing the heat on the location of the target.

Abstract: A catheter assembly for assessing contact between the catheter assembly and tissue is disclosed. The assembly includes a catheter shaft and a pressure sensitive conductive composite member whose electrical resistance varies with pressure applied to the catheter assembly. The assembly also includes at least one measurement terminal to permit the measurement of changes in the electrical characteristics of the pressure sensitive conductive composite member. The assembly may optionally include a measurement device to measure resistance, impedance and/or other electrical characteristics. The assembly may utilize a reference electrode secured to the patient's tissue, which permits the measurement device to measure changes between the reference electrode and the at least one measurement terminal. Optionally, the assembly may include a conductive outer layer.

Abstract: A steerable stylet assembly includes a tubular member defining a passage, the tubular member defining a first bend enhancing region. At least one further bend enhancing region is arranged intermediate the first bend enhancing region and a distal end of the tubular member. A first actuator is received in the passage of the tubular member, a distal end of the first actuator being fast with the tubular member at a first termination so that relative axial movement between the tubular member and the first actuator causes deflection at the first enhancing region. A second actuator is received in the passage of the tubular member, a distal end of the second actuator being fast with the tubular member at a second termination so that relative axial movement between the tubular member and the second actuator causes the distal part of the tubular member to be formed into a desired shape. The assembly includes a control mechanism to control relative axial movement between the tubular member and each of the actuators.

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: 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: A microwave applicator for insertion into living body tissue for use in microwave coagulation and ablation treatments includes a microwave transmission line extending between an attachment end of the applicator and an antenna toward an insertion end of the applicator with an outer conductive sleeve forming an enclosed fluid space around the transmission line. A fluid circulation system circulates fluid in the fluid space. A portion of or all of the circulating fluid can be injected into tissue that surrounds the applicator body from approximately the proximal end of a desired heating zone produced by microwave energy radiated from the antenna along the applicator body toward the proximal end of the applicator to hydrate and wet the tissue outside the proximal end of the desired heating zone to reduce the drying of this tissue and limit extension of the heating and ablation zone proximally along the applicator body.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for treating diseased tissue by gentle heating. The method induces vasodilation on tissue disposed about an lumen having both healthy tissue and diseased tissue. The method includes coupling a probe surface to the luminal tissue at a target location and transmitting desired quantities of tissue remodeling energy from the coupled probe into each of a plurality of discrete remodeling zones in the luminal tissue so that the tissue remodeling energy heats the plurality of remodeling zones, the remodeling energy being configured to avoid muscular contraction and inhibit both acute and long-term occlusion of the lumen.

Abstract: A microwave applicator for insertion into living body tissue for use in microwave coagulation and ablation treatments includes a microwave transmission line extending between an attachment end of the applicator and an antenna toward an insertion end of the applicator with an outer conductive sleeve forming an enclosed cooling fluid space around the transmission line. Circulation of cooling fluid is guided in the cooling fluid space by a guide sleeve. A fluid circulation system provides a plurality of fluid supply connectors and fluid return connectors which can be connected and used with any number of applicators between one and the number of the fluid supply connectors provided by the system. A portion of the applicator inserted into the tissue can stick to the tissue to stabilize the applicator during treatment. A warning marking on the applicator can be used during track ablation to prevent ablation of the patient skin tissue.

Abstract: A grasping treatment unit includes a first jaw, and a second jaw openable and closable relative to the first jaw. In the first jaw, a heating wire continues without branching from a first extending end to a second extending end, and heat is generated over an entire length from the first extending end to the second extending end when the electric current flows through the heating wire. In a heating portion, a calorific value per unit area is higher in a distal portion than in a proximal portion in the first jaw when the heat is generated from the heating wire. On a treatment surface of the first jaw, an amount of heat transfer from the heating portion is greater in the distal portion than in the proximal portion.

Abstract: An electrosurgical system for tissue cauterization may include a user interface, a front panel display, an electrosurgical generator, a power supply of the electrosurgical generator, a system control of the electrosurgical generator, an RF system of the electrosurgical generator, and a bipolar forceps assembly. The electrosurgical system may be configured to cauterize a tissue. A tissue cauterization may include system activation, tissue impedance analysis, establishment of tissue cauterization parameters, monitoring and adjustment of tissue cauterization, and system deactivation. The establishment of tissue cauterization parameters may include establishing a tissue cauterization curve configured to minimize an amount of time required to cauterize a tissue.