Abstract: Embodiments of a guide and flexible sleeve for use with catheters for ablation or other medical procedures are disclosed. An exemplary catheter comprises a guide element having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end configurable in a desired shape. A flexible sleeve is conformable to the guide element so that the flexible sleeve slides over the guide element, the flexible sleeve has a proximal end and a distal end. A controller couples to the flexible sleeve. The controller operates to move the flexible sleeve at least part way between the distal end of the guide element and the proximal end of the guide element. At least one ablation element disposed at the distal end of the flexible sleeve operates to form a substantially continuous ablative lesion when the flexible sleeve is in contact with a contiguous volume of target tissue.

Abstract: An electrosurgical system includes a first unit including a generator, and a second unit including an electrode assembly, the second unit being detachably connectible to the first unit such that radio frequency power can be conveyed to the electrode assembly, wherein the second unit firstly includes a passive electrical identification component having a parameter of a finite non-zero value indicative of a characteristic of the electrode assembly, and the second unit additionally includes an output circuit adapted to generate an identifiable characteristic signal, the first unit firstly including a sensing circuit for determining the value of the electrical identification component so as to identify the second unit when the second unit is connected to the first unit, and the first unit additionally including means for receiving the identifiable characteristic signal from the output circuit when the second unit is connected to the first unit.

Abstract: Methods, systems and devices for evaluating the integrity of a uterine cavity. A method comprises introducing transcervically a probe into a patient's uterine cavity, providing a flow of a fluid (e.g., CO2) through the probe into the uterine cavity and monitoring the rate of the flow to characterize the uterine cavity as perforated or non-perforated based on a change in the flow rate.

Abstract: A surgical operation system includes a US signal output section, an HV signal output section, a probe having a treatment section which has an HV signal applied thereto and vibrates by ultrasound, an HV signal main control section that performs feedback control of the HV signal output section based on the HV signal, a US signal main control section that performs feedback control of the US signal output section based on a US signal, and an HV signal auxiliary control section that controls the HV signal output section based on the US signal, and has a response time shorter than that of the HV signal main control section.

Abstract: A method of deploying an antenna of an ablation device includes the step of placing an introducing member relative to tissue. The introducing member is disposed on a distal end of a handle member. The method also includes the steps of advancing an antenna distally through the handle member and at least partially through the introducer and rotating the handle member about the longitudinal axis thereof relative to the antenna. The method also includes the step of moving the handle member proximally along the longitudinal axis thereof to retract the introducer proximally relative to the antenna such that the antenna is at least partially deployed relative to the introducer to treat tissue.

Abstract: A jaw of a grasping treatment device includes a non-contact portion having a space between it and a distal treatment section in a state where an abutment portion abuts on the distal treatment section, and the non-contact portion includes a wall surface portion inclined so that it is extended toward a distal treatment section side as it is extended away from the abutment portion. A movement regulating portion is provided in a region of the non contact portion located closer to the abutment portion than a continuous surface which forms an edge of the non-contact portion. The movement regulating portion located in the first wall surface portion regulates a movement of a grasp object along the jaw axis direction.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are high efficiency surgical devices and methods of using same using radio frequency (RF) electrical power and/or electrically heated filaments to destroy tumors, form lesions, denaturize, desiccate, coagulate and ablate soft tissues, as well as to drill, cut, resect and vaporize soft tissues. According to the principles of this invention, the electrosurgical instruments can be used with externally supplied conductive or non-conductive liquids, as well as without externally supplied liquids, a mode of operation often referred to as “dry field” environment.

Abstract: An electrosurgical forceps includes a housing having a shaft affixed thereto, the shaft including jaw members at a distal end thereof. The forceps also includes a switch assembly that includes a supporting member, a flexible membrane circuit having snap dome switch contacts operably fixed thereto, and ergonomically-contoured keytops. The switch assembly provides at least one monopolar activation switch, and a bipolar activation switch. The forceps also include a drive mechanism which causes the jaw members to move relative to one another for manipulating tissue. A monopolar safety switch is incorporated into the switch assembly which cooperates with the drive mechanism to inhibit the monopolar activation switch when the jaw members are in an open position.

Abstract: An ablation catheter arrangement includes an ablation generator, a rinsing liquid source for providing a liquid for rinsing the treatment area in which ablation is performed, and an ablation catheter connectable to the ablation generator and to the rinsing liquid source. The ablation catheter has an ablation area, at least one rinsing opening, and a rinsing bath for supplying rinsing liquid to the treatment area. A blood pressure measurement device detects the intracardiac blood pressure over the liquid column of the rinsing liquid, and communicates with the rinsing channel of the ablation catheter by fluid connection.

Abstract: Robotic surgical tools, systems, and methods for preparing for and performing robotic surgery include a memory mounted on the tool. The memory can perform a number of functions when the tool is loaded on the tool manipulator: first, the memory can provide a signal verifying that the tool is compatible with that particular robotic system. Secondly, the tool memory may identify the tool-type to the robotic system so that the robotic system can reconfigure its programming. Thirdly, the memory of the tool may indicate tool-specific information, including measured calibration offsets indicating misalignment of the tool drive system, tool life data, or the like. This information maybe stored in a read only memory (ROM), or in a nonvolatile memory which can be written to only a single time. The invention further provides improved engagement structures for coupling robotic surgical tools with manipulator structures.

Abstract: An incision instrument includes an insertion section and a manipulation section. The insertion section includes a first insulating member and an incision section inserted within the first insulating member. The incision section includes a tubular shaped first conductive member which has conductivity; a second conductive member disposed in the first conductive member; a contact section provided on an outer circumference surface of the second conductive member; and a second insulating member fixed to a distal end of the first conductive member and having an opening section. The manipulation section includes a manipulation main body section and a handle member. The second insulating member is positioned between the contact section and the first conductive section in a state in which the second conductive member is protruded from the opening section of the second insulating member.

Abstract: A device for mapping and ablating the renal nerves distributed on the renal artery is provided, said device comprising a guide catheter (11), a mapping-ablation catheter (12), a handle (13) and a connector (15). The guide catheter (11) had at least one lumen and a distal end with adjustable curvature. The mapping-ablation catheter (12) is housed in one of the lumens of the guide catheter (11) and its distal end has one or more electrodes (22) and one or more detecting devices (23). The distal end of the mapping-ablation catheter (12) is curved, rotatable, and can be extended out of or retracted into the guide catheter (11). The handle (13) connects the guide catheter (11) and mapping-ablation catheter (12), and comprises one or more controlling components for controlling the movement of the guide catheter (11) and mapping-ablation catheter (12). The connector (15) is designed to supply energy to the electrodes (22).

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: An ultrasonic-surgical and electrosurgical system includes an ultrasonic surgical device and an electrosurgical device which supply an ultrasonic signal and a high-frequency signal, respectively, to an ultrasonic/high-frequency treatment instrument capable of performing an ultrasonic treatment and a high-frequency treatment, and a relay device which is built in one of the devices including: a switch detection unit for detecting turn-on/off of a switch unit which performs on/off control of operations of the devices; a switch element for outputting a switch signal which is used for on/off of outputs of the ultrasonic signal and the high-frequency signal to each of the devices in accordance with the detection output; and a control unit for performing on/off control of the switch signal to control at least one of an output timing and an output mode of each of the signals.

Abstract: A catheter for the high-frequency therapy of body lumens has a flexible shaft tube of preferably biocompatible plastic material, which is connected to a distal end piece in the region of the distal end of the catheter. A proximal part of the distal end piece, that projects into the distal part of the shaft tube, forms a damping connection to the distal end of the shaft tube, which is secured by a distal electrode which is drawn on to the external peripheral surface of the shaft tube, by the distal electrode exerting a radially inwardly acting clamping force on the damping connection.

Abstract: A method for mitigating leakage in an RF electrosurgical generator includes delivering an RF signal from an RF electrosurgical generator to an electrosurgical electrode by way of a patient box; providing a balanced and symmetrical shielded transmission line coupling said electrosurgical generator disposed in a first housing to said patient box disposed in a second, different housing; providing a common mode choke in said patient box, said common mode choke including an output winding and a return winding, said output winding and said return winding spaced apart and in parallel to maintain a desired impedance, said output winding comprising a wire carrying said RF signal as an output signal and said return winding carrying a return signal from a return electrode; and directing a common mode signal from said RF signal to said common mode choke thereby blocking said common mode signal.

Abstract: A high frequency electrosurgical power generator configured to produce electrical power at a frequency of about 1 to about 14 MHz and preferably having an essentially sinusoidal waveform with a voltage level up to 1,000 Vrms, and a current level up to 5 Amps. The output of the high frequency electrosurgical power generator is connected to an electrosurgical tool configured to receive the voltage and current produced by the electrosurgical power generator and deliver the voltage and current to an electrosurgical site. The output of the electrosurgical generator preferably is an essentially sinusoid waveform with a frequency between about 3 MHz and about 8 MHz, up to about 700 volts rms, up to about 2 amps, with a total power of up to 1,000 watts.

Abstract: A method and a system for assisting a wire guide to cross obstructed ducts in mammalian body are described. The method and system is based on applying pulsed energy to occlusion obstructing the duct. The pulsed energy is applied by means of an auxiliary probe. The auxiliary probe is relatively displaceable with respect to the wire guide along a lumen provided within the probe. The distal region of the probe is provided with enhanced flexibility comparing with the reminder portion of the probe.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for providing treatment to a target site are described. The system may include a guide assembly, an expandable support device coupled with the distal end of the guide assembly, and an operative member disposed on the expandable support device. The expandable support device may be configured to transition between a collapsed and expanded configuration. The expandable support device may be supported by one or more flexible supports aligned in parallel with an axis about which the expandable support device collapses and/or multiple splines arranged in a pattern configured to promote transitioning of the expandable support device between an expanded and collapsed configuration. The guide assembly may be configured to provide torque to the expandable support device. The operative member can include multiple electrodes arranged in parallel to the axis about which the expandable support device collapses.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (10) for thermosurgery. The device (10) comprises a generator (12) for supplying high frequency electrical treatment energy, an interface connection arrangement (14) which permits the connection of a plurality of electrodes to be placed on or in the body of a patient (18), the electrodes comprising an application electrode (16) to be positioned in the area of the treatment site and a plurality of planar counter-electrodes (21, 22, 26, 27), and impedance measurement means (30, 35, 40) which permit impedance measurement in a plurality of measurement circuits, each of which passes via at least one counter-electrode (21, 22, 26, 27) connected to the interface connection arrangement (14).