Abstract: A surgical device integrating a suction mechanism with a coagulation mechanism is provided for improving lesion creation capabilities. The device comprises an elongate member having an insulative covering attached about means for coagulating soft tissue. Openings through the covering expose regions of the coagulation-causing elements and are coupled to lumens in the elongate member which are routed to a vacuum source. A fluid source to passively transport fluid along the contacted soft tissue surface may be provided in order to push the maximum temperature deeper into tissue.

Abstract: An instrument for tissue ablation includes an elongated tissue-penetrating electrode including a rigid tubular member having a closed distal end defining an interior cavity extending from the closed distal end to a proximal end of the rigid tubular member. The rigid tubular member defines an electrically conductive surface capable of receiving electrical energy from the source of electrical energy. The instrument includes one or more electrically conductive segments on the electrode and configured to receive electrosurgical energy from the rigid tubular member. An insulation layer is disposed upon the electrode and defines an exposed portion of the electrode at the distal end. The instrument also includes at least one sensor that detects a temperature during ablation and a semiconductive material coated on the rigid tubular member that forms one or more resistive layers that connects the rigid tubular member with a corresponding electrically conductive segment.

Abstract: The cryosurgical probe assembly with multiple deployable cryoprobes includes a) a housing assembly; b) a plurality of elongated structural support elements, each securely connected at a first end to the housing assembly; c) a tip member securely connected to second ends of the plurality of elongated structural support elements, the tip member including a plurality of cryoprobe openings; and, d) a plurality of cryoprobes each having a shaft thereon, each shaft being deployable through a respective cryoprobe opening during operation to a deployed position used for ablating tissue. In an alternate embodiment, a cylindrical housing is utilized rather than elongated structural support elements.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are devices and methods for forming multidirectional cuts in tissue. The tissue cutting devices disclosed herein generally include a flexible elongate member with at least first and second wires that are at least partially constrained within or along a portion of the member. A distal portion of the wires is anchored on or within a portion of the elongate member. When tension is applied to one of the wires, such as by an actuator at a proximal end of the device, the elongate member bows while an unconstrained portion of the wire becomes exposed relative to the adjacent portion of the elongate member, assuming a tissue-cutting configuration.

Abstract: The invention relates to a spreader structure (10) for introducing into a hollow organ, comprising spreader rods (12), which radiate from a first connection section (14) essentially in the longitudinal direction (36) of the spreader structure (10) up to a second connection section (16), are distributed around the periphery of the spreader structure (10) and can be placed against a wall of a hollow organ by means of radial expansion. The aim of the invention is to provide a spreader structure (10), which is versatile and cost-effective to produce. To achieve this, the spreader rods (10) have at least one zone (22) running in the longitudinal direction, which has a reduced flexural strength in comparison to neighboring zones (20, 24). The invention also relates to the use of said spreader structure, to a spreader device and to a method for positioning a spreader structure.

Abstract: A medical device system and method provide an RF electrosurgical generator coupled to an electrosurgical electrode via a patient box disposed in close proximity to the patient. An RF signal is delivered from the generator to the patient box where signal power is increased and the RF signal delivered to the electrosurgical electrode. The patient box is coupled to the electrosurgical electrode by a short cable capable of carrying an HV, high frequency 5 MHz signal without leakage. An electrical characteristic associated with the electrosurgical electrode is monitored and a desired RF power output and duty cycle maintained by adjusting DC input voltage applied to an RF amplifier, responsive to the monitoring. The system determines when the electrosurgical cutting electrode has started cutting and switches from a start mode to a run mode having a different RF duty cycle and a reduced RF power output controlled by a servo system.

Abstract: Surgical devices, systems and methods for treating tissue are provided. An exemplary surgical device comprises a tip portion including first and second jaws each having a tissue grasping surface, at least one of the jaws being movable toward the other jaw. The tissue grasping surface of each jaw has includes an electrically insulative surface. The device also includes first and second electrodes connectable to different terminals of an RF generator to generate electrical current flow therebetween, with each of the electrodes having an electrode surface. One of the electrode surfaces is located on one of the jaws separated from one edge of the tissue grasping surface, and the other of the electrode surfaces is located on one or the other of the jaws separated from the other edge of the tissue grasping surface. The device also includes at least one fluid passage being connectable to a fluid source.

Abstract: Open electrosurgical forceps for sealing tissue are provided which include first and second shaft portions pivotably associated with one another. Each shaft portion has a jaw member disposed at a distal end thereof. Each of the jaw members includes an electrically conductive sealing surface adapted to communicate electrosurgical energy through tissue held therebetween and a slot formed through the sealing surface thereof. The forceps includes a cutting mechanism operatively associated with the first and second jaw members. The cutting mechanism includes a cutting element disposed within the slot of the at least one jaw member, the cutting element being movable from a first position wherein the cutting element is retracted within the at least one jaw member and a second position in which the cutting element at least partially projects from a sealing surface of the at least one jaw member.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument for treating tissue includes a housing having at least one tissue treating member attached thereto. The tissue treating member includes an electrically conductive tissue contacting surface connected to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the tissue contacting surface is capable of conducting electrosurgical energy to tissue. An energy conductive, ablative material is disposed on the electrically conductive tissue contacting surface and is configured to at least partially deplete during electrosurgical activation to reduce tissue adhesion.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument includes a housing having a shaft attached thereto which defines a longitudinal axis therethrough. The instrument also includes first and second opposing jaw members coupled to the shaft, the first jaw member having a conductive surface and movable relative to the second jaw member. The second jaw member is fixed relative to the shaft and includes an electrode rotatable along the longitudinal axis. The rotatable electrode has a sealing surface and a cutting edge. One or more non-conductive stop members are disposed on the first and/or second jaw members that are dimensioned to control the distance between the electrically conductive surfaces when tissue is held therebetween. The jaw members are connected to an electrosurgical energy source such that the jaw members are capable of conducting energy through tissue held therebetween.

Abstract: An electrosurgical blade includes a conductive element that is surrounded by an insulation layer except at a conductor edge portion of the conductive element. The conductor edge portion and insulation layer each have unique geometric shapes and composition of the parts to reduce or eliminate the production of smoke and eschar and reduce tissue damage. The outer profile of the insulation layer and conductive element are configured to facilitate the flow of electrosurgical decomposition products away from the conductor edge where they are formed.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument is disclosed for simplifying making incisions and other treatments using electrosurgery. The electrosurgical instrument comprises a body having at least one conductive element that is surrounded by an insulation layer except at a conductor edge portion of the conductive element. The conductor edge portion and insulation layer each having unique geometric shapes and composition of the parts to reduce or eliminate the production of smoke and eschar and reduce tissue damage. The outer profile of the insulation layer and conductive element are configured to facilitate the flow of electrosurgical decomposition products away from the conductor edge where they are formed.

Abstract: An battery-powered electrosurgical instrument includes a blade having a conductor edge portion and insulation layer with geometric shapes and composition that concentrate electrosurgical energy and reduce or eliminate the production of smoke and eschar and reduce tissue damage, thereby providing more efficient application of electrosurgical energy. The more efficient use of electrosurgical energy permits configuring the system to be battery-powered. The system may be portable or configured as a battery-backup powered system.

Abstract: A medical device and method for performing transluminal procedures that reduces procedure time as well as the number of instruments used is disclosed. An elongate medical device has both a cutting tool and a suturing tool disposed at a distal end of the elongate medical device. The suturing tool includes a plurality of needles connected to one or more sutures. The elongate medical device is advanced through a bodily lumen to a position proximate the visceral wall. A perforation is formed in the visceral wall using the cutting tool. The elongate medical device and its suturing tool are advanced through the perforation and a plurality of needles are passed through the visceral wall around the periphery of the perforation. The plurality of needles are withdrawn through the bodily lumen and the perforation is closed using the suture.

Abstract: An electronic circuit for identifying an electrical surgical tool and for providing a selectable constant current appropriate to the identified electrical surgical tool.

Abstract: An electrosurgical needle includes a body having at least one conductive element in the form of a needle that is surrounded by an insulation layer except at a conductor tip portion of the conductive element. The conductor tip portion and insulation layer each have unique geometric shapes and composition of the parts to reduce or eliminate the production of smoke and eschar and reduce tissue damage. The electrosurgical needle electrode is configured to concentrate the flow of electrosurgical energy at the tip region.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument includes a conductive element in the form of a needle that is surrounded by an insulation layer except at a conductor tip portion of the conductive element. The conductor tip portion and insulation layer each have unique geometric shapes and composition of the parts to reduce or eliminate the production of smoke and eschar and reduce tissue damage. The electrosurgical needle electrode is configured to concentrate the flow of electrosurgical at the tip region.

Abstract: An instrument for cutting a living tissue is provided to increase heat resistance to heat generated in an operation of cutting the living tissue and to ensure by stanch the blood of the tissue to be cut. The instrument for cutting a living tissue 41 includes a body part 422 having a distal end and a proximal end and on which a groove is formed through, a tissue holding part 423 made of an electrically insulating material, a slit groove 427 formed in the part where at least a part of the tissue holding part is arranged, a first electrode 425 arranged at the proximal end side of the slit groove, and a second electrode 424 arranged at the other side opposite to the side where the first electrode of the tissue holding part is arranged.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument for use with a source of electrical energy to ablate tissue in a living subject is provided. The instrument includes an elongated tissue-penetrating electrode including a rigid tubular member having a closed distal end defining an interior cavity extending from the closed distal end to a proximal end of the rigid tubular member. The rigid tubular member defines an electrically conductive surface capable of receiving electrical energy from the source of electrical energy. The instrument further includes at least one electrically conductive segment located on the electrode, the segment being configured to receive locally controlled electrosurgical energy from the rigid tubular member. An insulation layer is disposed upon the elongated tissue-penetrating electrode. The layer defines an exposed portion of the electrode at the distal end.

Abstract: The invention provides a surgical electrocautery method and apparatus that achieves sealing along the entire tissue length, and that also is able to deliver adequate force to produce an effective electrocautery seal. This problem is solved by using an incompressible fluid contained in a sac or sacs positioned to support the one or more electrodes used for electrocauterization. The profile of the electrodes thus conforms to the tissue surface and thickness variations, while exerting an optimized pressure along the entire length of the surface.