Abstract: An electrosurgical system is provided and includes a bipolar electrosurgical instrument and an electrosurgical generator. The bipolar electrosurgical instrument is arranged to seal and cut tissue captured between jaws of the bipolar electrosurgical instrument. The electrosurgical generator is arranged to supply RF energy through the bipolar electrosurgical instrument, monitor the supplied RF energy, and adjust or terminate the supplied RF energy to optimally seal the tissue.

Abstract: An apparatus (14) for supplying a medical instrument (15) for the treatment of biological tissue (11) due to the action of a plasma (28) is disposed, in accordance with the invention, in a special manner for the ignition and the stable development of a plasma (28) on the electrode (27) of the instrument (15). To accomplish this, the apparatus (14) comprises a control device (23) that, during an ignition test, limits—preferably in an instrument-specific manner—the current deliverable to the instrument (15) and/or limits the electrical power to be output to the instrument (15), and/or, in doing so, works with a reduced operating voltage. With this measure, a rapid, stable plasma development with minimal spark play is achieved with a large variety of connectable instruments (15a-15e).

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to controlling electrical power of an electrotherapeutic signal that is provided to a biological tissue engaged by an electrosurgical instrument during a medical procedure. Electrical power—a product of a voltage difference across and an electrical current conducted by the engaged biological tissue—is controlled according to a therapeutic schedule. The electrotherapeutic schedule can be reduced or terminated in response to a termination criterion being met. In some examples, the termination criterion is a current characteristic, such as, for example, a decrease in current conducted by the engaged biological tissue. In some examples, the termination criterion is a biological tissue resistance characteristic, such as, for example, an increase in the biological tissue resistance that exceeds a predetermined delta resistance value.

Abstract: Apparatus, including a catheter configured to be inserted into an organ of a human body. A plurality of electrodes are deployed on the catheter, the electrodes being configured to transfer radiofrequency (RF) ablation energy to tissue of the organ. The apparatus also includes a power supply configured to supply the RF ablation energy at a level of up to 100 W to each of the plurality of electrodes simultaneously, so as to ablate respective sections of the tissue of the organ in contact with the electrodes.

Abstract: An applicator includes at least one RF electrode coupled to an RF generator. The at least one RF electrode has protrusions each with a curvature radius which is equal to or greater than a curvature radius of an outer edge of the at least one RF electrode.

Abstract: A system is provided to treat sleep apnea, with a method of use. The system includes a handpiece which includes at least one penetrating electrode configured to penetrate tissue and one or more temperature sensors. A processor is coupled with the one or more temperature sensors and the at least one penetrating electrode, and a memory is configured to store instructions executable by the processor. The instructions, when executed, are operable to emit, by the at least one penetrating electrode, RF energy from the electrodes to heat a region of a base of a tongue until a target energy is delivered to the region. The instructions are also operable to measure, by the one or more temperature sensors, the temperature of the region.

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: An esophageal ablation system including a positioner, an elongated, flexible shaft extending from the positioner, and a microwave emitter, assembly disposed near the distal end of the shaft. The emitter assembly includes one or more microwave antennas and a balloon for spacing the antennas relative to target tissue. The device may have an inner balloon for deploying the antenna. The systems, devices and methods disclosed are useful for treating Barrett's Esophagus, Esophageal Adenocarcinoma, and Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and devices for inductively heating a tissue to effect a biological response in the tissue or in a biomolecule comprising the same. The methods and devices comprise means for applying a high frequency alternating magnetic field via an inductive coil comprising an applicator to the tissue and means for monitoring feedback from the alternating magnetic field to control and/or adjust heat, for example, in the tissue, which further includes a means for cooling the tissue. Particularly, the device may be a hand held piece that incorporates or has at least an applicator, including a radiofrequency energy generator and output, an inductive coil, an impedance matching system, a cooling system, including a thermally conductive surface and a coolant housing containing a coolant that circulates through the thermally conductive surface, and a feedback monitor. Optionally, the device may comprise a tissue-shaper.

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: An electrode assembly for an electrosurgical instrument includes a housing configured to operably receive a distal end of an electrosurgical instrument shaft, the housing encapsulating an insulative core sandwiched between a pair of return electrodes. The insulative core includes a slot defined about a periphery thereof configured to partially receive an active electrode. The active electrode and the pair of return electrodes are adapted to connect to opposite polarities of an electrosurgical generator. A tensioning mechanism is configured to tension the active electrode about the insulative core during assembly.

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: The invention includes a system for generating virtual images of proposed and designated areas on a patient's anatomy that are to be treated in a RFA procedure. The images include a size, shape, and location of lesion/ablation patterns. The virtual images include dynamic (developing) or static (developed) lesions selected for the RFA procedure. The images are provided on at least one user interface that superimposes or overlays the lesion pattern(s) on an image of a patient's anatomy that undergoes the procedure. The images can be used to accurately and efficiently conduct RFA procedures and to record the procedures with enhanced visual data to confirm treated tissue areas. The invention further includes a diagnostic method of generating images in preparation for a RFA procedure, and a method of conducting the RFA procedure in which measured parameters determine the size and shape of the ablated areas achieved in the procedure.

Abstract: A method for performing an electrosurgical procedure at a surgical site on a patient includes continually sensing electrical and physical properties proximate the surgical site that includes acquiring readings of tissue electrical impedance with respect to time at the surgical site; identifying the minima and maxima of the impedance readings with respect to time; and correlating the minima and/or the maxima of the impedance readings with hydration level and/or hydraulic conductivity in the tissue at the surgical site. The method also includes controlling the application of electrosurgical energy to the surgical site to vary energy delivery based on the step of correlating the minima and/or the maxima of the impedance readings with the hydration level/or and the hydraulic conductivity in the tissue at the surgical site. The process may be an ablation process.

Abstract: A dual cooled radiofrequency ablation probe assembly optimized for treatment of a patient's knee joint includes at least two cooled radiofrequency ablation probes. Each cooled radiofrequency ablation probe includes an electrically and thermally-conductive energy delivery device for delivering electrical or radiofrequency treatment to the patient. The probe assembly further includes cooling fluid tubing for supplying the at least two cooled radiofrequency ablation probes with cooling fluid, and an electrical cable for supplying the at least two cooled radiofrequency ablation probes with electrical energy. The at least two probes are tethered together by the cooling fluid tubing and the electrical cable.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides catheter systems, electrode assemblies, and methods for electrically stimulating one or more points about the circumference of the renal artery to provide real time intraprocedural operational feedback to the operator of a renal denervation procedure to allow for more precise and thorough ablation of the renal artery and better patient outcomes. In many embodiments, an electrode assembly is provided that includes multiple splines that extend from an insulated proximal hub to an insulated distal hub and are interconnected to an electrical wire to allow the splines to independently function as electrical stimulation electrodes. The electrically active splines can then be energized at one or more desired points during a renal denervation procedure to provide operational feedback.

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: A medical device equipped for switching the device on and off carries out at least one safety-relevant function in the operating state, using at least one operating parameter with a set target value. In order to ensure a reliable function of the device and not disturb a medical treatment, the device performs a first self-diagnosis following switch-on and before reaching an operating state and performs a second self-diagnosis following switch-off and before terminating the operating state, during which self-diagnoses the same operating parameter of the device is checked in each case for deviation from the target value. The technology also relates to a corresponding method for operating a medical device.

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.