Abstract: A ratio of reversible electroporation and irreversible electroporation may be controlled by selecting a symmetric waveform or asymmetric waveform to either minimize or enhance irreversible effects on cells in the target tissue. Combined reversible and irreversible electroporation includes inserting one or more therapeutic electrodes into a target tissue, introducing an electroporation compound into the target tissue, selecting a pulse waveform that is either 1) asymmetric bipolar that has positive and negative pulses with different durations, or 2) symmetric bipolar that has positive and negative pulses with the same duration, and delivering to the target tissue a series of electrical pulses having the selected pulse waveform.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a body, an end effector, an articulation section, and a shaft assembly coupling the body with the end effector. The shaft assembly includes a sheath, a first monolithic articulation connector, and a second monolithic articulation connector. The first monolithic articulation connector includes a first distal portion and a first proximal portion. The first distal portion and the first proximal portion consist of a homogenous continuum of material. The first distal portion is configured to flex relative to the first proximal portion. The first distal portion is at least partially housed within the sheath. The second monolithic articulation connector is at least partially housed within the sheath. The first and second monolithic articulation connectors are configured to longitudinally translate in opposing directions relative to the sheath to deflect the articulation section and the end effector relative to the longitudinal axis of the sheath.

Abstract: Concepts presented herein relate to an interface module that can be electrically coupled to an electrical stimulation generator, a radio frequency generator and an instrument. A selection module is coupled to the interface module and operates in a first mode to deliver electrical stimulation signals from the electrical stimulation generator to the instrument and in a second mode to deliver radio frequency signals from the radio frequency generator to the instrument.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an electrosurgical generator including a tank configured to output energy and an H-bridge configured to drive the tank. The generator also includes a choke. The choke impedes a common mode current generated by the H-bridge and provides a leakage inductance for the tank.

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 generates heat over an entire length from the first extending end to the second extending end when an electric current flows therethrough. A heating portion is lower in calorific value per unit area in a distal portion than in a proximal portion in the first jaw in a state where the heat is generated from the heating wire.

Abstract: Surgical devices, systems and methods for treating tissue are provided. Also provided are systems for treating tissue and methods of treating tissue. An exemplary surgical device comprises a handle (20a) having a proximal end and a distal end; a shaft extending distally beyond the distal end of the handle, the shaft having a proximal end and a distal end; an electrode tip (45), at least a portion of the electrode tip extending distally beyond the distal end of the shaft, the electrode tip extending distally beyond the distal end of the shaft comprising a spherical end surface portion (25) and a cylindrical side surface portion, the spherical end surface portion located distal to the cylindrical side surface portion and comprising at least a portion of the distal end surface of the surgical device; and a fluid passage directed to provide a fluid towards the cylindrical side portion of the electrode tip.

Abstract: An electrical lead for a catheter includes an elongate member of non-conductive material having a proximal end and a distal end and defining a lumen extending from the proximal end to the distal end. The elongate member further includes a tubular member of non-conductive material, a braid of conductive material applied over the tubular member, an intermediate layer of non-conductive material applied over the braid, a plurality of electrical conductors extending from the proximal end to the distal end laid on the intermediate layer, and an outer layer of non-conductive material applied over the electrical conductors to cover the conductors. At least one electrode is arranged on the outer surface of the elongate member in electrical communication with at least one of the plurality of electrical conductors through the outer layer. The braid underlies the at least one electrode but is insulated from the at least one electrode by the intermediate non-conductive layer.

Abstract: The invention provides a device for thermal ablation at a site in a subject. The apparatus comprises an expandable bladder; a displacement chamber having a variable volume; an elongated catheter forming fluid communication between the bladder and the displacement chamber; and a heater for heating the fluid. To obtain an improved pressure control and a reliable structure, the chamber comprises a syringe structure including a piston movable in a cylinder by power driven means for varying the volume of the displacement chamber.

Abstract: A microwave ablation system for treating tissue includes at least first and second antennas, a microwave output stage, and a sensor component. The at least first and second antennas are adapted for insertion into tissue. The microwave output stage is adapted to generate microwave energy and is operatively coupled to at least the first antenna to transmit the microwave energy into the tissue. The sensor component is operatively coupled to the first and second antennas and operatively monitors the microwave energy therebetween.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for assessing contact between a treatment element and an area of target tissue using resistive-type and/or capacitive-type contact sensing elements. In one embodiment, a medical system for determining tissue contact includes an elongate body including a distal portion and a proximal portion and a treatment element coupled to the elongate body distal portion. The treatment element may have a first expandable element, a second expandable element, the first expandable element being within the second expandable element, and at least one contact sensing element between the first and second expandable elements. In one example, the device may include a plurality of contact sensing elements arranged in a matrix or in a plurality of linear configurations. In another example, the device may include a layer of conductive microparticles or a contact-sensing film.

Abstract: A bipolar electrosurgical instrument includes a handle portion, a shaft extending from the handle portion, a pad electrode coupled to the distal end of the shaft, and a loop electrode configured to be selectively transitioned from a deployed configuration, wherein the loop electrode extends outwardly from a distal end of the shaft in a manner capable of receiving tissue, to a non-deployed configuration, wherein the loop electrode is disposed proximate to the distal end of the shaft, to treat tissue.

Abstract: A skin rejuvenation resurfacing apparatus comprising an oscillating, reciprocating high speed, needle-based device and its related procedure for inducing mechanical trauma to an area of the skin to be treated.

Abstract: A monopolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil with argon beam capabilities which includes telescoping members contained within the pencil and a monopolar electrosurgery blade assembly with a non-conductive tube member for an inert gas.

Abstract: A device, system, and method for ligating the left atrial appendage without creating pro-arrhythmic tissue. The device may generally include a snare including a thermally transmissive distal portion and a suture including a distal portion, both distal portions having a lasso-shaped configuration that may be positioned proximate the base of the left atrial appendage. Once the distal portions of the snare and the suture are tightened around the base of the left atrial appendage, the thermally transmissive distal portion of the snare may be activated to create an ablation lesion in adjacent left atrial appendage tissue. The lesion may be created with radiofrequency energy or through cryoablation by the circulation of refrigerant within the thermally transmissive distal portion of the snare.

Abstract: A multiple thermocouple assembly with a reduced wire count is configured for use in an ablation catheter tip. In at least one embodiment, the assembly comprises a first metal material comprising a plurality of junctions; a plurality of conductors comprising a second metal material, each conductor connected to the first metal material at one of the plurality of junctions; and a common conductor that is physically paired with at least one of the plurality of conductors at a corresponding common conductor junction such that the common conductor forms a thermocouple pair with each of the plurality of conductors.

Abstract: A spark ablation device for generating nanoparticles comprising a spark generator; the spark generator comprising first and second electrodes, wherein the spark generator further comprises at least one power source which is arranged to be operative at a first energy level for maintaining a discharge between the first and second electrodes, which power source is arranged for repetitively increasing the energy of the discharge to a predetermined secondary level that is higher than the first energy level for ablating a portion of the electrodes.

Abstract: Catheter apparatuses, systems, and methods for achieving renal neuromodulation by intravascular access are disclosed herein. One aspect of the present technology, for example, is directed to a treatment device having a direct heating element configured to be delivered to a renal blood vessel. The treatment device is selectively transformable between a delivery or low-profile state and a deployed state. The direct heating element is housed within an occlusion element which is sized and shaped so that the direct heating element contacts an interior wall of the occlusion element, an outer wall of which is simultaneously in contact with the inner wall of a renal blood vessel when the treatment assembly is in the deployed state. The direct heating element is configured to apply thermal energy to heat neural fibers that contribute to renal function.

Abstract: A catheter and patch electrode system is provided for use with an apparatus, such as an ablation generator, having a 4-wire interface for improved impedance measurement. The 4-wire interface includes a pair of source connectors across which an excitation signal is produced and a pair of sense connector wires across which the impedance is measured. The RF ablation generator may also produce an ablation signal across a source wire and an indifferent return patch electrode. The system further includes a cable that connects the generator to a catheter. The catheter includes a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, with an ablation tip electrode disposed at the distal end. A source lead is electrically coupled to the tip electrode and extends through the shaft to the proximal end where it is terminated. An optional sense lead is also electrically coupled to the tip electrode and extends through the shaft to the proximal end. The system further includes a source return (e.g.

Abstract: A catheter for ablating tissue is provided. The catheter comprises an elongated generally-tubular catheter body having proximal and distal ends. An electrode assembly is provided at the distal end of the catheter body. The electrode assembly including a porous electrode arrangement that is generally transverse to the catheter body. The porous electrode arrangement comprises one or more electrodes electrically connected to a suitable energy source and a porous sleeve mounted in surrounding relation to the one or more electrodes and defining an open space between the porous sleeve and the one more electrodes. One or more irrigation openings fluidly connect the open space to a lumen extending through the catheter through which fluid can pass. In use, fluid passes through the lumen in the catheter, through the one or more irrigation openings, into the open space and through the porous sleeve.

Abstract: Volumetrically oscillating plasma flows, the volume of which controllably expands and contracts with time, are disclosed. Volumetrically oscillating plasma flows are generated by providing an energy with a power density that changes with time to the plasma-generating gas to form a plasma flow. The changes in the energy power density result in plasma flow volumetric oscillations. Volumetric oscillations with a frequency of above 20,000 Hz results in ultrasonic acoustic waves, which are known to be beneficial for various medical applications. System for providing volumetrically oscillating plasma flows and a variety of surgical non-surgical applications of such flows are also disclosed.