Abstract: A system and method for creating lesions and assessing their completeness or transmurality. Assessment of transmurality of a lesion is accomplished by monitoring the depolarization signal in a local electrogram taken using electrodes located adjacent the tissue to be ablated. Following onset of application of ablation energy to heart tissue, the local electrogram is measured with electrodes located adjacent tissue to be ablated so that the ablation energy to ablation elements can be selectively reduced or terminated when transmurality is detected.

Abstract: A tool actuating assembly for a multi-function surgical instrument is disclosed. The tool actuating assembly of the present invention can be utilized in a variety of differently configured multi-function surgical instruments and can be embodied in various physical configurations. The tool actuating assembly of the present invention provides for more efficient use of the tools of the instrument by the surgeon who is utilizing the instrument.

Abstract: An electrosurgical system for sealing tissue is disclosed that includes an electrosurgical forceps. The forceps includes a drive rod and an end effector assembly coupled to the drive rod at a distal end thereof. The end effector assembly includes jaw members wherein longitudinal reciprocation of the drive rod moves the jaw members from a first position in spaced relation relative to one another to a subsequent position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. Each of the jaw members includes a sealing plate that communicates electrosurgical energy through tissue held therebetween. The jaw members are adapted to connect to an electrosurgical generator. The system also includes one or more sensors that determine a gap distance between the sealing plates of the jaw members and a pressure applicator coupled to the drive rod. The pressure applicator is configured to move the drive rod in a longitudinal direction.

Abstract: Herein is disclosed a biomedical dispersive electrode which can redistribute the current in the subject body, increase subject safety, reduce the chance for burns and other tissue damage as well as discomfort experienced by subject during or after usage. Electrodes based on the principles of this invention can be made smaller than electrodes based on the principles of the prior art.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention includes a surgical device for coagulating soft tissue such as atrial tissue in the treatment of atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, and atrial tachycardia; tendon or ligament shrinkage; or articular cartilage removal. The surgical device integrates a suction mechanism with the coagulation mechanism improving the lesion creation capabilities of the device. The surgical device comprises an elongate member having an insulative covering attached about conductive elements capable of coagulating soft tissue when radiofrequency or direct current energy is transmitted to the conductive elements. Openings through the insulative covering expose regions of the conductive elements and are coupled to lumens in the elongate member which are routed to a vacuum source. Suction causes the soft tissue to actively engage the opening thus the integrated, exposed conductive elements to facilitate the coagulation process and ensure the lesions created are consistent, continuous, and transmural.

Abstract: A sphincter tissue region is treated using a support structure sized for advancement into the anal canal. At least one electrode is carried by the structure. A mechanism is coupled to the electrode to move the electrode between a first position retracted in the support structure and a second position extended from the support structure through surface tissue to penetrate a subsurface tissue region at or near a sphincter in the anal canal. A cable is coupled to the electrode to conduct energy for application by the electrode to form a lesion in the subsurface tissue region.

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 being movable relative to the second jaw member and the second jaw member being fixed relative to the shaft having an electrode rotatable along the longitudinal axis. The rotatable electrode has a sealing surface and a cutting edge. At least one non-conductive stop member is disposed on at least one of the first and second jaw members which controls the distance between the electrically conductive surfaces when tissue is held therebetween. The jaw member are connected to an electrosurgical energy source such that the jaw members are capable of conducting energy through tissue held therebetween.

Abstract: A gastric restrictor assembly for positioning within the digestive tract, e.g., stomach, of a patient to treat obesity is disclosed. The gastric restrictor assembly includes an attachment mechanism for attaching the assembly within a body lumen and a valve assembly for adjusting the diameter of a throughbore defined by valve assembly. The gastric restrictor includes first and second actuators which can be actuated transorally for operating the attachment mechanism and the valve assembly.

Abstract: A method of fusing biomaterial and tissue using radiofrequency energy includes the steps of: providing a vessel sealing instrument having opposing jaw members which are movable relative to one another to compress tissue therebetween. The vessel sealing instrument includes at least one stop member affixed thereto for regulating the distance between the opposing jaw members. The method also includes the steps of: providing a biomaterial; positioning the biomaterial in abutting relation to tissue; approximating the biomaterial and tissue between the jaw members; compressing the biomaterial and tissue between the jaw members under a working pressure within the range of about 3 kg/cm2 to about 16 kg/cm2; and energizing the jaw members with radiofrequency energy to effectively fuse the biomaterial and the tissue such that the biomaterial and the tissue reform into a single, fused mass.

Abstract: An electrosurgical generator is disclosed. The electrosurgical generator includes a power supply for generating a DC voltage. The electrosurgical generator also includes a first parallel inductor-capacitor circuit being driven by a first signal at a first predetermined frequency and a second parallel inductor-capacitor inductor-capacitor circuit driven by a second signal at the first predetermined frequency phase shifted 180°. The electrosurgical generator further includes a series inductor-capacitor resonant circuit operably connected in series with a primary winding of a transformer. The first and second parallel inductor-capacitor circuits are operably connected to the transformer, such that the first inductor-capacitor circuit generates a positive half sine wave and the second inductor-capacitor circuit generates a 180° phase-shifted positive half sine wave to generate a full sine wave in a secondary winding of the transformer.

Abstract: A first ultrasound medical instrument includes a medical ultrasonic blade having first, second and third blade portions. The second blade portion is more bendable than either of the first and third blade portions. A second ultrasound medical instrument includes a medical ultrasonic blade having a proximal blade portion and a distal blade portion. The distal blade portion bends more easily than does the proximal blade portion. The distal blade portion includes a distal end portion adapted to contact and ultrasonically treat patient tissue. A third ultrasonic medical instrument includes a medical ultrasonic blade. The medical ultrasonic blade includes a proximal blade portion having a centerline and includes a distal blade portion in contact with the proximal blade portion at a substantially planar interface. The interface is oriented at a non-zero angle with respect to a perpendicular to the centerline at the interface.

Abstract: A method of treating a tissue region includes inserting a flexible sheath within a vessel, the vessel leading to a tissue region, placing a distal end of the sheath through a wall of the vessel to thereby position the distal end is at or adjacent the tissue region, deploying a plurality of electrodes from the distal end of the sheath such that tips of the deployed electrodes approximately face towards a proximal end, and delivering energy to the tissue region using the deployed electrodes.

Abstract: A multi-mode LLETZ or LEEP device for performing LLETZ surgery and argon plasma coagulation using a single device is disclosed. The disclosed device has a body with a channel therein and movable arms having a wire therebetween at a distal end of the body such that the arms may be extended to perform conventions LLETZ surgery or may be moved together for performing argon plasma or beam coagulation.

Abstract: A central electrode (12a) and an outer electrode (16a) are arranged in such a manner that their top end portions are inclined in the same direction with respect to the axial direction of the outer conductor (14). When the outer conductor (14) and the movable conductor (16) are relatively shifted in the axial direction, the central electrode (12a) and the outer electrode (16a) slidingly move on each other along the inclined direction, whereby a biotissue is cut between the central electrode (12a) and the outer electrode (16a).

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 generator is disclosed, which includes an RF output stage connected to a DC power supply and first and second connections. The first connection includes a first switching component and a first parallel inductor-capacitor resonant circuit. The second connection includes a second switching components and a second parallel inductor-capacitor resonant circuit. The first and second switching components are configured to open and close at a predetermined frequency based on a phase-correlated dual drive signal emitted by a driver and are in a 180 degree out-of-phase relationship. The first parallel inductor-capacitor resonant circuit is further configured to produce a first half-sinusoidal waveform and the second parallel inductor-capacitor resonant circuit is configured to produce a second half-sin half-sinusoidal waveform.