Abstract: An end effector assembly of a forceps includes a first jaw with a tissue sealing surface and an electrode on the sealing surface, and a second jaw with a tissue sealing surface and an electrode on the sealing surface. The first jaw and the second jaw move between an open position and a closed position. The sealing surface of at least one of the first jaw and the second jaw has a rigid medial section and flexible lateral sections.

Abstract: A forceps includes shaft members each having a jaw member disposed at a distal end thereof and configured move the jaw members between open and closed position. A knife deployment mechanism includes a trigger moveable along a longitudinal axis to deploy a knife between retracted and extended positions between the jaw members, the knife deployment mechanism including links that cooperate to actuate the knife. A knife kickout mechanism is pivotably coupled to one link and is configured to engage a ramp disposed in a shaft member upon approximation of the shaft members, the knife kickout is configured to cooperate with the links to urge the knife back to an at rest position upon the opening of the shaft members.

Abstract: One general aspect includes a system for ablation including a catheter including a sheath defining a sheath lumen and a distal end, and an elongate electrode assembly axially moveable within the sheath lumen. The electrode assembly includes a shaft defining a central channel and a distal central channel opening. The electrode assembly also includes an expandable electrode array including two or more electrode elements positioned at the distal portion of the electrode assembly, where the electrode array is moveable between a retracted position contained within the sheath lumen and an expanded position protruding from the sheath.

Abstract: A bipolar surgical instrument comprises a body, first and second opposed jaws located at the distal end of a shaft, the first jaw being movable with respect to the second jaw between an open position in which the first and second jaws are spaced apart from one another, and a closed position in which the first and second jaws are adjacent one another. The first and second elongate jaw members have respective first and second electrodes. A controller is operable to detect a short circuit between the first and second electrodes when in use.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for electroporation ablation therapy are disclosed, with a protection device for isolating electronic circuitry, devices, and/or other components from a set of electrodes during a cardiac ablation procedure. A system can include a first set of electrodes disposable near cardiac tissue of a heart and a second set of electrodes disposable in contact with patient anatomy. The system can further include a signal generator configured to generate a pulse waveform, where the signal generator coupled to the first set of electrodes and configured to repeatedly deliver the pulse waveform to the first set of electrodes. The system can further include a protection device configured to selectively couple and decouple an electronic device to the second set of electrodes.

Abstract: A high-frequency generator connects an electrosurgical instrument, including an electrical output connection point for an electrosurgical instrument, a power supply, which is at least indirectly connected to the output connection point, and a power controller for controlling the electrical output power output via the output connection point. The power controller is designed to begin the output of an electrical output power when an output energy balance amount is greater than an output energy limit value and to end the output of the electrical output power when the output energy balance amount falls below a minimum value.

Abstract: A tool assembly for use with an electrosurgical device for cutting tissue includes a base portion, a return lead, an electrical insulator, a center pin, and an active lead. The center pin extends from the base portion and through a lumen of the electrical insulator. The active lead is securely fixed to the base portion and extends between the base portion and a distal portion of the center pin such that a portion of the active lead extends around the distal portion of the center pin and first and second segments of the active lead are spaced apart from the return lead. Upon activation, electrosurgical energy is transmitted from the active lead through tissue to the return lead to cut tissue in contact with the active lead.

Abstract: A system is configured to delivering radiofrequency power to the endometrial lining tissue of a uterine cavity, including modulating the delivered power so that a measured impedance of the endometrial lining tissue tracks a target impedance as a function of time, wherein the target tissue impedance is derived from a function that approximates a preferred endometrial lining tissue ablation impedance curve that is determined based upon a measured impedance of the endometrial lining tissue after RF power has been delivered for a predetermined initial time period.

Abstract: A surgical cautery device includes a voltage generator, a controller, forceps, an actuator, and a receiver. The voltage generator is configured to be electrically connected to a power source. The forceps are electrically coupled to the voltage generator and configured to cauterize tissue. The actuator is configured to generate and wirelessly transmit an on/off signal. The receiver is operable to wirelessly receive the on/off signal. The controller controls power to the voltage generator from the power source in response to the on/off signal.

Abstract: An end-effector and a surgical instrument including the end-effector are disclosed. The end-effector includes a clamp arm and an ultrasonic blade configured to acoustically couple to an ultrasonic transducer and to electrically couple to a pole of an electrical generator. The clamp arm includes a clamp jaw, a cantilever electrode configured to electrically couple to an opposite pole of the electrical generator and an electrically non-conductive clamp arm pad including a plurality of teeth. The surgical instrument includes a control circuit to detect a distal conductive element contact with the ultrasonic blade and adjust power applied to the ultrasonic blade based on detection of the contact.

Abstract: A bipolar electrode instrument for use in a resectoscope and having an elongated shaft section, through which a first conductor extends, which forms a working electrode to which high-frequency current can be applied at the distal end of the electrode instrument, and a second conductor further extending through the shaft section, which forms a counter electrode in the distal end region of the electrode instrument. The working electrode and the counter electrode are spatially separated from one another in such a way that the distance between them cannot be bridged by a straight conductor which has a length of 6 mm or less. When used in a resectoscope for endoscopic surgery with a cladding tube, the electrode instrument is mounted so as to be longitudinally displaceable inside the cladding tube.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for tattoo removal from a subject by exposing tattoo ink particles trapped within the dermis to electrical energy. The tattoo removal method and system can be used to remove the tattoo from the skin of the subject being treated. In addition, the method and system described allows for the extraction of the tattoo ink particles, which may have toxic properties, from the subject's body.

Abstract: Performing an initial ablation of tissue using an electrode in a probe distal end to apply a first power and estimating an overall thickness of the tissue based on measurements during the ablation of parameters of a change of temperature of the probe distal end, the first power, an irrigation rate for irrigating the tissue and a contact force applied by the probe distal end to the tissue. The method also includes in response to the estimated thickness, computing at least one of a second power required and a second time period for ablation to complete ablation of the tissue. The method further includes performing a subsequent ablation of the tissue using the computed at least one of the second power and the time period for ablation.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a body, a shaft assembly, an articulation section, an end effector, an articulation connector, and an articulation drive assembly. The shaft assembly extends distally from the body. The end effector is connected to the articulation section such that the end effector is configured to deflect relative to the longitudinal axis of the shaft assembly. The articulation connector is configured to translate relative to the shaft assembly to deflect the end effector relative to the longitudinal axis. The articulation drive assembly is configured to translate the articulation connector relative to the shaft assembly. The articulation drive assembly includes a rotatable housing and a first lead screw assembly. The first lead screw assembly includes a first half and a second half. The first lead screw assembly is slidably coupled with the shaft assembly and is configured to translate in response to rotation of the rotatable housing.

Abstract: Electrosurgery blades including electrosurgery blade assemblies having argon beam capability. The electrosurgery blade includes a non-conductive planar member having opposite planar sides and a sharp cutting tip and a conductive layer located on one or both of the opposing planar sides of the non-conductive layer. In embodiments of the electrosurgery blade assemblies having argon beam capability, the electrosurgery blade assembly includes a non-conductive tube member having a hollow tubular shaped opening and a slot where at least a portion of the conductive layer of the electrosurgery blade is positioned within the slot of the non-conductive tube member.

Abstract: Certain aspects relate to systems and techniques for an articulating monopolar medical instrument. In one aspect, the medical instrument includes a wrist comprising a proximal clevis and a distal clevis; an end effector coupled to the distal clevis via a distal axle; at least one proximal pulley in the proximal clevis; at least one distal pulley in the distal clevis and coupled to the distal axle; a first cable configured to engage with the at least one proximal pulley and the at least one distal pulley; and a second cable configured to engage with the at least one proximal pulley without engaging the at least one distal pulley.

Abstract: An elongate electrode is configured to flex and generate plasma to incise tissue. An electrical energy source operatively coupled to the electrode is configured to provide electrical energy to the electrode to generate the plasma. A tensioning element is operatively coupled to the elongate electrode. The tensioning element can be configured to provide tension to the elongate electrode to allow the elongate electrode to flex in response to the elongate electrode engaging the tissue and generating the plasma. The tensioning element operatively coupled to the flexible elongate electrode may allow for the use of a small diameter electrode, such as a 5 ?m to 20 ?m diameter electrode, which can allow narrow incisions to be formed with decreased tissue damage. In some embodiments, the tensioning of the electrode allows the electrode to more accurately incise tissue by decreasing variations in the position of the electrode along the incision path.

Abstract: An end effector includes a distal clevis, an axle mounted to the distal clevis, a first jaw holder and corresponding first jaw member rotatably mounted to the axle, and second jaw holder and corresponding second jaw member rotatably mounted to the axle. A cylindrical sleeve axle having opposing first and second ends and defining a central passageway extending between the opposing first and second ends, the sleeve axle providing a continuously straight and uninterrupted outer surface extending entirely between the opposing first and second ends. The axle is received within the central passageway and the sleeve axle is rotatable relative to the axle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for using a generator having insufficient power to supply power to a number of electrosurgical probes during ramping up of the probes to reach set point temperatures. The method includes reducing energy delivery to at least one probe by temporarily disabling energy delivery thereto. Some embodiments comprise a method of delivering energy to at least two electrosurgical probes connected to at least two of the channels of a generator wherein the generator has a maximum output, the method comprising: (a) activating channels which are to be activated; (b) checking for disabling conditions; and (c) if there are disabling conditions, disabling the channel which takes the least power amongst all active channels.

Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to devices and methods for diagnosis and treatment of biological tissue in which the tissue is accessed by a catheter through a working channel of an endoscope and in which the degree of extension of a distal tip of the catheter beyond a distal tip of the endoscope is controlled.