Abstract: An energy treatment instrument includes a pair of grasping pieces, and the grasping pieces grasp a treated target therebetween by closing relative to each other. At least one of the grasping pieces includes an energy applying portion which treats the treated target by applying treatment energy to the grasped treated target. At least one of the grasping pieces includes a hauler hauling the treated target toward an inside in a width direction of the grasping pieces, when the grasping pieces close relative to each other in a state that the treated target is disposed between the grasping pieces.

Abstract: A method for treating a heart failure patient by ablating a nerve of the splanchnic sympathetic nervous system to increase venous capacitance and reduce pulmonary blood pressure. A method including: inserting a catheter into a vein adjacent the nerve, applying stimulation energy and observing hemodynamic effects, applying ablation energy and observing hemodynamic effects, applying simulation energy after the ablation and observing hemodynamic effects.

Abstract: A surgical tool that includes a drive housing, an elongate shaft that extends from the drive housing, and an end effector arranged at a distal end of the elongate shaft and having a jaw and a jaw holder that secures the jaw. A wrist couples the end effector to the elongate shaft and includes a distal clevis having an axle that rotatably mounts the jaw holder to the distal clevis. An electrical conductor extends from the drive housing and supplies electrical energy to the jaw via a supply conductor. At least one of the jaw holder and the axle is made of a non-conductive material that insulates the distal clevis from the electrical energy provided to the jaw.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method of using the same are disclosed for carrying out a transvascular procedure such as a Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt (TIPS) procedure using energy to create a tract between the hepatic vein and the portal vein. The present invention provides a flexible puncturing solution to effectively perform a transvascular procedure such as a TIPS procedure while minimizing damage to the liver and surrounding soft tissues or organs.

Abstract: The present disclosure is for a therapeutic thermal pack configured to conform to three dimensional surfaces. The therapeutic thermal pack comprises first and second plastic sheets bound together forming a sack. The sack further comprises a plurality of joint lines forming open or closed cells within the boundary of the sack. The open and closed cells are configured to enhance the flexibility of the sack. The sack contains a flowable thermal material within the open or closed cells.

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 a second jaw holder and corresponding second jaw member rotatably mounted to the axle. A sleeve axle has a first end, a second end, and a central passageway that extends between the first and second ends. The axle is received within the central passageway and the sleeve axle is rotatable relative to the axle.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a surgical tool for cutting and hemostasis of biological tissues. The surgical tool includes a hollow blade comprising a cutting implement residing within a hollow cavity configured to provide high-pressure steam through an apical surface. The cutting implement can operate independently or in cooperation with the provided high-pressure steam. The surgical tool of the present disclosure applies a directionally-controlled, high-pressure steam flow to a tissue region of interest. A control unit provides temperature-controlled steam at a flow-rate determined in accordance with tissue type and intended procedure.

Abstract: Systems and methods for evaluating neuromodulation via hemodynamic responses are disclosed herein. A system configured in accordance with embodiments of the present technology can include, for example, a neuromodulation catheter comprising an elongated shaft having a distal portion, and a plurality of electrodes spaced along a distal portion. The system can further include a controller communicatively coupled to the electrodes. The controller can be configured to apply first and second stimuli at and/or proximate to a target site within a blood vessel before and after delivering neuromodulation energy to the target site, and detect, via at least one of the electrodes, vessel impedance resulting from the first and second stimuli to determine a baseline impedance and a post-neuromodulation impedance. The controller can further be configured to assess the efficacy of the neuromodulation based, at least in part, on a comparison of the baseline impedance and the post-neuromodulation impedance.

Abstract: A thermal pack comprising one or more sacks, a body of thermal material enclosed in the sacks, and first and a second sack edge joined to form a seam line wherein the first edge and the second edge have intersecting directions with an angle that is less than 180 degrees whereby the one or more sacks conforms to a three-dimensional surface.

Abstract: An electroporation therapy apparatus method, and system is provided. The apparatus, system, and method comprise an electroporation generator (26). The electroporation generator (26) is configured to output an asymmetric balanced waveform to a medical device, and the asymmetric balanced waveform comprises a first positive phase and a first negative phase. The first positive phase comprises a first current and a first time and the first negative phase comprises a second current and a second time. The first current is greater than the second current and the second time is greater than the first time. The asymmetric balanced waveform is configured to irreversibly electroporate a target tissue.

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: A method, including performing an initial ablation of a tissue using an electrode in a probe distal end to apply a first power to the tissue, and measuring a change of temperature of the distal end while applying the first power. The method also includes estimating a thickness of the tissue in response to the measured change of temperature, and in response to the estimated thickness, computing at least one of a second power required and a 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: A joint surgical system includes, a treatment tool, a high-frequency output section which outputs high-frequency energy to the treatment tool, an ultrasonic output section which outputs ultrasonic energy to the treatment tool, a measurement section which measures a temperature of the liquid, and a control section which controls the high-frequency output section to stop output of the high-frequency energy and controls the ultrasonic output section to continue output of the ultrasonic energy when a measurement temperature measured by the measurement section is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: A vapor delivery system and method is provided that is adapted for ablating bladder tissue to treat overactive bladder (OAB). The vapor delivery system includes an anchor tip configured anchor the system in the bladder while condensable vapor is delivered to target tissue. In one method, the vapor delivery system is advanced transurethrally into the patient to access the target tissue of the bladder, which can include a surface sensor of the bladder responsible for creating an urge incontinence sensation. The vapor delivery system includes a vapor source that provides a high quality vapor for delivery to tissue.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided to concentrate energy delivery in non-superficial target tissue within a trigone region of a human bladder wall to modulate bladder function.

Abstract: A bipolar forceps includes a mechanical forceps including first and second shafts each having a jaw member extending from a distal end thereof and a handle disposed at a proximal end thereof for effecting movement of the jaw members relative to one another about a pivot. A disposable housing is configured to releasably couple to at least one of the shafts and an electrode assembly is configured to releasably couple to the disposable housing. The electrode assembly includes electrodes releasably coupleable to the jaw members. At least one of the electrodes includes a knife channel configured to receive a knife blade therethrough to cut tissue grasped between the jaw members. An actuation mechanism is configured to selectively advance the knife blade through the knife channel to cut tissue.

Abstract: Catheterization is carried out by bringing an electrode that is disposed on a distal portion of a catheter into contact with tissue, wherein the electrode has an area that falls within a range of 0.01-25 mm2. A power generator delivers pulses of radiofrequency power through the electrode to the tissue. While applying the pulses temperatures at the distal portion of the catheter are recorded. A rate of change of the temperatures is calculated and tissue thickness estimated based on the rate of change.

Abstract: An inner guide assembly and surgical instrument including the same wherein the inner guide assembly includes a proximal tube guide defining first and second proximal channels extending longitudinally therealong, a distal tube guide defining first and second distal channels extending longitudinally therealong and disposed in alignment with the first and second proximal channels, respectively, and a wire clip disposed between the proximal and distal tube guides and defining a central channel having a first portion and a second portion. The first proximal channel, the first distal channel, and the first portion of the central channel are configured to cooperate to receive a first elongated component of a surgical instrument longitudinally therethrough. The second proximal channel, the second distal channel, and the second portion of the central channel are configured to cooperate to receive first and second lead wires of the surgical instrument longitudinally therethrough.

Abstract: A dual-output generator is configured to output two or more waveforms at different frequencies. In particular, the dual-output generator is configured to provide low-frequency output, which may be suitable for ultrasonic surgical instruments, and a high-frequency output, which may be suitable for electrosurgical instruments, while reducing the amplitude of all remaining frequencies other than the two selected low and high frequencies to about zero.

Abstract: An electrosurgical generator includes a power supply configured to output a DC waveform, a current or voltage source coupled to the power supply and a power converter coupled to the current or voltage source, the power converter including at least one power switching element and a power inductor having an inductance value during switching of the at least one power switching element. The electrosurgical generator further includes a zero voltage switching (ZVS) inducing circuit coupled to the power converter at a switching node, the ZVS inducing circuit including an inductor having an inductance which is greater than the inductance value of the power inductor of the at least one power switching element.