Abstract: A system, ablation probe, and method is provided for treating tissue, e.g., tissue having tumors. The treatment system is configured to automatically deliver infusaid to tissue when needed and comprises an ablation probe having an ablative element and at least one perfusion exit port. The system further comprises an ablation source operably coupled to the ablative element, and a pump assembly operably coupled to the perfusion exit port(s). The pump assembly is configured for pumping infusaid out through the perfusion exit port(s), preferably during the ablation process. The system further comprises a feedback device configured for controlling the amount of infusaid displaced by the pump assembly based on a sensed tissue parameter, e.g., tissue temperature or tissue impedance.

Abstract: An ultrasonic device may include an electromechanical ultrasonic system defined by a predetermined resonant frequency, the electromechanical ultrasonic system including an ultrasonic transducer coupled to an ultrasonic blade. A method of controlling energy delivered to the ultrasonic device may include determining an impedance of the ultrasonic transducer during a transection process, analyzing the impedance of the ultrasonic transducer, profiling the ultrasonic blade based on the impedance, and adjusting a power delivered to the transducer during the transection process based on the profile of the blade. The method may further include pulsing, the power delivered to the ultrasonic transducer, determining changes in tissue characteristics of tissue located in an end effector, wherein the changes in tissue characteristics is determined between pulses, and adjusting power delivered to the ultrasonic transducer based on the tissue changes throughout the transection.

Abstract: Tissue may be cut and extracted from an interior location in a patient's body using a probe or tool which both effects cutting and causes vaporization of a liquid or other fluid to propel the cut tissue through an extraction lumen of the cutting device. The cutting may be achieved using an electrosurgical electrode assembly, including a first electrode on a cutting member and a second electrode within a cutting probe or tool. Thus, over a first cutting portion, radio frequency current may help cut the tissue and over a second or over transition region, the RF current may initiate vaporization of the fluid or other liquid to propel the tissue from the cutting device.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, devices, and methods for treating heart failure. In some variations, a catheter for forming an anastomosis in a heart may comprise a first catheter comprising an electrode. A second catheter may be slidably disposed within the first catheter. The second catheter may comprise a barb and a dilator comprising a mating surface configured to engage the electrode.

Abstract: A method includes inserting a distal end of an applicator and delivering RF energy inside a mouth, applying one or more electrodes to a treatment area inside the mouth, and applying RF energy to the treatment area to increase its temperature. The method includes measuring tissue surface temperature in the treatment area with a temperature sensor; and adjusting RF energy automatically to achieve collagen remodeling and avoid tissue coagulation or ablation and thereby treat a sleep obstructing disorder.

Abstract: A flexible electrode of a surgical instrument is disclosed. The flexible electrode includes a therapeutic electrode, a sensing electrode and an insulative layer. The therapeutic electrode is couplable to a source of radiofrequency energy. The insulative layer is positioned between the therapeutic electrode and the sensing electrode. The therapeutic electrode and the sensing electrode are configured to contact tissue positioned between first and second jaws of the surgical instrument.

Abstract: In an electrode assembly for a catheter system, a plurality of struts extends from a proximal end to a distal end of the electrode assembly. Each strut has a longitudinally extending proximal leg, a longitudinally extending distal leg, and a center segment extending between and interconnecting the proximal leg and the distal leg. A hinge interconnects the proximal leg and the center segment, and another hinge interconnects the distal leg and the center segment. The center segment of each of the struts has a corresponding electrode thereon. The electrode assembly is configurable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration, with the electrodes being transversely spaced from the longitudinal axis of the electrode assembly a greater distance in the expanded configuration than in the collapsed configuration.

Abstract: An end effector is disclosed. The end effector includes a first jaw and a second jaw configured to move from a first position to a second position. The second jaw includes a channel and a cartridge removably coupled to the channel. A first electrode is configured to apply electrosurgical energy to a tissue and a second electrode is configured to apply electrosurgical energy to the tissue. In the second position a distance between the first electrode and the first jaw is greater than a distance between the second electrode and the first jaw. The first electrode is configured to apply electrosurgical energy to the tissue when the first and second jaws are moving from the first position to the second position, and the second electrode is configured to apply electrosurgical energy to the tissue in the second position.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a housing, a movable handle, a trigger, a drive assembly operably coupled between the movable handle and an end effector assembly such that movement of the movable handle from an initial position to a compressed position manipulates the end effector assembly, and a linkage operably coupled between the trigger and a knife such that movement of the trigger from an un-actuated position to an actuated position rotates the linkage to deploy the knife relative to the end effector assembly. A drive housing of the drive assembly inhibits rotation of the linkage when the movable handle is disposed in the initial position and the trigger is disposed in the un-actuated position. The drive housing cams along a surface of the linkage to urge the linkage to rotate when the movable handle is returned towards the initial position, thereby returning the trigger towards the un-actuated position.

Abstract: An antenna assembly for microwave ablation can include a radiator for emitting a microwave for ablation; a coaxial cable for transmitting the microwave for ablation generated by a microwave generator to the radiator; an annular composite structure is provided around the coaxial cable for inhibiting an electromagnetic wave from propagating backwards along the coaxial cable. In some embodiment, the annular composite structure comprises an annular nonmetallic layer and an annular metallic layer located outside the annular nonmetallic layer. In some embodiments, the annular metallic layer is electrically insulated from the coaxial cable. In some embodiments, the antenna assembly can be used with a microwave ablation needle. The annular composite structure can inhibit the backward propagation of the microwave along the coaxial cable exterior wall. In some embodiments, circulation water enters the radiation zone, to avoid high temperatures of the head the ablation needle.

Abstract: A method in which a location is determined on the skin that is proximate to a sensory nerve that is associated with a painful condition. At least one needle of a cryogenic device is inserted into the location on the skin such that the needle is proximate to the sensory nerve. The device is activated such that the at least one needle creates a cooling zone about the sensory nerve, thereby eliminating or reducing severity of the painful condition.

Abstract: An arthroscopic or other surgical system includes a handpiece and a probe. The handpiece carries a motor drive, and the probe has a proximal hub and an elongate shaft which extends about a longitudinal axis to a working end of the probe. The hub is configured for detachably coupling to the handpiece, and the motor drive is configured to couple to a rotating drive coupling in the hub when the hub is coupled to the handpiece. A first magnetic component is carried by the hub, and a second magnetic component is coupled to rotate with the rotating drive coupling.

Abstract: A vapor delivery device is provided that may include any of a number of features. One feature of the vapor delivery device is that it can apply condensable vapor energy to tissue, such as a prostrate, to shrink, damage, denaturate tissues of the prostate. The vapor delivery device can include a handle portion and a cartridge portion. The cartridge portion can be configured to be inserted into a lumen of the handle portion to align and position a vapor coil of the cartridge portion within a RF coil of the handle portion. Methods associated with use of the energy delivery probe are also covered.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an end effector and an actuator coupled to the end effector such that actuation of the actuator along a portion of an actuation path manipulates the end effector. A first activation button is electrically coupled to the end effector and is in-line with the actuation path. A first latch component is in-line with the actuation path; a selector is operably coupled to the actuator and movable between a first position and a second position. In the first position, a portion of the selector is positioned to activate the first activation button upon movement of the actuator along a portion of the actuation path to thereby supply energy to the end effector. In the second position, a second latch component of the selector is positioned to engage the first latch component to latch the actuator upon movement of the actuator along a portion of the actuation path.

Abstract: This document discloses EEG headset designs that address shortcomings in prior art headsets and also provides headset solutions for new and useful applications utilizing EEG headsets. One such application is brain computer interface (BCI) applications, and more specifically, a BCI application for stroke therapy in which the headset is utilized to obtain ipsilateral brain signals. This document also discloses BCI devices and methods utilizing EEG headsets.

Abstract: A surgical instrument has an end-effector located on the end of a rotatable shaft, the shaft projecting from a handle. A thumbwheel is provided at the proximal end of the handle, which controls the rotation of the shaft, and hence the rotational orientation of the end-effector. The end-effector is capable of grasping, cutting, and sealing and/or coagulating tissue, and one of the operations is controlled by a switch located on the upper surface of the proximal end of the handle. The switch is oriented on the handle to be generally above the thumbwheel, in a relative position to the thumbwheel so that both the thumbwheel and the switch may be activated by the user's thumb, without the user having to alter his grip on the handle. In one embodiment of the invention the switch is therefore vertically oriented above the thumbwheel.

Abstract: An electrosurgical device is provided and includes a handset having a shaft extending therefrom. The electrosurgical device includes a pair of electrodes disposed at a distal end of the shaft. One or more sensors are in operable communication with the pair of electrodes to detect a pressure applied thereto. The amount of electrosurgical energy that is transmitted to the pair of electrodes is proportional to the amount of pressure that is applied to the pair of electrodes and detected by the sensor.

Abstract: An irrigated needle electrode ablation catheter has a distal tip section with a tip electrode, a needle electrode assembly longitudinal movable relative to the catheter, and a needle centering insert in a channel in the tip electrode. The assembly has a proximal tubing and a distal needle electrode, and the insert supports the needle electrode in the channel at a predetermined separation distance from the tip electrode while enabling irrigation to flow circumferentially around the needle electrode through the channel and exit at the distal end of the tip electrode. The catheter also provides a first dedicated fluid pathway through the assembly and exits at the distal end of the needle electrode, and a second dedicated fluid pathway to supply fluid to the channel in the tip electrode, wherein the second pathway is defined by a guide tube and directed by a plunger member.

Abstract: Described here are devices and methods for treating hypertension by forming a fistula between two blood vessels to reduce blood pressure of a patient. The fistula may be formed using a catheter having an electrode that is placed in a first blood vessel. In some instances, a desired amount of blood pressure is determined. In other instances, the hypertension is drug resistant hypertension.

Abstract: Described herein are various implementations of systems and methods for accessing and modulating tissue (for example, systems and methods for accessing and ablating nerves or other tissue within or surrounding a vertebral body to treat chronic lower back pain). Assessment of vertebral endplate degeneration or defects (e.g., pre-Modic changes) to facilitate identification of treatment sites and protocols are also provided in several embodiments. Several embodiments comprise the use of biomarkers to confirm or otherwise assess ablation, pain relief, efficacy of treatment, etc. Some embodiments include robotic elements for, as an example, facilitating robotically controlled access, navigation, imaging, and/or treatment.