Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument having a microwave ablation antenna dimensioned to be suitable for insertion into a pancreas via a surgical scoping device, to provide a rapid and accurate alternative to known RF ablation techniques. The instrument comprises a radiating tip portion connected at a distal end of a flexible coaxial cable that conveys microwave energy. The radiating tip portion comprises a proximal coaxial transmission line for conveying the microwave energy and a distal needle tip mounted at a distal end of the coaxial transmission line, wherein the distal needle tip operates as a half wavelength transformer. The length of the radiating tip portion may be in the range from 5 mm to 80 mm.

Abstract: Surgical cutting apparatus having a treatment channel and a measurement channel for conveying microwave energy from a source to an antenna at a cutting edge. The measurement channel operates at lower power than the treatment channel for determining when higher energy can be safely applied. The apparatus may deliver microwave radiation at differing frequencies to one or more antennas at the cutting edge, e.g. to provide different treatment effects. The source may generate an output for an antenna whose frequency can be selected e.g. for most efficient operation. Selection may be automatic based on detected magnitude and phase of reflected signals during a frequency sweep of a forward signal. Power delivered to tissue via the cutting element may be manually boosted to deal with large blood vessels. The apparatus may include a reflected power monitor for recognising behaviour in reflected signals received from the antenna to trigger automatic pre-emptive action.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide an energy conveying structure for delivering RF and/or microwave energy to an electrosurgical instrument, where the energy conveying structure is incorporated into an insertion tube of a surgical scoping device (e.g. endoscope, laparoscope or the like). The insertion tube is a flexible conduit that is introduced into a patient's body during an invasive procedure, and can include an instrument channel and an optical channel. The energy conveying structure may be a layered coaxial structure that formed a liner that fits within the scoping device, e.g. within an instrument channel. Alternatively, the energy conveying structure may be a coaxial structure integrally formed as part of the flexible conduit.

Abstract: An electrode structure for a distal tip of an electrosurgical instrument that enables efficient delivery of radiofrequency (RF) energy in a forward (distal) direction and uniform delivery of microwave energy for ablation in a region surrounding the distal tip. The instrument comprises a tip body having a first electrode and a second electrode, where the second electrode is spaced from the first electrode exposed dielectric material. The first electrode is connected through the tip body to an inner conductor of a coaxial feed. The second electrode is electrically connected to the outer conductor of the coaxial feed by a field-shaping conductive structure formed in or on the tip body. The field-shaping conductive structure is configured to shape a radiation profile of microwave energy emitted from the tip body.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument for delivering both microwave and radiofrequency (RF) energy in which a pair of longitudinally spaced electrodes are combined with an intermediate tuning element to enable both effective bipolar RF ablation and/or coagulation and microwave ablation with a field shape that is constrained around the instrument tip. The instrument comprises a radiating tip disposed at a distal end of a coaxial cable. The tip has a distal electrode and a proximal electrode disposed on a surface of a dielectric body and physically separated by an intermediate portion of the dielectric body. A tuning element is mounted in the intermediate portion.

Abstract: An electrosurgical device that is capable of both generating a plasma to perform surface coagulation and emitting a non-ionising microwave field (in the absence of plasma) to perform coagulation at a deeper level. The device comprises a probe tip that is connected to receive radiofrequency (RF) and/or microwave frequency energy from a generator, and also defines a flow path for a gas. The probe tip is adjustable between a first configuration, in which it defines a bipolar (e.g. coaxial) structure to produce a high electric field from the received RF and/or microwave frequency energy across the flow path for the gas to strike and sustain plasma and a second configuration, in which it defines an antenna structure to emit non-ionising microwave energy into tissue.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a sterilization apparatus which uses thermal or non-thermal plasma to disinfect surgical scoping devices such as endoscopes, gastroscopes, laparoscopes and the like. Aspect of the disclosure provide: (i) an apparatus for sterilizing inside an instrument channel formed with an insertion tube of a surgical scoping device, (ii) a whole-device sterilization apparatus for treating the entire exterior surface of a surgical scoping device, and (iii) an apparatus for cleaning and sterilizing a distal end face of an insertion tube of a surgical scoping device.

Abstract: Electrosurgical forceps in which one or more pairs of non-resonant unbalanced lossy transmission line structures are arranged on the inner surfaces of the jaws of the forceps provide both (i) active and return electrodes for a radiofrequency (RF) signal, and (ii) lossy structures for delivering a microwave signal into biological tissue in conjunction with a mechanical gripping arrangement for applying pressure to material held within the jaws. The location of the pairs of transmission lines on the jaws of the forceps and the selection of the material of the jaws is arranged to ensure that any biological tissue gripped by the jaws become the propagation medium for the RF signal and the medium into which the microwave signal is lost.

Abstract: An electrosurgical snare, e.g. suitably sized for insertion down the instrument channel of an endoscope, arranged to radiate microwave frequency energy (e.g. having a frequency greater than 1 GHz) from an elongate conductive element within an area encircled by a retractable loop. The elongate conductive element and retractable loop may be independently slidable relative to a snare base at a distal end of a sleeve to provide an appropriate device configuration. By controlling the shape of the emitted microwave field, the risk of collateral thermal damage can be reduced.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument having a radiating tip with enhanced flexibility. In a first aspect, this is achieved by shaping the dielectric material in the radiating tip to facilitate bending of the radiating tip. In a second aspect, this is achieved by forming a dielectric body and outer sheath of the radiating tip as separate parts, to enable movement and flexure between the parts. By improving the flexibility of the radiating tip, maneuverability of the electrosurgical instrument may be improved.

Abstract: A treatment apparatus which uses thermal or non-thermal plasma to treat urinary tract infections (UTIs) by destroying bacteria. The apparatus comprises an elongate probe that includes a coaxial cable for conveying radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic (EM) energy and/or microwave EM energy, a probe tip connected at the distal end of the coaxial cable for receiving the RF and/or microwave EM energy, and a gas conduit for conveying gas to the probe tip. The probe tip comprises a first electrode connected to the inner conductor of the coaxial cable, and a second electrode connected to the outer conductor of the coaxial cable, and wherein the first electrode and second electrode are arranged to produce an electric field from the received RF and/or microwave EM energy across a flow path of gas received from the gas conduit to produce a thermal or a non-thermal plasma.

Abstract: A microwave amplifier having a load network which provides more efficient amplification of a low power microwave frequency signal. The amplifier comprises a transistor and a load network coupled to the transistor output to shape a waveform of an amplified microwave signal at the transistor current source plane. The load network comprises: a fundamental matching network to provide impedance matching at a fundamental frequency; a half-wave transmission line for a second harmonic frequency disposed between the transistor output and the fundamental matching network; a quarter-wave stub and a five-quarter-wave stub for a third harmonic frequency arranged on the half-wave transmission line to provide an open circuit condition at the third harmonic; and a quarter-wave stub for the second harmonic frequency and a quarter-wave stub for the fundamental frequency, arranged on the half-wave transmission line to provide a short circuit condition at the second harmonic frequency.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an electrosurgical generator capable of supplying energy in a waveform that causes electroporation in biological tissue. The electrosurgical generator may comprise an electroporation waveform supply unit that is integrated with means for generating microwave electromagnetic signals and radiofrequency electromagnetic signals for treatment. The electrosurgical generator may be configured to deliver different types of energy along a common feed cable. The electroporation waveform supply unit comprises a DC power supply and a DC pulse generator. The DC power supply may include a DC-DC converter for up-converting a voltage output by an adjustable voltage supply. Each DC pulse may have a duration in the range 1 ns to 10 ms and a maximum amplitude in the range 10 V to 10 kV.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument capable of performing both thermal ablation and electroporation in a minimally invasive manner. The instrument is dimensioned to fit within an instrument channel of an endoscope to enable non-percutaneous insertion. The instrument comprises a radiating tip mounted at a distal end of a coaxial transmission line to receive microwave EM energy from the coaxial transmission line and emit it as a field around the radiating tip. The instrument further comprises an auxiliary transmission line arranged to convey electromagnetic energy having an electroporation waveform to a microelectrode array mounted on the radiating tip. The electroporation waveform may be a radiofrequency or low frequency electromagnetic (EM) signal. The microelectrode array may comprise a plurality of nanoscale conductive electrode elements.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument having a microwave ablation antenna dimensioned to be suitable for insertion into a pancreas via a surgical scoping device, to provide a rapid and accurate alternative to known RF ablation techniques. The electrosurgical instrument comprises: a proximal coaxial transmission line for conveying microwave electromagnetic (EM) energy; a distal radiating portion; and an intermediate impedance transformer arranged to match an impedance of the coaxial transmission line to an impedance of the distal radiating portion, wherein the distal radiating portion comprises a microwave antenna for emitting the microwave EM energy conveyed by the coaxial transmission line, wherein the distal radiating portion has a maximum outer diameter less than an outer diameter of the coaxial transmission line. With these features, the instrument is able to deliver microwave energy via a small diameter structure.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a surgical snare structure in which the material used for the snare and the deployment mechanism of the snare are configured to improve the cutting efficacy of the snare. In particular, the surgical snare structure of the invention may omit the kink or nib present in the loop of known surgical snares and/or may provide a reaction surface against which the cutting action of the snare is effective. The surgical snare of the invention may be a cold, i.e. mechanical-only effect, snare, or may be used in conjunction with radiofrequency (RF) and/or microwave energy to enhance a cutting or coagulation effect.

Abstract: A combined isolator-diplexer device for supplying radiofrequency (RF) energy and microwave energy obtained from separate sources to a probe via a common signal pathway. The invention combines into a single unit all the necessary components to isolate a microwave channel from an RF channel whilst providing a high withstanding voltage (e.g. greater than 10 kV). The device comprises a waveguide isolator for isolating the microwave channel having a pair of DC isolation barriers arranged therein to provide a pair of series-connected capacitive structures between a ground conductor at an output of the combining circuit and a conductive input section of the waveguide isolator.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument which is capable of selective operation in any of (i) a plasma-generating mode for surface coagulation, (ii) a non-ionising radiation mode for deeper coagulation, e.g. using microwave energy, and (iii) a liquid administration mode for conveying liquid to a treatment site, e.g. to constrict a bleeding vessel so that a clinician can get control of the bleed. These operating modes may be provided in an electrosurgical instrument that is physically configured to be suitable for applying pressure to a tissue vessel, e.g. to act as a tamponade to stem bleeding.

Abstract: An apparatus capable of generating high power microwave frequency pulses for use with an electrosurgical device. The apparatus may be used for coagulating or ablating biological tissue. The apparatus includes an amplifier line-up comprising: a microwave signal generator for generating microwave radiation; a modulator arranged to pulse the microwave radiation; and an amplifier module arranged to increase the power of pulses of microwave radiation. The amplifier module works by providing a set of amplifiers that exhibit a gain that is greater than the total loss experienced at the components that divide the input signal and then combine the output signals. For example, if each amplifier in the array has a gain of 10 dBm, it is viable to use conventional power splitters and combiners to obtain an output microwave signal with substantially higher power than is provided by conventional electrosurgical generators.

Abstract: An electrosurgical apparatus for tightening ligaments using microwave energy. A detector is used to obtain information about a treatment zone. Based on this information, an energy delivery profile is determined. The energy delivery profile is selected to cause desired thermal effects in target tissue (e.g. ligaments, tendons or the like) without unwanted thermal side effects is determined and delivered. With this apparatus, energy can be delivered in a precise manner to the target tissue. The energy delivery profile may be based on a complex impedance, or attenuation and/or phase constants of the type of body tissue in the treatment zone.