Abstract: An electrical ablation apparatus including first, second, and third electrodes is disclosed. Each of the first and second electrode is configured to be selectively extended outside and selectively retracted inside a distal end of its respective lumen and is configured to diverge from its respective longitudinal axis when extended outside the distal end of its respective lumen. The third electrode is non-rotatable and is configured to be selectively extended outside and selectively retracted inside a distal end of its respective lumen. The first, second and third electrodes are extendable into a tissue treatment region to create a first necrotic zone having a first shape. At least one of the first electrode or the second electrode is selectively rotatable within its respective lumen to create a second necrotic zone having a second shape. The third electrode is configured to positionally secure the electrical ablation apparatus at the tissue treatment region.

Abstract: An energy source for use with an electrosurgical system is disclosed. In one embodiment, the energy source includes a power supply, one or more capacitors coupled to the power supply, and a switching component coupled to the one or more capacitors. The switching component is configured to output pulses of a biphasic waveform. The pulses are capable of treating undesired tissue by inducing a change in voltage potential across cell membranes of a plurality of cells in the undesired tissue to promote non-thermal cell death in the plurality of cells. The pulses are also capable of treating the undesired tissue with no or minimal muscle contractions in patient tissue within reach of the biphasic waveform during treatment of the undesired tissue.

Abstract: A surgical device for guiding electrodes into a tissue treatment region is disclosed. The surgical device includes electrodes configured to conduct current therebetween upon energizing at least one of the electrodes, a first body portion, and a second body portion. The first body portion and the second body portion are configured to operably form a first channel that extends along a first axis and a second channel that extends along a second axis. The surgical device further includes a predefined electrical ablation distance defined between the first axis and the second axis and a spring positioned between the first body portion and the second body portion. The spring is deformable between a first configuration and a second configuration, wherein the first channel is configured to open to receive one of the electrodes when the spring is in the first configuration. The first channel is configured to close and axially restrain the electrode received therein when the spring is in the second configuration.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for activating brown adipose tissue (BAT) with light. Generally, the methods and devices can activate BAT to increase thermogenesis, e.g., increase heat production in the patient, which over time can lead to weight loss and/or improved metabolic function. In one embodiment, a medical device is provided that activates BAT by using light to stimulate nerves that activate the BAT and/or to stimulate brown adipocytes directly, thereby increasing thermogenesis in the BAT and inducing weight loss and/or improved metabolic function through energy expenditure. The light can be configured to directly or indirectly stimulate the nerves and/or the brown adipocytes. The light can be configured to indirectly stimulate the nerves and/or the brown adipocytes by activating a light activatable medium administered to a patient and configured to respond to the light to cause activation of the brown adipose tissue.

Abstract: An electrosurgical system is disclosed including an energy source and a plurality of electrodes. Each of the plurality of electrodes is coupled to the energy source and each of the plurality of electrodes is positionable for electrical contact with a target tissue. The energy source is configured to deliver, via the plurality of electrodes, a plurality of pulses of a biphasic radio frequency (RF) waveform to the target tissue. The biphasic RF waveform operates at a fundamental frequency greater than that which electrically stimulates muscular cells. The plurality of pulses induce non-thermal cell death in the target tissue without a measurable stimulation in muscular tissue exposed to the biphasic RF waveform.

Abstract: A surgical instrument, such as an electrical ablation device, includes an elongate member having therealong disposed a first electrode extending along an axis. A first expandable portion extends along the axis and defines a first perimeter of the first electrode and has an associated first diameter with respect to the axis. The first expandable portion includes a first framework selectively expandable to transition the first expandable portion from a contracted state to an expanded state. The first framework is selectively contractible to transition the first expandable portion from the expanded state to the contracted state. When the first framework is expanded, the first diameter is expanded and the first expandable portion is transitioned from the contracted state to the expanded state. When the first framework is contracted, the first diameter is contracted and the first expandable portion is transitioned from the expanded state to the contracted state.

Abstract: An ablation device may generally comprise a first electrode, a plurality of second electrodes, and a grounding pad. Each of the plurality of second electrodes may comprise a first conductive section, a second conductive section, and a non-conductive section between the first conductive section and the second conductive section. The first electrode and each of the plurality of second electrodes may be coupled to an energy source delivering a series of electrical pulses to tissue to induce cell necrosis by irreversible electroporation.

Abstract: An electrical ablation apparatus comprises first and second electrodes. Each electrode comprises a first end configured to couple an energy source and a second end configured to couple to a tissue treatment region. An energy source is coupled to the first and second electrodes. The energy source is configured to deliver a first series of electrical pulses sufficient to induce cell necrosis by irreversible electroporation and a second series of electrical pulses sufficient to induce cell necrosis by thermal heating, through at least one of the first and second electrodes. The first series of electrical pulses is characterized by a first amplitude, a first pulse length, and a first frequency. The second series of electrical pulses is characterized by a second amplitude, a second pulse length, and a second frequency.

Abstract: A surgical instrument can comprise a first electrode, a second electrode, and a retractable sheath. At least one of the electrodes can comprise an insulative jacket extending along the length thereof which can comprise a tissue stop for limiting the progression of the electrode into tissue. In various embodiments, a surgical instrument can comprise a first electrode, a second electrode, and a displaceable arc guard positioned between the electrodes. In certain embodiments, a surgical instrument can comprise an electrode including a flexible mesh configured to conform to the tissue against which it is positioned.

Abstract: A surgical instrument configured to deliver electrical energy to the tissue of a patient is disclosed. The surgical instrument comprises a frame, a first electrode, a second electrode, and a guard movable between a first position and a second position. The surgical instrument further comprises a spring positioned intermediate the guard and the frame. The spring is configured to bias the guard into the first position. When the guard is in the first position, a distal end of the guard is positioned at least flush with distal ends of the first electrode and the second electrode, which prevents current from arcing between the first electrode and the second electrode. When the guard is in the second position, the distal end of the guard is in contact with the tissue, which prevents current from arcing between the first electrode and the second electrode without passing through the tissue.

Abstract: An electrical ablation apparatus comprises first and second electrodes. Each electrode comprises a first end configured to couple an energy source and a second end configured to couple to a tissue treatment region. An energy source is coupled to the first and second electrodes. The energy source is configured to deliver a first series of electrical pulses sufficient to induce cell necrosis by irreversible electroporation and a second series of electrical pulses sufficient to induce cell necrosis by thermal heating, through at least one of the first and second electrodes. The first series of electrical pulses is characterized by a first amplitude, a first pulse length, and a first frequency. The second series of electrical pulses is characterized by a second amplitude, a second pulse length, and a second frequency.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for controlling movement of a distal end of a surgical instrument. In general, the methods and devices can allow for controlling movement of surgical tools, and in particular for causing mimicked motion between an external control unit and a surgical tool positioned within a patient's body. In one embodiment, a surgical system is provided having a master assembly including an input tool and a slave assembly including a surgical instrument. The master assembly and the slave assembly can be configured to be electronically coupled together such that movement of the master assembly can be electronically communicated to the slave assembly to cause mimicked movement of the slave assembly.

Abstract: An energy source for use with an electrosurgical system is disclosed. In one embodiment, the energy source includes a power supply, one or more capacitors coupled to the power supply, and a switching component coupled to the one or more capacitors. The switching component is configured to output pulses of a biphasic waveform. The pulses are capable of treating undesired tissue by inducing a change in voltage potential across cell membranes of a plurality of cells in the undesired tissue to promote non-thermal cell death in the plurality of cells. The pulses are also capable of treating the undesired tissue with no or minimal muscle contractions in patient tissue within reach of the biphasic waveform during treatment of the undesired tissue.

Abstract: An energy source for use with an electrosurgical system is disclosed. In one embodiment, the energy source includes a power supply, one or more capacitors coupled to the power supply, and a switching component coupled to the one or more capacitors. The switching component is configured to output pulses of a biphasic waveform. The pulses are capable of treating undesired tissue by inducing a change in voltage potential across cell membranes of a plurality of cells in the undesired tissue to promote non-thermal cell death in the plurality of cells. The pulses are also capable of treating the undesired tissue with no or minimal muscle contractions in patient tissue within reach of the biphasic waveform during treatment of the undesired tissue.

Abstract: A variety of electrical ablation apparatuses and methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, an ablation apparatus includes an injector catheter electrode having a proximal end configured to couple to an energy source and a fluid source. A distal end of the injector catheter defines an injection needle and defines an electrically conductive hollow channel for communicating a fluid from the fluid source to a treatment site. A balloon electrode is in fluid communication with a balloon catheter. The balloon catheter has a proximal end configured to couple to the energy source and the fluid source and a distal end configured to inflate the balloon electrode.

Abstract: A device for guiding electrodes relative to a tissue treatment region. The device can comprise a body have a plurality of passages therethrough. Each passage can axially restrain an electrode positioned therein. When each electrode is axially restrained in a passage, the distal ends of the electrodes can be spaced a predetermined distance apart. Further, the electrodes can be held in a parallel or substantially parallel alignment when axially retained in the passages. The predetermined distance between the electrodes can correspond to a treatment distance in a tissue treatment region and the distal ends of the electrodes can be operably structured to conduct current therebetween when at least one of electrodes is energized by an energy source.

Abstract: An electrical ablation apparatus comprises first and second electrodes. Each electrode comprises a first end configured to couple an energy source and a second end configured to couple to a tissue treatment region. An energy source is coupled to the first and second electrodes. At least one electrode is movable between a first position and a second position. A first necrotic zone having a first shape is created when the electrodes are energized in the first position and a second necrotic zone having a second shape is created when the electrodes are energized in the second position. At least one electrode may be pre-formed with a radius.

Abstract: A device for guiding electrodes relative to a tissue treatment region. The device can comprise a body have a plurality of passages therethrough. Each passage can axially restrain an electrode positioned therein. When each electrode is axially restrained in a passage, the distal ends of the electrodes can be spaced a predetermined distance apart. Further, the electrodes can be held in a parallel or substantially parallel alignment when axially retained in the passages. The predetermined distance between the electrodes can correspond to a treatment distance in a tissue treatment region and the distal ends of the electrodes can be operably structured to conduct current therebetween when at least one of electrodes is energized by an energy source.

Abstract: An energy source for use with an electrosurgical system is disclosed. In one embodiment, the energy source includes a power supply, one or more capacitors coupled to the power supply, and a switching component coupled to the one or more capacitors. The switching component is configured to output pulses of a biphasic waveform. The pulses are capable of treating undesired tissue by inducing a change in voltage potential across cell membranes of a plurality of cells in the undesired tissue to promote non-thermal cell death in the plurality of cells. The pulses are also capable of treating the undesired tissue with no or minimal muscle contractions in patient tissue within reach of the biphasic waveform during treatment of the undesired tissue.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering electrical power to an electrically powered medical device includes a battery, a first compartment, and a second compartment where the second compartment can hold the first compartment and the first compartment can hold the battery. A sterile space is defined between the first compartment and the second compartment. The first compartment and the battery may be selectively electrically coupled with the electrically powered medical device such that the first compartment does not compromise the sterility of the electrically powered medical device.