Abstract: A movement transfer mechanism for a surgical scoping device, wherein a rotational proximal input force is transformed into a longitudinal force that is conveyed down the length of an instrument channel of the scoping device, where it is transformed again into an operational movement of a distal instrument. The operational movement can be rotational movement, but may be any movement that changes the orientation or configuration of the distal instrument. By conveying a linear force along the instrument channel rather than a twisting force, the problems of slipping and discontinuous operation of the distal instrument due to friction between the instrument and the instrument channel can be reduced or eliminated.

Abstract: An electrosurgical apparatus and method for performing thermal treatment in the gastrointestinal tract, e.g. to ablate duodenal mucosal tissue. The apparatus comprises an instrument having a flexible cable and an applicator suitable for use with a gastroscope, which can be deployed within a patient to delivery energy in a targeted or otherwise controllable manner. The applicator can deliver microwave energy by radiation. The direct and depth-limited nature of microwave energy can be make it more effective than treatments that rely on thermal conduction. The applicator may include a radially extendable portion arranged to move an microwave energy delivery structure into contact with duodenal mucosal tissue at the treatment region. The applicator may comprise any of a balloon, bipolar radiator, movable paddle, and rotatable roller element.

Abstract: An electrosurgical system for treating biological tissue that comprises: an electrosurgical generator to supply microwave energy; a surgical scoping device having a steerable insertion cord for insertion to a treatment site; and an electrosurgical instrument dimensioned to fit within an instrument channel that is located within the insertion cord. The electrosurgical instrument comprises: a flexible coaxial cable arranged to convey the microwave energy; and a radiating tip portion connected at an end of the coaxial cable and configured to receive microwave energy. The radiating tip portion comprises: a coaxial transmission line for conveying the microwave energy; and a needle tip mounted at an end of the proximal coaxial transmission line, wherein the electrosurgical instrument is slidable within the instrument channel to extend the needle tip beyond an end of the instrument channel to puncture biological tissue; the needle tip is arranged to deliver the microwave energy into biological tissue.

Abstract: Skin treatment apparatus comprising an energy applicator structure configured to establish heating or ablation at a predetermined and controllable (i.e. selectable) depth below a surface of skin tissue with which it is in contact. The applicator structure may receive a cooling medium and microwave frequency electromagnetic energy, which provide a combined treatment effect that results in heating or ablation in a zone beneath the skin surface. The applicator may be a waveguide (e.g. waveguide horn antenna) with internal shielding configured to provide a substantially uniform heating effect. The applicator may include a thermal camera to monitor treatment.

Abstract: An electrosurgical forceps instrument in which an energy conveying structure for efficiently transferring electromagnetic energy (e.g. microwave energy and/or radiofrequency energy) from a coaxial cable to electrodes on the forceps jaws is incorporated into a compact jaw opening structure. The jaw opening structure may be dimensioned to be suitable for insertion down the instrument channel of a endoscope or other scoping device. Alternatively, the device may be configured as a laparoscopic device or be used in open procedures. The instrument may be used as a tool to perform new minimally invasive surgical techniques such as Natural Orifice Transluminal Endosurgery (NOTES) or the like.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument having a radiating tip portion capable performing tissue ablation using microwave energy and electroporation (e.g. non-thermal irreversible electroporation) in a minimally invasive manner. The electrosurgical instrument may be used to perform microwave ablation and electroporation separately (e.g. sequentially) or simultaneously. The radiating tip portion may be 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. By enabling tumours within the pancreas to be treated using a minimally invasive procedure, it may be a viable option to use ablation and/or electroporation treatment for both curative as well as palliative reasons.

Abstract: An electrosurgical device having a radiating tip portion for delivering electromagnetic energy to biological tissue, where the electrosurgical device is disposed in a catheter. The electrosurgical device is movable relative to the catheter between a deployed position where the radiating tip portion is exposed and a retracted position where the radiating tip portion is contained within the catheter. In this manner, the radiating tip portion may be retracted until the moment when it is to be used. This may facilitate insertion of the device through an instrument channel of a surgical scoping device. In particular, this may prevent the radiating tip portion from catching on the instrument channel when the device is inserted into the instrument channel, which could cause damage to the instrument channel and/or radiating tip portion.

Abstract: In one aspect, the disclosure presents an electrosurgical instrument for performing haemostasis by radiating microwave energy from a distal tip, where conductive radiating electrodes are coated in an insulating non-stick material. In another aspect, the disclosure provides an electrosurgical instrument for performing haemostasis using radiofrequency or microwave electromagnetic energy, where a distal tip of the instrument comprises a conductive hollow needle for conveying fluid to or from a treatment site, wherein the hollow needle is electrically grounded.

Abstract: Electrical instrument for applying radiofrequency and/or microwave frequency energy to tissue, comprising: a distal part comprising an instrument tip for applying radiofrequency and/or microwave frequency energy to tissue, the instrument tip comprising first and second conductive elements; a coaxial feed cable comprising an inner conductor, a tubular outer conductor coaxial with the inner conductor, and dielectric material separating the inner and outer conductors, the coaxial feed cable being for conveying radiofrequency and/or microwave frequency energy to the distal part; wherein: the inner conductor is electrically connected to the first conductive element and the outer conductor is electrically connected to the second conductive element through a rotatable connection between the distal part and the coaxial feed cable that allows rotation of the distal part relative to the coaxial feed cable; and the instrument comprises an actuator for rotating the distal part in a first rotational direction relative to

Abstract: Electrical instrument for applying radiofrequency and/or microwave frequency energy to tissue, comprising: a distal part comprising an instrument tip for applying radiofrequency and/or microwave frequency energy to tissue, the instrument tip comprising first and second conductive elements; a coaxial feed cable comprising an inner conductor, a tubular outer conductor coaxial with the inner conductor, and dielectric material separating the inner and outer conductors, the coaxial feed cable being for conveying radiofrequency and/or microwave frequency energy to the distal part; wherein: the inner conductor is electrically connected to the first conductive element and the outer conductor is electrically connected to the second conductive element through a rotatable connection between the distal part and the coaxial feed cable that allows rotation of the distal part relative to the coaxial feed cable; and the instrument comprises an actuator for rotating the distal part in a first rotational direction relative to

Abstract: Electrical instrument for applying radiofrequency and/or microwave frequency energy to tissue, comprising: a distal part comprising an instrument tip for applying radiofrequency and/or microwave frequency energy to tissue, the instrument tip comprising first and second conductive elements; a coaxial feed cable comprising an inner conductor, a tubular outer conductor coaxial with the inner conductor, and dielectric material separating the inner and outer conductors, the coaxial feed cable being for conveying radiofrequency and/or microwave frequency energy to the distal part; wherein: the inner conductor is electrically connected to the first conductive element and the outer conductor is electrically connected to the second conductive element through a rotatable connection between the distal part and the coaxial feed cable that allows rotation of the distal part relative to the coaxial feed cable; and the instrument comprises an actuator for rotating the distal part in a first rotational direction relative to

Abstract: Electrical instrument for applying radiofrequency and/or microwave frequency energy to tissue, comprising: a distal part comprising an instrument tip for applying radiofrequency and/or microwave frequency energy to tissue, the instrument tip comprising first and second conductive elements; a coaxial feed cable comprising an inner conductor, a tubular outer conductor coaxial with the inner conductor, and dielectric material separating the inner and outer conductors, the coaxial feed cable being for conveying radiofrequency and/or microwave frequency energy to the distal part; wherein: the inner conductor is electrically connected to the first conductive element and the outer conductor is electrically connected to the second conductive element through a rotatable connection between the distal part and the coaxial feed cable that allows rotation of the distal part relative to the coaxial feed cable; and the instrument comprises an actuator for rotating the distal part in a first rotational direction relative to

Abstract: Electrical instrument for applying radiofrequency and/or microwave frequency energy to tissue, comprising: a distal part comprising an instrument tip for applying radiofrequency and/or microwave frequency energy to tissue, the instrument tip comprising first and second conductive elements; a coaxial feed cable comprising an inner conductor, a tubular outer conductor coaxial with the inner conductor, and dielectric material separating the inner and outer conductors, the coaxial feed cable being for conveying radiofrequency and/or microwave frequency energy to the distal part; wherein: the inner conductor is electrically connected to the first conductive element and the outer conductor is electrically connected to the second conductive element through a rotatable connection between the distal part and the coaxial feed cable that allows rotation of the distal part relative to the coaxial feed cable; and the instrument comprises an actuator for rotating the distal part in a first rotational direction relative to

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument for delivering radiofrequency (RF) and/or microwave energy into biological tissue that is also configured to obtain images of a treatment site performing invasive electrosurgery. In one aspect, the invention provides a chip-based images sensor at the distal end of a cable that also conveys energy for electrosurgery. In another aspect, both light emitting and light sensing element are mounted at the distal end of a probe for insertion through the instrument channel of a surgical scoping device, whereby optical signals do not need to be conveyed through the scoping device, because the transition from electrical signals to optical radiation and back to electrical signals occurs at the distal end.

Abstract: Electrical instrument for applying radiofrequency and/or microwave frequency energy to tissue, comprising: a distal part comprising an instrument tip for applying radiofrequency and/or microwave frequency energy to tissue, the instrument tip comprising first and second conductive elements; a coaxial feed cable comprising an inner conductor, a tubular outer conductor coaxial with the inner conductor, and dielectric material separating the inner and outer conductors, the coaxial feed cable being for conveying radiofrequency and/or microwave frequency energy to the distal part; wherein: the inner conductor is electrically connected to the first conductive element and the outer conductor is electrically connected to the second conductive element through a rotatable connection between the distal part and the coaxial feed cable that allows rotation of the distal part relative to the coaxial feed cable; and the instrument comprises an actuator for rotating the distal part in a first rotational direction relative to

Abstract: An energy conveying structure for invasive electrosurgery that provide for combined delivery of (i) RF or microwave electromagnetic energy for tissue treatment (e.g. ablation, coagulation or cutting), and (ii) optical radiation within a common structure that may form an instrument cable of a surgical scoping device. The structure resembles a hollow coaxial transmission line with an optical channel formed within it. The optical channel can lie within a passage that is formed within the inner conductive layer or within other layers of the coaxial transmission. The structure may be used to form an electrosurgical device capable of delivering RF/microwave EM energy, optical radiation and ultrasonic signals to a treatment site along an instrument cable of a surgical scoping device.

Abstract: Skin treatment apparatus comprising an energy applicator structure configured to establish heating or ablation at a predetermined and controllable (i.e. selectable) depth below a surface of skin tissue with which it is in contact. The applicator structure may receive a cooling medium and microwave frequency electromagnetic energy, which provide a combined treatment effect that results in heating or ablation in a zone beneath the skin surface. The applicator may be a waveguide (e.g. waveguide horn antenna) with internal shielding configured to provide a substantially uniform heating effect. The applicator may include a thermal camera to monitor treatment.

Abstract: A movement transfer mechanism for a surgical scoping device, wherein a rotational proximal input force is transformed into a longitudinal force that is conveyed down the length of an instrument channel of the scoping device, where it is transformed again into an operational movement of a distal instrument. The operational movement can be rotational movement, but may be any movement that changes the orientation or configuration of the distal instrument. By conveying a linear force along the instrument channel rather than a twisting force, the problems of slipping and discontinuous operation of the distal instrument due to friction between the instrument and the instrument channel can be reduced or eliminated.

Abstract: An electrosurgical forceps instrument in which an energy conveying structure for efficiently transferring electromagnetic energy (e.g. microwave energy and/or radiofrequency energy) from a coaxial cable to electrodes on the forceps jaws is incorporated into a compact jaw opening structure. The jaw opening structure may be dimensioned to be suitable for insertion down the instrument channel of a endoscope or other scoping device. Alternatively, the device may be configured as a laparoscopic device or be used in open procedures. The instrument may be used as a tool to perform new minimally invasive surgical techniques such as Natural Orifice Transluminal Endosurgery (NOTES) or the like.

Abstract: An electrosurgical apparatus and method for performing thermal treatment in the gastrointestinal tract, e.g. to ablate duodenal mucosal tissue. The apparatus comprises an instrument having a flexible cable and an applicator suitable for use with a gastroscope, which can be deployed within a patient to delivery energy in a targeted or otherwise controllable manner. The applicator can deliver microwave energy by radiation. The direct and depth-limited nature of microwave energy can be make it more effective than treatments that rely on thermal conduction. The applicator may include a radially extendable portion arranged to move an microwave energy delivery structure into contact with duodenal mucosal tissue at the treatment region. The applicator may comprise any of a balloon, bipolar radiator, movable paddle, and rotatable roller element.