Abstract: In one aspect, a method is described. The method may include operating a plurality of circuit elements, and operating a plurality of fault-mitigation circuits. Each circuit element may include an energy storage element, each individual fault-mitigation circuit may be electrically coupled in parallel to a respective circuit element, and each individual fault-mitigation circuit may include a switch. The method may include detecting an electrical fault in one of the circuit elements and cycling the switch of the fault-mitigation circuit coupled in parallel to the faulty circuit element between an open position and a closed position until the storage element of the faulty circuit element is discharged of energy, at which point the switch remains closed.

Abstract: A collapsible, high voltage electrical discharge generator uses a set of telescoping winding sections to achieve a compact form suitable for efficient transport, storage and deployment. The winding sections have two typical arrangements, fully collapsed and fully extended. In the fully collapsed mode the sections can be telescoped together into a nested configuration, thus occupying a small fraction of the volume of a fully extended system. The towers can be erected into the fully extended mode by applying internal pressure, or alternatively by using mechanical linkage to simply extend the telescoped stack of winding sections into position. Fully extended and connected, the individual sections perform as a large, continuous inductive element capable of generating very high voltages at the top of the tower for use in testing equipment and producing long electrical discharges.

Abstract: An electro-surgical system actively maintains an optimal heating profile at the electrode-patient contact surface under varying load resistivity, thereby reducing the risk of burns and maximizing patient comfort. A set of temperature sensors is integrated within the electrode assembly of the electrosurgical system. The sensors are located both at the center and the edges of the electrode. The sensors are thermally coupled to the electrode-patient contact surface. As RF power is applied, a control loop monitors the temperature at the center and edges of the electrode. If the edge temperature of the electrode is high compared to its center temperature, then the control loop increases the operating frequency, effectively driving heat towards the center of the electrode. Conversely, if the edge temperature of the electrode is low compared to its center temperature, then the control loop decreases the operating frequency, effectively driving heat towards the edges of the electrode.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for dynamically controlling electric field distribution within tissue disposed at various depths beneath the skin at a target region of a patient's body by independently controlling the electric potential of each of a plurality of electrodes in relation to the electric potential of a ground pad. By controlling electric field distribution during a procedure, a target tissue at particular depths beneath the skin can be selectively heated relative to adjacent non-target tissue. At least one of the electrodes and the ground pad may comprise a spiral inductor comprising a substantially planar spiral of electrically conductive material.

Abstract: An electro-surgical system actively maintains an optimal heating profile at the electrode-patient contact surface under varying load resistivity, thereby reducing the risk of burns and maximizing patient comfort. A set of temperature sensors is integrated within the electrode assembly of the electrosurgical system. The sensors are located both at the center and the edges of the electrode. The sensors are thermally coupled to the electrode-patient contact surface. As RF power is applied, a control loop monitors the temperature at the center and edges of the electrode. If the edge temperature of the electrode is high compared to its center temperature, then the control loop increases the operating frequency, effectively driving heat towards the center of the electrode. Conversely, if the edge temperature of the electrode is low compared to its center temperature, then the control loop decreases the operating frequency, effectively driving heat towards the edges of the electrode.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for dynamically controlling electric field distribution within tissue disposed at various depths beneath the skin at a target region of a patient's body by independently controlling the electric potential of each of a plurality of electrodes in relation to the electric potential of a ground pad. By controlling electric field distribution during a procedure, a target tissue at particular depths beneath the skin can be selectively heated relative to adjacent non-target tissue. At least one of the electrodes and the ground pad may comprise a spiral inductor comprising a substantially planar spiral of electrically conductive material.

Abstract: An electro-surgical system actively maintains an optimal heating profile at the electrode-patient contact surface under varying load resistivity, thereby reducing the risk of burns and maximizing patient comfort at a given power level. A set of temperature sensors is integrated within the electrode assembly of the electrosurgical system. The sensors are located both at the center and the edges of the electrode. The sensors are thermally coupled to the electrode-patient contact surface and have a time response that is short compared to the thermal time constraints of the tissue. Some degree of signal processing may take place at the sensor, inside the transducer assembly. As RF power is applied, a control loop monitors the temperature at the center and edges of the electrode. If the edge temperature of the electrode is high compared to its center temperature, then the control loop increases the operating frequency, effectively driving heat towards the center of the electrode.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for dynamically controlling electric field distribution within tissue disposed at various depths beneath the skin at a target region of a patient's body by independently controlling the electric potential of each of a plurality of electrodes in relation to the electric potential of a ground pad. By controlling electric field distribution during a procedure, a target tissue at particular depths beneath the skin can be selectively heated relative to adjacent non-target tissue. At least one of the electrodes and the ground pad may comprise a spiral inductor comprising a substantially planar spiral of electrically conductive material.

Abstract: An electro-surgical system actively maintains an optimal heating profile at the electrode-patient contact surface under varying load resistivity, thereby reducing the risk of burns and maximizing patient comfort at a given power level. A set of temperature sensors is integrated within the electrode assembly of the electrosurgical system. The sensors are located both at the center and the edges of the electrode. The sensors are thermally coupled to the electrode-patient contact surface and have a time response that is short compared to the thermal time constraints of the tissue. Some degree of signal processing may take place at the sensor, inside the transducer assembly. As RF power is applied, a control loop monitors the temperature at the center and edges of the electrode. If the edge temperature of the electrode is high compared to its center temperature, then the control loop increases the operating frequency, effectively driving heat towards the center of the electrode.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods for controlling acoustic power delivery at ultrasonic frequencies. An embodiment of the invention comprises an ultrasonic device including an ultrasonic transducer and an acoustic sensor having a fixed acoustic coupling to the transducer. A method of the invention may include sensing acoustic power output from the ultrasonic transducer in response to a calibration signal, and determining a drive frequency for a working drive signal to enable efficient and controllable operation of the transducer. The invention may be used for automatically re-calibrating ultrasound systems for optimum performance at frequencies including the range of 3 to 12 MHz.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods for treating a patient's tissue via electric energy delivered concurrently from a first electrode of a first handpiece and a second electrode of a second handpiece. Each of the first and second handpieces may have the same or similar structure and may be separately manipulable to different locations on the patient's skin to allow the rapid treatment of target tissue(s) at various regions of the patient's body. The first and second handpieces may each be coupled to an electrosurgical generator configured for providing first and second AC voltages of equal magnitude and opposite polarity to the first and second electrodes, respectively. The first and second electrodes may each comprise a spiral inductor.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for dynamically controlling electric field distribution within tissue disposed at various depths beneath the skin at a target region of a patient's body by independently controlling the electric potential of each of a plurality of electrodes in relation to the electric potential of a ground pad. By controlling electric field distribution during a procedure, a target tissue at particular depths beneath the skin can be selectively heated relative to adjacent non-target tissue. At least one of the electrodes and the ground pad may comprise a spiral inductor comprising a substantially planar spiral of electrically conductive material.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for dynamically controlling a plurality of electrodes during an electrosurgical procedure, wherein each electrode may be controlled with respect to active or return electrode mode, condition, and power level. The electrodes may be disposed within a treatment chamber of a handpiece. Each electrode may comprise a spiral inductor. The handpiece may be equipped with suction and vibration means. The treatment chamber may be configured for receiving at least a portion of the target tissue therein.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for evenly distributing electric current density over a surface of at least one of an active electrode and a return electrode during electrosurgery, wherein the active and/or return electrode includes a spiral inductor. The spiral inductor may include a low electrical resistivity material or a spiral bare metal surface for contacting the patient's body. In a multi-layer spiral inductor having a plurality of stacked spirals, each turn of a first spiral may be electrically coupled in series to a radially corresponding turn of each successive one of the stacked spirals; and each turn of the innermost spiral may be electrically coupled to an adjacent, radially outward turn of the outermost spiral.