Abstract: Vaporization electrodes having functional surfaces with non-smooth semispherical shapes, and electrosurgical devices equipped therewith. The electrodes include a base oppositely disposed from its functional surface. The non-smooth semispherical shape of a functional surface is defined by a plurality of individual planar and/or cylindrical surfaces that intersect each other to define edges therebetween.

Abstract: Vaporization electrodes having functional surfaces with non-smooth semispherical shapes, and electrosurgical devices equipped therewith. The electrodes include a base oppositely disposed from its functional surface. The non-smooth semispherical shape of a functional surface is defined by a plurality of individual planar and/or cylindrical surfaces that intersect each other to define edges therebetween.

Abstract: Vaporization electrodes having functional surfaces with non-smooth semispherical shapes, and electrosurgical devices equipped therewith. The electrodes include a base oppositely disposed from its functional surface. The non-smooth semispherical shape of a functional surface is defined by a plurality of individual planar and/or cylindrical surfaces that intersect each other to define edges therebetween.

Abstract: Vaporization electrodes having functional surfaces with non-smooth semispherical shapes, and electrosurgical devices equipped therewith. The electrodes include a base oppositely disposed from its functional surface. The non-smooth semispherical shape of a functional surface is defined by a plurality of individual planar and/or cylindrical surfaces that intersect each other to define edges therebetween.

Abstract: An electrosurgical probe configured for cutting or coagulating tissue, and an electrosurgical procedure that employs the electrosurgical probe. The probe includes first and second conductors disposed in a sheath, and first and second electrodes electrically insulated from the sheath and protruding from its distal end. The first electrode is electrically connected to the first conductor to define an active pole of a radio frequency circuit, and configured to perform cutting or coagulation of tissue when the radio frequency current flows to the first electrode. The second electrode is electrically connected to the second conductor, and configured to define a focused ground point in close proximity to the active pole defined by the first electrode so as to complete the radio frequency circuit with the first electrode when a conductive fluid surrounds the first and second electrodes and the radio frequency current flows to the first electrode.

Abstract: An electrosurgical probe configured for cutting or coagulating tissue, and an electrosurgical procedure that employs the electrosurgical probe. The probe includes first and second conductors disposed in a sheath, and first and second electrodes electrically insulated from the sheath and protruding from its distal end. The first electrode is electrically connected to the first conductor to define an active pole of a radio frequency circuit, and configured to perform cutting or coagulation of tissue when the radio frequency current flows to the first electrode. The second electrode is electrically connected to the second conductor, and configured to define a focused ground point in close proximity to the active pole defined by the first electrode so as to complete the radio frequency circuit with the first electrode when a conductive fluid surrounds the first and second electrodes and the radio frequency current flows to the first electrode.

Abstract: A device and procedure for performing partial non-apical transurethral ablation of the prostate. The device includes a first conductor member reciprocably extending from a distal end of a sheath, a cap disposed at the distal end of the first conductor member, at least two nonconducting members interconnecting the cap and the distal end of the sheath, and multiple flexible conductor members distally extending from the distal end of the sheath, along the first conductor member, and interconnected with the distal end of the first conductor member. The device is operable to expand the nonconducting members and the flexible conductor members to perform ablation of a lower region of the prostatic urethra while an upper (apex) region of the prostatic urethra is held apart from the lower region by the nonconducting members so that the upper (apex) region does not undergo ablation.

Abstract: A surgical device having a sheath and legs slidably received within the sheath. The legs are adapted to move outwardly away from each other when deployed from the sheath to establish a deployed position, and to move inwardly toward each other to collapse within the sheath and define a stowed or grasping position. Each of the legs has a transverse cross-sectional shape defined by a concave surface, an oppositely-disposed convex surface, and lateral sides interconnecting the concave and convex surfaces. The legs and sheath are configured to cause the legs to fully collapse within the sheath such that the lateral sides of adjacent pairs of the legs contact each other, and/or the legs define a tubular shape having a circular opening defined by the concave surfaces of the legs and a circular exterior cross-section defined by the convex surfaces of the legs.

Abstract: A surgical device having a sheath and legs slidably received within the sheath. The legs are adapted to move outwardly away from each other when deployed from the sheath to establish a deployed position, and to move inwardly toward each other to collapse within the sheath and define a stowed or grasping position. Each of the legs has a transverse cross-sectional shape defined by a concave surface, an oppositely-disposed convex surface, and lateral sides interconnecting the concave and convex surfaces. The legs and sheath are configured to cause the legs to fully collapse within the sheath such that the lateral sides of adjacent pairs of the legs contact each other, and/or the legs define a tubular shape having a circular opening defined by the convex surfaces of the legs and a circular exterior cross-section defined by the concave surfaces of the legs.

Abstract: A surgical device having a sheath with an interior passage, legs that project from the passage of the sheath, and actuating means for deploying the legs from the sheath and for retracting the legs into the sheath. The legs are adapted to move outwardly away from each other when deployed from the sheath by the actuating means to establish a deployed position, and to move inwardly toward each other when retracted into the sheath by the actuating means. At least one of the legs has a transverse cross-sectional shape defined by a first surface that is concave and an oppositely-disposed second surface that is convex. The distal ends of the legs may be connected together so that the legs define a basket in the deployed position, and so that the basket collapses as the legs are retracted into the sheath to perform a grasping operation.

Abstract: A medical retrieval device includes a handle, two gear racks movably mounted to the handle for longitudinal movement, and a pinion rotatably mounted to the handle so as to engage the two gear racks. Rotation of the pinion moves the gear racks in opposite directions. A basket has at least three legs, an adjacent two of the legs being connected to one of the gear racks, and the remainder of the legs being connected to the other gear rack such that rotation of the pinion displaces the two legs in a first direction and displaces the remainder of the legs in a second direction. Thus rotation of the pinion articulates the basket.

Abstract: A medical retrieval device includes a handle, two gear racks movably mounted to the handle for longitudinal movement, and a pinion rotatably mounted to the handle so as to engage the two gear racks. Rotation of the pinion moves the gear racks in opposite directions. A basket has at least three legs, an adjacent two of the legs being connected to one of the gear racks, and the remainder of the legs being connected to the other gear rack such that rotation of the pinion displaces the two legs in a first direction and displaces the remainder of the legs in a second direction. Thus rotation of the pinion articulates the basket.

Abstract: A device and procedure for performing resections and ablations, and more particularly for performing a partial ablation of the endometrium to treat uterine bleeding (menorrhagia), by which complications caused by “total” endometrial ablation or resection are avoided. The device includes a support member, a first conductor member supported with the support member and reciprocable relative to the support member, the first conductor member having an end that extends beyond the support member, a nonconducting member interconnecting the end of the first conductor member with the support member, and at least one flexible conductor member supported with the support member and interconnected with the end of the first conductor member. Retraction of the first conductor member relative to the support member causes the nonconducting member and the flexible conductor member to expand outward from the first conductor member in substantially opposite directions.

Abstract: A medical retrieval device includes a handle, two gear racks movably mounted to the handle for longitudinal movement, and a pinion rotatably mounted to the handle so as to engage the two gear racks. Rotation of the pinion moves the gear racks in opposite directions. A basket has at least three legs, an adjacent two of the legs being connected to one of the gear racks, and the remainder of the legs being connected to the other gear rack such that rotation of the pinion displaces the two legs in a first direction and displaces the remainder of the legs in a second direction. Thus rotation of the pinion articulates the basket.

Abstract: A device and procedure for performing resections and ablations, and more particularly for performing a partial ablation of the endometrium to treat uterine bleeding (menorrhagia), by which complications caused by “total” endometrial ablation or resection are avoided. The device includes a support member, a first conductor member supported with the support member and reciprocable relative to the support member, the first conductor member having an end that extends beyond the support member, a nonconducting member interconnecting the end of the first conductor member with the support member, and at least one flexible conductor member supported with the support member and interconnected with the end of the first conductor member. Retraction of the first conductor member relative to the support member causes the nonconducting member and the flexible conductor member to expand outward from the first conductor member in substantially opposite directions.

Abstract: An extraction device comprising a sheath, distal legs that project from the sheath, and actuating means for retracting the legs into the sheath and deploying the distal legs from the sheath. The distal legs are formed to have a parabolic curved shape, such that the distal legs automatically deploy radially outward and away from each other when deployed outside the sheath with the actuating means. As such, a plunger is not required to operate the legs. When retracted into the sheath with the actuating means, the distal legs elastically deform, collapsing radially toward each other to acquire a mid-deployed position in which the legs define a basket. The legs can be further retracted into the sheath, providing a stowed position in which the legs are substantially parallel to each other.

Abstract: A cutting loop (212) for an electrocautery probe (210). The cutting loop (212) includes a conductor member having a cutting portion (214) with a proximal edge (214a) and a distal edge (214b), the proximal edge (214a) being adapted for creating an incision, i.e., resecting human tissue as the cutting loop (212) is traversed in a cutting direction approximately perpendicular to the proximal edge (212a). During the resection procedure, the cutting portion defines a cutting plane that is generally parallel to the surface of the tissue being resected. The proximal edge (214a) of the cutting portion (214) is characterized as flat or blunt, and is oriented to be substantially perpendicular to both the cutting direction and the cutting plane. The flat or blunt shape of the proximal edge (214a) enhances the current distribution characteristics of the cutting loop (212).

Abstract: A cutting loop (212) for an electrocautery probe (210). The cutting loop (212) includes a conductor member having a cutting portion (214) with a proximal edge (214a) and a distal edge (214b), the proximal edge (214a) being adapted for creating an incision, i.e., resecting human tissue as the cutting loop (212) is traversed in a cutting direction approximately perpendicular to the proximal face (212a). During the resection procedure, the cutting portion defines a cutting plane that is generally parallel to the surface of the tissue being resected. The proximal face (214a) of the cutting portion (214) is characterized as flat or blunt, and is oriented to be substantially perpendicular to both the cutting direction and the cutting plane. The flat or blunt shape of the proximal face (214a) enhances the current distribution characteristics of the cutting loop (212).

Abstract: A roller (20) for an electrocautery probe or electrode (30), such as of the type used with a resectoscope. The roller (20) generally has a conductive body with an axis of rotation (26) and a surface with a circular cross-section in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation (26). The roller (20) further includes surface features (22) for generating circular-shaped areas of focused current concentration (24) in a radial direction relative to the axis of rotation (26) of the roller (20). For this purpose, recesses can be formed in the surface of the roller (20), with each recess defining a circular-shaped edge at the roller surface. Examples of suitable recesses include cylindrically-shaped perforations and concave impressions in the surface of the roller (20).