Abstract: An electrosurgical probe with internal cooling for use in systems and methods for lesioning in bone and other tissue is disclosed. The probe includes a distal electrical insulator, a proximal electrical insulator, a distal electrical conductor defining a distal electrode with a closed distal end and a proximal electrical conductor defining a proximal electrode, the distal electrode longitudinally spaced apart and electrically isolated from the proximal electrode by the distal electrical insulator. The distal electrode has a closed proximal end formed by a distal face of the distal electrical insulator to thereby define a closed distal inner lumen for circulating the cooling fluid. The proximal electrode has a closed distal end formed by a proximal face of the distal electrical insulator and a closed proximal end formed by a distal face of the proximal electrical insulator to thereby define a closed proximal inner lumen for circulating the cooling fluid.

Abstract: An electrosurgical bipolar probe with internal cooling for use in systems and methods for lesioning in bone and other tissue is disclosed. The bipolar probe includes tubular electrodes configured such that the inner surface of the electrodes are cooled, directly or indirectly, while keeping the electrodes electrically isolated. An exemplary disclosed method of using a bipolar probe having an active tip having at least two electrodes for delivering energy includes the steps of: advancing the active tip into a bone tissue; delivering energy substantially between the electrodes in a bipolar manner; and supplying cooling fluid to the active tip for internal cooling of the electrodes. Some versions of the method further include the steps of monitoring the temperature of tissue to which the energy is being delivered; and controlling the delivery of energy in suspense to the temperature of the tissue.

Abstract: An electrosurgical bipolar probe with internal cooling for use in systems and methods for lesioning in bone and other tissue is disclosed. The bipolar probe includes tubular electrodes configured such that the inner surface of the electrodes are cooled, directly or indirectly, while keeping the electrodes electrically isolated. An exemplary disclosed method of using a bipolar probe having an active tip having at least two electrodes for delivering energy includes the steps of: advancing the active tip into a bone tissue; delivering energy substantially between the electrodes in a bipolar manner; and supplying cooling fluid to the active tip for internal cooling of the electrodes. Some versions of the method further include the steps of monitoring the temperature of tissue to which the energy is being delivered; and controlling the delivery of energy in suspense to the temperature of the tissue.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method of using the same are disclosed for carrying out a transvascular procedure such as a Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt (TIPS) procedure using energy to create a tract between the hepatic vein and the portal vein. The present invention provides a flexible puncturing solution to effectively perform a transvascular procedure such as a TIPS procedure while minimizing damage to the liver and surrounding soft tissues or organs.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for delivering energy to a body of a human or animal during a treatment procedure using an electrosurgical generator, a pre-set overall procedure time being defined for the treatment procedure, a ramp time being defined for a parameter to reach a pre-set threshold during the treatment procedure, the method comprising: measuring the parameter over time; and if the parameter has not substantially reached the pre-set threshold by the ramp time, setting a procedure extension time responsive to the time difference between the ramp time and the time at which the pre-set threshold was reached, and extending the overall procedure time by the procedure extension time.

Abstract: An electrosurgical bipolar probe with internal cooling for use in systems and methods for lesioning in bone and other tissue is disclosed. The bipolar probe includes tubular electrodes configured such that the inner surface of the electrodes are cooled, directly or indirectly, while keeping the electrodes electrically isolated. An exemplary disclosed method of using a bipolar probe having an active tip having at least two electrodes for delivering energy includes the steps of: advancing the active tip into a bone tissue; delivering energy substantially between the electrodes in a bipolar manner; and supplying cooling fluid to the active tip for internal cooling of the electrodes. Some versions of the method further include the steps of monitoring the temperature of tissue to which the energy is being delivered; and controlling the delivery of energy in suspense to the temperature of the tissue.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for delivering energy to a body of a human or animal during a treatment procedure using an electrosurgical generator, a pre-set overall procedure time being defined for the treatment procedure, a ramp time being defined for a parameter to reach a pre-set threshold during the treatment procedure, the method comprising: measuring the parameter over time; and if the parameter has not substantially reached the pre-set threshold by the ramp time, setting a procedure extension time responsive to the time difference between the ramp time and the time at which the pre-set threshold was reached, and extending the overall procedure time by the procedure extension time.

Abstract: An electrosurgical probe with internal cooling for use in systems and methods for lesioning in bone and other tissue is disclosed. The probe includes a distal electrical insulator, a proximal electrical insulator, a distal electrical conductor defining a distal electrode with a closed distal end and a proximal electrical conductor defining a proximal electrode, the distal electrode longitudinally spaced apart and electrically isolated from the proximal electrode by the distal electrical insulator. The distal electrode has a closed proximal end formed by a distal face of the distal electrical insulator to thereby define a closed distal inner lumen for circulating the cooling fluid. The proximal electrode has a closed distal end formed by a proximal face of the distal electrical insulator and a closed proximal end formed by a distal face of the proximal electrical insulator to thereby define a closed proximal inner lumen for circulating the cooling fluid.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for delivering energy to a region of tissue within a patient's body using a medical treatment system. The medical treatment system comprises an energy delivery device coupled to an energy source and the method includes steps of delivering energy, measuring an energy delivery parameter, determining distance of the energy delivery device from a conductive object and optionally adjusting a position of the energy delivery device based on the determined distance.

Abstract: An electrosurgical bipolar probe with internal cooling for use in systems and methods for lesioning in bone and other tissue is disclosed. The bipolar probe includes tubular electrodes configured such that the inner surface of the electrodes are cooled, directly or indirectly, while keeping the electrodes electrically isolated. An exemplary disclosed method of using a bipolar probe having an active tip having at least two electrodes for delivering energy includes the steps of: advancing the active tip into a bone tissue; delivering energy substantially between the electrodes in a bipolar manner; and supplying cooling fluid to the active tip for internal cooling of the electrodes. Some versions of the method further include the steps of monitoring the temperature of tissue to which the energy is being delivered; and controlling the delivery of energy in response to the temperature of the tissue.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating tissue are disclosed, including intra-operative mapping of a probe ablation zone. The method uses a system that maps the proximal and distal margins of the probe ablation zone using tools that access the ablation target. In some embodiments, the tools comprise a bone drill, and an introducer assembly, including a cannula and a stylet. The tools have features or markings that cooperate to indicate which probe to use to achieve the desired ablation. The method further facilitates planning probe placement for delivering energy to treat (ablate) a desired ablation volume of a target tissue by using a system that maps both the target tissue and possible probe ablation zones.

Abstract: An electrosurgical probe with internal cooling for use in systems and methods for lesioning in bone and other tissue is disclosed. The probe includes tubular electrodes configured such that the inner surface of the lesioning electrodes are cooled, directly or indirectly, while keeping the electrodes electrically isolated. One embodiment includes an electrosurgical probe having at least two electrically isolated electrical conductors, including an inner electrical conductor and an outer electrical conductor. The inner electrical conductor defines a lumen for the circulation of a cooling fluid therein. An inner electrical insulator is disposed between the electrical conductors to electrically isolate the electrical conductors. The electrical insulator has sufficient thermal conductivity to allow for cooling of the inner and outer electrical conductors when the cooling fluid is circulating within the lumen of the inner electrical conductor.

Abstract: Devices, and methods of use thereof, are disclosed for preventing tumor seeding when withdrawing the device along an entry-exit path. Some embodiments of the present invention comprise a method of withdrawing a probe through a tissue via a path that traverses at least some bone tissue, the method including withdrawing the probe through the path, and at least partially concurrently delivering energy in a bipolar manner from the probe to heat a layer of tissue surrounding the probe to a temperature sufficient for thermal coagulation necrosis of cells. The device may be withdrawn incrementally.

Abstract: An electrosurgical probe with internal cooling for use in systems and methods for lesioning in bone and other tissue is disclosed. The probe includes tubular electrodes configured such that the inner surface of the lesioning electrodes are cooled, directly or indirectly, while keeping the electrodes electrically isolated. One embodiment includes an electrosurgical probe having at least two electrically isolated electrical conductors, including an inner electrical conductor and an outer electrical conductor. The inner electrical conductor defines a lumen for the circulation of a cooling fluid therein. An inner electrical insulator is disposed between the electrical conductors to electrically isolate the electrical conductors. The electrical insulator has sufficient thermal conductivity to allow for cooling of the inner and outer electrical conductors when the cooling fluid is circulating within the lumen of the inner electrical conductor.

Abstract: Embodiments of a system and method are described for delivering energy to a body of a human or animal through a plurality of energy delivery devices. In some embodiments, a plurality of energy delivery devices are coupled to a generator and the number of energy delivery devices is automatically detectable. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the amount of energy delivered through the energy delivery devices is controlled, at least in part, by dynamically varying the amount of time that each energy delivery device is delivering energy.

Abstract: Embodiments of a system and method are described for delivering energy to a body of a human or animal through a plurality of energy delivery devices. In some embodiments, a plurality of energy delivery devices are coupled to a generator and the number of energy delivery devices is automatically detectable. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the amount of energy delivered through the energy delivery devices is controlled, at least in part, by dynamically varying the amount of time that each energy delivery device is delivering energy.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for delivering energy to a body of a human or animal during a treatment procedure using an electrosurgical generator, a pre-set overall procedure time being defined for the treatment procedure, a ramp time being defined for a parameter to reach a pre-set threshold during the treatment procedure, the method comprising: measuring the parameter over time; and if the parameter has not substantially reached the pre-set threshold by the ramp time, setting a procedure extension time responsive to the time difference between the ramp time and the time at which the pre-set threshold was reached, and extending the overall procedure time by the procedure extension time.