Abstract: Disclosed herein is an electrosurgical device including a handle at a proximal end and an elongate shaft coupled to the handle and extending distally from the handle. The device also includes a distal working end, including a return electrode and an active electrode supported by an insulative spacer, the insulative spacer separating the return and active electrode. The active electrode has a planar surface that is distal facing and defines a maximum planar surface length. The insulative spacer is generally tapered between the return electrode and active electrode. The insulative spacer has a planar stabilizing surface on a device first side that has a length that extends along the longitudinal axis, extending from a distal-most end of the return electrode to a leading edge surface of the active electrode. This length is at least as long as the maximum planar surface length.

Abstract: Electrosurgical coagulation devices. At least some of the example embodiment are methods including: applying RF energy between a first electrode and a second electrode, the first and second electrodes define an interstice; flowing an electrically conductive fluid through a first nozzle and a second nozzle of the first electrode, the first nozzle defines a first spray direction, the second nozzle defines a second spray direction, and a first angle between the first spray direction and the second spray direction is 180 angular degrees or less measured through the interstice; flowing an electrically conductive fluid through a third nozzle and a fourth nozzle of the second electrode, the third nozzle defines a third spray direction, the fourth nozzle defines a fourth spray direction, and a second angle between the third spray direction and the fourth spray direction is 180 angular degrees or less measured through the interstice.

Abstract: Variable aspiration control in surgical procedures. At least one example is a method of performing a surgical procedure, the method comprising: driving, by a surgical controller, a motor within a handpiece coupled to a resection instrument, the driving causes mechanical resection of tissue by the resection instrument; aspirating, by a peristaltic pump associated with the surgical controller, fluid and tissue fragments through a suction lumen of the resection instrument during the resection of tissue; and modulating, by the surgical controller, speed of the peristaltic pump during the driving and aspirating, the modulating responsive to an interface device defined on an exterior surface of the handpiece.

Abstract: Method and system of control of conductive fluid during coagulation using radio frequency energy. At least one example is of sealing blood vessels, the method comprising: applying, by an electrosurgical controller, radio frequency (RF) energy between two electrodes of a coagulation wand, the two electrodes abutting tissue at a surgical site, and the RF energy at a coagulation energy; supplying, by the electrosurgical controller, a flow of conductive fluid to the surgical site; measuring, by the electrosurgical controller, a value indicative of impedance of tissue and conductive fluid between the two electrodes; and decreasing, by the electrosurgical controller, the flow of conductive fluid as the value indicative of impedance decreases.

Abstract: An electrosurgical wand for treating tissue at a target site within or on a patient's body is described, having an elongate shaft with a handle and a distal end portion. The distal end portion has an active electrode, an insulative spacer body and a return electrode; the active electrode supported by the insulative spacer body and spaced away from the return electrode. The active electrode has both lateral and medial edge surfaces. The insulative spacer body has an aspiration cavity fluidly connected with an aspiration lumen, and at least one tapered aperture extending beyond at least one of the electrode medial edge surfaces and directed to the aspiration cavity.

Abstract: A combination arthroscopic tissue resecting probe is disclosed, including an elongated shaft with an outer, electrically conductive sleeve and an inner sleeve. Each sleeve has a distal region with a cutting window, the inner sleeve being rotatable to cut tissue. An outer surface of the outer sleeve distal region carries a ceramic body and an electrode. The electrode, the ceramic body and the outer sleeve each define a first aspiration opening for aspirating fluid ablation byproducts therethrough into an interior of the shaft. Various methods of improved electrode attachment are disclosed, that provides a low profile probe distal end, while maintaining electrosurgical functionality.

Abstract: Variable aspiration control in surgical procedures. At least one example is a method of performing a surgical procedure, the method comprising: driving, by a surgical controller, a motor within a handpiece coupled to a resection instrument, the driving causes mechanical resection of tissue by the resection instrument; aspirating, by a peristaltic pump associated with the surgical controller, fluid and tissue fragments through a suction lumen of the resection instrument during the resection of tissue; and modulating, by the surgical controller, speed of the peristaltic pump during the driving and aspirating, the modulating responsive to an interface device defined on an exterior surface of the handpiece.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an electrosurgical device including a handle at a proximal end and an elongate shaft coupled to the handle and extending distally from the handle. The device also includes a distal working end, including a return electrode and an active electrode supported by an insulative spacer, the insulative spacer separating the return and active electrode. The active electrode has a planar surface that is distal facing and defines a maximum planar surface length. The insulative spacer is generally tapered between the return electrode and active electrode. The insulative spacer has a planar stabilizing surface on a device first side that has a length that extends along the longitudinal axis, extending from a distal-most end of the return electrode to a leading edge surface of the active electrode. This length is at least as long as the maximum planar surface length.

Abstract: An electrosurgical wand is provided and includes a handle and an elongate shaft coupled to the handle and extending distally from the handle along an axis. An active electrode is disposed at a distal end of the electrosurgical wand. A return electrode abuts the elongate shaft and extends along and annularly about the axis. The return electrode has a top side adjacent the active electrode and an opposite bottom side and defines a notch. A support member is disposed in the notch between the electrodes and transitions curvilinearly from the notch to define a front surface extending laterally across and axially from the return electrode. The front surface tapers downwardly from the active electrode to define a first portion defining a first convex outer surface and also extends toward the bottom side of the return electrode to define a second portion defining a second convex outer surface.

Abstract: Disclosed is a surgical instrument with a handle and elongate shaft assembly extending distally from the handle. The elongate shaft assembly has a longitudinal axis and is able to articulate between a fully flexed configuration and a lesser flexed configuration. The elongated shaft assembly includes a first tubular member having a first flexible portion with a first preferential bending direction. The elongated shaft assembly also includes a second member including a second flexible portion axially fixed to the first tubular member at a position distal from the first flexible portion. The first flexible portion is defined by a plurality of cutouts, each cutout defining a cutout longitudinal axis transverse the shaft longitudinal axis and wherein the plurality of radial cutouts have an asymmetrical shape about the cutout longitudinal axis.

Abstract: Electrosurgical coagulation devices. At least some of the example embodiment are methods including: applying RF energy between a first electrode and a second electrode, the first and second electrodes define an interstice; flowing an electrically conductive fluid through a first nozzle and a second nozzle of the first electrode, the first nozzle defines a first spray direction, the second nozzle defines a second spray direction, and a first angle between the first spray direction and the second spray direction is 180 angular degrees or less measured through the interstice; flowing an electrically conductive fluid through a third nozzle and a fourth nozzle of the second electrode, the third nozzle defines a third spray direction, the fourth nozzle defines a fourth spray direction, and a second angle between the third spray direction and the fourth spray direction is 180 angular degrees or less measured through the interstice.

Abstract: System and methods of an electrosurgical controller having multiple modes of operation that are configured for treatment of a specific targeted tissue type and the electrosurgical effect desired where the treatment and effect are provided by a single controller and an electrosurgical probe. The electrosurgical controller includes an integrated fluid control apparatus or pump where activation of the controller allows for selective energy delivery and corresponding fluid volume flow rates. The electrosurgical probe includes a fluid transport lumen and is in communication with the controller and the pump for operation of the probe in the various user selected modes with accompanying energy delivery and fluid control directed to the desired treatment and surgical effect.

Abstract: An electrosurgical wand is provided and includes a handle and an elongate shaft coupled to the handle and extending distally from the handle along an axis. An active electrode is disposed at a distal end of the electrosurgical wand. A return electrode abuts the elongate shaft and extends along and annularly about the axis. The return electrode has a top side adjacent the active electrode and an opposite bottom side and defines a notch. A support member is disposed in the notch between the electrodes and transitions curvilinearly from the notch to define a front surface extending laterally across and axially from the return electrode. The front surface tapers downwardly from the active electrode to define a first portion defining a first convex outer surface and also extends toward the bottom side of the return electrode to define a second portion defining a second convex outer surface.

Abstract: An electrosurgical wand is disclosed. The electrosurgical wand includes a handle that defines a proximal end of the electrosurgical wand. The electrosurgical wand includes an elongate shaft coupled to the handle; the elongate shaft defines a suction lumen therein. The electrosurgical wand also includes an electrically insulative spacer (404) coupled to the distal end of the elongate shaft, whereby the spacer defines a suction channel (412) fluidly coupled to the suction lumen. The electrosurgical wand includes a first means for blocking defined by the spacer, an active electrode (402) coupled on the distal end of the spacer and a second means for blocking associated with the active electrode and in operational relationship to the first means for blocking. In the electrosurgical wand, the first means for blocking includes an annular trough (416) that fully encircles the suction channel of the spacer and the second means for blocking includes an annular wall (414).

Abstract: An electrosurgical wand is provided and includes a handle and an elongate shaft coupled to the handle and extending distally from the handle along an axis. An active electrode is disposed at a distal end of the electrosurgical wand. A return electrode abuts the elongate shaft and extends along and annularly about the axis. The return electrode has a top side adjacent the active electrode and an opposite bottom side and defines a notch. A support member is disposed in the notch between the electrodes and transitions curvilinearly from the notch to define a front surface extending laterally across and axially from the return electrode. The front surface tapers downwardly from the active electrode to define a first portion defining a first convex outer surface and also extends toward the bottom side of the return electrode to define a second portion defining a second convex outer surface.

Abstract: Electrosurgical wands. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are electrosurgical wands having features that reduce contact of tissue with an active electrode of a wand, decrease the likelihood of clogging, and/or increase the visibility within surgical field. For example, wands in accordance with at least some embodiments may comprise standoffs, either along the outer perimeter of the active electrode, or through the main aperture in the active electrode, to reduce tissue contact. Wands in accordance with at least some embodiments may implement slots on the active electrodes to increase bubble aspiration to help keep the visual field at the surgical site clear. Wands in accordance with at least some embodiments may implement aspiration flow pathways within the wand that increase in cross-sectional area to reduce the likelihood of clogging.

Abstract: System and methods of an electrosurgical controller having multiple modes of operation that are configured for treatment of a specific targeted tissue type and the electrosurgical effect desired where the treatment and effect are provided by a single controller and an electrosurgical probe. The electrosurgical controller includes an integrated fluid control apparatus or pump where activation of the controller allows for selective energy delivery and corresponding fluid volume flow rates. The electrosurgical probe includes a fluid transport lumen and is in communication with the controller and the pump for operation of the probe in the various user selected modes with accompanying energy delivery and fluid control directed to the desired treatment and surgical effect.