Abstract: A surgical access device for facilitating access through an incision to a surgical site in a patient's body has a pliable membrane which is configured to engage and expand the incision. The pliable membrane includes a base layer, a permeable membrane attached to the base layer, and a fluid channel disposed between the layers. The fluid channel is fluidly coupled to a fluid source. The fluid is delivered to the surgical site via the permeable membrane. The surgical access device may also have a locking mechanism for holding the device in a desired configuration.

Abstract: A surgical access device for facilitating access through an incision to a surgical site in a patient's body has a pliable membrane which is configured to engage and expand the incision. The pliable membrane includes a base layer, a permeable membrane attached to the base layer, and a fluid channel disposed between the layers. The fluid channel is fluidly coupled to a fluid source. The fluid is delivered to the surgical site via the permeable membrane. The surgical access device may also have a locking mechanism for holding the device in a desired configuration.

Abstract: An electrosurgical system includes an electrosurgical power generating source, an energy-delivery device operably associated with the electrosurgical power generating source, and a processor unit. The electrosurgical system also includes an imaging system capable of generating image data including tissue temperature information. The processor unit is disposed in operative communication with the imaging system and adapted to analyze the image data to determine a specific absorption rate around the energy-delivery device as a function of the tissue temperature information obtained from the image data.

Abstract: A surgical access system facilitates access to a surgical site within a patient's body through an incision in the body. Surgical access systems can have at least one retention member and a fluid transportation member configured to deliver fluid to a surgical site or to remove fluid from a surgical site. In some embodiments, a surgical access device irrigates a surgical site to reduce surgical site infections and removes fluid from the surgical site to increase a physician's visibility into the surgical site.

Abstract: A surgical access device for facilitating access through an incision to a surgical site in a patient's body has a pliable membrane which is configured to engage and expand the incision. The pliable membrane includes a base layer, a permeable membrane attached to the base layer, and a fluid channel disposed between the layers. The fluid channel is fluidly coupled to a fluid source. The fluid is delivered to the surgical site via the permeable membrane. The surgical access device may also have a locking mechanism for holding the device in a desired configuration.

Abstract: A forceps includes an end effector assembly including first and second jaw members. One or both of the jaw members is movable relative to the other between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween. One or both of the jaw members is configured to conduct energy between the jaw members and through tissue grasped therebetween to treat tissue. An insulative tubular member is movable relative to the end effector assembly between a retracted position, wherein the insulative tubular member is positioned proximally of the end effector assembly, and an extended position, wherein the insulative tubular member is disposed about the end effector assembly. A monopolar member is configured to apply energy to tissue to treat tissue when the insulative tubular member is disposed in the extended position.

Abstract: A surgical access system facilitates access to a surgical site within a patient's body through an incision in the body. Surgical access systems can have at least one retention member and a fluid transportation member configured to deliver fluid to a surgical site or to remove fluid from a surgical site. In some embodiments, a surgical access device irrigates a surgical site to reduce surgical site infections and removes fluid from the surgical site to increase a physician's visibility into the surgical site.

Abstract: A method of predicting a radiation pattern emitted by an energy applicator includes the steps of providing thermal profile data for an energy applicator, determining a specific absorption rate around the energy applicator as a function of the thermal profile data, and generating a simulated radiation pattern for the energy applicator as a function of the determined specific absorption rate.

Abstract: An ablation system is provided. The ablation system includes an ablation device having a handle assembly and an electrode assembly. The handle assembly includes a housing configured for operable engagement by a user. The electrode assembly includes a tubular electrode having an open proximal end and a closed distal end. The tubular electrode is movable relative to the housing to adjust an insertable length of the electrode assembly.

Abstract: A forceps includes an end effector assembly including first and second jaw members. One or both of the jaw members is movable relative to the other between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween. One or both of the jaw members is configured to conduct energy between the jaw members and through tissue grasped therebetween to treat tissue. An insulative tubular member is movable relative to the end effector assembly between a retracted position, wherein the insulative tubular member is positioned proximally of the end effector assembly, and an extended position, wherein the insulative tubular member is disposed about the end effector assembly. A monopolar member is configured to apply energy to tissue to treat tissue when the insulative tubular member is disposed in the extended position.

Abstract: A method of controlling output of an electrosurgical power generating source includes the steps of receiving image data including tissue temperature information of a target tissue volume, calculating a specific absorption rate as a function of the tissue temperature information from the image data, and determining one or more operating parameters associated with the electrosurgical power generating source based on the calculated specific absorption rate.

Abstract: Several methods to reduce surgical site infections include inserting a surgical access device into an incision, retracting tissue, and introducing fluid into the surgical access device such that the fluid exits the surgical access device and irrigates a surgical site. Other methods do not include introducing fluid into a surgical access device but include suctioning a fluid into the surgical access device and removing the fluid from the body.

Abstract: A forceps includes an end effector assembly including first and second jaw members. One or both of the jaw members is movable relative to the other between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween. One or both of the jaw members is configured to conduct energy between the jaw members and through tissue grasped therebetween to treat tissue. An insulative tubular member is movable relative to the end effector assembly between a retracted position, wherein the insulative tubular member is positioned proximally of the end effector assembly, and an extended position, wherein the insulative tubular member is disposed about the end effector assembly. A monopolar member is configured to apply energy to tissue to treat tissue when the insulative tubular member is disposed in the extended position.

Abstract: A method is described for decreasing activity of at least one sympathetic nerve, nerve fiber or neuron innervating at least one blood vessel in the pulmonary vasculature of a patient to ameliorate pulmonary hypertension. In one embodiment, the method may involve advancing an intravascular treatment device to a target location in a target blood vessel within the pulmonary vasculature of the patient and using the treatment device to decrease activity of at least one sympathetic nerve, nerve fiber or neuron innervating the target blood vessel at or near the target location to ameliorate pulmonary hypertension.

Abstract: Several methods to reduce surgical site infections include inserting a surgical access device into an incision, retracting tissue, and introducing fluid into the surgical access device such that the fluid exits the surgical access device and irrigates a surgical site. Other methods do not include introducing fluid into a surgical access device but include suctioning a fluid into the surgical access device and removing the fluid from the body.

Abstract: A forceps includes an end effector assembly having first and second jaw members configured to grasp tissue therebetween and conduct energy through tissue grasped therebetween to treat tissue. An insulative tubular member is movable relative to the end effector assembly between a retracted position, wherein the insulative tubular member is positioned proximally of the end effector assembly, and an extended position, wherein the insulative tubular member is disposed about the end effector assembly. A monopolar member is selectively deployable relative to the end effector assembly from a first position to a second position, wherein, in the second position, a portion of the monopolar member extends distally from the end effector assembly and the insulative tubular member for applying energy to tissue to treat tissue.

Abstract: A forceps includes an end effector assembly including first and second jaw members. One or both of the jaw members is movable relative to the other between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween. One or both of the jaw members is configured to conduct energy between the jaw members and through tissue grasped therebetween to treat tissue. An insulative tubular member is movable relative to the end effector assembly between a retracted position, wherein the insulative tubular member is positioned proximally of the end effector assembly, and an extended position, wherein the insulative tubular member is disposed about the end effector assembly. A monopolar member is configured to apply energy to tissue to treat tissue when the insulative tubular member is disposed in the extended position.

Abstract: A method is described for decreasing activity of at least one sympathetic nerve, nerve fiber or neuron innervating at least one blood vessel in the pulmonary vasculature of a patient to ameliorate pulmonary hypertension. In one embodiment, the method may involve advancing an intravascular treatment device to a target location in a target blood vessel within the pulmonary vasculature of the patient and using the treatment device to decrease activity of at least one sympathetic nerve, nerve fiber or neuron innervating the target blood vessel at or near the target location to ameliorate pulmonary hypertension.

Abstract: A method is described for decreasing activity of at least one sympathetic nerve, nerve fiber or neuron innervating at least one blood vessel in the pulmonary vasculature of a patient to ameliorate pulmonary hypertension. In one embodiment, the method may involve advancing an intravascular treatment device to a target location in a target blood vessel within the pulmonary vasculature of the patient and using the treatment device to decrease activity of at least one sympathetic nerve, nerve fiber or neuron innervating the target blood vessel at or near the target location to ameliorate pulmonary hypertension.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for performing various procedures using interchangeable end effectors. In general, the methods and devices allow a surgeon to remotely and selectively attach various interchangeable surgical end effectors to a shaft located within a patient's body, thus allowing the surgeon to perform various procedures without the need to remove the shaft from the patient's body. In an exemplary embodiment, multiple end effectors can be introduced into a body cavity. The end effectors can be disassociated or separate from one another such that they float within the body cavity. A distal end of a shaft can be positioned within the body cavity and it can be used to selectively engage one of the end effectors. In particular, the device can be configured to allow each end effector to be remotely attached and detached from the distal end of the shaft.