Abstract: A bipolar electrosurgical probe configured for applying electrical energy to tissue includes a first tubular electrode carried by a probe shaft and having a distal end, a second tubular electrode carried by the probe shaft and having a proximal end, and an insulation member, wherein at least a portion of the insulation member is disposed between overlapping ends of the first and second tubular electrodes, wherein the distal end of the first electrode defines at least one aperture extending through a wall of the first electrode.

Abstract: An ablation device includes a cannula having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending between the proximal and the distal ends, and a first array of electrodes at least partially disposed within the lumen, the first array of electrodes slidable relative to the cannula, each of the electrodes having a first configuration when inside the lumen, and a second configuration when unconfined outside the lumen, wherein one of the electrodes has a flared deployed profile.

Abstract: A compression garment includes a bladder having an inner surface and an outer surface. Wicking material may be present to wick fluid. In another version a removable absorbent material is releasably secured to the bladder.

Abstract: A system for resecting tissue includes a loop structure configured for cutting tissue, at least a portion of the loop structure formed by an elongate structure having a first end and a second end, wherein a length of the loop structure is adjustable by positioning the first end relative to the second end, wherein a first portion of the loop structure comprises a first electrode, and a second portion of the loop structure comprises a second electrode. A system for resecting tissue includes a loop structure configured for cutting tissue, the loop structure formed by an elongate structure having a first end and a second end, wherein a length of the loop structure is adjustable by positioning the first end relative to the second end, and a support structure coupled to a portion of the elongate structure and having a surface for contacting tissue.

Abstract: An ablation device includes a cannula having a distal end and a lumen, an array of electrodes deployable from within the lumen, each of the electrodes having a first configuration when inside the lumen, and a second configuration when unconfined outside the lumen, the electrodes having respective distal ends that point at least partially towards a distal direction when deployed, and an operative electrode secured to the distal end of the cannula. In one embodiment, the operative electrode has a shape that is different from the array of electrodes. In another embodiment, the operative electrode is not retractable within the lumen.

Abstract: An ablation device includes a cannula having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending between the proximal and the distal ends, and a first array of electrodes at least partially disposed within the lumen, the first array of electrodes slidable relative to the cannula, each of the electrodes having a first configuration when inside the lumen, and a second configuration when unconfined outside the lumen, wherein one of the electrodes has a flared deployed profile.

Abstract: A tissue ablation probe is provided. The tissue ablation probe comprises an elongated shaft, at least one electrode tine carried by the elongated shaft, at least one tine exit from which the electrode tine(s) can be deployed from the elongated shaft and retracted within the elongated shaft, and a sheath covering the electrode tine exit(s). The sheath may, e.g., line an exterior surface of the elongated shaft or an interior surface of the elongated shaft. The sheath has at least one tine valve (e.g., a slit) positioned over the electrode tine exit(s) and configured to open when the electrode tine is deployed and to close when the electrode tine(s) is retracted. In one embodiment, the tine valve(s) is configured to open in response to pressure exerted during deployment of the electrode tine(s). In another embodiment, the tine valve(s) is configured to hinder the entry of biological material within the elongated shaft.

Abstract: The tissue ablation device includes a tissue ablation probe having an elongated probe shaft and electrodes carried by the distal end of the probe shaft. The device further comprises a cannula with a central lumen extending along a longitudinal axis for removably receiving the probe shaft. The cannula further comprises concentric inner and outer tubes extending along the longitudinal axis, wherein the outer is tube is translatable relative to the inner tube. The inner and outer tubes further comprise inner and outer apertures, respectively, that are aligned by translating the outer tube. When the inner and outer apertures are aligned, electrodes are deployed through the inner and outer apertures. One method includes introducing a cannula and a tissue ablation probe to a tissue site and operating the tissue ablation probe and the cannula to deploy the electrodes and ablate tissue.

Abstract: An ablation device includes a cannula having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending between the proximal and the distal ends, and a first array of electrodes at least partially disposed within the lumen, the first array of electrodes slidable relative to the cannula, each of the electrodes having a first configuration when inside the lumen, and a second configuration when unconfined outside the lumen, wherein one of the electrodes has a flared deployed profile.

Abstract: Tissue ablation probes and methods of treating diseased tissue are disclosed that include or use a partially uninsulated shaft that carries conductive elements such as electrode arrays. The shaft has an uninsulated outer surface that is electrically conductive and is electrically connected to one of the conductive elements. The uninsulated outer surface and one of the conductive elements are insulated from the other conductive element. Tissue ablation is performed “inside-out” and begins between the proximal and distal electrode arrays and migrates outwardly towards the electrode arrays when electrical current is applied to the probe.

Abstract: An ablation device includes a cannula having a lumen, a first array of electrodes deployable from within the lumen, and a second array of electrodes deployable from within the lumen, wherein the first array of electrodes has a configuration that is different from a configuration of the second array of electrodes.

Abstract: A radiofrequency ablation device includes an elongate cannula having a distal portion and a proximal portion and a lumen extending between the distal and proximal portions. The RF ablation device further includes an elongate tubular member disposed within the lumen of the elongate cannula, the elongate tubular member having a distal region and a proximal region, the elongate tubular member including a lumen extending between the distal and proximal portions. A sildable electrode member is disposed in the portion of the elongate cannula lumen located external to the elongate tubular member. As an alternative to the elongate tubular member, the electrode member may include a lumen. The lumen of the elongate tubular member (or electrode member) carries or vents gaseous vapor generated during the RF ablation process.

Abstract: A RF ablation device includes a probe assembly that has an elongate cannula having a lumen disposed interiorly of an external wall of the cannula. The elongate cannula includes a plurality of slots formed within the external wall that provide access to the lumen. The probe assembly includes an electrode member that is slidably disposed within the elongate cannula, the electrode member including a plurality of tines configured for passage through the plurality of slots. The slots are disposed in a staggered arrangement or pattern about the external wall of the cannula. The staggered arrangement of slots may be used in a monopolar or bipolar arrangement of the electrodes on the cannula. A bipolar arrangement of electrodes using the staggered configuration produces larger ablation areas in a shorter period of time as compared to prior designs.

Abstract: An electrosurgical device for tissue ablation includes a delivery cannula having a lumen and an open distal end in communication with the lumen, wherein an electrode array comprising a plurality of tines is deployable from, and retractable into, the cannula lumen through the open distal end. The electrode array tines have proximal ends secured to a mandrel carried in the cannula lumen, the mandrel being movable axially relative to the cannula, wherein the tines, when the electrode array is retracted into the cannula lumen, are nested in offset, circumferential layers about the mandrel.

Abstract: An ablation device includes a cannula having a lumen, a first array of electrodes deployable from within the lumen, and a second array of electrodes deployable from within the lumen, wherein the first array of electrodes has a configuration that is different from a configuration of the second array of electrodes.

Abstract: A tissue ablation probe is provided. The tissue ablation probe comprises an elongated shaft, at least one electrode tine carried by the elongated shaft, at least one tine exit from which the electrode tine(s) can be deployed from the elongated shaft and retracted within the elongated shaft, and a sheath covering the electrode tine exit(s). The sheath may, e.g., line an exterior surface of the elongated shaft or an interior surface of the elongated shaft. The sheath has at least one tine valve (e.g., a slit) positioned over the electrode tine exit(s) and configured to open when the electrode tine is deployed and to close when the electrode tine(s) is retracted. In one embodiment, the tine valve(s) is configured to open in response to pressure exerted during deployment of the electrode tine(s). In another embodiment, the tine valve(s) is configured to hinder the entry of biological material within the elongated shaft.

Abstract: A device for penetrating tissue includes an elongated element having a distal end, a proximal end, a body extending between the distal and the proximal ends, and a lumen located within at least a portion of the body, wherein the lumen has a cross-sectional shape that is a polygon. A device for penetrating tissue includes an elongated element having a distal end, a proximal end, and a body extending between the distal and the proximal ends, at least a portion of the body having a cross-sectional profile that is a polygon, wherein the elongated element is a cannula.

Abstract: Tissue ablation systems and methods are provided. Ablation energy (e.g., radio frequency energy) is delivered to the tissue and a physiological parameter (e.g., impedance and/or temperature) indicative of a change in moisture concentration of the tissue is sensed. The ablation energy is alternately pulsed on and off to generate an energy pulse train, with the ablation energy being pulsed on if the sensed physiological parameter crosses a threshold value indicative of an increase in the moisture concentration, and being pulsed off if the sensed physiological parameter crosses a threshold value indicative of a decrease in the moisture concentration.

Abstract: A bipolar electrosurgical probe configured for applying electrical energy to tissue includes a first tubular electrode carried by a probe shaft and having a distal end, a second tubular electrode carried by the probe shaft and having a proximal end, and an insulation member, wherein at least a portion of the insulation member is disposed between overlapping ends of the first and second tubular electrodes, wherein the distal end of the first electrode defines at least one aperture extending through a wall of the first electrode.

Abstract: A RF ablation device includes a probe assembly that has an elongate cannula having a lumen disposed interiorly of an external wall of the cannula. The elongate cannula includes a plurality of slots formed within the external wall that provide access to the lumen. The probe assembly includes an electrode member that is slidably disposed within the elongate cannula, the electrode member including a plurality of tines configured for passage through the plurality of slots. The slots are disposed in a staggered arrangement or pattern about the external wall of the cannula. The staggered arrangement of slots may be used in a monopolar or bipolar arrangement of the electrodes on the cannula. A bipolar arrangement of electrodes using the staggered configuration produces larger ablation areas in a shorter period of time as compared to prior designs.