Abstract: A lead connector system for use with electrical nerve stimulators is described herein. An example lead connector for an electrical stimulator system includes a body, a blade, and an insert. The body includes a cable interface and defines lead ports. The blade is affixed to the body. The blade has at least one angled portion. The insert slidably connects to the body. The insert includes a handle and a chassis. The chassis defines a lead channel coaxial with the lead ports and blade channels transverse the lead channel to accept the blade. The angled portion of the blade provides electrical contact between the cable interface and a lead inserted into the lead channel and extending through at least one of the lead ports.

Abstract: An electrosurgical medical device may include an elongate needle that is delivered to a gastrointestinal tract of a patient and inserted through the gastrointestinal wall and into a cyst. Fluid within the cyst may be aspirated through a lumen of the needle. The cyst may then be filled with conductive fluid by delivering the conductive fluid through the needle lumen. Radio frequency energy may then be delivered to the needle and transferred to the cyst to ablate the cyst. A handle assembly of the electrosurgical medical device may communicate the cyst and conductive fluids to and from the needle lumen, as well as communicate radio frequency energy to the needle and a temperature signal generated by a thermocouple. An electrical cable assembly adapted to communicate both the radio frequency energy and the temperature signal may be removably connectable with the handle assembly.

Abstract: An electrosurgical medical device may include an elongate needle that is delivered to a gastrointestinal tract of a patient and inserted through the gastrointestinal wall and into a cyst. Fluid within the cyst may be aspirated through a lumen of the needle. The cyst may then be filled with conductive fluid by delivering the conductive fluid through the needle lumen. Radio frequency energy may then be delivered to the needle and transferred to the cyst to ablate the cyst. A handle assembly of the electrosurgical medical device may communicate the cyst and conductive fluids to and from the needle lumen, as well as communicate radio frequency energy to the needle and a temperature signal generated by a thermocouple. An electrical cable assembly adapted to communicate both the radio frequency energy and the temperature signal may be removably connectable with the handle assembly.

Abstract: Methods to detect GDF-8 modulating agents in animals, including humans, are provided herein, including methods to detect the presence of exogenous GDF-8 modulating agent such as a GDF-8 inhibitor in a biological sample. In particular, methods to assess the presence and/or quantity of a GDF-8 modulating agent in a biological sample are provided.