Abstract: Systems and methods for receiving data characterizing a plurality of images of a surgical region that includes a first target tissue. The plurality of images include a plurality images associated with visible light images, a plurality of images associated with a first wavelength and a plurality of images associated with the second wavelength that is different from the first wavelength. The method also includes generating a first scene by at least overlaying a first set of images of the plurality of images. The first set of images are temporally contiguous and include a first image associated with the first wavelength, a second image associated with visible light, and a third image associated with the second wavelength. The image further includes generating a second scene by at least overlaying a second set of images of the plurality of images. The second set of images are temporally contiguous.

Abstract: Systems and methods for receiving data characterizing a plurality of images of a surgical region that includes a first target tissue. The plurality of images include a plurality images associated with visible light images, a plurality of images associated with a first wavelength and a plurality of images associated with the second wavelength that is different from the first wavelength. The method also includes generating a first scene by at least overlaying a first set of images of the plurality of images. The first set of images are temporally contiguous and include a first image associated with the first wavelength, a second image associated with visible light, and a third image associated with the second wavelength. The image further includes generating a second scene by at least overlaying a second set of images of the plurality of images. The second set of images are temporally contiguous.

Abstract: A sealing and/or cutting instrument having a thermally active surface or element which may be used to seal and then cut tissue, ducts, vessels, etc., apart. The instrument may include a thermally active surface or element comprised of a conductor covered with a ferromagnetic material. The instrument may contact tissue with one or more surfaces comprised of a non-stick material. A sensor in communication with the instrument may be used to monitor a therapeutic procedure and signal when sealing and/or cutting of a tissue is complete.

Abstract: A thermal surgical instrument having a system to control the delivery of power from an energy source to an active element located on a tip. The system for controlling delivery to the tip may include a control algorithm which uses one or more measurements, such as tip current, SWR, and rapid changes in reflected power, to manage power without affecting cutting efficacy, and in a manner that may be imperceptible by a surgeon. The system may utilize a state machine to determine the current environment in which the tip may be in. Power delivered to the tip may be selectively managed according to a fixed power index or a repeatedly executed power profile.

Abstract: A sealing and/or cutting instrument having a thermally active surface or element which may be used to seal and then cut tissue, ducts, vessels, etc., apart. The instrument may include a thermally active surface or element comprised of a conductor covered with a ferromagnetic material. The instrument may contact tissue with one or more surfaces comprised of a non-stick material. A sensor in communication with the instrument may be used to monitor a therapeutic procedure and signal when sealing and/or cutting of a tissue is complete.

Abstract: In various embodiments, surgical devices and methods are provided. One such surgical device includes a ferromagnetic heater assembly. The ferromagnetic heater assembly includes an electrical conductor, a ferromagnetic heater, and an encapsulant. The electrical conductor has a first leg, a second leg, and a bend between the first and second legs. The bend is located at a distal tip of the electrical conductor, and the first and second legs are spaced apart from one another between the distal end and a proximal end of the electrical conductor. The ferromagnetic heater is disposed on the first leg of the electrical conductor. The encapsulant at least partially surrounds the ferromagnetic heater and a portion of the second leg opposite the ferromagnetic heater, and a surface of the ferromagnetic heater is at least partially exposed by the encapsulant.

Abstract: Electrical impedance monitoring of a tissue or an organ for perfusion or viability has been limited by sensitivity and baseline shifts. An apparatus and method are described which improve sensitivity by making the intervening tissue between pairs of electrodes a determinant component of electrical resonance. Such sensitivity further enhances detection of the pulsatile component of blood flow within a tissue. Baseline shift can be monitored and compensated due to resonance shift. The method is adaptable to sufficiency of perfusion monitoring or viability, imaging by 2-dimensional or 3-dimensional electrical impedance tomography, monitoring of tissue ablation by thermal or chemical methods, and thermoplasty of tissues to alter their form and functionality.

Abstract: A sealing and/or cutting instrument having a thermally active surface or element which may be used to seal and then cut tissue, ducts, vessels, etc., apart. The instrument may include a thermally active surface or element comprised of a conductor covered with a ferromagnetic material. The instrument may contact tissue with one or more surfaces comprised of a non-stick material. A sensor in communication with the instrument may be used to monitor a therapeutic procedure and signal when sealing and/or cutting of a tissue is complete.

Abstract: A thermal surgical instrument having a system to control the delivery of power from an energy source to active element located on a tip. The system for controlling delivery to the tip may include a control algorithm which uses on or more measurements, such as tip current, SWR, and rapid changes in reflected power, to manage power without affecting cutting efficacy, and in a manner that may be imperceptible by a surgeon. The system may utilize a state machine to determine the current environment in which the tip may be in. Power delivered to the tip may be selectively managed according to a fixed power index or a repeatedly executed power profile.

Abstract: A thermal surgical instrument having a system to control the delivery of power from an energy source to active element located on a tip. The system for controlling delivery to the tip may include a control algorithm which uses one or more measurements, such as tip current, SWR, and rapid changes in reflected power, to manage power without affecting cutting efficacy, and in a manner that may be imperceptible by a surgeon. The system may utilize a state machine to determine the current environment in which the tip may be in. Power delivered to the tip may be selectively managed according to a fixed power index or a repeatedly executed power profile.

Abstract: A sealing and/or cutting instrument having a thermally active surface or element which may be used to seal and then cut tissue, ducts, vessels, etc., apart. The instrument may include a thermally active surface or element comprised of a conductor covered with a ferromagnetic material. The instrument may contact tissue with one or more surfaces comprised of a non-stick material. A sensor in communication with the instrument may be used to monitor a therapeutic procedure and signal when sealing and/or cutting of a tissue is complete.

Abstract: A cooling system for a surgical handpiece may provide fluid flow to the surgical tip and to the internal electronic components to prevent temperatures that may damage or make the patient or surgeon uncomfortable. Tip directed gas further controls the tip-tissue interface by displacing blood or serum from the incision point, increasing precision and diminishing coagulum build-up. In the alternative, cooling fluid may be used to quench tissue being treated.

Abstract: An impedance matching circuit may be used to adjust for manufacturing and design tolerances in a surgical instrument. The matching circuit may match the load of a thermal element with the impedance of a power source used to deliver electrical energy to the surgical instrument. The matching circuit may include capacitors, inductors, coaxial cables, varactors, transformers, resistors, and/or combinations thereof. The matching circuit may also comprise a circuit board or flex board layers which may be modified to adjust the impedance of the load.

Abstract: A cooling system for a surgical handpiece may provide fluid flow to the surgical tip and to the internal electronic components to prevent temperatures that may damage or make the patient or surgeon uncomfortable. Tip directed gas further controls the tip-tissue interface by displacing blood or serum from the incision point, increasing precision and diminishing coagulum build-up. In the alternative, cooling fluid may be used to quench tissue being treated.

Abstract: A cooling system for a surgical handpiece may provide fluid flow to the surgical tip and to the internal electronic components to prevent temperatures that may damage or make the patient or surgeon uncomfortable. Tip directed gas further controls the tip-tissue interface by displacing blood or serum from the incision point, increasing precision and diminishing coagulum build-up. In the alternative, cooling fluid may be used to quench tissue being treated.

Abstract: An impedance matching circuit may be used to adjust for manufacturing and design tolerances in a surgical instrument. The matching circuit may match the load of a thermal element with the impedance of a power source used to deliver electrical energy to the surgical instrument. The matching circuit may include capacitors, inductors, coaxial cables, varactors, transformers, resistors, and/or combinations thereof. The matching circuit may also comprise a circuit board or flex board layers which may be modified to adjust the impedance of the load.

Abstract: A thermal surgical instrument having a system to control the delivery of power from an energy source to active element located on a tip. The system for controlling delivery to the tip may include a control algorithm which uses on or more measurements, such as tip current, SWR, and rapid changes in reflected power, to manage power without affecting cutting efficacy, and in a manner that may be imperceptible by a surgeon. The system may utilize a state machine to determine the current environment in which the tip may be in. Power delivered to the tip may be selectively managed according to a fixed power index or a repeatedly executed power profile.

Abstract: Electrical impedance monitoring of a tissue or an organ for perfusion or viability has been limited by sensitivity and baseline shifts. An apparatus and method are described which improve sensitivity by making the intervening tissue between pairs of electrodes a determinant component of electrical resonance. Such sensitivity further enhances detection of the pulsatile component of blood flow within a tissue. Baseline shift can be monitored and compensated due to resonance shift. The method is adaptable to sufficiency of perfusion monitoring or viability, imaging by 2-dimensional or 3-dimensional electrical impedance tomography, monitoring of tissue ablation by thermal or chemical methods, and thermoplasty of tissues to alter their form and functionality.

Abstract: A thermal surgical instrument having a system to control the delivery of power from an energy source to active element located on a tip. The system for controlling delivery to the tip may include a control algorithm which uses one or more measurements, such as tip current, SWR, and rapid changes in reflected power, to manage power without affecting cutting efficacy, and in a manner that may be imperceptible by a surgeon. The system may utilize a state machine to determine the current environment in which the tip may be in. Power delivered to the tip may be selectively managed according to a fixed power index or a repeatedly executed power profile.

Abstract: A sealing and/or cutting instrument having a thermally active surface or element which may be used to seal and then cut tissue, ducts, vessels, etc., apart. The instrument may include a thermally active surface or element comprised of a conductor covered with a ferromagnetic material. The instrument may contact tissue with one or more surfaces comprised of a non-stick material. A sensor in communication with the instrument may be used to monitor a therapeutic procedure and signal when sealing and/or cutting of a tissue is complete.