Abstract: An electrosurgical aspiration instrument that permits aspiration of an area being treated by the instrument. The instrument is coupled at a proximal end to a power source and includes an energy application surface area at a distal end. The power source supplied energy to the energy application surface area such that the distal end of the instrument may apply energy to the treatment area to modify the characteristics of biological material, such as biological tissue in the area. An aspiration lumen is formed through the instrument with an opening through the energy application surface area. The energy application surface area is configured to reduce blockage of the opening. Accordingly, aspiration may be performed simultaneously with electrosurgical treatment whereby unwanted matter such as by-products, biological debris and excess fluid is removed from the treatment area.

Abstract: An electrosurgical aspiration instrument that permits aspiration of an area being treated by the instrument. The instrument is coupled at a proximal end to a power source and includes an energy application surface area at a distal end. The power source supplied energy to the energy application surface area such that the distal end of the instrument may apply energy to the treatment area to modify the characteristics of biological material, such as biological tissue in the area. An aspiration lumen is formed through the instrument with an opening through the energy application surface area. The energy application surface area is configured to reduce blockage of the opening. Accordingly, aspiration may be performed simultaneously with electrosurgical treatment whereby unwanted matter such as by-products, biological debris and excess fluid is removed from the treatment area.

Abstract: An electrosurgical aspiration instrument that permits aspiration of an area being treated by the instrument. The instrument is coupled at a proximal end to a power source and includes an energy application surface area at a distal end. The power source supplied energy to the energy application surface area such that the distal end of the instrument may apply energy to the treatment area to modify the characteristics of biological material, such as biological tissue in the area. An aspiration lumen is formed through the instrument with an opening through the energy application surface area. The energy application surface area is configured to reduce blockage of the opening. Accordingly, aspiration may be performed simultaneously with electrosurgical treatment whereby unwanted matter such as by-products, biological debris and excess fluid is removed from the treatment area.

Abstract: Disclosed is a surgical apparatus including a surgical instrument including a housing and a cannula, and a surgical tool including a shaft and a tip, and a drive interface and an electrical interface, and the drive interface producing a surgical motion of the tip, and the electrical interface producing a cauterizing action of the tip. Also disclosed is a cutting and cauterizing device for connection to a surgical instrument. Additionally, methods for using both the surgical apparatus and the cutting and cauterizing device are disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a surgical apparatus including a surgical instrument including a housing and a cannula, and a surgical tool including a shaft and a tip, and a drive interface and an electrical interface, and the drive interface producing a surgical motion of the tip, and the electrical interface producing a cauterizing action of the tip. Also disclosed is a cutting and cauterizing device for connection to a surgical instrument. Additionally, methods for using both the surgical apparatus and the cutting and cauterizing device are disclosed.

Abstract: An electrosurgical electrode, comprising a metal conductor having a first external surface area and having a convex body, a flat face on the body, and a connector for attaching the body to an electrosurgical probe handle, and an insulating layer covering the first external surface of the metal conductor except at a selected second area of one of the convex body and the flat face, the second area being positioned on the metal conductor so that a line from a geometric center of the second area and substantially perpendicular to the second area intersects at an angle an axis formed by a probe handle and the metal conductor upon attachment of a probe handle to the connector, wherein the second area does not intersect the axis along the probe handle. Also disclosed are methods of manufacture and similar off-axis electrodes useful in endoscopic electrosurgery.

Abstract: Disclosed is an integrated surgical and cauterizing apparatus, comprising a surgical instrument including a drive member, a cannula, and a tool, and the cannula attached at a proximal end to the drive member and defining at a distal end thereof an opening, and the tool including a shaft and a tip, and the shaft contained within he cannula and connecting the tip in the opening of the cannula to the drive member to produce a surgical motion of the tip; and a cauterizing instrument comprising at least one electrode, and a conductor, and at least one electrode affixed to the cannula adjacent to the distal end of the cannula and the conductor providing an electrical path from the at least one electrode for the application of electrical power to the at least one electrode to produce a cauterizing effect.

Abstract: An electrode array catheter, typically used for mapping, pacing and ablation, includes a flexible delivery sheath (36, 64) and an electrode assembly (2, 62) slidably mounted within the delivery sheath for movement between retracted and deployed positions. The electrode assembly includes an ablation electrode (10, 90) and a plurality of mapping electrodes (26, 114) which are grouped in pairs and naturally assume a three-dimensional array when deployed. The electrodes are distributed to contact a portion of the chamber wall (130) surrounding the target site. The electrode assembly tip has a coiled conical shape (24) in one embodiment and has a number of axially extending, radially outwardly curved arms (118) in another embodiment. A flat flexible circuit (110), having axially extending electrode traces (112) connecting proximal terminals (108) to distal electrode pads (114), is slit (116) axially and is preformed and to create the curved arms.