Abstract: A system for use in characterizing an energy applicator includes a test fixture assembly. The test fixture assembly includes an interior area defined therein. The system also includes a thermally-sensitive medium disposed in the interior area of the test fixture assembly. The thermally-sensitive medium includes a cut-out portion defining a void in the thermally-sensitive medium. The cut-out portion is configured to receive at least a portion of the energy applicator therein.

Abstract: A system for determining proximity of a surgical device relative to an anatomical structure includes at least one surgical device having a sensor assembly operably coupled to a processing unit. The sensor assembly is configured to transmit at least one electrical signal through the target anatomical structure to elicit a measurable response from the target anatomical structure. The processing unit is configured to calculate a signature property value of the target anatomical structure based on the measurable response and to determine proximity of the at least one surgical device relative to the target anatomical structure based on a comparison between the signature property value and at least one other signature property. An indicator is operably coupled to the processing unit and is configured to alert a user of the identified target anatomical structure based on the determined proximity.

Abstract: A system that monitors water displacement in tissue during patient therapy includes a generator supplying electrosurgical energy to tissue, a spectrometer operably coupled to the generator, and a processor communicating with the generator and with the spectrometer having a light source for exposing tissue to light and a light sensor. The light sensor is configured to sense changes in light through tissue in response to tissue treatment and communicate the changes to the processor to determine tissue hydration levels and motility. A plurality of optical fibers may be configured in an array to communicate light between the generator and tissue. An optical temperature monitor may communicate with the processor and be coupled to an optical fiber. The optical fibers may have an optic fiber distance between adjacent optical fibers. The system may be incorporated within an electrosurgical pencil or a forceps. A corresponding method of detecting hydration is also disclosed.

Abstract: An instrument for tissue ablation includes an elongated tissue-penetrating electrode including a rigid tubular member having a closed distal end defining an interior cavity extending from the closed distal end to a proximal end of the rigid tubular member. The rigid tubular member defines an electrically conductive surface capable of receiving electrical energy from the source of electrical energy. The instrument includes one or more electrically conductive segments on the electrode and configured to receive electrosurgical energy from the rigid tubular member. An insulation layer is disposed upon the electrode and defines an exposed portion of the electrode at the distal end. The instrument also includes at least one sensor that detects a temperature during ablation and a semiconductive material coated on the rigid tubular member that forms one or more resistive layers that connects the rigid tubular member with a corresponding electrically conductive segment.

Abstract: A system for determining proximity of a surgical device relative to an anatomical structure includes at least one surgical device having a sensor assembly operably coupled to a processing unit and configured to transmit at least one electrical signal generated by the processing unit through a target anatomical structure to elicit a measurable response from the target anatomical structure. The processing unit is configured to calculate a signature property value of the target anatomical structure based on the measurable response. The processing unit is configured to identify the target anatomical structure based on a comparison between the signature property value and at least one other signature property.

Abstract: A system for determining proximity of a surgical device relative to an anatomical structure includes at least one surgical device having a sensor assembly operably coupled to a processing unit. The sensor assembly is configured to transmit at least one electrical signal through the target anatomical structure to elicit a measurable response from the target anatomical structure. The processing unit is configured to calculate a signature property value of the target anatomical structure based on the measurable response and to determine proximity of the at least one surgical device relative to the target anatomical structure based on a comparison between the signature property value and at least one other signature property. An indicator is operably coupled to the processing unit and is configured to alert a user of the identified target anatomical structure based on the determined proximity.

Abstract: An electrosurgical pencil configured and adapted to support an electrocautery blade. A strain gauge is affixed to the proximal end of the electrocautery blade and measures the displacement of the blade as a result of resistance and drag acting on the blade. The electrosurgical pencil also includes a meter electrically connected to the strain gauge for monitoring either a change in voltage, a change in electrical current or a change in optical wavelength. The amount of blade displacement as measured by the strain gauge is available for display to the surgeon and/or as sensory input for a control circuit in the electrosurgical generator that modulates the generator output waveform. The electrosurgical pencil further includes a control circuit electrically coupled between the electrocautery blade and the electrosurgical generator. The control circuit is configured and adapted to control power supplied to electrocautery blade based on the displacement measured by the strain gauge.

Abstract: According to the present disclosure, a system for sensing attributes of tissue in at least one direction is provided. The system includes a thermal conductivity probe having a sensor configured to measure thermal conductivity in the target tissue in at least one direction, and an electrical conductivity probe having a sensor configured to measure electrical conductivity in the target tissue in at least one direction, a power supply operatively coupled to the thermal conductivity probe and being configured to supply power to the thermal conductivity probe, an impedance analyzer operatively coupled to the electrical conductivity probe, and a computer operatively coupled to at least one of the power supply, the multimeter and the impedance analyzer.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to thermal profiling systems for hypothermic and/or ablative energy systems and methods of their use. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a system for profiling a thermal or electromagnetic treatment system, including an energy delivery probe, is provided. The profiling system includes a bath including a fitting supported on a side wall thereof configured for selective insertion of a distal tip of probe therethrough; a test gel disposed within the bath; and at least one piece of a reactive medium submerged in the test gel.

Abstract: A probe system and method for treating an intervertebral disc of a patient are disclosed. A probe has a cannula having an open end defined at a distal end and adapted to couple to a power source. A stylet fits into the cannula so that a distal end of the stylet occludes the open end at the distal end of the cannula. The probe system also includes a pressure monitoring apparatus coupled to the stylet, with the stylet including a pressure sensor in proximity to the distal end of the stylet. The pressure sensor communicates with the pressure monitoring apparatus to measure the pressure of the intervertebral disc. The power source delivers power to the distal end of the cannula, causing heating of the disc when the distal end of the cannula is disposed within the disc, thereby relieving patient pain associated with the disc.

Abstract: An electrosurgical pencil is provided which includes an elongated housing, an electrocautery blade supported within the housing and extending distally from the housing. The electrocautery blade is connected to a source of electrosurgical energy. The pencil also includes at least one activation switch supported on the housing which is configured and adapted to complete a control loop extending from the source of electrosurgical energy. At least one voltage divider network is also supported on the housing and is electrically connected to the source of electrosurgical energy.

Abstract: According to the present disclosure, a system for sensing attributes of tissue in at least one direction is provided. The system includes a thermal conductivity probe having a sensor configured to measure thermal conductivity in the target tissue in at least one direction, and an electrical conductivity probe having a sensor configured to measure electrical conductivity in the target tissue in at least one direction, a power supply operatively coupled to the thermal conductivity probe and being configured to supply power to the thermal conductivity probe, an impedance analyzer operatively coupled to the electrical conductivity probe, and a computer operatively coupled to at least one of the power supply, the multimeter and the impedance analyzer.

Abstract: An electrosurgical system is provided that includes an electrosurgical generator; and an electrosurgical pencil selectively connectable to the electrosurgical generator. The electrosurgical pencil includes an elongated housing; at least one electrocautery end effector removably supportable within the housing and extending distally from the housing, the electrocautery end effector being connected to the electrosurgical generator; and at least one voltage divider network supported on the housing. The at least one voltage divider network is electrically connected to the electrosurgical generator and controls at least one of the intensity of electrosurgical energy being delivered to the electrosurgical pencil and the mode of electrosurgical energy being delivered to the electrosurgical pencil.

Abstract: An electrosurgical system is provided that includes an electrosurgical generator; and an electrosurgical pencil selectively connectable to the electrosurgical generator. The electrosurgical pencil includes an elongated housing; at least one electrocautery end effector removably supportable within the housing and extending distally from the housing, the electrocautery end effector being connected to the electrosurgical generator; and at least one voltage divider network supported on the housing. The at least one voltage divider network is electrically connected to the electrosurgical generator and controls at least one of the intensity of electrosurgical energy being delivered to the electrosurgical pencil and the mode of electrosurgical energy being delivered to the electrosurgical pencil.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument for use with a source of electrical energy to ablate tissue in a living subject is provided. The instrument includes an elongated tissue-penetrating electrode including a rigid tubular member having a closed distal end defining an interior cavity extending from the closed distal end to a proximal end of the rigid tubular member. The rigid tubular member defines an electrically conductive surface capable of receiving electrical energy from the source of electrical energy. The instrument further includes at least one electrically conductive segment located on the electrode, the segment being configured to receive locally controlled electrosurgical energy from the rigid tubular member. An insulation layer is disposed upon the elongated tissue-penetrating electrode. The layer defines an exposed portion of the electrode at the distal end.

Abstract: A pressure safety system is provided for use with electrosurgical instruments providing pressurized ionized gas to a surgical site. The pressure safety system includes a series of three cascaded pressure change members to control the pressure of gas delivered to a patient. Pressure safety apparatus for use with electrosurgical instruments providing pressurized ionized gas to a surgical site are also provided. Electrosurgical instruments utilizing the pressure safety system and apparatus are also provided. The instruments include a hand-held applicator, a portable actuator assembly and the pressure safety system to control the pressure of gas delivered to a patient.

Abstract: Disclosed is a microwave antenna assembly that includes proximal and distal radiating sections and a junction member. The proximal radiating section includes inner and outer conductors and DC power and neutral conductors. The inner conductor is disposed within the outer conductor and the DC power and neutral conductors are disposed radially outward therefrom. The junction member mates the distal and proximal radiating sections such that the distal and proximal radiating sections are positioned relative to one another. The junction member further includes a microwave signal amplifier (MSA) that receives a signal at a first energy level from the inner and outer conductors and a DC power signal from the DC power and neutral conductors. The MSA amplifies the signal from the first energy level to an additional, greater energy level. The junction member provides the microwave signal at the additional energy level to the proximal and distal radiating sections.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for generating and delivery electrosurgical energy, the system including a microwave generator and a power-stage device. The microwave generator further including a microwave signal generator configured to generate a microwave frequency signal at a first power level and a DC power supply configured to generate a DC power signal. The power-stage device connects to the microwave signal generator by a transmission line and is configured to receive the microwave frequency signal and the DC power signal from the transmission line. The power-stage device further including a power-stage microwave signal amplifier configured to amplify the microwave frequency signal from the first power level to at least one second power level and a microwave antenna configured to transmit the microwave frequency signal.

Abstract: Disclosed is a microwave antenna assembly for applying microwave energy. The assembly includes a proximal portion having an inner conductor, an outer conductor, a DC power and a DC neutral each extending therethrough the antenna has a distal radiating section and a proximal radiating section and a junction member. The junction member includes a longitudinal thickness and is disposed between the proximal radiating section and the distal radiating section. The junction member further includes a microwave signal amplifier configured to receive a microwave signal at a first power level from the inner and outer conductor and a DC power signal from the DC power and DC neutral. The microwave signal amplifier amplifies the microwave signal from a first power level to a second power level greater than the first power level.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes an instrument for measuring the dielectric properties of biological tissue. The instrument includes a top electrode assembly and a bottom electrode assembly, the top electrode assembly including a top electrode and at least one shaft adjustably positionable to move the top electrode relative to the bottom electrode assembly, the bottom electrode assembly including a bottom test plate and a bottom electrode. The instrument also includes a testing cylinder coupled to the shaft and having an inner cavity defined therein that houses the top electrode and which is designed to enclose the bottom electrode therein. The testing cylinder is configured to reduce at least one of electric current, magnetic current, stray radiative RF fields and external capacitive leakage currents during activation of the top and bottom electrodes.