Abstract: Implementations disclosed herein provide a hydration monitoring technology. In one implementation, a hydration monitoring device measures whole body hydration levels by analysis of changes in vascular volume caused by pulsatile pressure waves and in tissue volume in response to the pulsatile pressure. The hydration monitoring device uses a light-based measurement technique to transmits light, reflectively or transmissively, through tissue. Based on wavelength measurements of the detected light, the hydration monitoring device produces a PPG waveform representing characteristic effects of hydration. The hydration monitoring device monitors operating condition signals associated with the hydration monitoring device. By monitoring operating condition signals, the hydration monitoring device determines whether the operating condition signals satisfy an analysis condition, and modifies the optical sensing operations.

Abstract: Implementations disclosed herein provide a monitoring technology. In one implementation, a monitoring system measures whole body biometric levels by analysis of changes in vascular volume caused by pulsatile pressure waves and in tissue volume in response to the pulsatile pressure. The monitoring system includes a monitoring device, which uses a light-based measurement technique to measure biometric levels during different activities and at rest. A light source operatively connected to a light sensor, transmits light, reflectively or transmissively, through tissue. The light sensor detects absorption of the light. Based on wavelength measurements of the detected light, the monitoring device produces a PPG waveform representing characteristic effects of certain physiological parameters. In one implementation, operating contexts are sensed in a monitoring device. A monitoring profile is selected based on the sensed operating contexts.

Abstract: Implementations disclosed herein provide a hydration monitoring technology. In one implementation, a hydration monitoring system measures whole body hydration levels by analysis of changes in vascular volume caused by pulsatile pressure waves and in tissue volume in response to the pulsatile pressure. The hydration monitoring system includes a hydration monitoring device, which uses a light-based measurement technique to measure hydration levels and heart rate during different activities and at rest. In one implementation, a light source operatively connected to a light sensor, transmits light, reflectively or transmissively, through tissue. The light sensor detects absorption of the light. Based on wavelength measurements of the detected light, the hydration monitoring device produces a PPG waveform representing characteristic effects of hydration. Based on analysis of the PPG waveform, the hydration monitoring device determines a hydration metric representative of hydration levels in the body.

Abstract: Implementations disclosed herein provide a monitoring technology. In one implementation, a monitoring system measures whole body biometric levels by analysis of changes in vascular volume caused by pulsatile pressure waves and in tissue volume in response to the pulsatile pressure. The monitoring system includes a monitoring device, which uses a light-based measurement technique to measure biometric levels during different activities and at rest. A light source operatively connected to a light sensor, transmits light, reflectively or transmissively, through tissue. The light sensor detects absorption of the light. Based on wavelength measurements of the detected light, the monitoring device produces a PPG waveform representing characteristic effects of certain physiological parameters. PPG pulse data is selected that satisfies a data integrity condition. Based on analysis of the selected PPG pulse data, the monitoring device computes a biometric.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing radiofrequency (“RF”) energy to a target surgical site are provided. The systems include the use of at least one overlay which is super-imposed over an image of the target surgical site to assist the operator in evaluating parameters for performing the surgical procedure. The disclosure also include methods for creating at least one overlay and for using an overlay in surgical procedures using RF energy.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to electrosurgical pencils having variable controls. In one aspect, the electrosurgical pencil, includes an elongated housing, an electrocautery blade supported within the housing and extending distally from the housing, the electrocautery blade being connected to a source of electrosurgical energy, an activation button supported on the housing, the activation button being movable from a first position to at least a subsequent position, and a transducer electrically connected between the activation button and the source of electrosurgical energy. The transducer is configured to transmit an electrical output signal to the electrosurgical energy source correlating to the movement of the activation button. The source of electrosurgical energy correspondingly supplies an amount of electrosurgical energy to the electrocautery blade dependant upon the electrical output signal.

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 gas-enhanced electrosurgical method and apparatus for coagulating tissue. The apparatus includes a first tube with a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end of the first tube is configured to receive pressurized ionizable gas. The distal end of the first tube is configured to deliver ionized gas towards a treatment area. The apparatus also includes at least one electrode positioned to selectively ionize the pressurized ionizable gas before the pressurized ionizable gas exits the distal end of the first tube. The electrode is adapted to operatively couple to an electrical energy source. The apparatus also includes a second tube with proximal and distal ends. The second tube is configured to selectively evacuate the ionized gas and dislodged tissue material from the treatment area.

Abstract: There is disclosed a fluid supply manifold for use with various surgical instruments, such as, electrosurgical instruments. The fluid supply manifold includes two or more connection ports for receipt of sources of fluid supply by either bulk sources or sources contained within canisters. The manifold may include a mixing chamber for mixing the various sources of fluids within the manifold or may include flow tubes for providing the sources of fluid directly to the surgical instrument to be mixed within the surgical instrument. Control valves are associated with each of the connection ports to control the flow of fluids through the manifold. The manifold may also include a gas inlet to facilitate drawing the fluids out of the various sources as well as mixing the fluids within the manifold.

Abstract: A mammal undergoing an ablation procedure is treated for symptoms associated with adenosine by administering one or more adenosine receptor antagonists to the mammal prior to or during the procedure.

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: A system controls an electrosurgical generator that outputs electrosurgical energy. The system includes at least one processor; a procedure control module executable on the at least one processor for controlling the generator to output electrosurgical energy which is optimized for performing an electrosurgical procedure. The system further includes a pain modulation control module executable on the at least one processor for controlling the generator to output electrosurgical energy which is optimized for administering pain modulation treatment in conjunction with performing the electrosurgical procedure.

Abstract: A closed-loop control system is disclosed for use with an electrosurgical generator that generates electrosurgical energy. The closed loop control system includes a user interface for allowing a user to select at least one pre-surgical parameter, such as the type of surgical instrument operatively connected to the generator, the type of tissue and the desired surgical effect. A sensor module is also included for continually sensing at least one of electrical and physical properties proximate a surgical site and generating at least one signal relating thereto. The system also includes a control module for continually receiving the at least one selected pre-surgical parameter from the user interface and each of the signals from the sensor module, and processing each of the signals in accordance with the at least one pre-surgical parameter using at least one of a microprocessor, computer algorithm and a mapping.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods of performing nucleoplasty including the step of providing an elongated thermal or electromagnetic probe having a proximal end, a distal end and having a guidable region adjacent the distal end thereof. The method further includes the steps of introducing the guidable region of the probe into a nucleus of an intervertebral disc; activating the probe; increasing the amplitude of the activated probe until an effect is obtained on a nervous system; and noting the amplitude at which the effect on the nucleus is observed. The method further includes the step of re-activating the probe to treat the nucleus, wherein the probe is activateable up to the amplitude at which the effect on the nervous system indicates that damage to critical nerve tissue is avoided.

Abstract: A probe system and method for treating an intervertebral disc of a patient are disclose. 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: A ionizable gas system is provided and includes a surgical accessory and a corona start patient connector. The surgical accessory is adapted to receive electrosurgical energy from an electrosurgical energy source and is adapted to receive ionizable gas (e.g., argon gas) from a portable ionizable gas source. The corona start patient connector is operatively connected to the electrosurgical energy source and the surgical accessory. The corona start patient connector includes an electrical interface that is configured to verify if the ionizable gas system is functioning properly prior to use on a patient.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to methods for relieving pain associated with an intervertebral disc having a disc nucleus pulposus and an outer annulus fibrosus surrounding the nucleus pulposus. The method includes the steps of providing an elongated thermal or electromagnetic probe member having a flexible guidable region adjacent the distal end thereof; introducing the flexible guidable region of the probe into the annulus fibrosus of the intervertebral disc; and supplying thermal or electromagnetic energy, from an energy source, to heat or induce an electromagnetic field adjacent to the annulus fibrosus sufficient to produce a thermal or electromagnetic effect on the intervertebral disc. The flexible guidable region of the probe may be introduced at a location which is in relative close proximity to the region of intervertebral disc to be thermally or electromagnetically treated.

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: A gas-enhanced electrosurgical instrument includes a hand-held applicator and a portable actuator assembly. The hand-held applicator has a gas delivery member adapted to deliver pressurized ionizable gas to the proximity of an electrode located adjacent a distal end of the applicator. The portable actuator assembly is capable of holding a source of pressurized ionizable gas, such as a cylinder or cartridge, and includes at least one controller to control the delivery of the gas from the source to the hand-held applicator and to control the delivery of electrosurgical energy to the hand-held applicator.

Abstract: A method and electrosurgical system for optically detecting blood and controlling an electrosurgical generator are provided. An optical blood detection system is used for optically detecting blood and may be included as an integral part of the overall electrosurgical system's circuitry, or may be designed as a separate unit that connects to, and controls, an electrosurgical generator. The optical blood detection system may be embodied through a variety of analog, digital and/or optical circuit components or arrangements, including software running on computational and memory circuitry. The optical blood detection system controls the output mode and energy of the electrosurgical generator in accordance with the amount of blood detected.