Abstract: A method and apparatus for ablating tissue are disclosed that comprise positioning two or more bi-directional ablation energy sources in spaced-apart relation in sufficient proximity to the tissue to be ablated so that, upon activation each energy source creates an energy field in the tissue to be ablated. The energy sources are spaced such that the energy fields created by at least one of the activated sources partially overlaps with the energy field created by one or more of the other energy sources. The energy sources are alternately activated and deactivated, so that a substantially constant energy field results where the energy fields created by at least two of the energy sources overlap. While the energy sources are preferably RF energy sources, other energy sources, such as microwave, may be used.

Abstract: Surgical devices and related methods are disclosed. An example surgical device may include an end effector disposed at a distal end of the shaft, the end effector comprising a head, the head comprising an articulating mechanism, the articulating mechanism being operable to move a first jaw between an open position in which the first jaw and a second jaw are separated and substantially non-parallel and a closed position in which the first jaw and the second jaw are substantially adjacent and substantially parallel, where each of the first jaw and the second jaw comprises a first substantially straight portion proximate the head, a second substantially straight portion, a third substantially straight portion distant from the head, a first curved portion between the first substantially straight portion and the second substantially straight portion, and a second curved portion between the second substantially straight portion and the third substantially straight portion.

Abstract: A field effect transistor has a semiconductor layer with a top surface extending in a horizontal plane, and an active area defined in which are trench gate regions, which extend in depth with respect to the top surface and have an insulating coating layer and a conductive inner layer, and source regions, adjacent to the trench gate regions so as to form a conductive channel extending vertically. The trench gate regions have a plurality of first gate regions, which extend in length in the form of stripes through the active area along a first direction of the horizontal plane, and moreover a plurality of second gate regions, which extend in length in the form of stripes through the same active area along a second direction of the horizontal plane, orthogonal to, and crossing, the first gate regions. In particular, the first gate regions and second gate regions cross in the active area, joining with a non-zero curvature radius.

Abstract: A guidewire comprising a hydrophilic surface coating encasing a core and a metal coil along a longitudinal length of the hydrophilic surface coating to form a distal closed tip, the metal coil circumscribing the core along a predetermined length, the core extending longitudinally beyond the metal coil in both a proximal direction and a distal direction, wherein a proximal section of the guidewire includes a hydrophobic surface coating.

Abstract: The instant disclosure is directed to devices and methods for deploying a biased occlusion clamp. In addition, the present disclosure includes devices and methods for deploying a biased occlusion clamp using robotics. Moreover, the present disclosure includes devices and methods for reducing the force necessary to open an occlusion clamp without permanently compromising the clamping force of the clamp itself.

Abstract: Methods of performing surgical operations and associated devices are disclosed. An example method may include locating a first position on a first surface of a biological tissue; locating a second position on a second opposing surface of the biological tissue, the second position corresponding to the first position; and marking the second position on the second surface. The second surface may be generally opposite the first surface. An example method may include, after marking the second position, performing a therapeutic procedure on the biological tissue in the vicinity of the second position.

Abstract: A medical instrument comprising: (A) a first joint comprising a first member and a second member, the first member configured to be repositionable with respect to the second member in an X-Y plane; (B) a second joint operatively coupled to the first joint, the second joint comprising a third member and a fourth member, the third member configured to be repositionable with respect to the fourth member in a Y-Z plane perpendicular to the X-Y plane; and, (C) a controller operatively coupled to the first joint and the second joint, the controller including a first control configured to direct repositioning of at least one of the first member and the second member, and a second control configured to direct repositioning of at least one of the third member and the fourth member.

Abstract: Improved systems and methods for extracorporeal blood temperature control and patient temperature control, e.g., for induced hypothermia and optional normothermia, may include or otherwise employ a heat exchanger for cooling/warming of a fluid, a thermal exchange module having fluidly-isolated first and second volumes, and a fluid pump for circulating the fluid through the heat exchanger and the first volume of the thermal exchange module. A blood pump may be provided for the flow of blood through the second volume of the thermal exchange module, and a first controller may be provided for providing output signals for use in operation of the heat exchanger to selectively control thermal exchange between the fluid circulated through the first volume of the thermal exchange module and the blood flowed through the second volume of the thermal exchange module, thereby providing for selective cooling/warming of the blood.

Abstract: An improved medical procedure or catheterization tray included in an improved medical procedure or catheterization package. The improved medical procedure or catheterization tray is intuitively arranged and includes instructions printed thereon to improve the medical procedure or catheterization implementation and results. In one example, a catheterization package and catheterization tray has a layout and/or arrangement of components that may help reduce CAUTI rates by facilitating ease of use and aiding in proper aseptic technique during insertion. The medical procedure or catheterization package and/or medical procedure or catheterization tray may include various implements, compartments, and components necessary and/or helpful to the medical procedure or catheterization, including, for example, improved swabs and an improved compartment for holding the swabs.

Abstract: A field effect transistor has a semiconductor layer with a top surface extending in a horizontal plane, and an active area defined in which are trench gate regions, which extend in depth with respect to the top surface and have an insulating coating layer and a conductive inner layer, and source regions, adjacent to the trench gate regions so as to form a conductive channel extending vertically. The trench gate regions have a plurality of first gate regions, which extend in length in the form of stripes through the active area along a first direction of the horizontal plane, and moreover a plurality of second gate regions, which extend in length in the form of stripes through the same active area along a second direction of the horizontal plane, orthogonal to, and crossing, the first gate regions. In particular, the first gate regions and second gate regions cross in the active area, joining with a non-zero curvature radius.

Abstract: Surgical devices and related methods are disclosed. An example end effector for a surgical device may include a first jaw, a second jaw, and an articulating mechanism operable to move the first jaw between an open position, an intermediate position, and a closed position. An example articulating mechanism may include a first jaw mount coupled to the first jaw so that movement of the first jaw mount along a path causes rotation and translation of the first jaw mount and the first jaw. A pivotably mounted crank may operably couple an actuator linkage to the first jaw mount so that moving the actuator linkage rotates the crank, and rotation of the crank may move the first jaw mount along the path.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for occluding an anatomical structure including an occlusion apparatus having first and second beams and at least one connector for connecting the respective ends of the beams together. The occlusion apparatus may be adapted for use in a deployment device having a pair of jaws and optionally having a respective pair of shuttle bodies for releasably connecting an occlusion apparatus to the jaws while in an open position and for releasing the occlusion device from the jaws while in a closed position. A system for occluding an anatomical structure is also disclosed that includes an occlusion apparatus and a deployment device for holding the occlusion apparatus in an open position for locating the occlusion device adjacent the anatomical structure to be occluded and then moving the occlusion apparatus to a closed position and locking the occlusion apparatus in the closed position.

Abstract: A medical instrument comprising: (A) a first joint comprising a first member and a second member, the first member configured to be repositionable with respect to the second member in an X-Y plane; (B) a second joint operatively coupled to the first joint, the second joint comprising a third member and a fourth member, the third member configured to be repositionable with respect to the fourth member in a Y-Z plane perpendicular to the X-Y plane; and, (C) a controller operatively coupled to the first joint and the second joint, the controller including a first control configured to direct repositioning of at least one of the first member and the second member, and a second control configured to direct repositioning of at least one of the third member and the fourth member.

Abstract: A medical instrument comprising: (A) a first joint comprising a first member and a second member, the first member configured to be repositionable with respect to the second member in an X-Y plane; (B) a second joint operatively coupled to the first joint, the second joint comprising a third member and a fourth member, the third member configured to be repositionable with respect to the fourth member in a Y-Z plane perpendicular to the X-Y plane; and, (C) a controller operatively coupled to the first joint and the second joint, the controller including a first control configured to direct repositioning of at least one of the first member and the second member, and a second control configured to direct repositioning of at least one of the third member and the fourth member.

Abstract: A field effect transistor has a semiconductor layer with a top surface extending in a horizontal plane, and an active area defined in which are trench gate regions, which extend in depth with respect to the top surface and have an insulating coating layer and a conductive inner layer, and source regions, adjacent to the trench gate regions so as to form a conductive channel extending vertically. The trench gate regions have a plurality of first gate regions, which extend in length in the form of stripes through the active area along a first direction of the horizontal plane, and moreover a plurality of second gate regions, which extend in length in the form of stripes through the same active area along a second direction of the horizontal plane, orthogonal to, and crossing, the first gate regions. In particular, the first gate regions and second gate regions cross in the active area, joining with a non-zero curvature radius.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for occluding an anatomical structure including an occlusion apparatus having first and second beams and at least one connector for connecting the respective ends of the beams together. The occlusion apparatus may be adapted for use in a deployment device having a pair of jaws and optionally having a respective pair of shuttle bodies for releasably connecting an occlusion apparatus to the jaws while in an open position and for releasing the occlusion device from the jaws while in a closed position. A system for occluding an anatomical structure is also disclosed that includes an occlusion apparatus and a deployment device for holding the occlusion apparatus in an open position for locating the occlusion device adjacent the anatomical structure to be occluded and then moving the occlusion apparatus to a closed position and locking the occlusion apparatus in the closed position.

Abstract: A medical instrument comprising: (A) a first joint comprising a first member and a second member, the first member configured to be repositionable with respect to the second member in an X-Y plane; (B) a second joint operatively coupled to the first joint, the second joint comprising a third member and a fourth member, the third member configured to be repositionable with respect to the fourth member in a Y-Z plane perpendicular to the X-Y plane; and, (C) a controller operatively coupled to the first joint and the second joint, the controller including a first control configured to direct repositioning of at least one of the first member and the second member, and a second control configured to direct repositioning of at least one of the third member and the fourth member.

Abstract: A field effect transistor has a semiconductor layer with a top surface extending in a horizontal plane, and an active area defined in which are trench gate regions, which extend in depth with respect to the top surface and have an insulating coating layer and a conductive inner layer, and source regions, adjacent to the trench gate regions so as to form a conductive channel extending vertically. The trench gate regions have a plurality of first gate regions, which extend in length in the form of stripes through the active area along a first direction of the horizontal plane, and moreover a plurality of second gate regions, which extend in length in the form of stripes through the same active area along a second direction of the horizontal plane, orthogonal to, and crossing, the first gate regions. In particular, the first gate regions and second gate regions cross in the active area, joining with a non-zero curvature radius.

Abstract: Apparatus and systems include an electrosurgical instrument with a unique jaw configuration and gripping surfaces that allow tangential gripping and ablation of tissue in a minimally invasive procedure. The electrosurgical instrument can include a shaft and hinge coupling the shaft to first and second jaws. The first jaw can be an anchor for the second jaw. The jaws can have respective first portions and second portions offset at an angle from the first portions. Each jaw can also include electrodes on their inner surfaces facing the other jaw. Each jaw can also include textured gripping surfaces. The gripping surfaces can be included on at least a portion of the base of each jaw, as well as on at least a portion of the inner surfaces of the jaws.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein are directed to tubing management members and urine collection systems including such tubing management members. In an embodiment, a tubing management member may be coupled and, in some embodiments, removably coupled to a drainage tube of the urine collection system. The tubing management member may include a plurality of attachment elements for attaching the tubing management member to the drainage tube.