Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and systems for controlling the usage of devices with embedded RFID tags. An exemplary method may include connecting the device to an energy source and reading data from a memory device incorporated in the device, wherein the data may include a unique identifier (UID), a usage value, an activation value, a reprocessing value, and/or a sterilization indicator. The method may further include incrementing the usage value when the device is connected to the energy source, and incrementing the activation value when the device is activated permitting energy to flow from the energy source to an energy consuming component of the device.

Abstract: A printed circuit board includes a first layer stack and a second layer stack coupled to the first layer stack. The first layer stack includes a first electrically-insulating layer, a first electrically-conductive layer, and a cut-out area defining a void that extends therethrough. The first electrically-insulating layer includes a first surface and an opposite second surface. The first electrically-conductive layer is disposed on the first surface of the first electrically-insulating layer. The second layer stack includes a second electrically-insulating layer. The second electrically-insulating layer includes a first surface and an opposite second surface. One or more electrically-conductive traces are disposed on the first surface of the second electrically-insulating layer. The printed circuit board further includes a device at least partially disposed within the cut-out area.

Abstract: A medical device includes a handle assembly and a probe-and-amplifier assembly. The handle assembly includes a handle body defining a chamber therein. The probe-and-amplifier assembly includes a probe and a microwave amplifier unit. The probe extends distally from the distal end of the handle assembly. The microwave amplifier unit is disposed within the chamber. The microwave amplifier unit and the probe are mechanically coupled to one another to form a unitary body. The probe-and-amplifier assembly is selectively removable from the handle assembly.

Abstract: A system includes a microwave signal generator and a medical device. The medical device includes a handle assembly, a microwave-signal-amplifying module, and a probe. The microwave-signal-amplifying module includes a microwave amplifier unit. The microwave amplifier unit is adapted to amplify a high-frequency input signal to generate a high-frequency output signal. The microwave amplifier unit is disposed within the handle assembly. The probe extends distally from the distal end of the handle assembly and is operably coupled to an output of the microwave-signal-amplifying module.

Abstract: A method of directing energy to tissue includes the steps of providing a handheld device including an energy applicator and a handle assembly configured to support the energy applicator at a distal end thereof, and transmitting energy from an output of a microwave amplifier unit disposed within the handle assembly through the energy applicator to tissue.

Abstract: A printed circuit board includes a first layer stack and a second layer stack coupled to the first layer stack. The first layer stack includes a first electrically-insulating layer, a first electrically-conductive layer, and a cut-out area defining a void that extends therethrough. The first electrically-insulating layer includes a first surface and an opposite second surface. The first electrically-conductive layer is disposed on the first surface of the first electrically-insulating layer. The second layer stack includes a second electrically-insulating layer. The second electrically-insulating layer includes a first surface and an opposite second surface. One or more electrically-conductive traces are disposed on the first surface of the second electrically-insulating layer. The printed circuit board further includes a device at least partially disposed within the cut-out area.

Abstract: A medical device includes a handle assembly including a distal end, a probe extending distally from the distal end of the handle assembly, and a microwave amplifier unit disposed within the handle assembly. The microwave amplifier unit is adapted to amplify a high-frequency input signal to generate a high-frequency output signal to be transmitted to the probe.

Abstract: A printed circuit board includes a first layer stack and a second layer stack coupled to the first layer stack. The first layer stack includes a first electrically-insulating layer, a first electrically-conductive layer, and a cut-out area defining a void that extends therethrough. The first electrically-insulating layer includes a first surface and an opposite second surface. The first electrically-conductive layer is disposed on the first surface of the first electrically-insulating layer. The second layer stack includes a second electrically-insulating layer. The second electrically-insulating layer includes a first surface and an opposite second surface. One or more electrically-conductive traces are disposed on the first surface of the second electrically-insulating layer. The printed circuit board further includes a device at least partially disposed within the cut-out area.

Abstract: A multi-layer printed circuit board includes a first layer stack and a second layer stack coupled to the first layer stack. The first layer stack includes a first electrically-insulating layer, a second electrically-insulating layer, and a first electrically-conductive layer disposed between the first and second electrically-insulating layers. The second layer includes a third electrically-insulating layer and a second electrically-conductive layer. The first layer stack and/or the second layer stack include a cut-out area defining a void that extends therethrough.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a medical device includes the initial steps of providing a handle assembly and providing a microwave-signal-amplifying module. The handle assembly includes a handle body defining a chamber therein. The handle body is configured to support an energy applicator at the distal end thereof. The microwave-signal-amplifying module includes a microwave amplifier unit adapted to amplify a high-frequency input signal to generate a high-frequency output signal. The microwave-signal-amplifying module includes one or more connector portions including one or more electrical connectors adapted to be removeably coupleable to one or more electrical conductors associated with the handle body. The method also includes the step of positioning the microwave-signal-amplifying module into the chamber to bring the one or more electrical connectors of the one or more connector portions into electrical engagement with one or more electrical connectors associated with the handle body.

Abstract: An electrical contact pin includes an outer shaft, an inner shaft at least partially received within the outer shaft and slidable relative to the outer shaft, and a rotatable member disposed at a free end of the inner shaft. The rotatable member is rotatable relative to the inner shaft in at least one direction.

Abstract: Systems and corresponding methods for determining characteristics of an output signal generated by a high-frequency medical device using low-frequency measurement systems are disclosed. A digital measurement system includes an oscillator, a mixer, and a controller coupled to each other. The oscillator provides a reference signal having a second frequency. The mixer generates a down-converted signal based on the output signal and the reference signal. The controller then determines a characteristic of the output signal (e.g., frequency or phase) based on the down-converted signal. An analog measurement system includes a filter having a center frequency, a rectifier, and a controller. The filter filters the output signal and the rectifier rectifies the filtered signal. The controller samples the rectified signal and determines a characteristic of the output signal based on the level of the rectified signal.

Abstract: A system is provided. The system includes an electrosurgical generator configured to measure, collect and record data pertaining to a characteristic of tissue as the tissue is being electrosurgically treated. A tuner configured to couple to the electrosurgical generator includes a tuning circuit providing a load having a variable complex impedance for the electrosurgical generator when the electrosurgical generator is connected thereto. A controller including stored data pertaining to impedance values is in operable communication with the electrosurgical generator for retrieving the recorded data pertaining to the characteristic of tissue. The controller is in operable communication with the tuner for varying a complex impedance of the load. The controller configured to compare the recorded data pertaining to the at least one characteristic of tissue with the stored data pertaining to the plurality of impedance values and to adjust the tuner to one of the plurality of impedance values.

Abstract: An electrosurgical system includes an electrosurgical power generating source, an energy applicator operably associated with the electrosurgical power generating source, a processor unit, and a data acquisition module configured to receive a reflected signal. The processor unit is disposed in operative communication with the data acquisition module and adapted to determine a tissue desiccation rate around at least a portion of the energy applicator based on one or more signals received from the data acquisition module.

Abstract: A printed circuit board includes a first layer stack and a second layer stack coupled to the first layer stack. The first layer stack includes a first electrically-insulating layer, a first electrically-conductive layer, and a cut-out area defining a void that extends therethrough. The first electrically-insulating layer includes a first surface and an opposite second surface. The first electrically-conductive layer is disposed on the first surface of the first electrically-insulating layer. The second layer stack includes a second electrically-insulating layer. The second electrically-insulating layer includes a first surface and an opposite second surface. One or more electrically-conductive traces are disposed on the first surface of the second electrically-insulating layer. The printed circuit board further includes a device at least partially disposed within the cut-out area.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a printed circuit board includes the steps of providing a first layer stack including a first electrically-conductive layer and a first electrically-insulating layer and providing a second layer stack including a second electrically-insulating layer. The first electrically-conductive layer is disposed on the first surface of the first electrically-insulating layer. The second electrically-insulating layer includes one or more electrically-conductive traces disposed on a first surface thereof. The method also includes mounting a device on the first surface of the second electrically-insulating layer such that the device is electrically-coupled to at least one of the one or more electrically-conductive traces, and providing the first layer stack with a cut-out area defining a void that extends from the second surface of the first electrically-insulating layer to the first surface of the first electrically-conductive layer.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a printed circuit board includes the initial steps of providing a first layer stack and providing a second layer stack. The first layer stack includes a first electrically-insulating layer. The first electrically-insulating layer includes a first surface and one or more electrically-conductive traces disposed on the first surface. The second layer stack includes a second electrically-insulating layer and a first electrically-conductive layer. The second electrically-insulating layer includes a first surface and an opposite second surface. The first electrically-conductive layer is disposed on the first surface of the second electrically-insulating layer. The second layer stack further includes a cut-out area defining a void that extends therethrough.

Abstract: A multi-layer printed circuit board includes a first layer stack and a second layer stack coupled to the first layer stack. The first layer stack includes a first electrically-insulating layer, a second electrically-insulating layer, and a first electrically-conductive layer disposed between the first and second electrically-insulating layers. The second layer includes a third electrically-insulating layer and a second electrically-conductive layer. The first layer stack and/or the second layer stack include a cut-out area defining a void that extends therethrough.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for an end effector assembly for microwave forceps. The end effector assembly includes a pair of opposing jaw members movable from a first position in spaced relation relative to one another to at least one subsequent position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. Each of the jaw members includes a microwave antenna assembly and a shielding member including a metallic plate coupled to ground and a dielectric material. The end effector assembly also includes a splitter configured to receive an active signal from a source of microwave energy and split the active signal into a first signal transmitted to the microwave antenna assembly in one of the jaw members and a second signal transmitted in the microwave antenna assembly in the other jaw member.

Abstract: A method of directing energy to tissue includes the steps of providing a handheld device including an energy applicator and a handle assembly configured to support the energy applicator at a distal end thereof, and transmitting energy from an output of a microwave amplifier unit disposed within the handle assembly through the energy applicator to tissue.