Abstract: System for increasing a target zone for electrical ablation includes a treatment control module executable by a processor. The control module directs a pulse generator to apply pre-conditioning pulses to subject tissue cells in a pre-conditioning zone to electroporation. The pre-conditioning zone being smaller than a target ablation zone. After the pre-conditioning pulses have been applied, the control module directs the pulse generator to apply treatment pulses to electrically ablate the tissue cells in the target ablation zone. The pre-conditioning pulses cause the pre-conditioning zone to have a much higher conductivity so that the zone acts as a larger electrode area when the treatment pulses are applied, which results in a much larger target ablation zone than otherwise possible.

Abstract: A medical device includes a manual drive structure having a manual drive input member and a manual drive coupling member. The medical device also includes a first tool drive member including a first motor drive input member and a second tool drive member including a second motor drive input member. The first tool drive member is coupled to and driven by the manual drive input member via the manual drive coupling member and the second tool drive member is coupled to and driven by the manual drive input member via the manual drive coupling member.

Abstract: System for increasing a target zone for electrical ablation includes a treatment control module executable by a processor. The control module directs a pulse generator to apply pre-conditioning pulses to subject tissue cells in a pre-conditioning zone to electroporation, the pre-conditioning zone being smaller than a target ablation zone. After the pre-conditioning pulses have been applied, the control module directs the pulse generator to apply treatment pulses to electrically ablate the tissue cells in the target ablation zone. The pre-conditioning pulses cause the pre-conditioning zone to have a much higher conductivity so that the zone acts as a larger electrode area when the treatment pulses are applied, which results in a much larger target ablation zone than otherwise possible.

Abstract: An instrument can include a shaft with a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, an end effector at the distal end portion, and a transmission mechanism at the proximal end portion. The transmission mechanism can include a driven input device engageable with an external drive mechanism. The instrument can include an indicator operably coupled to the driven input device and moveable through each of a plurality of consecutive positions, each of the plurality of consecutive positions being associated with a unique indicium of a non-zero number of available uses left of the instrument. In response to the driven input device being driven, the indicator moves from a current position of the plurality of positions to a subsequent position of the plurality of positions. The instrument can also include a device configured to record occurrence of a change in an environmental condition to which the instrument is subjected.

Abstract: An instrument can include a shaft with a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, an end effector at the distal end portion of the shaft, and a transmission mechanism at the proximal end portion of the shaft. The transmission mechanism can include a driven input device engageable with an external drive mechanism. The instrument can include an indicator operably coupled to the driven input device and moveable through each of a plurality of consecutive positions, each of the plurality of consecutive positions being associated with a unique indicium of a non-zero number of available uses left of the instrument. In response to the driven input device being driven, the indicator moves from a current position of the plurality of positions to a subsequent position of the plurality of positions. The instrument can also include a device configured to record occurrence of a change in an environmental condition to which the instrument is subjected.

Abstract: Closure devices for sealing a puncture and methods of sealing a puncture are described herein. A closure device may be used to position a sealant in a puncture. The sealant may be provided in a sheath which is retracted to expose the sealant in the puncture. A support member may be advanced to compress the sealant. The device may have a lock that prevents the support member from advancing prematurely. The lock may be unlocked when the sheath is at least partially retracted. The device may have an actuator that controls movement of the sheath and the support member. The lock may remain in a locked position until the sheath is at least partially retracted.

Abstract: Closure devices for sealing a puncture and methods of sealing a puncture are described herein. A closure device may be used to position a sealant in a puncture. The sealant may be provided in a sheath which is retracted to expose the sealant in the puncture. A support member may be advanced to compress the sealant. The device may have a lock that prevents the support member from advancing prematurely. The lock may be unlocked when the sheath is at least partially retracted. The device may have an actuator that controls movement of the sheath and the support member. The lock may remain in a locked position until the sheath is at least partially retracted.

Abstract: An instrument can include a shaft with a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, an end effector at the distal end portion of the shaft, and a transmission mechanism at the proximal end portion of the shaft. The transmission mechanism can include a driven input device engageable with an external drive mechanism. The instrument can include an indicator operably coupled to the driven input device and moveable through each of a plurality of consecutive positions, each of the plurality of consecutive positions being associated with a unique indicium of a non-zero number of available uses left of the instrument. In response to the driven input device being driven, the indicator moves from a current position of the plurality of positions to a subsequent position of the plurality of positions. The instrument can also include a device configured to record occurrence of a change in an environmental condition to which the instrument is subjected.

Abstract: Closure devices for sealing a puncture and methods of sealing a puncture are described herein. A closure device may be used to position a sealant in a puncture. The sealant may be provided in a sheath which is retracted to expose the sealant in the puncture. A support member may be advanced to compress the sealant. The device may have a lock that prevents the support member from advancing prematurely. The lock may be unlocked when the sheath is at least partially retracted. The device may have an actuator that controls movement of the sheath and the support member. The lock may remain in a locked position until the sheath is at least partially retracted.

Abstract: System for increasing a target zone for electrical ablation includes a treatment control module executable by a processor. The control module directs a pulse generator to apply pre-conditioning pulses to subject tissue cells in a pre-conditioning zone to electroporation, the pre-conditioning zone being smaller than a target ablation zone. After the pre-conditioning pulses have been applied, the control module directs the pulse generator to apply treatment pulses to electrically ablate the tissue cells in the target ablation zone. The pre-conditioning pulses cause the pre-conditioning zone to have a much higher conductivity so that the zone acts as a larger electrode area when the treatment pulses are applied, which results in a much larger target ablation zone than otherwise possible.

Abstract: A method of reducing the risk of clinical sequelae to catheter induced vascular injuries may include introducing a guide wire into a vascular sheath residing in a blood vessel, proximally retracting the vascular sheath while leaving the wire in place, and observing indicia of the presence or absence of a vascular injury caused to the blood vessel by the vascular sheath or a procedural catheter previously advanced through the vascular sheath. If indicia of a vascular injury are observed, the method may further involve proximally retracting the guide wire to position the inflatable balloon adjacent the injury and inflating the balloon to reduce blood flow past the injury, while leaving the guide wire in place to provide subsequent access to the injury. The inflatable balloon can be inflated and deflated through a valve positioned at the proximal end of the guide wire.

Abstract: Closure devices for sealing a puncture and methods of sealing a puncture are described herein. A closure device may be used to position a sealant in a puncture. The sealant may be provided in a sheath which is retracted to expose the sealant in the puncture. A support member may be advanced to compress the sealant. The device may have a lock that prevents the support member from advancing prematurely. The lock may be unlocked when the sheath is at least partially retracted. The device may have an actuator that controls movement of the sheath and the support member. The lock may remain in a locked position until the sheath is at least partially retracted.

Abstract: System for increasing a target zone for electrical ablation includes a treatment control module executable by a processor. The control module directs a pulse generator to apply pre-conditioning pulses to subject tissue cells in a pre-conditioning zone to electroporation, the pre-conditioning zone being smaller than a target ablation zone. After the pre-conditioning pulses have been applied, the control module directs the pulse generator to apply treatment pulses to electrically ablate the tissue cells in the target ablation zone. The pre-conditioning pulses cause the pre-conditioning zone to have a much higher conductivity so that the zone acts as a larger electrode area when the treatment pulses are applied, which result in a much larger target ablation zone than otherwise possible.

Abstract: A method of reducing the risk of clinical sequelae to catheter induced vascular injuries may include introducing a guide wire into a vascular sheath residing in a blood vessel, proximally retracting the vascular sheath while leaving the wire in place, and observing indicia of the presence or absence of a vascular injury caused to the blood vessel by the vascular sheath or a procedural catheter previously advanced through the vascular sheath. If indicia of a vascular injury are observed, the method may further involve proximally retracting the guide wire to position the inflatable balloon adjacent the injury and inflating the balloon to reduce blood flow past the injury, while leaving the guide wire in place to provide subsequent access to the injury. The inflatable balloon can be inflated and deflated through a valve positioned at the proximal end of the guide wire.

Abstract: System for increasing a target zone for electrical ablation includes a treatment control module executable a processor. The control module directs a pulse generator to apply pre-conditioning pulses to subject tissue cells in a pre-conditioning zone electroporation, the pre-conditioning zone being smaller than a target ablation zone. After the pre-conditioning pulses have been applied, the control module directs the pulse generator to apply treatment pulses to electrically ablate the tissue cells in the target ablation zone. The pre-conditioning pulses cause the pre-conditioning zone to have a much higher conductivity so that the zone acts as a larger electrode area when the treatment pulses are applied, which result in a much larger target ablation zone than otherwise possible.

Abstract: System for increasing a target zone for electrical ablation includes a treatment control module executable by a processor. The control module directs a pulse generator to apply pre-conditioning pulses to subject tissue cells in a pre-conditioning zone to electroporation, the pre-conditioning zone being smaller than a target ablation zone. After the pre-conditioning pulses have been applied, the control module directs the pulse generator to apply treatment pulses to electrically ablate the tissue cells in the target ablation zone. The pre-conditioning pulses cause the pre-conditioning zone to have a much higher conductivity so that the zone acts as a larger electrode area when the treatment pulses are applied, which results in a much larger target ablation zone than otherwise possible.

Abstract: An energy delivery device for treating a patient includes a probe body and a plurality of elongate electrode elements that extend radially away from the probe body when deployed into tissue of the patient. The electrode elements are adapted to receive electrical treatment energy such as irreversible electroporation (IRE) pulses from an energy source. In one embodiment, each electrode element has a longitudinally varying electrical resistance at the electrode-tissue interface along the electrode so as to provide a uniform electric field along the length of the electrode. The uniform electric field allows a more uniform ablation of tissue within a treatment zone.

Abstract: A method of reducing the risk of clinical sequelae to catheter induced vascular injuries may include introducing a guide wire into a vascular sheath residing in a blood vessel, proximally retracting the vascular sheath while leaving the wire in place, and observing indicia of the presence or absence of a vascular injury caused to the blood vessel by the vascular sheath or a procedural catheter previously advanced through the vascular sheath. If indicia of a vascular injury are observed, the method may further involve proximally retracting the guide wire to position the inflatable balloon adjacent the injury and inflating the balloon to reduce blood flow past the injury, while leaving the guide wire in place to provide subsequent access to the injury. The inflatable balloon can be inflated and deflated through a valve positioned at the proximal end of the guide wire.

Abstract: System for increasing a target zone for electrical ablation includes a treatment control module executable by a processor. The control module directs a pulse generator to apply pre-conditioning pulses to subject tissue cells in a pre-conditioning zone to electroporation, the pre-conditioning zone being smaller than a target ablation zone. After the pre-conditioning pulses have been applied, the control module directs the pulse generator to apply treatment pulses to electrically ablate the tissue cells in the target ablation zone. The pre-conditioning pulses cause the pre-conditioning zone to have a much higher conductivity so that the zone acts as a larger electrode area when the treatment pulses are applied, which results in a much larger target ablation zone than otherwise possible.