Abstract: A method and apparatus that utilizes a force-time integral for real time estimation of lesion size in catheter-based ablation systems. The apparatus measures the force exerted by a contact ablation probe on a target tissue and integrates the force over an energization time of the ablation probe. The force-time integral can be calculated and utilized to provide an estimated lesion size (depth, volume and/or area) in real time. The force-time integral may also account for variations in the power delivered to the target tissue in real time to provide an improved estimation of the lesion size. In one embodiment, the force metric can be used as feedback to establish a desired power level delivered to the probe to prevent steam popping.

Abstract: A battery powered handheld air plasma spray was designed, developed and successfully demonstrated. The power supply includes a battery, a dc HID ballast and a series LC matching circuit. This matching circuit is designed to maintain the performance of the HID ballast while driving arc discharges, which are rotated around the electrodes by the magnetic field of a ring magnet. The produced plasma is in a non-equilibrium state; thus, the plasma effluent is low temperature (touchable) and yet carries abundant reactive atomic oxygen, which can rapidly activate blood coagulation processes and can effectively kill numerous microbes. This invention is for blood coagulation and sterilization applications. The device may be installed in vehicles and carried and operated in open fields without AC power sources. It may be used for bleeding control in a serious mishap to treat wounds without having to move the injured.

Abstract: Methods for manipulating and/or reinforcing tissues are provided. The method includes applying a tissue reinforcement material to at least a portion of tissue to be manipulated and applying energy to one or both of the tissue reinforcement material and the tissue.

Abstract: A system and method for reducing leakage current in an electrosurgical generator are disclosed. The system includes an electrosurgical generator configured to provide high frequency electrosurgical energy at a fundamental frequency. The generator includes one or more circuit boards having a board ground. The generator further includes a inductor-capacitor filter connected in series with the board ground and an earth ground. The inductor capacitor filter includes a capacitor connected in parallel with an inductor and is tuned to be at an operational frequency which is resonant at or near the fundamental frequency.

Abstract: Multiple surgical devices that may be used during surgical procedures are shown and described herein. A surgical device includes an outer cannula and an inner member that has a pair of electrodes positioned at a distal end. The inner member defines an aspiration delivery channel with an opening. A handle assembly actuates the outer cannula relative to the inner member, thereby adjusting a size of the opening of the aspiration delivery channel. In another exemplary configuration, an irrigation hub is provided to deliver irrigation through the surgical device.

Abstract: An electrosurgical system is disclosed. The system includes an electrosurgical generator adapted to supply electrosurgical power and an electrosurgical device coupled to the electrosurgical generator. The electrosurgical device includes a transformer and one or more active electrodes coupled thereto, wherein the transformer is adapted to step down the voltage of the power supplied by the electrosurgical generator.

Abstract: An electrode structure and a mechanism for automated or user-selected operation or compensation of the electrodes, for example to determine tissue coverage and/or prevent arcing between bottom electrodes during electrocautery is disclosed.

Abstract: Surgical devices and methods for utilizing optical coherence tomography (OCT) to monitor and control tissue sealing are disclosed. The surgical device includes an end effector assembly that includes first and second jaw members that are movable between a first, spaced-apart position and a second proximate position. An OCT system, at least a portion of which is incorporated into the end effector assembly, is configured to sense properties of the tissue, e.g., the structural density of the tissue, disposed between the first and second jaw members. A tissue-sealing energy source may be disposed within at least one of the jaw members and may provide tissue-sealing energy to tissue disposed between the jaw members. A controller, which is coupled to the OCT system and the tissue-sealing energy source, controls the tissue-sealing energy generated by the tissue-sealing energy source based on the properties of the tissue sensed by the OCT system.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for supplying fluid during a tissue coagulation procedure.

Abstract: A medical apparatus includes: a main body apparatus switchable to a mode for outputting ultrasound vibration, mode for outputting high-frequency current, and mode for simultaneously outputting the ultrasound vibration and the high-frequency current; a probe for performing a first treatment with a first treatment portion; a first attaching and detaching portion including a first electric armature; an insertion portion including a second treatment portion, and configured to perform a second treatment, with a living tissue held between the first treatment portion and the second treatment portion; a second attaching and detaching portion including a second electric armature; a switch control section which switches the output of the high-frequency current to a monopolar output or a bipolar output according to a connection state between the first electric armature and the second electric armature.

Abstract: Described herein generally are surgical pencils which define a channel to enable suctioning of materials and methods of operating the surgical pencils. Surgical pencils are described comprising: a surgical tool configured to perform one of cutting and coagulation, the surgical pencil having a housing including a channel through the housing and terminating near the surgical tool which enables direct suctioning of a material at a surgery site.

Abstract: An ultrasound treatment system comprises an ultrasonic transducer, a handpiece, a probe, a sheath, a clamping member, an operation unit, an operating member, a suction base, and a perfusion base. The ultrasonic transducer generates ultrasonic vibrations. The handpiece has the ultrasonic transducer incorporated therein. The probe is connected to the ultrasonic transducer for transmitting ultrasonic vibrations to a distal member realizing a stationary portion that is a treatment portion for treating a living tissue. The sheath serves as a protecting member for shielding the probe. The clamping member is opposed to the distal member at the distal end of the sheath for clamping a living tissue in cooperation with the distal member. The operation unit is manipulated for clamping a living tissue with the clamping member and distal member or freeing the living tissue therefrom.

Abstract: A high-frequency cauterization power source is an electrosurgical apparatus for joining biological tissues. The electrosurgical apparatus includes a high frequency power supply portion for supplying a high frequency power that is applied to biological tissues; a detection portion for detecting a voltage and a current of a high frequency power that is output from the high frequency power supply portion; a tissue impedance calculating portion that calculates an impedance of biological tissue based on respective values for voltage and current detected at the detection portion; and a control portion that controls so as to substantially stop supply of the high frequency power from the high frequency power supply portion based on whether or not an increase greater than or equal to a predetermined value in the impedance that is calculated at the tissue impedance calculating portion occurs two times.

Abstract: In one general aspect, various embodiments are directed to a surgical instrument that can supply mechanical energy and electrical energy to an end effector of the surgical instrument. The surgical instrument may be operated in a first operating mode in which a transducer of the surgical instrument produces mechanical energy, or vibrations, that are transmitted to the end effector and a second operating mode in which electrical energy, or current, can flow through the end effector to perform electrosurgery. In another general aspect, the surgical instrument may comprise a clamp, or jaw, which can be moved into a closed position to hold tissue against a waveguide, or blade, of the end effector. In the second operating mode of the surgical instrument, current can flow from a power source, through the waveguide, and return to the power source through a path comprising the jaw.

Abstract: An electrosurgical system is disclosed. The electrosurgical system includes an electrosurgical generator adapted to supply electrosurgical energy to tissue. The electrosurgical generator includes impedance sensing circuitry which measures impedance of tissue, a microprocessor configured to determine whether a tissue reaction has occurred as a function of a minimum impedance value and a predetermined rise in impedance, wherein tissue reaction corresponds to a boiling point of tissue fluid, and an electrosurgical instrument including at least one active electrode adapted to apply electrosurgical energy to tissue.

Abstract: An electrosurgical generator is disclosed. The generator includes an output stage configured to generate a waveform, a first input configured to adjust a cut setting representative of a cutting effect of the waveform, and a second input configured to adjust a hemostasis setting representative of a hemostasis effect of the waveform. The generator also includes a controller configured to receive cut and hemostasis settings and to adjust one of a duty cycle, a crest factor and a power level of the waveform to achieve a combined cutting and hemostasis effect based on the cut and hemostasis settings.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus includes a circuit portion that is configured to control an operation of the electronic apparatus and a heat-activated mechanical switch including, for example, a shape-memory material. The shape-memory material has a property such that the shape-memory material assumes a predetermined shape when the electronic apparatus is heated to a transition temperature. The shape-memory material disables the apparatus by acting on the circuit portion when the shape-memory material assumes the predetermined shape.

Abstract: A multi-functional medical device including a sheath having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending between the proximal end and the distal end. The medical device further includes an end-effector slidably disposed within the lumen. A portion of the end-effector may be configured to transition between a collapsed state while in the lumen and an expanded state while out of the lumen. Further, the end-effector may include a tool configured to dissect tissue, and a retracting member having a plurality of legs disposed about the tool.

Abstract: A method for controlling an electrosurgical generator is contemplated by the present disclosure. The method includes applying an electrosurgical waveform to tissue through an electrode. The electrosurgical waveform includes one or more positive half-cycles one or more negative half-cycles. The method also includes measuring voltage and current of the electrosurgical waveform to detect a peak voltage of each of the positive half-cycles and the negative half-cycles and comparing the peak voltage of the positive half-cycles and the peak voltage of the negative half-cycles to determine generation of electrical discharges. The method further includes adjusting the current of the electrosurgical waveform to regulate the generation of the electrical discharges based on a comparison of the peak voltage of the positive half-cycles and the peak voltage of the negative half-cycles.

Abstract: An electrosurgical device and system including a blade operatively coupled to an energy source is disclosed herein. The electrosurgical device includes an optical sensor to monitor physical characteristics of the blade such that the device may automatically regulate the energy supplied to the blade and/or the operator may adjust several parameters including how the blade is removed and how much energy is supplied to the blade. A method of using the device and system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A conduit assembly for transmitting energy between an electrosurgical energy generator and an energy delivering device comprises a first cable sub-assembly including a cable having a flexibility and an energy attenuation; a second cable sub-assembly including a cable having a flexibility and an energy attenuation; wherein the flexibility of the cable of the first cable sub-assembly is less than the flexibility of the cable of the second cable sub-assembly; and wherein the energy attenuation of the cable of the first cable sub-assembly is less than the energy attenuation of the cable of the second cable sub-assembly.

Abstract: Use of Interleukin-20 for treating cervical cancer or cells infected with human papilloma virus . IL-20 can be administered alone or in conjunction with radiation or chemotherapeutic agents or surgical excision of the involved cells or lesions.

Abstract: An electrophysiology electrode having multiple power connections and electrophysiology devices including the same.

Abstract: A method and apparatus include determining a value of a parameter associated with operation of an electrosurgical probe having a particular probe design, and determining whether the value of the parameter is within a range of values that has been predetermined for the particular probe design to indicate that the probe is treating tissue in a desired manner. Power is delivered to the probe according to an algorithm based upon a determination that the value of the parameter is outside the range of values The algorithm delivers power in a pulsed profile including portions of low power and portions of high power. In one embodiment, the tissue treatment is ablation, the parameter is impedance, and the method limits tissue necrosis to less than 200 microns. In another embodiment, the tissue treatment is shrinkage, the parameter is temperature, and the method limits power delivery when the probe is not shrinking tissue.

Abstract: A cautery apparatus and method are provided that coagulate tissue along a seam and near the ends of the seam. The cautery apparatus and method include a cautery device and an EMG system. When a set of electrodes for the EMG are placed in the lower extremities of a patient, the cautery method injects a current at the cautery device and monitors the EMG electrodes. When nerve stimulation is detected at the EMG electrodes, during tissue coagulation, the position of the cautery device is changed. Generally, the cautery device is repositioned to eliminate nerve stimulation, thereby avoiding nerve damage.

Abstract: An ultrasound treatment system comprises an ultrasonic transducer, a handpiece, a probe, a sheath, a clamping member, an operation unit, an operating member, a suction base, and a perfusion base. The ultrasonic transducer generates ultrasonic vibrations. The handpiece has the ultrasonic transducer incorporated therein. The probe is connected to the ultrasonic transducer for transmitting ultrasonic vibrations to a distal member realizing a stationary portion that is a treatment portion for treating a living tissue. The sheath serves as a protecting member for shielding the probe. The clamping member is opposed to the distal member at the distal end of the sheath for clamping a living tissue in cooperation with the distal member. The operation unit is manipulated for clamping a living tissue with the clamping member and distal member or freeing the living tissue therefrom.

Abstract: A catheter comprises a catheter body with an ablation assembly at its distal end. The ablation assembly has a preformed generally circular curve generally transverse to the axis of the catheter body, and comprises a flexible tubing that carries a tip electrode at its distal end. In use, the generally circular curve contacts the inner circumference of a tubular region of a patient's heart so that the tip electrode contacts tissue along the inner circumference. After ablating the tissue at this first position, the ablation assembly can be rotated so that the tip electrode contacts tissue at a second position along the inner circumference. After ablating the tissue at the second position, the procedure can be repeated to form a lesion of the desired length.

Abstract: A circuit is disclosed which minimizes the amount of tissue vaporized during a first half (positive half cycle) of an electrosurgical current cycle and minimizes the amount of current applied to tissue during a second half (negative half cycle) of the electrosurgical current cycle to control thermal spread. The circuit is preferably provided within an electrosurgical generator which is capable of controlling the amount of energy delivered to a patient during electrosurgery on a per arc basis. Also, a method of controlling arc energy via the circuit is disclosed. The method includes the steps of generating a current via a generating unit and dividing the current into two paths via a diode-resistor block, one path including one of a resistor and a potentiometer in series with a pair of electrical components, wherein arc energy variations produced by the generating unit are controlled by the diode-resistor block.

Abstract: A plasma treatment equipment includes: a plasma starting and stabilizing unit (A) having an insulating material such as a dielectric material having an elongated hole connecting to a plasma ejection portion, a triggering and discharge-stabilizing electrode, and an intense electric field electrode mounted thereon; and a plasma generating unit (B) including the insulating material having the elongated hole and a plasma generating electrode configured to perform main plasma generation at the time of operation, wherein the triggering and discharge-stabilizing electrode, the intense electric field electrode, and the plasma generating electrode are provided in such a manner that all the electrodes are not exposed and covered with the dielectric material for the entire space of one or more of the elongated hole which allows passage of gas from the upstream, starting of the plasma and generation of the plasma, and ejection of the plasma jet.

Abstract: Thermal, electrosurgical and mechanical modalities may be combined in a surgical tool. Potentially damaging effects in a first modality may be minimized by using a secondary modality. In one example, thermal hemostasis may thus help electrosurgical applications avoid the adverse tissue effects associated with hemostatic monopolar electrosurgical waveforms while retaining the benefits of using monopolar incising waveforms.

Abstract: A method for mitigating leakage in an RF electrosurgical generator includes delivering an RF signal from an RF electrosurgical generator to an electrosurgical electrode by way of a patient box; providing a balanced and symmetrical shielded transmission line coupling said electrosurgical generator disposed in a first housing to said patient box disposed in a second, different housing; providing a common mode choke in said patient box, said common mode choke including an output winding and a return winding, said output winding and said return winding spaced apart and in parallel to maintain a desired impedance, said output winding comprising a wire carrying said RF signal as an output signal and said return winding carrying a return signal from a return electrode; and directing a common mode signal from said RF signal to said common mode choke thereby blocking said common mode signal.

Abstract: An endoscopically-guided intra-abdominal fat aspiration system for performing fat aspiration operations, including an endoscopy subsystem for capturing and recording captured digital video images of the intra-abdominal region of a patient, and a twin-cannula powered fat aspiration subsystem having a powered hand-supportable fat aspiration instrument provided with a bipolar electro-cauterizing twin-cannula assembly.

Abstract: A plasma generator having a dielectric body; a first end wall and a second end wall attached or coupled to each end of the dielectric body to define a cavity within the dielectric body, and wherein the second end wall includes at least one discharge aperture formed therein; at least one gas inlet formed proximate the first end of the dielectric body; at least one anode located within the cavity of the dielectric body, wherein the at least one anode includes at least one anode aperture; at least one hollow discharge nozzle associated with each discharge aperture, and extending from the second end wall to a nozzle aperture, such that when a generated plasma is produced, the generated plasma flows through each discharge aperture, each associated discharge nozzles, and each associated nozzle aperture; and at least one cathode formed at least substantially around a portion of each discharge nozzle.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for the ablation of regions of the digestive tract to achieve hemostasis and to eradicate chronically bleeding lesions as occur with gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE), portal hypertensive gastropathy (PHG), radiation proctopathy and colopathy, arteriovenous malformations, and angiodysplasia. Ablation is typically provided in a wide-field manner, and in conjunction with sufficient pressure to achieve coaptive coagulation. Ablation, as provided the invention, starts at the mucosa and penetrates deeper into the gastrointestinal wall in a controlled manner. Ablation control may be exerted by way of electrode design and size, energy density, power density, number of applications, pattern of applications, and pressure. Control may also be provided by a fractional ablation that ablates some tissue within a target region and leaves a portion substantially unaffected.

Abstract: An electrosurgical generator includes one or more radio frequency (RF) power sources and an output stage including at least two output lines for connection to an electrosurgical instrument. The generator includes means for measuring a parameter associated with the electrosurgical procedure, such as the impedance measured across two of the output lines. A controller controls the generator such that it delivers a first RF waveform (such as a cutting signal) or a second RF waveform (such as a coagulating signal) to the output lines, and, in a combined mode, both first and second waveforms. The controller automatically adjusts at least one aspect of one or both waveforms in the combined mode, in response to the measured parameter associated with the surgical procedure.

Abstract: An electrical conductor, such as a wire or catheter, which is coated circumferentially with a ferromagnetic material in a selected region, is fed from a high frequency alternating current source. The ferromagnetic material has a quick response in heating and cooling to the controllable power delivery. The ferromagnetic material can be used for separating tissue, coagulation, tissue destruction or achieving other desired tissue effects in numerous surgical procedures.

Abstract: An electrical conductor, such as a wire or catheter, which is coated circumferentially with a ferromagnetic material in a selected region, is fed from a high frequency alternating current source. The ferromagnetic material has a quick response in heating and cooling to the controllable power delivery. The ferromagnetic material can be used for separating tissue, coagulation, tissue destruction or achieving other desired tissue effects in numerous surgical procedures.

Abstract: An ablation probe and method of manufacturing the ablation probe are provided. The probe comprises a probe shaft and a unibody electrode element. The unibody electrode element comprises a common electrode base located at the distal end of the shaft, and a plurality of electrode tines distally extending from the electrode base. The electrode element may be created by forming divisions (such as slits or slots) from a first end of an electrically conductive elongate member towards an opposing second end of the elongate member. Alternatively, the divisions can be formed from a first end of an electrically conductive sheet towards an opposing second end of the sheet, and then bent or rolled to form the elongate member. In either case, the common electrode base can either be separately mounted to a probe shaft, or the probe shaft can be formed from the elongate member, in which case, the electrode base will be integrated with the probe shaft as a unibody structure. The electrode tines can be optionally shaped, e.g.

Abstract: An electrosurgical apparatus for coagulating tissue comprises an elongate tube (3) having a proximal end and a distal end, and having a distal end face (12). The tube comprises one or more first apertures (14) located at the distal end face (12) and one or more second apertures (13) located along the periphery of the tube between the proximal and distal ends. The tube provides a conduit though which ionizable gas can be supplied to the distal end of the tube, and includes at least one electrode (4) for ionizing the ionizable gas exiting either the first or second apertures.

Abstract: A surgical system that connects biological tissue includes a) a surgical instrument with two tool elements movable in relation to one another and in each case including an electrode, which electrodes, in a coming-together position of the tool elements preferably define a minimum distance from one another, lie opposite one another and face one another, and b) a medically compatible material assisting connection of the tissue.

Abstract: An electrosurgical apparatus for coagulating tissue comprises an elongated tube (3) having a proximal end and a distal end, and constituting a conduit though which ionisable gas can be supplied to the distal end of the tube. The tube (3) includes one or more apertures (9) in the tube such that the ionisable gas is capable of exiting the tube in a plurality of different directions. The tube includes at least one electrode (4) for ionising the ionisable gas exiting the one or more apertures, and a shield (11) associated to with the tube (3) and movable so as to obscure at least part of the one or more apertures (9) so as to vary the direction or directions in which the ionised gas exits the tube.

Abstract: Thermal, electrosurgical and mechanical modalities may be combined in a surgical tool. Potentially damaging effects in a first modality may be minimized by using a secondary modality. In one example, thermal hemostasis may thus help electrosurgical applications avoid the adverse tissue effects associated with hemostatic monopolar electrosurgical waveforms while retaining the benefits of using monopolar incising waveforms.

Abstract: An electrosurgical device to generate a plasma stream and method to perform endoscopic or laparoscopic surgery within a patient's body. The electrosurgical device includes an electrode operatively coupled to an electrosurgical generator to receive electrical energy therefrom, the electrode being concentrically disposed within an inner noble gas conduit to form a plasma channel. An outer electronegative gas conduit is disposed in surrounding coaxial relation relative to the inner noble gas conduit to cooperatively form an electronegative gas channel therebetween such that the electrode heats the noble gas to at least partially ionize the noble gas to generate the plasma stream to be directed to the surgical site to perform the surgical procedure while the electronegative gas sustains the plasma stream at the surgical site and dilutes the noble gas adjacent the surgical site. An outer aspiration conduit may be provided to remove fluid and solid debris from the surgical site.

Abstract: The use of non-thermal plasma to treat mucus membrane bleeding is described herein. A non-thermal plasma is generated using an apparatus having a first electrode that receives alternating electrical potentials from a power supply. When placed in an appropriate location proximate to tissue, a non-thermal plasma is generated, the second electrode being human tissue, blood, etc. To reduce the likelihood of an arc being generated, potentially causing tissue damage or pain, the first electrode is partially encapsulated by a dielectric. The non-thermal plasma is applied to the area of bleeding for treatment.

Abstract: An electrical conductor, such as a wire or catheter, which is coated circumferentially with a ferromagnetic material in a selected region, is fed from a high frequency alternating current source. The ferromagnetic material has a quick response in heating and cooling to the controllable power delivery. The ferromagnetic material can be used for separating tissue, coagulation, tissue destruction or achieving other desired tissue effects in numerous surgical procedures.

Abstract: Thermal, electrosurgical and mechanical modalities may be combined in a surgical tool. Potentially damaging effects in a first modality may be minimized by using a secondary modality. In one example, thermal hemostasis may thus help electrosurgical applications avoid the adverse tissue effects associated with hemostatic monopolar electrosurgical waveforms while retaining the benefits of using monopolar incising waveforms.

Abstract: A bipolar electrosurgical instrument has a first and a second set of needle like structures. Each set of needle like structures is functional for puncturing the skin of a patient on opposing sides of a wound or cut. Each needle comprises a body and a pointed portion at a distal end. The distal end is structured to form a sealing surface with an opposing needle on a needle of the other set. The sealing surfaces are adapted to connect to an electrical energy source such that the sealing surfaces are capable of conducting bipolar energy therebetween. The first and second set of needle like structures are movable from a first position where the needles are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position where the first and second sets of needles members are closer to one another. A mechanical force applied to or within a housing is utilized to move the needles sets from the first position to the second position.

Abstract: A conduit assembly for transmitting energy between an electrosurgical energy generator and an energy delivering device comprises a first cable sub-assembly including a cable having a flexibility and an energy attenuation; a second cable sub-assembly including a cable having a flexibility and an energy attenuation; wherein the flexibility of the cable of the first cable sub-assembly is less than the flexibility of the cable of the second cable sub-assembly; and wherein the energy attenuation of the cable of the first cable sub-assembly is less than the energy attenuation of the cable of the second cable sub-assembly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus include determining a value of a parameter associated with operation of an electrosurgical probe having a particular probe design, and determining whether the value of the parameter is within a range of values that has been predetermined for the particular probe design to indicate that the probe is treating tissue in a desired manner. Power is delivered to the probe according to an algorithm based upon a determination that the value of the parameter is outside the range of values The algorithm delivers power in a pulsed profile including portions of low power and portions of high power. In one embodiment, the tissue treatment is ablation, the parameter is impedance, and the method limits tissue necrosis to less than 200 microns. In another embodiment, the tissue treatment is shrinkage, the parameter is temperature, and the method limits power delivery when the probe is not shrinking tissue.

Abstract: The invention provides surgical devices and methods to treat tissue. In one device embodiment, the invention comprises a bipolar electrosurgical device to treat tissue in a presence of radio frequency power and a fluid provided simultaneously from a distal portion of the device, with the device comprising a disc shaped distal end. In one method embodiment, the invention comprises a method of treating tissue having a blood vessel during spine surgery, with the method comprising pressing a portion of the blood vessel against a supporting spine structure with a surgical device to provide a compressed portion of the blood vessel, and heating the compressed portion of the blood vessel with the surgical device sufficiently to inhibit a blood flow through the vessel after the surgical device is removed from the blood vessel.