4256 results about "Ablation" patented technology

A surgical tool arrangement including a powered handpiece which cooperates with a combined electrosurgical and mechanical cutting instrument. The electrosurgical and mechanical cutting instrument includes an outer static housing element which defines an electrode for delivering electrical energy to the surgical site, and a cutting element disposed within the outer housing and movable relative thereto for manipulating patient tissue. The electrosurgical and mechanical cutting instrument is an integral component attachable to the surgical tool to provide multiple functions in a single instrument, such as cauterization, ablation and mechanical cutting, without the need for attachment of additional housing structures or other adapters. The tool arrangement also includes a universal handpiece which is capable of accepting and operating a number of different surgical instruments, each having one or multiple functions.

Apparatus and methods for reducing nerve stimulation in electrosurgical instruments utilizing electrically isolated pairs of electrodes are disclosed. At least two pairs of electrodes may be configured to create at least two opposing currents which effectively cancel one another such that a net current flow is inhibited from developing within surrounding tissue structures to mitigate or eliminate undesired electrical stimulation of the tissue.

Devices, systems, and methods are provided for accessing the interior of the heart and performing procedures therein while the heart is beating. In one embodiment, a tubular access device having an inner lumen is provided for positioning through a penetration in a muscular wall of the heart, the access device having a means for sealing within the penetration to inhibit leakage of blood through the penetration. The sealing means may comprise a balloon or flange on the access device, or a suture placed in the heart wall to gather the heart tissue against the access device. An obturator is removably positionable in the inner lumen of the access device, the obturator having a cutting means at its distal end for penetrating the muscular wall of the heart. The access device is preferably positioned through an intercostal space and through the muscular wall of the heart. Elongated instruments may be introduced through the tubular access device into an interior chamber of the heart to perform procedures such as septal defect repair and electrophysiological mapping and ablation. A method of septal defect repair includes positioning a tubular access device percutaneously through an intercostal space and through a penetration in a muscular wall of the heart, passing one or more instruments through an inner lumen of the tubular access device into an interior chamber of the heart, and using the instruments to close the septal defect. Devices and methods for closing the septal defect with either sutures or with patch-type devices are disclosed.

The invention provides a method and system for ablation of body structures or tissue in a sphincter, sinus or orifice such as the rectum, colon, esophagus, vagina, penis, larynx or pharynx. In one aspect of the invention, the environment surrounding the targeted ablation region can be isolated or controlled by blocking the flow of gases or liquids using an inflatable balloon positioned immediately adjacent to the tissue that is to be ablated. In a preferred embodiment, the inflatable balloon also serves to anchor the catheter in place and prevent the catheter from being expelled from the body. The inflatable balloon also insures that locally administered drug remain in the area where most needed. In a second aspect of the invention, positive pressure is used to inflate the balloon. Inflation of balloon triggers the extension of at least one curvilinear electrode into the targeted tissue. Negative pressure deflates the air sac and helps retract the curvilinear electrodes so as to allow the catheter to be removed from the body without damaging adjacent body structures. In a third aspect of the invention, the electrodes are coupled to sensors that measure properties of the target region such as temperature and impedance. Measurement of these properties permits the use of feedback technique to control delivery of the RF energy and administration of fluids for cooling and hydrating the affected tissues. In a fourth aspect of the invention, the catheter includes an optical path that can be coupled to external viewing apparatus. In this way, the position of the electrodes in the body can be determined by fluoroscopic or fiber optic techniques.