510 results about "ELECTROSURGICAL DEVICE" patented technology

Various embodiments provide compositions that exhibit positive temperature coefficient of resistance (PTCR) properties for use in thermal interactions with tissue—including thermal sensing and I2R current-limiting interactions. Embodiments also provide tissue-engaging surfaces having PTCR materials that provide very fast switching times between low resistance and high, current-limiting resistance. One embodiment provides a matrix for an electrosurgical energy delivery surface comprising a PTCR material and a heat exchange material disposed within an interior of the matrix. The PTCR material has a substantially conductive state and a substantially non-conductive state. The heat exchange material has a structure configured to have an omni-directional thermal diffusivity for exchanging heat with the PTCR material to cause rapid switching of the PTCR material between the conductive state and non-conductive state. Preferably, the structure comprises a graphite foam having an open cell configuration. The matrix can be carried by tissue contacting surfaces of various electrosurgical devices.

An electrosurgical device is provided where the device includes a housing including a cavity defined therein for housing an electrosurgical energy source, a controller configured to control the output of the electrosurgical energy source, and a power supply configured to supply power to the electrosurgical energy source and the controller. The housing also includes an active port configured to be operatively coupled to an end effector wherein the end effector applies electrosurgical energy from the electrosurgical energy source to tissue. The device also includes a return port configured to be operatively coupled to a return pad to provide a return path for the electrosurgical energy applied to tissue.

Sinusitis and other disorders of the ear, nose and throat are diagnosed and / or treated using minimally invasive approaches with flexible or rigid instruments. Various methods and devices are used for remodeling or changing the shape, size or configuration of a sinus ostium or duct or other anatomical structure in the ear, nose or throat; implanting a device, cells or tissues; removing matter from the ear, nose or throat; delivering diagnostic or therapeutic substances or performing other diagnostic or therapeutic procedures. Introducing devices (e.g., guide catheters, tubes, guidewires, elongate probes, other elongate members) may be used to facilitate insertion of working devices (e.g. catheters e.g. balloon catheters, guidewires, tissue cutting or remodeling devices, devices for implanting elements like stents, electrosurgical devices, energy emitting devices, devices for delivering diagnostic or therapeutic agents, substance delivery implants, scopes etc.) into the paranasal sinuses or other structures in the ear, nose or throat.

Sinusitis, enlarged nasal turbinates, tumors, infections, hearing disorders, allergic conditions, facial fractures and other disorders of the ear, nose and throat are diagnosed and / or treated using minimally invasive approaches and, in many cases, flexible catheters as opposed to instruments having rigid shafts. Various diagnostic procedures and devices are used to perform imaging studies, mucus flow studies, air / gas flow studies, anatomic dimension studies, endoscopic studies and transillumination studies. Access and occluder devices may be used to establish fluid tight seals in the anterior or posterior nasal cavities / nasopharynx and to facilitate insertion of working devices (e.g., scopes, guidewires, catheters, tissue cutting or remodeling devices, electrosurgical devices, energy emitting devices, devices for injecting diagnostic or therapeutic agents, devices for implanting devices such as stents, substance eluting devices, substance delivery implants, etc.

An electrosurgical control system includes a selector by which a user can select any of a number of electrosurgical devices or similar devices for use, and a processor system responsive to user actuation of a foot control or other central control by controlling the selected device. Each device has an associated intelligent adapter that communicates information relating to device with which the adapter is associated. The processor system uses the information communicated by the adapter to properly interface the associated device with the control system and its central control.

Sinusitis, mucocysts, tumors, infections, hearing disorders, choanal atresia, fractures and other disorders of the paranasal sinuses, Eustachian tubes, Lachrymal ducts and other ear, nose, throat and mouth structures are diagnosed and / or treated using minimally invasive approaches and, in many cases, flexible catheters as opposed to instruments having rigid shafts. Various diagnostic procedures and devices are used to perform imaging studies, mucus flow studies, air / gas flow studies, anatomic dimension studies and endoscopic studies. Access and occluding devices may be used to facilitate insertion of working devices such asendoscopes, wires, probes, needles, catheters, balloon catheters, dilation catheters, dilators, balloons, tissue cutting or remodeling devices, suction or irrigation devices, imaging devices, sizing devices, biopsy devices, image-guided devices containing sensors or transmitters, electrosurgical devices, energy emitting devices, devices for injecting diagnostic or therapeutic agents, devices for implanting devices such as stents, substance eluting or delivering devices and implants, etc.

A cooled electrosurgical system includes an electrosurgical device having at least one electrode for applying electrical energy to tissue. In one embodiment, the electrode includes an internal cavity in which a cooling medium such as water is contained. The internal cavity is closed at both ends of the device such that the cooling medium is contained within the electrode at the surgical site such that the cooling medium does not contact the tissue being treated. The electrosurgical device has an electrode and a heat pipe to conduct heat from the electrodes where substantially all heat conducted from the electrode through the heat pipe is dissipated along the length of the heat pipe. The heat pipe can have a thermal time constant less than 60 seconds and preferably less than 30 seconds.

Sinusitis and other disorders of the ear, nose and throat are diagnosed and / or treated using minimally invasive approaches with flexible or rigid instruments. Various methods and devices are used for remodeling or changing the shape, size or configuration of a sinus ostium or duct or other anatomical structure in the ear, nose or throat; implanting a device, cells or tissues; removing matter from the ear, nose or throat; delivering diagnostic or therapeutic substances or performing other diagnostic or therapeutic procedures. Introducing devices (e.g., guide catheters, tubes, guidewires, elongate probes, other elongate members) may be used to facilitate insertion of working devices (e.g. catheters e.g. balloon catheters, guidewires, tissue cutting or remodeling devices, devices for implanting elements like stents, electrosurgical devices, energy emitting devices, devices for delivering diagnostic or therapeutic agents, substance delivery implants, scopes etc.) into the paranasal sinuses or other structures in the ear, nose or throat. Specific devices (e.g., tubular guides, guidewires, balloon catheters, tubular sheaths) are provided as are methods for manufacturing and using such devices to treat disorders of the ear, nose or throat.

Electrosurgical methods, systems, and apparatus for the controlled ablation of tissue from a target site of a patient. An electrosurgical apparatus of the invention includes an active electrode assembly having an active electrode screen surrounded by a plurality of flow protectors. Each flow protector defines a shielded region of the active electrode screen, each shielded region of the screen characterized by enhanced plasma formation. The active electrode assembly is adapted for removing tissue from a surgical site, and the active electrode screen is adapted for digesting fragments of resected tissue. In one embodiment, the apparatus is particularly suited to simultaneously removing both hard and soft tissue in, or around, a joint.

Adaptors for electrically coupling between an electrosurgical generator and a bipolar electrosurgical device are provided. In one preferred embodiment, the adaptor comprises a power input connector for coupling the adaptor with a monopolar mode power output connector of the electrosurgical generator, a ground connector for coupling the adaptor with a ground connector of the electrosurgical generator, a first and a second power output connector, each for coupling the adaptor with a first and a second bipolar mode power input connector of the bipolar electrosurgical device, respectively, a monopolar hand switch connector for coupling the adaptor with a monopolar mode hand switch connector of the electrosurgical generator, and at least one bipolar mode hand switch connector for coupling the adaptor with a bipolar mode hand switch connector of the electrosurgical device.

A bipolar forceps is provided and includes a housing having one or more shafts that extend therefrom that operatively support an end effector assembly at a distal end thereof. The end effector assembly includes first and second jaw members. A tissue sealing plate disposed on each of the jaw members is provided. The tissue sealing plates is configured to support a plurality of electrodes thereon and arranged in vertically opposing pairs along the length of the jaw members. The plurality of electrodes is adapted to independently connect to an electrosurgical energy source such that each vertically opposing electrode pairs form an independently controllable electrical circuit when tissue is held between the jaw members. A control system having one or more algorithms for independently controlling and / or monitoring the delivery of electrosurgical energy from the electrosurgical energy source to the plurality of electrodes is also provided.

Apparatus and methods for ablating, severing, cutting, shrinking, coagulating, or otherwise modifying a target tissue to be treated. In a method for treating a target tissue, an active electrode of an electrosurgical probe is positioned in at least close proximity to the target tissue in the presence of an electrically conductive fluid. A high frequency voltage is then applied between the active electrode and a return electrode, wherein, the high frequency voltage is sufficient to volumetrically remove (ablate), sever, or modify at least a portion of the target tissue. The probe comprises a multi-lumen shaft having a plurality of internal lumens, and a return electrode coil oriented substantially parallel to the shaft distal end. The active electrode may be in the form of a metal disc, a hook, or an active electrode coil. In the latter embodiment, the active electrode coil is typically arranged substantially orthogonal to the return electrode coil. Methods of making an active electrode coil, a return electrode coil, and an electrosurgical probe are also disclosed.

Electrosurgical methods and apparatus for the controlled ablation of tissue from a target site of a patient. The instrument includes a shaft having proximal and distal end portion and a planar active electrode on the distal end portion; a return electrode arranged on the shaft spaced from the active electrode; at least one electrical connector extending through the shaft that connects the active electrode with a high frequency power supply; and an aspiration lumen within the shaft having a distal opening. The active electrode is arranged vertically or perpendicular to the tissue treatment surface. The planar electrode may include one or more apertures.

Methods and apparatus for resecting and ablating tissue at a target site of a patient, the apparatus including a probe having an elongate shaft. The shaft includes a shaft distal end portion and a shaft proximal end portion, and a resection unit located at the shaft distal end portion. The resection unit includes a resection electrode support and at least one resection electrode arranged on the resection electrode support. The at least one resection electrode includes a resection electrode head. The probe and resection electrode head are adapted for concurrent electrical ablation and mechanical resection of target tissue. The shaft may include at least one digestion electrode capable of aggressively ablating resected tissue fragments. At least one fluid delivery port on the shaft distal end portion may provide an electrically conductive fluid to the resection unit or to the target site. The shaft may include at least one aspiration port, located proximal to the resection unit, for aspirating excess or unwanted fluids and resected tissue fragments from the target site. The at least one aspiration port is coupled to an aspiration lumen. The at least one digestion electrode may be arranged within the aspiration lumen for ablation of tissue fragments therein. In use, the digestion and resection electrodes of the probe are coupled to a high frequency power supply. A surgical kit comprising the probe is also disclosed, together with a method of making the probe.

Electrosurgical apparatus and methods for ablating, coagulating, shrinking, stiffening, or other treatment of a target tissue of a patient. An apparatus of the invention includes an electrosurgical probe, and an introducer needle adapted for passing the distal end of the probe therethrough, wherein the probe includes an uninsulated shaft which makes electrical contact with the introducer needle when the shaft is engaged within a lumen of the introducer needle. The apparatus further includes an active electrode and a return electrode, wherein the return electrode comprises the shaft in combination with the introducer needle. In one embodiment, the active electrode includes an expandable electrode head.

The present invention provides systems, apparatus and methods for selectively applying electrical energy to body tissue in order to ablate, contract, coagulate, or otherwise modify a target tissue or organ of a patients. An electrosurgical apparatus of the invention includes a shaft having a shaft distal end bearing an active electrode and a return electrode. At least one of the active electrode and the return electrode is moveable such that the shaft distal end can adopt a closed configuration or an open configuration. The apparatus can operate in an ablation mode or a sub-ablation mode. The closed configuration is adapted for clamping and coagulating a target tissue while the apparatus is operating in the sub-ablation mode, while the open configuration is adapted for ablating the target tissue via molecular dissociation of tissue components. A method of the present invention comprises clamping a target tissue or organ with an electrosurgical probe. A first high frequency voltage is applied between the active electrode and the return electrode to effect coagulation of the clamped tissue. Thereafter, a second high frequency voltage is applied to effect localized molecular dissociation of the coagulated tissue. The present invention allows the ablation or modification of the target tissue with minimal or no damage to surrounding, non-target tissue.

An electrosurgical apparatus for performing a surgical procedure on a target site, comprising a shaft having a distal end portion, the distal end portion comprising an active electrode including a fuse leg, the fuse leg adapted to break and disable the instrument upon applying a voltage differential between the active electrode and a return electrode for a predetermined amount of time. In another embodiment, the present invention is a method of performing an electrosurgical procedure on a target tissue, comprising: placing an electrosurgical instrument in close proximity to the target tissue, the electrosurgical instrument comprising an active electrode having a pre-selected portion adapted to break and disable the instrument upon applying a voltage differential thereto for a working time; and applying the voltage differential.

A relay device relays signals between a single switch unit and each of an ultrasonic surgical device that supplies an ultrasonic signal and an electrosurgical device that supplies a high-frequency signal, the switch unit being used for on / off control of outputs of the ultrasonic surgical device and the electrosurgical device, the ultrasonic surgical device and the electrosurgical device being connected to an ultrasonic / high-frequency treatment instrument capable of performing an ultrasonic treatment using ultrasonic vibration in accordance with the supplied ultrasonic signal and performing a high-frequency treatment in accordance with the supplied high-frequency signal. The relay device includes a switch detection unit for detecting the turn-on / off of the switch unit, a switch element for outputting a switch signal, which is used for on / off control of outputs of the ultrasonic signal and the high-frequency signal, to each of the ultrasonic surgical device and the electrosurgical device in accordance with a detection output of the switch detection unit, and a control unit for performing on / off control of the switch signal of the switch element in accordance with the detection output to control at least one of an output timing and an output mode of each of the ultrasonic signal and the high-frequency signal.

A method of manufacturing a seal in an electrosurgical device includes placing components of the electrosurgical device within an elongated housing section, the housing section including an actuator opening, introducing the housing section within a mold filled with a liquid thermoplastic elastomer and allowing the elastomer to flow within the housing, forming an elastomeric inwardly-extending lip portion circumferentially surrounding an opening at a distal end of the electrosurgical device for introducing an electrode therein, and allowing the molded elastomer to cure and become integral with the housing to seal the components within the molded elastomer contained within the housing section. The method may also include the step of forming an elastomeric actuator seal around the actuator opening.

Apparatus and methods for advancing and retracting a medical instrument within an introducer device, wherein the instrument includes a distal tip, a distal linear portion, a first distal curve, a substantially linear inter-curve portion, and a second proximal curve. The length of the distal linear portion and the angle of the first curve determine the position of the distal tip within a lumen of the introducer device, such that the distal tip occupies a substantially central transverse location within the lumen and the distal tip avoids contact with the introducer device. The length of the inter-curve portion and the angle of the second curve determine deflection of the distal tip from a longitudinal axis of the shaft when the second curve is extended distally beyond a distal end of the introducer device. Also, methods and apparatus for treating an intervertebral disc by ablation of disc tissue. A method of the invention includes positioning at least one active electrode within the intervertebral disc, and applying at least a first high frequency voltage between the active electrode(s) and one or more return electrode(s), wherein the volume of the nucleus pulposus is decreased, pressure exerted by the nucleus pulposus on the annulus fibrosus is reduced, and discogenic pain of a patient is alleviated. In other embodiments, a curved or steerable probe is guided to a specific target site within a disc to be treated, and the disc tissue at the target site is ablated by application of at least a first high frequency voltage between the active electrode(s) and one or more return electrode(s). A method of making an electrosurgical probe is also disclosed.

Sinusitis, enlarged nasal turbinates, tumors, infections, hearing disorders, allergic conditions, facial fractures and other disorders of the ear, nose and throat are diagnosed and / or treated using minimally invasive approaches and, in many cases, flexible catheters as opposed to instruments having rigid shafts. Various diagnostic procedures and devices are used to perform imaging studies, mucus flow studies, air / gas flow studies, anatomic dimension studies, endoscopic studies and transillumination studies. Access and occluder devices may be used to establish fluid tight seals in the anterior or posterior nasal cavities / nasopharynx and to facilitate insertion of working devices (e.g., scopes, guidewires, catheters, tissue cutting or remodeling devices, electrosurgical devices, energy emitting devices, devices for injecting diagnostic or therapeutic agents, devices for implanting devices such as stents, substance eluting devices, substance delivery implants, etc.

Adaptors for electrically coupling between an electrosurgical generator and a bipolar electrosurgical device are provided. In one preferred embodiment, the adaptor comprises a power input connector for coupling the adaptor with a monopolar mode power output connector of the electrosurgical generator, a ground connector for coupling the adaptor with a ground connector of the electrosurgical generator, a first and a second power output connector, each for coupling the adaptor with a first and a second bipolar mode power input connector of the bipolar electrosurgical device, respectively, a monopolar hand switch connector for coupling the adaptor with a monopolar mode hand switch connector of the electrosurgical generator, and at least one bipolar mode hand switch connector for coupling the adaptor with a bipolar mode hand switch connector of the electrosurgical device.