An implantation system and methods of inserting an implant are disclosed. The method includes the step of making an incision in an abdominal wall with an instrument positioned within an abdominal cavity. The method further includes the steps of forming a pocket between a first surface of the abdominal wall and a second surface of the abdominal wall, such that the incision defines an opening into the pocket, inserting an implant through the opening and into the pocket, and closing the opening such that the implant is captured within the pocket.

A catheter system for treating a treatment site within or adjacent to a vessel wall within a body of a patient includes an energy source, a balloon, and an energy guide. The energy source generates energy. The balloon includes a balloon wall that defines a balloon interior. The balloon is configured to retain a balloon fluid within the balloon interior. The balloon is selectively inflatable with the balloon fluid to expand to an inflated state, wherein when the balloon is in the inflated state the balloon wall is configured to be positioned substantially adjacent to the treatment site. The balloon further includes a balloon central axis that extends through a geometric center of the balloon when the balloon is in the inflated state. The energy guide selectively receives energy from the energy source and guides the energy from the energy source into the balloon interior. The energy guide including a guide distal end that is positioned on the balloon central axis when the balloon is in the inflated state.

A controllable stiffness endoscope overtube includes an overtube shaft including an inner sheath defining an access lumen and an outer sheath surrounding the inner sheath from proximal to distal end of inner sheath to define an annulus therebetween having a proximal portion with a vacuum connection. The sheath distal ends are longitudinally fixed to one another and sized to receive an endoscope. The outer sheath has a constant outer diameter over at least a distal portion of the annulus proximate to the distal ends of the sheaths. A vacuum device is fluidically connected to the vacuum connection and applies vacuum to the annulus. Responsive thereto, annulus pressure is lowered, the sheaths are drawn together, and the overtube shaft is stiffened over at least the distal portion to stiffen and maintain a current shape of the overtube shaft over at least the distal portion of the annulus.

A controllable stiffness endoscope overtube includes an overtube shaft including an inner sheath defining an access lumen and an outer sheath surrounding the inner sheath from proximal to distal end of inner sheath to define an annulus therebetween having a proximal portion with a vacuum connection. The sheath distal ends are longitudinally fixed to one another and sized to receive an endoscope. The outer sheath has a constant outer diameter over at least a distal portion of the annulus proximate to the distal ends of the sheaths. A vacuum device is fluidically connected to the vacuum connection and applies vacuum to the annulus. Responsive thereto, annulus pressure is lowered, the sheaths are drawn together, and the overtube shaft is stiffened over at least the distal portion to stiffen and maintain a current shape of the overtube shaft over at least the distal portion of the annulus.

A jaw angle detection system for an end effector assembly includes a first electrical contact that connects to a first jaw member and connects to a generator. A sensor connects to a second jaw member (or an actuator) and connects to the generator, and configured to move relative to the first electrical contact upon movement of the second jaw member (or the actuator) when the first and second jaw members are moved to close about tissue disposed therebetween. Information relating to the position of the sensor relative to the first electrical contact is relayed back to the generator to determine an angle between the first and second jaw members.

A medical treatment apparatus includes a power and control (PAC) device. The PAC device provides electrical power through a cable to a laser handpiece assembly to electrically power a laser source within the handpiece assembly. The PAC device controls operation of the handpiece assembly and detects an identification of the handpiece assembly. The PAC device also monitors data relating to operation of the handpiece assembly. The PAC device uploads, through a communication network to a user assistance center remote from the PAC device, the handpiece assembly identification and the monitored data.

The disclosure relates to a device and a method for the treatment of diseases of the skin, glands, mucousae, connective tissue, nerves and/or horny tissue. The device is adapted for the treatment of diseases of the skin, glands, mucousae, connective tissue, nerves and/or horny tissue and has at least one applicator, which applicator is arranged outside the device housing; at least one radio wave module, which radio wave module is adapted to generate an adjustable electromagnetic radiation with a variable frequency or with at least one constant frequency with an adjustable variable or at least one adjustable constant intensity.

The present disclosure provides electroporation systems and methods of energizing a catheter for delivering electroporation. A catheter for delivering electroporation includes a distal section and an electrode assembly. The distal section is configured to be positioned in a vein within a body. The vein defines a central axis. The electrode assembly is coupled to the distal section and includes a structure and a plurality of electrodes distributed thereabout. The structure is configured to at least partially contact the vein. Each of the electrodes is configured to be selectively energized to form a circumferential ring of energized electrodes that is concentric with the central axis of the vein.

An electrosurgical system includes an RF current generator, a handle body, and an end effector. The end effector may include a first and a second energy delivery surface. At least a portion of either first or second energy delivery surfaces, or both, may include one or more patterned coatings of an electrically non-conducting non-stick material. The material may be deposited on a surface of, within a depression in, or on features extending from the energy surfaces, or through an overmolding process. The patterned coating may be formed from a coating of the material from which portions have been removed. An energy delivery surface has a first area, and the patterned coating has a second area. A ratio of the second area to the first area may be less than or equal to about 0.9, less than or equal to about 0.7, or less than or equal to about 0.5.

A balloon is provided for selectively moving an esophagus away from an ablation site. The balloon is received through an oral cavity and into the esophagus of a patient. A deflecting member is provided in the tube, the balloon, or both, so as to selectively distort to bend the balloon and/or the tube to move the esophagus away from the ablation site. The deflecting member may comprise at least one of a strip made of a shape memory material that is responsive to the receipt of a stimulus to deflect to a predetermined shape, a strip that is made of or contains a ferrous material and that deflects in response to the presence of a magnetic field, and a selectively tensionable cable, wire, or string. The deflecting member may be supplemented by a stiffening strip that is located in the balloon and that causes the balloon to expand circumferentially and asymmetrically when inflated.