Patent classifications
A61B2018/00059
Flexible electrosurgical instrument
An end effector of an electrosurgical device may include a first body, a first electrode on the left side of the first body, and a second electrode on the right side of the first body. The first and second electrodes may be configured to receive electrosurgical energy to treat tissue in a target treatment zone. The end effector may also include a fluid aspiration port in fluid communication with a fluid path. The fluid aspiration port may be configured to remove a material from the target treatment zone.
LACERATION SYSTEM AND DEVICE, AND METHODS FOR LACERATION
A laceration device for use in medical procedures includes a shaft having opposed proximal and distal portions. A clamp extends from the distal portion. The clamp has first and second clamp arms. The clamp is movable between an open and closed positions. In the open position, the first clamp arm is spaced apart from the second clamp arm. In the closed position, the first clamp arm is moved towards the second clamp arm. A clamp actuator is connected to the clamp via the shaft and is manipulatable to move the clamp between the open and closed positions. A radiofrequency electrode (RF) is associated with the first clamp arm. The RF electrode has a first perforation surface that is positioned to face the second clamp arm when the clamp is in the closed position. An electrical connector extends proximally from the RF electrode for connection to a power source.
Conductive optical element
A device having an optical element with a conductive coating. The device may include an optical element, a conductive material and at least one connector. The conductive material is disposed on at least a portion of the optical element. The optical element, for example, may be an object lens of an endoscope or an optical coupler. The connectors (acting as terminal(s)) are capable of providing energy (such as electrical energy) to the conductive material. In one aspect, the conductive material is an optically transparent material. Advantageously, the device may allow visualization of an object—such as body tissue or other matter—concurrent with the application of energy to the object via the conductive coating. This allows the user to observe the alteration of tissue and other matter in real time as the energy is delivered.
Basket catheter with improved spine flexibility
A catheter with basket-shaped electrode assembly with spines configured for hyper-flexing in a predetermined, predictable manner when a compressive force acts on the assembly from either its distal end or its proximal end. At least one spine has at least one region of greater (or hyper) flexibility that allows the electrode assembly to deform, for example, compress, for absorbing and dampening excessive force that may otherwise cause damage or injury to tissue wall in contact with the assembly, without compromising the structure and stiffness of the remaining regions of the spine, including its distal and proximal regions. The one or more regions of greater flexibility in the spine allow the spine to flex into a generally V-shape configuration or a generally U-shape configuration.
Treatment apparatus and method of controlling same
The present invention relates to a treatment apparatus and a method of controlling the same. There are provided a treatment apparatus, including a handpiece, an RF generator generating RF energy, an insertion unit configured to advance and retract toward one direction of the handpiece, selectively inserted into a tissue, and electrically connected to the RF generator to transfer the RF energy to the inside of the tissue, and a substance storage unit receiving a therapeutic substance therein and detachably installed on one side of the handpiece to transfer the substance to the inside of the tissue by the advancing operation of the insertion unit and a method of controlling the same.
Arrays for longitudinal delivery of TTFields to a body
Tumors in portions of a subject's body that have a longitudinal axis (e.g., the torso, head, and arm) can be treated with TTFields by affixing first and second sets of electrodes at respective positions that are longitudinally prior to and subsequent to a target region. An AC voltage with a frequency of 100-500 kHz is applied between these sets of electrodes. This imposes an AC electric field with field lines that run through the target region longitudinally. The field strength is at least 1 V/cm in at least a portion of the target region. In some embodiments, this approach is combined with the application of AC electric fields through the target region in a lateral direction (e.g., front to back and/or side to side) in order to apply AC electric fields with different orientations to the target region.
Tear resistant flex circuit assembly
A medical device for sympathetic nerve ablation may include a catheter shaft, an expandable member disposed on or coupled to the catheter shaft, and a plurality of elongate electrode assemblies each constructed as a flexible circuit having a plurality of layers. The expandable member may be configured to shift between an unexpanded configuration and an expanded configuration. The plurality of electrode assemblies may be disposed on an outer surface of the expandable member. Each of the plurality of electrode assemblies may include enhanced tear resistance properties such as through the inclusion of a reinforcement structure with one or more of the layers of the electrode assemblies.
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CORRELATING PROTON RESONANCE FREQUENCY THERMOMETRY WITH TISSUE TEMPERATURES
Devices and systems used to ablate tissue of a tumor using laser energy are disclosed. The devices and systems include a laser probe and a magnetic resonance (MR) safe temperature probe. The MR safe temperature probe includes an optical sensor. A bone anchor fixture separates the laser probe and the MR safe temperature probe to prevent interference in the MR safe temperature probe data. Proton Resonance Frequency (PRF) thermometry is used to model a temperature of a pixel of an MR image located adjacent the optical sensor. The modeled pixel temperature and the measured temperature are compared and monitored. Exceeding a threshold difference value causes an intervening action to occur.
ELONGATE MEDICAL DEVICE INCLUDING CHAMFERED RING ELECTRODE AND VARIABLE SHAFT
An elongate medical device shaft may comprise an elongate body and an annular electrode disposed on the elongate body. The annular electrode may define a longitudinal axis and have an outer diameter. The outer diameter may be greater at an axial center of the electrode than at an axial end of the electrode. Additionally or alternatively, the elongate body may comprise three longitudinal sections having three wall thicknesses. The middle wall thickness may be less than the proximal and distal wall thicknesses and the distal wall thickness may be less than the proximal wall thickness. Additionally or alternatively, the shaft may comprise an inner cylindrical structure and an outer tube. The outer tube may comprise a first radial layer and a second radial layer that is radially-outward of the first radial layer, the first radial layer, second radial layer, and inner structure having different stiffnesses.
HIGH-FREQUENCY FORCEPS
High-frequency forceps are high-frequency forceps for medical use and include: a manipulation part including a grasping portion that is conductive; a cylindrical part that is inflexible, through which a wire for manipulation of the grasping portion and a cable for supplying current to the grasping portion are guided; and an insulating part that electrically insulates the manipulation part from the cylindrical part. The cylindrical part includes: an outer layer made of an insulating material; an inner layer made of an insulating material; and an intermediate layer located between the outer layer and the inner layer, and having a lower insulation resistance and a higher stiffness than the outer layer and the inner layer.