An electroporation probe that includes an injection means, allowing a single electroporation probe to be used for both the electroporation of cells and the injection of a fluid. The electroporation probe having (a) a probe body having an interior channel, a first end, and a second end; (b) a plurality of perforations in the probe body proximal the second end; (c) a sleeve positioned within the interior channel, wherein the sleeve is moveable between a first position sealing the perforations and a second position opening the perforations; (d) a connection between the probe body and an electroporation machine, wherein the probe body is in electrical communication with the electroporation machine; and (e) a tubing in fluid communication with the interior channel, wherein fluid injected into a proximal end of the tubing is exitable through the perforations when the sleeve is in the second position.

A medical instrument with a distal and a proximal end. A first tool element and a second tool element are arranged or formed on the distal end so as to be movable relative to one another. The tool elements define a tool element direction of extent from proximal to distal. The first tool element defines a first tool element face and the second tool element defines a second tool element face. The first tool element face and the second tool element face face toward one another. The tool elements define in the region of their tool element faces a width. The widths extend in a direction transverse to the tool element direction of extent and transverse to a surface normal of the first tool element face and/or the second tool element face.

Flexible instruments and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a flexible instrument comprises an elongate device having an inner conductor, an outer conductor surrounding the inner conductor, and a dielectric layer insulating the inner conductor from the outer conductor. The flexible instrument further includes a recess formed in the outer conductor. An insert is positioned within the recess and about the inner conductor.

A method and apparatus are disclosed for an optimized transseptal procedure for providing left heart access, that reduces the number of devices that are used in order to minimize procedural time, complexity and cost. The apparatus comprises a reshapeable hybrid dilator that comprises the combined functionality of a transseptal sheath and dilator assembly. The hybrid dilator comprises: a dilator shaft defining a lumen for receiving a crossing device therethrough, the dilator shaft comprising a stiffening member and a deflectable portion, being structured to provide support for the crossing device when the crossing device is used to create a puncture in a tissue; and a distal tip having an outer diameter which tapers down to an outer diameter of the crossing device for providing a smooth transition between the crossing device and the distal tip when the crossing device is inserted through the lumen and protrudes beyond the distal tip.

A surgical instrument includes a jaw tool with two branches that can be closed for grasping tissue. In order to transmit the closing force to at least one branch, the branch is coupled with a preferably manually actuatable pull/push element, and, for coupling, an actuating pin that supports a sleeve interacts via the sleeve with a coupling track, in which case the sleeve rolls off the coupling track. In this manner, any deformation, abrasion or burr formation on the coupling track is prevented to such an extent that, even after numerous closing movements of the branches, the branches can still be actuated unimpaired by any wear of the coupling track and the actuating pin, respectively.

A partially-masked electrode includes a conductive material and an insulated coating having an outer surface. The insulated coating defines a contoured opening that exposes or reveals an area of the conductive material, wherein the contoured opening has an upper perimeter at the outer surface of the insulated coating. When the upper perimeter of the insulated surface coating is placed in contact with a tissue of interest, wherein the tissue of interest is proximate a blood pool, the insulated coating creates a seal between the blood pool and the contoured opening so that no blood in the blood pool can contact the conductive material. This seal reduces or eliminates the reception of far field effects in the blood pool by the electrode, making it easier to locate and diagnose unhealthy tissue.

A tool has a handle and an elongate shaft that extends distally from the handle. A distal portion of the shaft is inserted into a subject during a surgical procedure. An optical fiber delivers laser energy to a tip at the distal portion of the shaft. The tip includes a mechanical cutting mechanism including a moving part that absorbs the laser energy, thermally conducts the absorbed energy to tissue that is disposed between the moving part and another part, and moves with respect to the other part in order to cut tissue that is disposed between the parts using a mechanical force that is lower than a mechanical force that would be required to cut the tissue in the absence of the laser energy. Other embodiments are also described.

A branch of an instrument comprising a metal part, which is embodied in one piece seamlessly, which comprises the electrode support as well as the electrode plate and connection webs. Preferably, this metal part is produced in an additive production method, for example selective laser melting (SLM). The branches are suitable for instruments for open surgery as well as for laparoscopic and flexible endoscopic instruments.

A method for fabricating a medical device includes providing a metal electrode to be used in applying electrical energy to biological tissue and specifying a frequency at which the electrical energy is to be applied. A thickness of a ceramic coating to be applied to the metal electrode is identified so as to reduce an electrical impedance between the metal electrode and the tissue at the specified frequency by a specified amount. The ceramic coating is deposited over the metal electrode to the identified thickness, and the metal electrode is assembled onto a probe for application to the biological tissue.

An electrosurgical instrument end effector comprises a rotary shaver arrangement, and an active electrode for supplying radio-frequency (RF) power to a surgical site. The rotary shaver arrangement comprises a rotatable shaver blade, and a stator that partially surrounds the rotatable shaver blade. At least part of the stator is electrically non-conductive.