An electrosurgical device having an electrode with a first portion whose exterior is electrically uninsulated, a second portion whose exterior is electrically insulated, and a third portion. An elongated hollow body has an internal cavity, a front end, a rear end, an external surface. An electrical circuit is arranged within the body. The second portion of the electrode is not surrounded by the hollow body. A first button is arranged on the external surface of the body for controlling a current flow at a first level. A vacuum tube is slidably engaged by the body. A vacuum outlet port is arranged near the rear end, and the outlet port, internal cavity, and vacuum inlet are in fluid communication with each other.

Ablation catheters and systems include coaxial catheter shafts with an inner lumen for delivering an ablative agent and an outer lumen for circulation of a cooling element about the catheter. Induction heating is used to heat a chamber and vaporize a fluid within by wrapping a coil about a ferromagnetic chamber and providing an alternating current to the coil. A magnetic field is created in the area surrounding the chamber which induces electric current flow in the chamber, heating the chamber and vaporizing the fluid inside. Positioning elements help maintain the device in the proper position with respect to the target tissue and also prevent the passage of ablative agent to normal tissues.

A catheter-based imaging system comprises a catheter having a telescoping proximal end, a distal end having a distal sheath and a distal lumen, a working lumen, and an ultrasonic imaging core. The ultrasonic imaging core is arranged for rotation and linear translation. The system further includes a patient interface module including a catheter interface, a rotational motion control system that imparts controlled rotation to the ultrasonic imaging core, a linear translation control system that imparts controlled linear translation to the ultrasonic imaging core, and an ultrasonic energy generator and receiver coupled to the ultrasonic imaging core. The system further comprises an image generator coupled to the ultrasonic energy receiver that generates an image.

Methods and devices for treating nasal airways are provided. Such devices and methods may improve airflow through an internal and/or external nasal valve, and comprise the use of mechanical re-shaping, energy application and other treatments to modify the shape, structure, and/or air flow characteristics of an internal nasal valve, an external nasal valve or other nasal airways.

A sheath adapted for use with a catheter is disclosed comprising an electrical lead having a proximal end and a distal end and a lumen extending from the proximal end to the distal end, the electrical lead including a tubular member of non-conductive material. At least a first set of electrical conductors and a second set of electrical conductors extend from the proximal end to the distal end laid on the non-conductive tubular member, and an outer layer of non-conductive material is applied over the electrical conductors to cover the conductors. One or more electrodes are disposed on a distal portion of the sheath. Each electrode is in electrical communication with at least one of the electrical conductors through the outer layer. The first set of electrical conductors is helically wrapped around the lumen and the second set of electrical conductors is helically wrapped around the first set of electrical conductors.

A catheter configured to deliver therapeutic energy to a tissue can include can include an elongate shaft extending along a shaft longitudinal axis and comprising a shaft proximal end and a shaft distal end. The catheter can include a flexible tip assembly comprising a tip assembly outer surface, wherein the flexible tip assembly is connected to the shaft distal end and is configured to deliver therapeutic energy to the tissue, and wherein the flexible tip assembly further includes. The flexible tip assembly can include an insulative layer comprising an insulative layer outer surface, wherein the insulative layer is disposed on the tip assembly outer surface and a mapping electrode disposed on the insulative layer outer surface.

Systems and methods utilizing RF energy to treat a patient's skin (e.g., dermis and hypodermis) or other target tissue including at a depth below a tissue surface (e.g., skin surface, mucosal surfaces of the vagina or esophagus) are provided herein. In various aspects, the methods and systems described herein can provide a RF-based treatment in which the deposition of RF energy can be selectively controlled to help ensure heating uniformity during one or more of body sculpting treatment (lipolysis), skin tightening treatment (laxity improvement), cellulite treatment, vaginal laxity or rejuvenation treatment, urinary incontinence treatment, fecal incontinence treatment, all by way of non-limiting examples. In various aspects, the systems can comprise one or more sources of RF energy (e.g., a RF generator), a treatment applicator comprising one or more electrode arrays configured to be disposed in contact with a tissue surface, and a return electrode (e.g., a neutral pad) to the tissue surface.

A device and method for treating a hollow anatomical structure using matter in a plasma state. Device includes a tubular delivery device comprising a tubular body, a hub, and a distal end, wherein the tubular body device having a longitudinal fluid delivery channel and an exit port near the distal end. Device also contains a container having pre-plasma matter being operatively coupled to the hub, at least one energy-emitting element operatively coupled near the distal end of the tubular delivery device. The energy-emitting element is operatively connected to energy source.

An intra-cardiac mapping system is based on locating the ports through which blood flows in or out the heart chambers. For many procedures, such as ablation to cure atrial fibrillation, locating the pulmonary veins and the mitral valve accurately allows to perform a Maze procedure. The location of the ports and valves is based on using the convective cooling effect of the blood flow. The mapping can be performed by a catheter-deployed expandable net or a scanning catheter. The same net or catheter can also perform the ablation procedure.

A probe for ablating tissue comprises an electrosurgical working end configured to provide a first plasma about a first surface location and a second plasma about a second surface location, the first plasma having first ablation parameters and the second plasma having second ablation parameters. The probe has a working end with a thickness below 3 mm and produces a low temperature plasma.