A method and system for assessing lesion formation in tissue is provided. The system includes an electronic control unit (ECU). The ECU is configured to acquire values for first and second components of a complex impedance between the electrode and the tissue, and to calculate an index responsive to the first and second values. The ECU is further configured to process the ECI to assess lesion formation in the tissue.

A method for performing an electrosurgical procedure at a surgical site on a patient includes continually sensing electrical and physical properties proximate the surgical site that includes acquiring readings of tissue electrical impedance with respect to time at the surgical site; identifying the minima and maxima of the impedance readings with respect to time; and correlating the minima and/or the maxima of the impedance readings with hydration level and/or hydraulic conductivity in the tissue at the surgical site. The method also includes controlling the application of electrosurgical energy to the surgical site to vary energy delivery based on the step of correlating the minima and/or the maxima of the impedance readings with the hydration level/or and the hydraulic conductivity in the tissue at the surgical site. The process may be an ablation process.

Medical devices and methods for making and using medical devices are disclosed. An example medical device may include a catheter shaft. An expandable member may be coupled to the catheter shaft. The expandable member may be capable of shifting between a folded configuration and an expanded configuration. A plurality of flexible elements may be attached to the expandable member, with a plurality of electrode assemblies disposed on the flexible elements. The flexible elements may have a grooved substrate.

A system and apparatus for automatic smoke evacuation using an RF sensor. The system and apparatus utilizes an RF sensor for automatic activation of an evacuator that evacuates smoke and/or debris during the use of any electrosurgical instrument or surgical instrument that is capable of generating smoke and/or debris and capable of producing a radiofrequency during its operation. Exemplary embodiments of the system and apparatus for automatic smoke evacuation include both wired and wireless embodiments.

A system and apparatus for automatic smoke evacuation using an RF sensor. The system and apparatus utilizes an RF sensor for automatic activation of an evacuator that evacuates smoke and/or debris during the use of any electrosurgical instrument or surgical instrument that is capable of generating smoke and/or debris and capable of producing a radiofrequency during its operation. Exemplary embodiments of the system and apparatus for automatic smoke evacuation include both wired and wireless embodiments.

In an energy treatment system, a processor temporally detects an electrical property value of an ultrasonic transducer, holds a temporary peak value of the electrical property value, detects an impedance value between the probe electrode and the jaw electrode, and compares the electrical property value and the temporary peak value to determine whether a predetermined condition is satisfied, and whether the impedance value exceeds a predetermined threshold. In response to determining that the electric property value satisfies the predetermined condition and the impedance value is larger than the predetermined threshold, the processor performs at least one of: (i) stopping and (ii) decreasing output from the first power supply, and notifying the determination result.

In an energy treatment system, a processor temporally detects an electrical property value of an ultrasonic transducer, holds a temporary peak value of the electrical property value, detects an impedance value between the probe electrode and the jaw electrode, and compares the electrical property value and the temporary peak value to determine whether a predetermined condition is satisfied, and whether the impedance value exceeds a predetermined threshold. In response to determining that the electric property value satisfies the predetermined condition and the impedance value is larger than the predetermined threshold, the processor performs at least one of: (i) stopping and (ii) decreasing output from the first power supply, and notifying the determination result.

A surgical instrument end effector assembly includes a first jaw member defining an insulative tissue-contacting surface and first and second electrically-conductive tissue-contacting surfaces disposed on either side of the insulative tissue-contacting surface. A second jaw member includes an ultrasonic blade body positioned to oppose the insulative tissue-contacting surface of the first jaw member. The first jaw member is movable relative to the second jaw member between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position to apply a first grasping force to tissue disposed therebetween. A slider is movable, independent of the first jaw member, between a retracted position, wherein the slider is disposed proximally of the first and second jaw members, and an extended position, wherein the slider extends about the first jaw member and urges the first jaw member from the approximated position further towards the second jaw member to apply a second, greater grasping force to tissue.

A method for adjusting the operation of a surgical instrument using machine learning in a surgical suite is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of gathering data during surgical procedures, wherein the surgical procedures include the use of a surgical instrument, analyzing the gathered data to determine an appropriate operational adjustment of the surgical instrument, and adjusting the operation of the surgical instrument to improve the operation of the surgical instrument.

A cosmetic method for treating a skin of a person is presented, the method comprises inserting one or more needles to one or more depths into the skin of the person such that at least a tip of at least one needle of the one or more needles is deployed within a muscle layer of the person's skin; applying a negative DC voltage to the one or more needles, while a skin of the person is in contact with a positive electrode to form one or more closed circuits of DC current through the person's body; and providing the DC current for a pre-selected amount of time to damage and/or ablate muscles and/or muscle nerve cells in the muscle layer; thereby providing a skin treatment comprising reducing and/or smoothing wrinkles from the person's skin.