This disclosure relates to methods for modulating activity of a cell capable of being activated by light and treating diseases with such methods. The disclosure also provides systems suitable for use in such methods, particularly systems having silicon nanostructures.

A laser system, laser fibers, and associated methods are disclosed. In one example, the devices include a hydrophobic coating with a hydrophobic nanoscale physical structure.

Various aspects of the present disclosure are directed toward apparatuses, systems, and methods for applying ablation therapy to a tissue region. The apparatuses, systems, and methods may include a balloon structure and one or more electrodes arranged on or within the balloon structure and configured to deliver energy to the tissue region.

Methods and devices (e.g., for nerve modulation) may include at least one thermistor and a balloon having a balloon wall. In one or more embodiments, the medical device is configured and arranged to transfer heat to the medical device surroundings. In one or more embodiments, the at least one thermistor is a portion of a thermistor array disposed on the balloon wall, the thermistor array including a plurality of thermistors and operatively engaged with a source of electric current. In one or more embodiments, the device includes at least one flexible circuit mounted on the outer surface of the expandable balloon, the at least one flexible circuit including at least one temperature-sensing device that includes at least one thermistor, wherein at least a portion of a conductive layer is electronically coupled to the thermistor, with the proviso that no electrode is associated with the conductive layer.

A vitreous enamel coating for an electrosurgical metal cutting blade, in which incident light striking the vitreous enamel coating is diffusely reflected or absorbed, and the vitreous enamel coating exhibits a 60 gloss value less than 100 gloss units as measured according to ASTM D523-14, Standard Test Method for Specular Gloss. The coating reduces glare from light sources such as a nearby plasma-mediated discharge, operating theater lights or lights provided on an electrosurgery apparatus. The coating may also lessen interference with markers, sensors or other instruments designed to measure light emitted by or passing through nearby tissue such as by transillumination.

A vitreous enamel coating for an electrosurgical metal cutting blade, the coating having a coefficient of thermal expansion substantially near the coefficient of thermal expansion of the metal cutting blade. Selection of materials having similar coefficients of thermal expansion results in an electrosurgical cutting blade with an improved insulating layer, substantially improved durability, or both.

An electrosurgical instrument includes a jaw member having an electrically conductive tissue sealing plate configured to operably couple to a source of electrosurgical energy for treating tissue. A liquidphobic structure is added to at least a portion of the electrically conductive sealing plate to reduce tissue adherence during application of electrical energy to tissue.

An electrosurgical instrument comprising a housing, a shaft extending from the housing, an end effector extending from the shaft, an articulation joint rotatably connecting the end effector to the shaft, and a wiring circuit is disclosed. The housing comprises a printed control board. The wiring circuit extends from the printed control board through the shaft and into the end effector. The wiring circuit is configured to monitor a function of the end effector and communicate the monitored function to the printed control board. The wiring circuit comprises a proximal rigid portion fixed to the shaft, a distal rigid portion fixed to the end effector, and an intermediate portion extending from the proximal rigid portion to the distal rigid portion. The intermediate portion comprises a resilient portion and a stretchable portion.

A coating material and a medical device. The medical device having an end effector and a coating to cover the end effector. The coating having one or more of: a plurality of hollow particles; and projections and depressions.

A colored (viz., not black) vitreous enamel coating for an electrosurgical metal cutting blade provides heat-resistant, durable blade coloration and facilitates differentiation or discrimination between, or identification of, different blades. Different colors may be employed on different blade shapes in an array of blades, on blades used for different surgical procedures, or on blades used on different tissue types. The color may be applied to a portion of a blade to denote an edge or other feature. The color may preferentially absorb the primarily blue-trued light emitted by an electrosurgery plasma and preferentially reflect light of other hues; make the blade more visible against surrounding tissues; or discourage reflection of visible or other light (e.g., infrared radiation) in colors that might interfere with markers, sensors or other instruments designed to measure light emitted by or passing through nearby tissue such as by transillumination.