The ultrasonic transducer has a cylindrical shape having a first end surface and a second end surface, and includes a piezoelectric material that generates ultrasonic vibration for treating biological tissue with ultrasonic energy, a first electrode that is disposed in contact with the first end surface and to which an ultrasonic driving voltage is applied for generating ultrasonic vibration to the piezoelectric material, a second electrode that is disposed in contact with the second end surface and to which a reference voltage is applied for generating ultrasonic vibration to the piezoelectric material, an insulating plate that opposes the second end surface with the second electrode interposed therebetween, a third electrode that opposes the second electrode with the insulating plate and to which high-frequency power for treating biological tissue is supplied with high-frequency energy, and a short-circuit prevention unit that prevents short-circuiting between the first and third electrodes.

Disclosed is a device for interstitial laser therapy. The device comprises an optical waveguide extending about a central longitudinal axis and having an optical output end; an optical diffuser optically coupled to, optically associate with, or positioned about the optical output end, wherein the optical diffuser comprises a housing having an open end for receiving the optical output end and a first longitudinal portion of the optical waveguide; and a temperature sensor interposed, positioned or located between the central longitudinal axis and an exterior surface of the housing, and preferably within the longitudinal extent of the first longitudinal portion of the optical waveguide. The optical diffuser can be provided with one or more holes, one or more slits, one or more openings, and/or one or more vents. The device can also include a second temperature sensor. Also disclosed is a system for interstitial laser therapy.

An electrode assembly for an electrosurgical pencil includes an insulative housing. A locking plate is supported at a distal end of the insulative housing about a pivot, the locking plate including a series of locking holes defined therein. A tip assembly is coupled to a distal end of the locking plate and is configured to treat tissue. A connection is coupled to a proximal end of the insulative housing and is electrically coupled to the tip assembly. One or more locking fingers is operably disposed within the housing and is movable between a first position allowing rotation of the locking plate and the tip assembly about the pivot and a second position preventing rotation of the locking plate and the tip assembly. The finger(s) is configured to engage a corresponding one of the series of locking holes to prevent rotation of the locking plate and the tip assembly.

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 method for controlling a user interface of a modular energy system. The modular energy system comprises a header module and a display screen on which the user interface is displayed. The modular energy system can detect attachment of a first module thereto, control the user interface to display one or more first user interface elements corresponding to the first module, detect attachment of a second module to the modular energy system, control the user interface to resize the one or more first user interface elements to accommodate display of one or more second user interface elements corresponding to the second module, and control the user interface to display the one or more second user interface elements. The various UI elements can correspond to the particular module type that is being connected to the modular energy system.

Apparatus for use with an electroanatomical mapping system, an elongated needle assembly having a distal energy emitter configured to be detectable by the electroanatomical mapping system, an energy-delivery assembly having at least one sensor configured to receive, at least in part, the distal energy emitter of the elongated needle assembly in such a way that the distal energy emitter and said at least one sensor are movable relative to each other. The apparatus includes a signal-interface assembly. The signal-interface assembly includes a signal-input section configured to be signal connectable to said at least one sensor of the energy-delivery assembly. A signal-output section is configured to be signal connectable to an input section of the electroanatomical mapping system.

The invention relates to a medical instrument having a hollow shaft, whose proximal end can be connected to an operating unit and having a tool tip arranged at the distal end of the shaft having a tool arranged at the distal end of the tool tip, wherein the tool has two jaw parts, which can be pivoted relative to one another and wherein the jaw parts are pivoted via actuating elements, which are mounted so as to be axially displaceable in the shaft and which can be actuated on the proximal side via the operating unit and wherein the tool tip can be pivoted via a joint mechanism relative to the longitudinal axis of the shaft.

In order to provide a medical instrument, which ensures a uniform transmission of tensile and compressive forces even via the pivot region to the tool tip, it is proposed according to the invention that the pivotable jaw parts are each coupled via an articulated drive element to the distal end of an actuating element mounted so as to be axially displaceable in the shaft such that the articulated drive element spans the region of the joint mechanism between the distal end of the shaft and the proximal end of the tool tip.

It is possible to highly precisely determine a surface temperature of a balloon. A balloon catheter includes: a balloon; an outer cylinder shaft connected to a proximal end of the balloon; an inner cylinder shaft passing through the outer cylinder shaft to extend into the balloon to be connected to a distal end of the balloon; and a heating component disposed in the balloon for heating a liquid in the balloon. A liquid delivery path in communication with the balloon is formed between the outer cylinder shaft and the inner cylinder shaft. A temperature sensor is disposed in the liquid delivery path.

An electrosurgical smoke evacuation pencil includes a handle housing having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, the handle housing defining a lumen therethrough, a nozzle in fluid communication with the lumen, a pressure sensor configured to sense a vacuum pressure at the nozzle, a connector coupled to the distal end portion of the handle housing, the connector configured to couple to a suction source, and an electrode configured to couple to a source of electrosurgical energy.

A method for adjusting the operation of a surgical instrument using machine learning in a surgical suite is disclosed.