Embodiments of this invention relate to endoscopic and laparoscopic surgical instruments. More specifically, embodiments of this invention relate to an open loop polypectomy system including a means for securely closing the loop. In some embodiments, the open loop polypectomy system comprises a snare wire and a capture mechanism wherein, when the snare wire is advanced, the snare wire extends from a distal portion of the open loop polypectomy system along a path passing through the capture mechanism. After the snare wire has advanced through the plane of the capture mechanism, retraction of the capture mechanism secures the snare wire, creating a formed loop around a target tissue. Retraction of at least one of the snare wire and capture mechanism contracts the formed loop, resecting the target tissue.

A system for use with performing a medical procedure is provided which comprises a balloon catheter and a processing device. The balloon catheter comprises a plurality of ablation electrodes configured to ablate tissue of patient anatomy, a stem electrode and an edge electrode. The processing device comprises a processor configured to acquire first impedance measurements between each of the ablation electrodes of the balloon catheter and an edge electrode of the balloon catheter, acquire second impedance measurements between each of the ablation electrodes of the balloon catheter and a stem electrode of the balloon catheter, determine, during ablation of the tissue, changes to at least one of the first and second impedance measurements, and indicating lesion formation based on the changes to at least one of the first and second impedance measurements.

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.

An apparatus includes a shaft assembly and an electrode assembly at a distal end of the shaft assembly. The electrode assembly includes a first conductive segment extending along a first angular range at the distal end of the shaft assembly. The first conductive segment is operable to apply RF energy to tissue at a first polarity. The electrode assembly further includes a second conductive segment angularly spaced apart from the first conductive segment. The second conductive segment extends along a second angular range at the distal end of the shaft assembly. The second conductive segment is operable to apply RF energy to tissue at a second polarity such that the first and second conductive segments are operable to apply bipolar RF energy to tissue.

An end effector assembly for a surgical instrument includes first and second jaw members, each including a jaw frame, spacer, electrically-conductive plate, and outer housing. The jaw frame includes at least one proximal flange and a distal jaw support extending distally therefrom. The spacer defines a body and a wing disposed on either side of the body. The body defines a channel configured to receive the distal jaw support while each wing defines a slot. The plate defines a tissue-contacting portion and first and second legs extending perpendicularly from the tissue-contacting portion. The tissue-contacting portion is configured to sit atop the body of the spacer. Each of the legs is configured for receipt within the slot defined within one of the wings. The outer housing at least partially surrounds the distal jaw support, spacer, and legs and is configured to retain these components in position relative to one another.

Systems and related methods for identifying and/or ablating targeted nerves are provided. A probe with stimulating electrodes and/or ablation members are provided. The probe may be inserted into a nasal cavity and current may be introduced through the electrodes to stimulate a targeted area. The response to stimulation may be used to identify the targeted nerve. Once identified, the ablation member may ablate the targeted nerve.

The invention generally relates to systems and methods for therapeutically modulating nerves in or associated with a nasal region of a patient for the treatment of a rhinosinusitis condition.

Ablation probe tips (108, 148, 320, 360) and physical and virtual stents (110) for use in tooth bud ablation procedures that result in tooth agenesis as well as tooth bud ablation methods are described herein.

A laser treatment head in which an elongate applicator is shaped to access a bodily cavity. At the distal end of the applicator is a deflector protected by a window. At a proximal end of the applicator is a drive that can axially displace and rotate the applicator in a helical pattern such that laser beam pulses deflected to the mucosa area applied along a helical path to the wall of the cavity. The drive comprises a stationary hollow shaft inside a rotatable sleeve. The shaft has a helical channel in its outer surface and the sleeve has a longitudinal slot through its wall. A pin attached to the proximal end of the applicator extends through the slot and into the channel. When the sleeve is rotated, the slot advances the pin along the channel, moving the attached applicator in the helical pattern.

A coagulation suction device that includes a hollow suction tube, at least first and second bipolar wires, and an insulation cover. The hollow suction tube includes a closed distal tip, a proximal open end, and at least one suction opening positioned proximal of the closed distal tip. A position of the closed distal tip is adjustable relative to remaining portions of the hollow suction tube. The at least first and second bipolar wires extend along the hollow suction tube to the closed distal tip. The at least first and second bipolar wires each having an exposed distal end. The insulation cover encapsulates the at least first and second bipolar wires along a length of the first and second bipolar wires and terminates proximal of the exposed distal ends of the at least first and second bipolar wires.