Systems and methods for the use of cooling to trigger desirable effects of increased vasculature and/or development of new collagen in biological tissue are provided. In particular, the systems and methods provide a cooling treatment system configured to provide bulk or fractionated cooling at either at ablative temperatures or intermediary remodeling temperatures to promote tissue remodeling by inducing increased vasculature and/or the formation of new collagen.

A method includes receiving: (i) a position of a target tissue intended to be ablated in an organ of a patient and having a predefined pattern, and (ii) an energy level of an ablation signal intended to be applied to the target tissue. One or more selected ablation electrodes that, when applying the ablation signal, produce together a lesion having a shape that covers the predefined pattern, are selected in a catheter that is inserted into the organ and has an array of ablation electrodes. In response to verifying that: (i) the one or more selected ablation electrodes are positioned on the target tissue, and (ii) a contact force between the one or more selected ablation electrode and the target tissue is larger than a force threshold, the ablation signal is applied to the target tissue using the one or more selected ablation electrodes.

The invention provides for a system for estimating a 3-dimensional treatment volume for a device that applies treatment energy through a plurality of electrodes defining a treatment area, the system comprising a memory, a display device, a processor coupled to the memory and the display device, and a treatment planning module stored in the memory and executable by the processor. In one embodiment, the treatment planning module is adapted to generate an estimated first 3-dimensional treatment volume for display in the display device based on the ratio of a maximum conductivity of the treatment area to a baseline conductivity of the treatment area. The invention also provides for a method for estimating 3-dimensional treatment volume, the steps of which are executable through the processor. In embodiments, the system and method are based on a numerical model which may be implemented in computer readable code which is executable through a processor.

Systems and methods for controlling an irrigation flow rate during a lithotripsy procedure are provided. The system includes a laser configured for lithotripsy procedure, a lithotripsy irrigation system, and a temperature sensor configured to provide input to enable control of a flow of the lithotripsy irrigation system in response to a change in temperature from the operation of the laser.

A laser light irradiation system that irradiates a stone in a body with laser light to cause the stone to be dust, the laser light irradiation system including a laser fiber that emits the laser light, and a processor configured to control a frequency of the laser light emitted from the laser fiber, wherein the processor is configured to switch between first laser light of a first frequency and second laser light of a second frequency such that the second laser light is emitted at least before or after an emission timing of the first laser light, the first laser light generating a water flow that pulls the stone toward the laser fiber, the second laser light generating a water flow that stirs the stone.

A surgical instrument includes an ultrasonic waveguide extending through a body assembly. An ultrasonic blade connects to the ultrasonic waveguide. A clamp arm assembly of the surgical instrument is able to move from an opened position for receiving a tissue toward a closed position for clamping the tissue. The clamp arm assembly includes a clamp body and a clamp pad facing the ultrasonic blade. A clamp arm actuator of the surgical instrument is able to move from a first position toward a second position to direct the clamp arm assembly from the opened position toward the closed position. A modular coupling of the surgical instrument connects to the clamp pad such that at least the clamp pad can be disconnected relative to the ultrasonic blade for replacement thereof.

A surgical instrument comprising a jaw assembly is disclosed. The surgical instrument further comprises a motor-driven drive system configured to open the jaw assembly. The surgical instrument also comprises a control system configured to control the drive system and, also, control a power supply system configured to supply electrical power to electrodes defined in the outer surface, or outer surfaces, of the jaw assembly. In use, the surgical instrument can be used to apply mechanical energy and electrical energy to the tissue of a patient at the same time, or at different times. In certain embodiments, the user controls when the mechanical and electrical energies are applied. In some embodiments, the control system controls when the mechanical and electrical energies are applied.

Various embodiments are directed to an electrosurgical system including an end effector, a jaw closure trigger, and a control circuit. The end effector includes a first jaw and a second jaw. The control circuit is configured to receive an input indicating a repeat mode, apply a first tissue bite algorithm to a first electrode and a second electrode based on an occurrence of a first tissue bite, enter a hold state at a termination of the first tissue bite algorithm, and determine an occurrence of a second tissue bite. The first tissue bite is based on the second jaw moving toward a closed configuration via the jaw closure trigger. Entering the hold state includes maintaining a sub-therapeutic signal. Determining the occurrence of the second tissue bite includes sensing a reduction in impedance between the first electrode and the second electrode via the sub-therapeutic signal.

A laser can be controlled based on different tissue compositions, such as in real time. After a first time period, a first composition of a in vivo target site can be identified. Based on the first composition, a plurality of lasers can be controlled to emit light at a first wavelength where controlling includes activating a first combination of the plurality of lasers. After a second time period, a second composition of the in vivo target site different from the first composition can be identified. Based on the second composition, a plurality of lasers can be controlled to emit light at a second wavelength, such as can include activating a second combination of the plurality of lasers. The first combination of the plurality of lasers can be different from the second combination of the plurality of lasers.

A method for determining a characteristic of material at a target is provided. A target is illuminated with a pulsed light source. A fluorescence signal from the target when the pulsed light source is an “off” state is then sensed. Based on analysis of the fluorescence signal, a characteristic of material at the target is identified. A device can then be controlled based on the identified characteristic of the material at the target.