Spinal tumor ablation devices and related systems and methods are disclosed. Some spinal tumor ablation devices include electrodes that are fixedly offset from one another. Some spinal tumor ablation devices include a thermal energy delivery probe that has at least one temperature sensor coupled thereto. The position of the at least one temperature sensor relative to other components of the spinal tumor ablation device may be controlled by adjusting the position of the thermal energy delivery probe in some spinal tumor ablation devices. Some spinal tumor ablation devices are configured to facilitate the delivery of a cement through a utility channel of the device.

A dermal conditioning device is for creating at least one pressure point on at least an external surface of an eyelid. The device includes at least one skin tissue lesion generator, at least one controller, a power supply and a housing, the controller coupled to the skin tissue lesion generator. A power supply couples to the skin tissue lesion generator and the controller and the housing encasing the skin tissue lesion generator and the controller. The controller controls the skin tissue lesion generator to generate at least one signal and to apply the signal to stress the external surface of an outer layer of the eyelid, the stress causing a formation of the pressure point on the eyelid without tissue coagulation, thereby activating at least one of a corneal reflex, a menace reflex, and a lacrimation reflex of the eyelid by activating at least one nociceptor on the eyelid.

A dermal conditioning device is for creating at least one pressure point on at least an external surface of an eyelid. The device includes at least one skin tissue lesion generator, at least one controller, a power supply and a housing, the controller coupled to the skin tissue lesion generator. A power supply couples to the skin tissue lesion generator and the controller and the housing encasing the skin tissue lesion generator and the controller. The controller controls the skin tissue lesion generator to generate at least one signal and to apply the signal to stress the external surface of an outer layer of the eyelid, the stress causing a formation of the pressure point on the eyelid without tissue coagulation, thereby activating at least one of a corneal reflex, a menace reflex, and a lacrimation reflex of the eyelid by activating at least one nociceptor on the eyelid.

A method for controlling a temperature at an end-effector of an instrument connected with a controller includes estimating a residual energy associated with a prior application of base energy to the end-effector based on a first set of parameters. An amount of electric power that is converted to heat at the end-effector is estimated based on the first set of parameters. A current temperature at the end-effector is estimated based on: (i) the residual energy, (ii) the amount of electric power provided to the end-effector, and (iii) a time for which the electric power is provided. The electric power provided to the instrument is controlled to maintain the current temperature at the end-effector within a predetermined range.

An electrical stimulation system includes a stimulator having at least one electrode and a power supply. The electrode is connectable to the power supply, and the power supply delivers electrical stimulation energy in the form of a capacitive discharge voltage through the stimulator and electrode to tissue proximate a target anatomy to induce an observable response in the target anatomy during a medical procedure.

This invention relates to high-frequency ablation of tissue in the body using a cooled high-frequency electrode connected to a high frequency generator including a computer graphic control system and an automatic controller for control the signal output from the generator, and adapted to display on a real time graphic display a measured parameter related to the ablation process and visually monitor the variation of the parameter of the signal output that is controlled by the controller during the ablation process. In one example, one or more measured parameters are displayed simultaneously to visually interpret the relation of their variation and values. In one example, the displayed one or more parameters can be taken from the list of measured voltage, current, power, impedance, electrode temperature, and tissue temperature related to the ablation process. The graphic display gives the clinician an instantaneous and intuitive feeling for the dynamics and stability of the ablation process for safety and control. This invention relates to monitoring and controlling multiple ground pads to optimally carry return currents during high-frequency tissue ablation, and to prevent of ground-pad skin burns. This invention relates to the use of ultrasound imaging intraoperatively during a tissue ablation procedure. This invention relates to the use of nerve stimulation and blocking during a tissue ablation procedure.

An apparatus and method for sending test signals to an instrument, and checking the resultant and subsequently arriving echo signals in order to detect specific properties and changes of properties on the line, the instrument, the tissue or also on a fluid body, e.g., plasma body, present on an electrode of the instrument, and to control the operation of the supply arrangement accordingly.

An apparatus and method for sending test signals to an instrument, and checking the resultant and subsequently arriving echo signals in order to detect specific properties and changes of properties on the line, the instrument, the tissue or also on a fluid body, e.g., plasma body, present on an electrode of the instrument, and to control the operation of the supply arrangement accordingly.

Thermal cutting surgical instruments incorporate a blade incorporating a first substrate of high thermal conductivity material in the heated portion of the blade and a support and, the first substrate of high thermal conductivity material joined to a second substrate of low thermal conductivity material in the support region of the blade; an electrically insulative dielectric layer disposed on the first surface of the first substrate and on the first surface of second substrate; an electrically resistive heating element disposed on the electrically insulative dielectric; electrically conductive power leads and electrically conductive sense leads disposed on the electrically insulative dielectric layer and that are in electrical communication with the electrically resistive heating element; and an electrically insulative dielectric overcoat layer disposed on the electrically resistive heating element and on the distal portion of the electrically conductive power leads and electrically conductive sense leads.

Thermal cutting surgical instruments incorporate a blade incorporating a first substrate of high thermal conductivity material in the heated portion of the blade and a support and, the first substrate of high thermal conductivity material joined to a second substrate of low thermal conductivity material in the support region of the blade; an electrically insulative dielectric layer disposed on the first surface of the first substrate and on the first surface of second substrate; an electrically resistive heating element disposed on the electrically insulative dielectric; electrically conductive power leads and electrically conductive sense leads disposed on the electrically insulative dielectric layer and that are in electrical communication with the electrically resistive heating element; and an electrically insulative dielectric overcoat layer disposed on the electrically resistive heating element and on the distal portion of the electrically conductive power leads and electrically conductive sense leads.