A control device for use with a treatment tool that includes a heating element to apply heat to a treatment target. The control device comprises a processor configured to set a target temperature for the heating element and to control the heating element so that temperature of the heating element follows the target temperature. The processor is configured to switch the control of the heating element from a first phase to a second phase. A first followability of the temperature of the heating element in the first phase is higher than a second followability of the temperature in the second phase. The processor is configured to terminate the controlling of following the temperature of the heating element to the target temperature when a parameter is beyond a predetermined range wherein the parameter being defined as a fluctuation between the temperature of the heating element and the target temperature.

A control device for use with a treatment tool that includes a heating element to apply heat to a treatment target. The control device comprises a processor configured to set a target temperature for the heating element and to control the heating element so that temperature of the heating element follows the target temperature. The processor is configured to switch the control of the heating element from a first phase to a second phase. A first followability of the temperature of the heating element in the first phase is higher than a second followability of the temperature in the second phase. The processor is configured to terminate the controlling of following the temperature of the heating element to the target temperature when a parameter is beyond a predetermined range wherein the parameter being defined as a fluctuation between the temperature of the heating element and the target temperature.

A medical device with a power supply for connecting to an AC power grid in the range of >50 V.sub.AC to 264 V.sub.AC (wide range) features a circuit for only connecting at least one discharge resistor in parallel to at least one smoothing capacitor if no AC input voltage is present at the power supply. The power supply features a rectifier and at least one smoothing capacitor for smoothing a direct voltage to be supplied by the power supply, as well as at least one discharge resistor for discharging the smoothing capacitor. The power supply features a circuit electrically connected to the discharge resistor and the smoothing capacitor, designed to detect a switched-on state of the medical device with an AC input voltage present at its power supply, and to only connect the discharge resistor in parallel to the smoothing capacitor if the circuit does not detect a switched-on state.

In one embodiment, a medical system includes a catheter configured to be inserted into a body part of a living subject, and including a deflectable element having a distal end, an expandable distal end assembly disposed at the distal end of the deflectable element, and comprising a plurality of electrodes, a distal portion, and a proximal portion, and configured to expand from a collapsed form to an expanded deployed form, and a stretchable irrigation tube disposed between the distal portion and the proximal portion, and comprising a plurality of irrigation holes, and configured to stretch longitudinally when the distal end assembly is collapsed from the expanded deployed form to the collapsed form.

In one embodiment, a medical system includes a catheter configured to be inserted into a body part of a living subject, and including a deflectable element having a distal end, an expandable distal end assembly disposed at the distal end of the deflectable element, and comprising a plurality of electrodes, a distal portion, and a proximal portion, and configured to expand from a collapsed form to an expanded deployed form, and a stretchable irrigation tube disposed between the distal portion and the proximal portion, and comprising a plurality of irrigation holes, and configured to stretch longitudinally when the distal end assembly is collapsed from the expanded deployed form to the collapsed form.

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.

A hot stapler includes a body, two heat conducting units, an electrical storage unit, a circuit unit, and a switch button. The body includes a head and a handle. The electrical storage unit is disposed in the handle and has a voltage value less than 6 volts. A first wire and a first resistor of the circuit unit are electrically mounted between one of the two heat conducting units and the electrical storage unit. A second wire and a second resistor of the circuit unit are electrically mounted between the other one of the two heat conducting units and the electrical storage unit. The switch button is disposed on the handle and is switchable between a power-on position and a power-off position.

A cautery safety controller can include a first input to receive a cautery power signal; a first output coupled to a nerve stimulator system; a second input coupled to receive a nerve detected signal; a zero-crossing detector coupled to receive the cautery power signal via the first input and output a nerve sense enable signal via the first output to the nerve stimulator system in response to detecting a zero crossing of the cautery power signal; and a nerve detection decision unit coupled to receive the nerve detected signal via the second input, generate a stop operation signal, and output the stop operation signal via a second output. A cauterizing pencil can be provided with a tap line for providing the cautery power signal. Alternatively, a cautery pad can be provided with a sense electrode for providing the cautery power signal.

A treatment system comprises a treatment tool and an energy source apparatus is used to electrically communicate with the treatment tool. The energy output source is configured to output high-frequency electric power to the bipolar electrodes so as to cause a high-frequency current to flow through a treatment target between the bipolar electrodes. A processor is used to control the energy output source. The processor performs an output control process on the heater electric power so that the heater reaches a target temperature and maintains at the target temperature. The processor detects a parameter related to the heater from the heater in the output control process based on the target temperature. The processor sets a threshold value used to determine to stop or to lower the output to the bipolar electrodes while the treatment target is being modified by the high-frequency current applied thereto based on the detected parameter.

A treatment system comprises a treatment tool and an energy source apparatus is used to electrically communicate with the treatment tool. The energy output source is configured to output high-frequency electric power to the bipolar electrodes so as to cause a high-frequency current to flow through a treatment target between the bipolar electrodes. A processor is used to control the energy output source. The processor performs an output control process on the heater electric power so that the heater reaches a target temperature and maintains at the target temperature. The processor detects a parameter related to the heater from the heater in the output control process based on the target temperature. The processor sets a threshold value used to determine to stop or to lower the output to the bipolar electrodes while the treatment target is being modified by the high-frequency current applied thereto based on the detected parameter.