An electromagnetic surgical ablation system having a generator adapted to selectively provide surgical ablative energy to an ablation probe, and methods of operating same, are disclosed. The system includes a controller operatively coupled to the generator, and at least one tissue sensor probe operatively coupled to the controller. The at least one tissue sensor provides a tissue impedance measurement to the controller. A sensor probe may be designated a threshold probe adapted to sense when tissue is sufficiently ablated, or, a critical structure probe adapted to protect an adjacent anatomical structure from undesired ablation. During an electromagnetic tissue ablation procedure, the controller monitors tissue impedance to determine tissue status, to activate an indicator associated therewith, and, additionally or alternatively, to activate and deactivate the generator accordingly.

A tumor targeting ablation planning device and method include providing a predetermined ablation profile and a segmented tumor to be treated in an ablation procedure. A contour of the segmented tumor is generated and the predetermined ablation profile is overlapped with a part of the segmented tumor to form an overlapping region, which is identified. Further, a predetermined safety factor is applied to at least a part of the at least one segmented tumor in the overlapping region to generate a modified overlapping region. Parts of the overlapping region that are arranged outside the modified overlapping region are determined as overlapping portions. A display is configured to: display the contour of the segmented tumor, display the predetermined ablation profile overlapped with the at least part of the segmented tumor in the overlapping region, and display the overlapping portions in relation with the contour and the ablation profile as virtual planning ablation result.

Disclosed is a microwave antenna assembly that includes proximal and distal radiating sections and a junction member. The proximal radiating section includes inner and outer conductors and DC power and neutral conductors. The inner conductor is disposed within the outer conductor and the DC power and neutral conductors are disposed radially outward therefrom. The junction member mates the distal and proximal radiating sections such that the distal and proximal radiating sections are positioned relative to one another. The junction member further includes a microwave signal amplifier (MSA) that receives a signal at a first energy level from the inner and outer conductors and a DC power signal from the DC power and neutral conductors. The MSA amplifies the signal from the first energy level to an additional, greater energy level. The junction member provides the microwave signal at the additional energy level to the proximal and distal radiating sections.

Electrosurgical systems generally include at least one energy-delivery device for delivering energy to tissue when inserted or embedded within tissue. The energy-delivery device can be a tissue ablation device, such as an ablation probe, needle, etc. for ablating tissue as commonly known in the art. The electrosurgical systems include at least one structure and/or operational characteristic for enhancing ultrasonic visibility of the energy-delivery devices within tissue during ultrasonography.

An access device for accessing an intervertebral disc having an outer shield comprising an access shield with a larger diameter (˜16-30 mm) that reaches from the skin down to the facet line, with an inner shield having a second smaller diameter (˜5-12 mm) extending past the access shield and reaches down to the disc level. This combines the benefits of the direct visual microsurgical/mini open approaches and the percutaneous, “ultra-MIS” techniques.

An electrosurgical device (10) operable to deliver microwave energy to cause targeted tissue ablation is provided. The electrosurgical device (10) comprises an antenna (26), a reflector (30), and a dielectric material (34) disposed therebetween. The selection of the dielectric material (30) and the relative positioning of the antenna (26) and the reflector (30) provide impedance matching between the antenna (26) and a transmission line (12) so as to minimize heating along the length of the device (10) during use.

The inventive ablation element comprises an elongated cannula having a proximal end and a distal end. The cannula defines an internal lumen and a cannula axis. A plurality of conductors contained within the lumen, each having a proximal end proximate the proximal end of the cannula, and a distal end proximate the distal end of the cannula. A plurality of ablation stylets each has a proximal end and a distal end, and each coupled to the distal end of a respective conductor, the conductors together with their respective stylets being mounted for axial movement. A trocar point defined proximate the distal end of the cannula. A deflection surface positioned between the trocar point and the proximal end of the cannula, the deflection surface being configured and positioned to deflect at least some of the stylets laterally with respect to the cannula axis in different directions defining an ablation volume.

The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a nonmagnetic water-cooled microwave ablation needle. The manufacturing method is designed for a microwave ablation needle of a nonmagnetic material and has a proper process procedure, favorable assembly quality, and high production efficiency. The produced nonmagnetic water-cooled microwave ablation needle is applicable to microwave tumor ablation surgery in a nuclear magnetic resonance imaging environment, and helps a doctor in charge to clearly determine a position of a tumor, improve piercing precision, have preferable control on a whole surgery process, improve a success rate of the surgery, reduce damage on surrounding normal tissues as much as possible on the premise of effectively inactivating the tumor, alleviate pain of a patient, and shorten a recovery cycle.

A microwave applicator for insertion into living body tissue for use in microwave coagulation and ablation treatments includes a microwave transmission line extending between an attachment end of the applicator and an antenna toward an insertion end of the applicator with an outer conductive sleeve forming an enclosed cooling fluid space around the transmission line. Circulation of cooling fluid is guided in the cooling fluid space by a guide sleeve. A fluid circulation system provides a plurality of fluid supply connectors and fluid return connectors which can be connected and used with any number of applicators between one and the number of the fluid supply connectors provided by the system. A portion of the applicator inserted into the tissue can stick to the tissue to stabilize the applicator during treatment. A warning marking on the applicator can be used during track ablation to prevent ablation of the patient skin tissue.

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.