A surgical method utilizes a surgical instrument having an elongate probe with a distal end having at least one egress or outlet port. The method comprises inserting a distal end portion of the elongate probe into a spinal disc space adjacent two spinal vertebrae, ejecting or streaming a plasma jet from the at least one egress or outlet port into spinal disc material in the spinal disc space, and subsequently removing the elongate probe from the spinal disc space.

A test device and method for testing and/or calibrating an analysis device for analyzing light appearances created by an RF surgical instrument. The test device has a test object configured for creation of a plasma test light appearance, the light of which can be received by a light receiving unit.

A surgical system for providing an improved video image of a surgical site including a system controller that receives and processes video images to determine a video signature corresponding to a condition that interferes with a quality of the video images, with the system controller interacting with a video enhancer to enhance the video images from a video capturing device to automatically control the video enhancer to enhance the video images. The surgical system can also review the video images for a trigger event and automatically begin or stop recording of the video images upon occurrence of the trigger event.

An electrosurgical pencil includes a housing having proximal and distal ends, the proximal end adapted to connect to an energy source and the distal end adapted to receive an end effector assembly therein, the end effector assembly defining a surface area along a length thereof. An activation switch is operably associated with the housing and is configured to deliver electrosurgical energy to the end effector assembly upon actuation thereof. An air control valve is operatively coupled to the activation switch and is configured to simultaneously deliver a gas from a gas source to the surface area around the end effector upon actuation of the activation switch. One or more vents are defined in the distal end of the housing and are configured to direct the gas towards the surface area of the end effector.

Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure include systems and methods for treatment of occlusions, including coronary artery chronic total occlusions.

An apparatus for gas-assisted electrosurgery having a gas-assisted electrosurgical probe comprising a tube and an electrode within said tube, wherein a distal end portion of said electrode extends from an opening at a distal end of said tube and an electrically insulating tip connected to a distal end of said electrode. The electrically insulating tip has a substantially hemispherical distal end portion having a radius r.sub.1 and a proximal portion having a circular cross-section and a central axis of a length l.sub.1, wherein l.sub.1>r.sub.1.

An electrosurgical pencil includes a housing having proximal and distal ends, the proximal end adapted to connect to an energy source and the distal end adapted to receive an end effector assembly therein, the end effector assembly defining a surface area along a length thereof. An activation switch is operably associated with the housing and is configured to deliver electrosurgical energy to the end effector assembly upon actuation thereof. An air control valve is operatively coupled to the activation switch and is configured to simultaneously deliver a gas from a gas source to the surface area around the end effector upon actuation of the activation switch. One or more vents are defined in the distal end of the housing and are configured to direct the gas towards the surface area of the end effector.

Ablation catheters and systems include coaxial catheter shafts with an inner lumen for delivering an ablative agent and an outer lumen for circulation of a cooling element about the catheter. Induction heating is used to heat a chamber and vaporize a fluid within by wrapping a coil about a ferromagnetic chamber and providing an alternating current to the coil. A magnetic field is created in the area surrounding the chamber which induces electric current flow in the chamber, heating the chamber and vaporizing the fluid inside. Positioning elements help maintain the device in the proper position with respect to the target tissue and also prevent the passage of ablative agent to normal tissues.

An electrosurgical device for recognizing tissue by means of spectral analysis of the light generated at an electrode. An acoustic or optical indicator device displays the tissue type permanently or when detecting certain tissue. Indicators, in particular optical indicators, are arranged in the application field of view, so as to support the user in response to making an incision.

An ultrapolar electrosurgery blade assembly with argon beam capability and an ultrapolar electrosurgery pencil with argon beam capability that are both capable of using monopolar energy in a bipolar mode for cutting and coagulation and using ionized gas for cutting and coagulation.