A method for sensing at least one property with an instrument, wherein the instrument comprises an elongate shaft body; the method comprising the steps of: securing a sensor film conformally to the elongate shaft body, the sensor film comprising: at least one substrate core having a first surface and a second surface; at least one sensing element; a first conductive layer residing on the first surface, the first conductive layer having first solder mask coated thereon, and wherein the first conductive layer is grounded; a second conductive layer residing on the second surface, the second conductive layer having a second solder mask coated thereon, and coupled to the at least one sensing element; causing the at least one sensing element to measure at least one property and output a sensed signal and to convey the sensed signal via the second conductive layer to an electronics module.

A method implemented by a surgical instrument is disclosed. The surgical instrument includes first and second jaws and a flexible circuit including multiple sensors to optimize performance of a radio frequency (RF) device. The flexible circuit includes at least one therapeutic electrode couplable to a source of RF energy, at least two sensing electrodes, and at least one insulative layer. The insulative layer is positioned between the at least one therapeutic electrode and the at least two sensing electrodes. The method includes contacting tissue positioned between the first and second jaws of the surgical instrument with the at least one therapeutic electrode and at the least two sensing electrodes; sensing signals from the at least two sensing electrodes; and controlling RF energy delivered to the at least one therapeutic electrode based on the sensed signals.

A method for adaptive control of surgical network control and interaction is disclosed. The surgical network includes a surgical feedback system. The surgical feedback system includes a surgical instrument, a data source, and a surgical hub configured to communicably couple to the data source and the surgical instrument. The surgical hub includes a control circuit. The method includes receiving, by the control circuit, information related to devices communicatively coupled to the surgical network; and adaptively controlling, by the control circuit, the surgical network based on the received information.

Ablation apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes an ablation electrode shaped to define a cavity thereof, and comprising a metallic distal face that is shaped to define a plurality of apertures. A fluid-delivery channel is configured to deliver fluid to the apertures. At least one ultrasound transducer is disposed within the cavity of the ablation electrode, the transducer being configured to transmit an ultrasound wave through the apertures. Other embodiments are also described.

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.

Disclosed is a method including establishing a first communication link between a surgical visualization system outside a sterile field in an operating room and a primary display inside the sterile field, transmitting an image frame from the surgical visualization system to the primary display, establishing a second communication link between a surgical robotic hub in the operating room and the primary display, and transmitting another image frame from the surgical robotic hub to the primary display.

The present invention relates to an apparatus (1) comprising a signal processor (2) for processing measurement signals (3) from a motion-mode ultrasound measurement and a rendering device (4) coupled to a processor (2) for rendering a one-dimensional representation (40) along a temporal axis (41) indicative of a property within a tissue. The values (42) in the one-dimensional representation (40) are derived on the basis of measured values in an observation window (12, 22, 32) defined on an M-mode ultrasound image (10), a tissue velocity image (20) or a strain rate image (30).

A method implemented by a surgical instrument is disclosed. The surgical instrument includes first and second jaws and a flexible circuit including multiple sensors to optimize performance of a radio frequency (RF) device. The flexible circuit includes at least one therapeutic electrode couplable to a source of RF energy, at least two sensing electrodes, and at least one insulative layer. The insulative layer is positioned between the at least one therapeutic electrode and the at least two sensing electrodes. The method includes contacting tissue positioned between the first and second jaws of the surgical instrument with the at least one therapeutic electrode and at the least two sensing electrodes; sensing signals from the at least two sensing electrodes; and controlling RF energy delivered to the at least one therapeutic electrode based on the sensed signals.

This document describes methods and materials for reducing incision sizes for improving the treatment of pathological conditions, including arrhythmias and trauma, using temperature modulation via implantable devices. For example, this document describes methods and devices for treating atrial and/or ventricular fibrillation by cooling the epicardium.

Generally, abnormal pressures in the sinus cavity can have physiological effects due to stimulation or injury of various nerves that are in proximity to the sinus, including increased or decreased pressure on the nerves as well as extrusion of the nerves into the sinus cavities due to bony dehiscence. Methods and devices for alleviating disorders associated with the sinus cavities are described. Embodiments herein include diagnosing these disorders by occluding or restricting the sinus ostium and assessing the physiological effects caused by the occlusion/restriction and treating these disorders by navigating/directing a dilating device to the sinus ostium and dilating the sinus ostium. Other embodiments are directed to devices for maintaining the ostial opening.