Systems and methods for ablating tissue include an ablation device having an energy source and a sensor. The energy source provides a beam of energy directable to target tissue, and the sensor senses energy reflected back from the target tissue. The sensor collects various information from the target tissue in order to facilitate adjustment of ablation operating parameters, such as changing power or position of the energy beam. Gap distance between the energy source and target tissue, energy beam incident angle, tissue motion, tissue type, lesion depth, etc. are examples of some of the information that may be collected during the ablation process and used to help control ablation of the tissue.

An ultrasonic surgical instrument includes a waveguide defining a blade at a distal end thereof and a lumen extending through a portion of the blade. The blade is configured to receive ultrasonic energy for treating tissue. The instrument further includes first and second conduits each defining a proximal end and a distal end. The second conduit is coaxially disposed about the first conduit. The distal ends of the first and second conduits extend into the lumen. The distal end of the first conduit extends further distally into the lumen than the distal end of the second conduit.

An ultrasound therapy system and method is provided that provides directional, focused ultrasound to localized regions of tissue within body joints, such as spinal joints. An ultrasound emitter or transducer is delivered to a location within the body associated with the joint and heats the target region of tissue associated with the joint from the location. Such locations for ultrasound transducer placement may include for example in or around the intervertebral discs, or the bony structures such as vertebral bodies or posterior vertebral elements such as facet joints. Various modes of operation provide for selective, controlled heating at different temperature ranges to provide different intended results in the target tissue, which ranges are significantly affected by pre-stressed tissues such as in-vivo intervertebral discs. In particular, treatments above 70 degrees C., and in particular 75 degrees C., are used for structural remodeling, whereas lower temperatures achieve other responses without appreciable remodeling.

A surgical instrument includes a transducer configured to produce vibrations at a predetermined frequency. An ultrasonic end effector extends along a longitudinal axis and is coupled to the transducer. The ultrasonic end effector comprises an ultrasonic blade and a clamping mechanism. A controller receives a feedback signal from the ultrasonic end effector and the feedback signal is measured by the controller. A lumen is adapted to couple to a pump. The controller is configured to control fluid flow through the lumen based on the feedback signal, and the lumen is located within the ultrasonic end effector.

A trocar assembly including an obturator, an access cannula, and a reservoir is provided. The access cannula defines a lumen therethrough configured to selectively receive the obturator. The reservoir is configured to be selectively coupled to the obturator such that the reservoir is in fluid communication with a hollow interior portion of the obturator. An obturator is also provided including an elongate body and a connection point. The elongate body extends between proximal and distal portions and is configured to be received within an access cannula. The elongate body defines a hollow interior portion therein. The connection point is disposed on an exterior portion of the elongate body and is configured to be selectively coupled to a fluid reservoir. Rapid expansion of fluid within the hollow interior portion causes tissue in contact with the access cannula to freeze thereto. A method of performing surgery is also provided.

A medical probe includes an elongate body for insertion into an organ of a patient, and an electrode that is attached to the elongate body. Multiple thermocouples are disposed at respective different locations of the electrode and electrically coupled to the electrode, and are configured to sense respective temperatures at the locations.

Techniques for modulating peripheral nerves using focused ultrasound (FUS) are provided. Methods include locating a peripheral nerve in a subject using an imaging probe, providing a FUS having one or more ultrasound parameters to a location on the peripheral nerve, and modulating the peripheral nerve. The methods can further include eliciting and measuring a physiological response from the FUS modulation, generating tissue deformation in the vicinity of the FUS modulation, and imaging the nerve and the tissue deformation simultaneously with FUS modulation. Systems for use in the modulation of peripheral nerves are also provided.

Apparatus, consisting of a power supply having a first electrical connection to a relatively high voltage source and connectable to ablation circuitry in a catheter via a second electrical connection. There are rechargeable first and second subsidiary power sources in the power supply. The apparatus also has a control unit, and a first switch alternately connecting the ablation circuitry to the first and second subsidiary power sources responsively to control signals from the control unit. The apparatus also has a second switch alternately connecting one of the first and second subsidiary power sources to the high voltage source for recharging thereof responsively to the control signals while the one of the first and second subsidiary power sources is disconnected from the ablation circuitry and another of the first and second subsidiary power sources is connected to the ablation circuitry by the first switch.

The present invention relates to surgical instruments and methods for enhancing properties of tissue repaired or joined by surgical staples and, more particularly to surgical instruments and methods designed to enhance the properties of repaired or adjoined tissue at a target surgical site. The present invention further relates to hypothermic linear stapling instruments configured to pre-cool the tissues being joined by staples.

A modular wound treatment system includes a central modular hub having a modular connection for one or more pneumatically-actuated, modular components, such as a pneumatically-actuated soft robotic gripper component configured to curve and at least partially encircle the wound when actuated and thereby apply direct pressure to the wound, and a pneumatically-actuated tourniquet component configured to apply pressure proximal to the wound to limit the flow of arterial blood to the wound. The system also includes a pressurized gas supply in pneumatic communication with the modular connection, sensors for measuring the amount of pressure being applied by the pneumatically-actuated, modular components, a display for providing system information, and a controller for controlling the system. Methods of treating a wounded subject using the system are also provided.