An electrosurgical instrument is disclosed, having a first electrode having a planar face, a second electrode; an electrically insulative body, a fluid channel, a conductive wire, and a tubular seal. The tubular seal prevents saline from extending into a gap between the wire and the electrically insulative body of the instrument. The tubular seal is disposed around the wire, and extends between the wire and the body.

A medical device includes an electrode shaft and a tip. The electrode shaft is configured to deliver energy to a target site and includes an electrode shaft lumen configured to deliver fluid to the target site. The tip is coupled to a distal tip of the electrode shaft. The tip includes an inner portion of conductive material and an exterior layer of insulative material. The tip includes a tip lumen fluidly connected to the electrode shaft lumen and configured to deliver fluid to the target site.

An auxiliary return system for use with a bipolar electrosurgical device includes a tissue guard defining open proximal and distal ends and a body extending therebetween. The body includes outer and inner peripheral surfaces, the inner peripheral surface defining a lumen extending between the open proximal and distal ends, the outer peripheral surface including an elongated channel defined therein configured to receive a ground wire, a distal end of the elongated channel includes a pocket defined between the inner and outer peripheral surfaces of the body. An electrically conductive rivet includes a proximal end configured to engage the inner peripheral surface of the body and a distal end configured to engage the outer peripheral surface of the body to secure the rivet within the pocket. The distal end including a connector configured to engage the ground wire to provide electrical continuity between the ground wire and the rivet.

An electrode assembly for an electrosurgical instrument includes a housing having an active electrical connector and a return electrical connector configured to operably engage a distal end of an electrosurgical instrument shaft, the housing encapsulating an elongated return electrode and a pair of insulative tubes configured to house a wire-like active electrode. The elongated return electrode includes a clevis at a distal end thereof and operably engages to the return electrical connector at a proximal end thereof. The wire-like active electrode operably engages at one end to the active electrical connector. A donut-like insulator is operably engaged to the clevis of the elongated return electrode and is configured to support the wire-like active electrode therearound. A tensioning mechanism is configured to operably engage an opposite end of the wire-like electrode and tension the wire-like active electrode about the donut-like insulator during assembly.

An electrosurgical device having a radiating tip portion for delivering electromagnetic energy to biological tissue, where the electrosurgical device is disposed in a catheter. The electrosurgical device is movable relative to the catheter between a deployed position where the radiating tip portion is exposed and a retracted position where the radiating tip portion is contained within the catheter. In this manner, the radiating tip portion may be retracted until the moment when it is to be used. This may facilitate insertion of the device through an instrument channel of a surgical scoping device. In particular, this may prevent the radiating tip portion from catching on the instrument channel when the device is inserted into the instrument channel, which could cause damage to the instrument channel and/or radiating tip portion.

A sterile interface assembly configured to operably engage a robotic surgical instrument includes an adapter, a surgical drape, and a clip. The adapter includes a body having a first end portion and a second end portion, inputs disposed at the first end portion of the body, outputs disposed at the second end portion of the body, connectors coupling each of the inputs with a corresponding one of the outputs, and a seal disposed within the body and configured to establish a fluid-tight seal with an interior surface of the body and about the connectors. The surgical drape defines a sleeve of material having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion. The proximal end portion is attached to an exterior of the body of the adapter. The clip is configured to engage the distal end portion of the surgical drape to a shaft.

A catheter system (100) for treating a treatment site (106) within or adjacent to the vessel wall of a blood vessel (108), or the heart valve, includes an energy source (124), a balloon (104), an energy guide (122A), and a balloon integrity protection system (142). The energy source (124) generates energy. The balloon (104) is positionable substantially adjacent to the treatment site (106). The balloon (104) has a balloon wall (130) that defines a balloon interior (146). The balloon (104) is configured to retain a balloon fluid (132) within the balloon interior (146). The energy guide (122A) is configured to receive energy from the energy source (124) and guide the energy into the balloon interior (146) so that plasma is formed in the balloon fluid (132) within the balloon interior (146). The balloon integrity protection system (142) is operatively coupled to the balloon (104). The balloon integrity protection system (142) is configured to inhibit rupture of the balloon (104) due to the plasma formed in the balloon fluid (132) within the balloon interior (146) during use of the catheter system (100).

An exemplary tissue detection and location identification apparatus can include, for example, a first electrically conductive layer at least partially (e.g., circumferentially) surrounding a lumen, an insulating layer at least partially (e.g., circumferentially) surrounding the first electrically conductive layer, and a second electrically conductive layer circumferentially surrounding the insulating layer, where the insulating layer can electrically isolate the first electrically conductive layer from the second electrically conductive layer. A further insulating layer can be included which can at least partially surrounding the second electrically conductive layer. The first electrically conductive layer, the insulating layer, and the second electrically conductive layer can form a structure which has a first side and a second side disposed opposite to the first side with respect to the lumen, where the first side can be longer than the second side thereby forming a sharp pointed end via the first side at a distal-most portion. The exemplary configuration can be used for (a) determination/detection of a tissue type using impendence of the electrically conductive layers, and/or (ii) determination of a location of at least one portion of the insertion device/apparatus. Based on such determination, it is possible to effectuate ablation or heating of tissue by applying RF energy across the electrically conductive layers.

A cryosurgery system, comprising two or more cryoprobes is provided. Each cryoprobe includes a probe shaft having a distal section insertable in a patient and a proximal coupler. A connector interface with connection ports permits connections to a corresponding cryoprobe. Each connection port can have an isolating sleeve between the proximal coupler and the connection port when the proximal coupler of the respective cryoprobe is inserted in the connection port. The isolating sleeve can include an electrically insulating material so as to electrically isolate each cryoprobe connected to its corresponding connection port from other cryoprobes connected to their corresponding connection ports. An electrical measurement system can be connected to each connection port to detect electrical signals associated with the probe shaft. A control system can detect, based on the electrical signals detected by the electrical measurement system whether the probe shaft is electrically connected to the electrical heater.

An electrosurgical device for puncturing tissue comprises an electrically conductive elongate member which is capable of force transmission from a distal portion of the electrosurgical device to a proximal portion of the electrosurgical device to thereby provide tactile feedback to a user. The proximal portion comprises a connector system for connecting a source of energy and a source of fluid to an electrosurgical device . The connector system includes a hub which includes an electrically conductive lengthwise member having a lengthwise member distal region and a lengthwise member proximal region. The lengthwise member defines a hub lumen therebetween and is configured to be operatively coupled to an electrosurgical device.