Patent classifications
A61B2018/00077
THERAPEUTIC CATHETER WITH IMAGING
Ablation systems and methods of the present disclosure include a catheter including one or more image sensors. The one or more image sensors can facilitate, for example, positioning an ablation electrode at a treatment site of an anatomic structure and, additionally or alternatively, can facilitate controlling delivery of therapeutic energy to a treatment site of an anatomic structure.
SURGICAL DEVICE AND LOCKING COMPONENT THEREFOR
A locking component for a surgical device is disclosed, which is configured to prevent deployment of a blade when a first jaw member and a second jaw member of the surgical device are disposed in an open position and to permit deployment of the blade when the first and second jaw members are disposed in a closed position. The locking component includes a latch member, configured to prevent deployment of the blade by a mechanical interaction therewith when the latch member is in a first position. The locking component also includes a compliant body, connected to and disposed around the latch member, configured to bias the latch member to its first position. A surgical device incorporating the locking component and a method of operating the same is also disclosed.
SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS INCORPORATING ULTRASONIC, ELECTROSURGICAL, AND FLUID DELIVERY FUNCTIONALITY
A surgical system includes a fluid source, an ultrasonic transducer, an ultrasonic waveguide coupled to and extending distally from the ultrasonic transducer, and an ultrasonic blade disposed at a distal end of the ultrasonic waveguide and configured to receive ultrasonic energy produced by the ultrasonic transducer and transmitted along the ultrasonic waveguide to vibrate the ultrasonic blade for treating tissue therewith. The ultrasonic blade is configured to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy for conducting electrosurgical energy to tissue to treat tissue. The ultrasonic blade defines a lumen extending at least partially therethrough to at least one opening. The lumen is configured for fluid communication with a fluid source to enable the delivery of fluid from the fluid source through the lumen and out the at least one opening into a surgical site to facilitate electrosurgical tissue treatment.
Processes and methods for conductive elements on catheter elements used for tissue sensing and cryogenic ablation
A method, system and device for securing conductive material on catheter elements for tissue sensing and cryogenic ablation. This may be used to deposit or embed conductive material onto or within polymeric materials. The method of manufacturing a balloon with conductive material may include extruding a polymeric material where the polymeric material includes embedded electrically conductive material. At least a portion of the polymeric material may be removed to expose at least a portion of the embedded electrically conductive material. The benefits may include allowing local bipolar recordings, contact assessment and ice thickness, and compatibility with 3-dimensional electroanatomical mapping systems.
Surgical instrument systems comprising battery arrangements
A surgical instrument system comprising a handle, a shaft, and a disposable power module is disclosed. The handle comprises a motor, a control switch, and a motor-control processor which is in communication with the control switch. In various instances, the disposable power module comprises a disposable battery and a display unit configured to indicate at least one function of the surgical instrument system.
Drive mechanisms for surgical instruments
A surgical instrument for use with a robotic surgical system includes a knife blade configured to cut tissue and a knife tube coupled to the knife blade and configured to translate to move the knife blade for cutting tissue. The surgical instrument also includes a gearbox assembly coupleable to a robotic surgical system and configured to translate the knife tube to move the knife blade for cutting tissue and a knife blade lock operably coupled to the gearbox assembly. The knife blade lock is movable from a locked position wherein the knife blade lock prevents translation of the knife tube to an unlocked position in response to coupling of the gearbox assembly to the robotic surgical system wherein the knife tube is permitted to translate to move the knife blade for cutting tissue.
HEAT TRANSFER THROUGH AN ABLATION ELECTRODE
An apparatus includes a flexible electrically-insulating substrate including an inner surface and an outer surface. The substrate is shaped to define multiple channels passing between the inner surface and the outer surface, at least some of the channels being concave channels. The apparatus further includes an outer layer of an electrically-conducting metal covering at least part of the outer surface, an inner layer of the electrically-conducting metal covering at least part of the inner surface, and respective columns of the electrically-conducting metal that fill the channels such as to connect the outer layer to the inner layer.
ULTRAPOLAR TELESCOPIC ELECTROSURGERY PENCIL AND ULTRAPOLAR ELECTROSURGERY BLADE
An ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil that can be used in both monopolar and bipolar modes for cutting and coagulation. The ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil can operate at very low power levels (such as 15-20 Watts or less) to both cut and coagulate tissue thereby reducing patient risk and damage to tissue. An ultrapolar electrosurgery blade having a top, a bottom, opposing planar sides, a cutting edge, and a non-cutting end, an active electrode positioned on one of the opposing planar sides such that at least a portion of the opposing planar side is exposed near the cutting edge, and a return electrode positioned on the other opposing planar side such that at least a portion of the other opposing side is exposed near the cutting edge.
ELECTROSURGICAL INSTRUMENT
The present disclosure relates to an end effector for an electrosurgical instrument, comprising an electrode assembly for delivering a radio-frequency (RF) power signal to a surgical site, the electrode assembly comprising an active electrode, a return electrode, and an insulating element in between the active electrode and the return electrode, the active electrode comprising an aperture which provides access to a suction channel extending through the insulating element to a lumen for carrying fluid from the surgical site, wherein the lumen is at least in part defined by an inner surface of the return electrode, wherein the electrode assembly is configured to conduct electrical current between the active electrode and the return electrode via a first current path through the suction channel when the RF power signal is supplied to the electrodes.
SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATING ULTRASONIC AND ELECTROSURGICAL FUNCTIONALITY
A surgical instrument end effector assembly includes a first jaw member defining an insulative tissue-contacting surface and first and second electrically-conductive tissue-contacting surfaces disposed on either side of the insulative surface. A second jaw member of the end effector assembly includes an ultrasonic blade body positioned to oppose the insulative surface of the first jaw member, and first and second electrically-conductive tissue-contacting surfaces disposed on either side of the ultrasonic blade body and positioned to oppose the first and second electrically-conductive surfaces, respectively, of the first jaw member. The first jaw member is movable relative to the second jaw member between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position to grasp tissue therebetween. The first and second electrically-conductive surfaces of the second jaw member are movable, independent of the first jaw member, relative to the first jaw member and the ultrasonic blade body between a retracted position and an extended position.