A tool has a handle and an elongate shaft that extends distally from the handle. A distal portion of the shaft is inserted into a subject during a surgical procedure. An optical fiber delivers laser energy to a tip at the distal portion of the shaft. The tip includes a mechanical cutting mechanism including a moving part that absorbs the laser energy, thermally conducts the absorbed energy to tissue that is disposed between the moving part and another part, and moves with respect to the other part in order to cut tissue that is disposed between the parts using a mechanical force that is lower than a mechanical force that would be required to cut the tissue in the absence of the laser energy. Other embodiments are also described.

The present invention provides a detection mechanism, a radio-frequency ablation catheter, and a radio-frequency ablation system. The radio-frequency ablation catheter comprises a handle portion (2), a needle tube portion (1), a central electrode (3), and a detection mechanism. The needle tube portion (1) comprises a first tube sleeve (11) and a second tube sleeve (12), the handle portion (2) comprises a cylinder sleeve (21) and a sliding button (22), the central electrode (3) comprises an electrode body (31), an electrode wire (26), and an electrode connector (23), and the detection mechanism comprises a fixing base (5), a traction wire, a connecting base (6), and multiple claw-shaped electrodes (7). A distal end of the traction wire is fixed on the fixing base (5), and a proximal end of the traction wire is fixed on the sliding button (22); and the claw-shaped electrodes (7) are fixed on the fixing base (5), and slidably provided in the connecting base (6). The traction wire is pulled by the sliding button (22) to drive the fixing base (5) to push the claw-shaped electrodes (7) in or out of the connecting base (6). This facilitates the control of the claw-shaped electrodes (7) by a user during surgery, the determination of the temperature or impedance of the claw-shaped electrodes (7), and thus the determination of the progress of ablation.

According to some embodiments, a medical instrument (for example, an ablation device) comprises an elongate body having a proximal end and a distal end, an energy delivery member positioned at the distal end of the elongate body, a first plurality of temperature-measurement devices carried by or positioned within the energy delivery member, the first plurality of temperature-measurement devices being thermally insulated from the energy delivery member, and a second plurality of temperature-measurement devices positioned proximal to a proximal end of the energy delivery member, the second plurality of temperature-measurement devices being thermally insulated from the energy delivery member.

A branch of an instrument comprising a metal part, which is embodied in one piece seamlessly, which comprises the electrode support as well as the electrode plate and connection webs. Preferably, this metal part is produced in an additive production method, for example selective laser melting (SLM). The branches are suitable for instruments for open surgery as well as for laparoscopic and flexible endoscopic instruments.

An end effector assembly of a surgical instrument includes opposing first and second jaw members. A first sealing plate is positioned on the first jaw member. The first sealing plate defines a first surface facing the second jaw member. A second sealing plate is positioned on the second jaw member. The second sealing plate defines a second surface facing the first jaw member. A mesa is formed in the first sealing plate. The mesa protrudes from the first surface toward the second surface in the second position of the first and second jaw members. A material is disposed on the mesa. The mesa and the material define a stop member. The stop member maintains a gap distance between the first and second surfaces when the first and second jaw members are in the second position.

Disclosed herein is a catheter device sized and shaped for vascular access that has an elongate body extending between a proximal end and a distal end. Further, the elongate body has at least one inner lumen configured to receive a fluid. The catheter also has an ablation electrode configured to provide ablative energy, wherein the electrode is located distally along the elongate body and includes a passageway fluidly connected to the lumen of the elongate body. Also, the catheter has a sensor configured to provide a signal representative of temperature, and an insulating chamber extending at least partially about the ablation electrode and configured to at least partially insulate the sensor.

A cryoprobe for cryotherapy, includes a working and a drain tube, welded together. The working tube has a first end, a distal end, an internal surface, an external surface, an inner diameter, and an outer diameter. The drain tube is placed concentrically in the working tube, and has an internal surface, an external surface, an inner diameter, an outer diameter, a first end connected to a first pressure supply, and a perforated second end which is proximate to the distal end of the working tube. The drain tube is welded to the working tube between the internal surface of the working tube and the external surface of the drain tube to manufacture a throttle perforation, in a manner which allows fluid to pass along the outer surface of the drain tube, expand at the distal end of the working tube, and drain through the drain tube.

Unintended current flow or plasma discharge has been observed in known illuminated electrosurgical devices having a metallic tubular heat sink surrounding a conductive electrode and an illumination element, and having a distal outer edge that abuts against the light emitting element. An insulating, shielding or other isolating element that prevents or discourages unintended plasma formation between the distal outer edge and nearby patient tissue can reduce the potential for tissue damage to a patient or injury to a surgeon.

Ablation systems of the present disclosure facilitate the safe formation of wide and deep lesions. For example, ablation systems of the present disclosure can allow for the flow of irrigation fluid and blood through an expandable ablation electrode, resulting in efficient and effective cooling of the ablation electrode as the ablation electrode delivers energy at a treatment site of the patient. Additionally, or alternatively, ablation systems of the present disclosure can include a deformable ablation electrode and a plurality of sensors that, in cooperation, sense the deformation of the ablation electrode, to provide a robust indication of the extent and direction of contact between the ablation electrode and tissue at a treatment site.

A treatment device includes: a treatment portion including an abutment surface which is abutted on the living body tissue, and a back surface opposed to the abutment surface, the treatment portion being capable of applying energy to the living body tissue via the abutment surface, and heat being transferred toward the back surface in accordance with the application of the energy; a cover covering the back surface of the treatment portion; and an adjuster disposed between the treatment portion and the cover, and configured to vary a distance between the treatment portion and the cover, and to adjust an air layer region between the treatment portion and the cover.