Various aspects of the invention relate to methods and devices for treating diseases and conditions including atherosclerosis and endocarditis using low-temperature, non-equilibrium plasmas. A device may be, for example, a catheter that carries electrodes and a dielectric material for generating a localized, non-equilibrium plasma in a bodily fluid such as blood.

Tissue is treated using a radiofrequency power supply connected to an applicator having a chamber filled with an electrically non-conductive gas surrounded by a thin dielectric wall. A radiofrequency voltage is applied at a level sufficient to ionize the gas into a plasma and to capacitively couple the ionized plasma with the tissue to deliver radiofrequency current to ablate or otherwise treat the tissue.

A surgical assembly and system are disclosed. The system comprises a first generator for generating a first signal for use in generating an electrical field proximate a site of a surgical procedure for removing particles suspended proximate the surgical site. The assembly further comprises a surgical tool comprising a tool-piece communicatively couplable with the first generator and a second generator, the second generator being arranged to generate a second signal for use in cutting or cauterizing biological tissue of the patient during the surgical procedure, the assembly further comprising a switching assembly for switching the application of the first signal and second signal to the tool-piece and a controller for controlling the application of the first signal and second signal to the tool-piece. A DC voltage compensation circuit is also disclosed for varying a voltage output by an DC generator to a tool-piece, for maintaining a substantially constant voltage difference between a distal end of the tool-piece and patient tissue.

An electrosurgical wand is disclosed for providing a range of tissue treatment modes and for use in a variety of orientations. The electrosurgical wand includes a handle on a proximal end, an elongate shaft and at least three distinct electrodes disposed at a distal end of the wand. The three electrodes include a blade electrode having a length measured parallel to a longitudinal axis of wand, the length running parallel to the wand longitudinal axis for a portion of the length. The blade electrode has a distal portion that curves toward the longitudinal axis at the distal end of the wand. The three electrodes also include a second electrode disposed on a second side of the wand from the blade electrode; and a third electrode disposed between the blade electrode and the second electrode. All the electrodes have a different shape and surface area.

Electrosurgical procedures. At least some of the example methods that include: supplying energy to an active electrode of an electrosurgical wand, the supplying energy to the active electrode by an electrosurgical controller; monitoring an electrical parameter associated with the energy; and determining, based on the electrical parameter, the presence of a wand condition of the electrosurgical wand, the wand condition being at least one selected from the group consisting of: a surface area of the active electrode is less than a predetermined threshold surface area; the surface area of the active electrode is approaching the predetermined threshold surface area; and that the electrosurgical wand is affected by a blockage.

System and methods of an electrosurgical controller having multiple modes of operation that are configured for treatment of a specific targeted tissue type and the electrosurgical effect desired where the treatment and effect are provided by a single controller and an electrosurgical probe. The electrosurgical controller includes an integrated fluid control apparatus or pump where activation of the controller allows for selective energy delivery and corresponding fluid volume flow rates. The electrosurgical probe includes a fluid transport lumen and is in communication with the controller and the pump for operation of the probe in the various user selected modes with accompanying energy delivery and fluid control directed to the desired treatment and surgical effect.

The present technology is directed generally to devices, systems, and methods for capturing and cutting fibrous and trabeculated structures (such as synechiae) in vessel lumens. In one embodiment, the present technology includes an intraluminal tissue modifying system configured to capture the fibrous structures, put the fibrous structures in tension, and controllably cut through the fibrous structures without applying appreciable additional force to the vessel wall. The system may include an expandable capture device and a cutting device.

Systems and methods for endometrial ablation. The systems include a handle and elongated introducer sleeve extending to an expandable working end having a fluid-tight interior chamber. A thin dielectric wall surrounds at least a portion of the interior chamber and has an external surface for contacting endometrial tissue. The thin dielectric wall surrounds a collapsible-expandable frame and receives an electrically non-conductive gas. First and second polarity electrodes are exposed to the interior and exterior of the chamber, respectively. A radiofrequency power source operatively connects to the electrode arrangement to apply a radiofrequency voltage across the first and second electrodes, wherein the voltage is sufficient to initiate ionization of the neutral gas into a conductive plasma within the interior chamber, and to capacitively couple the current in the plasma across the thin dielectric wall to ablate endometrial tissue engaged by the external surface of the dielectric structure.

Electrosurgical procedures. At least some of the example methods that include: supplying energy to an active electrode of an electrosurgical wand, the supplying energy to the active electrode by an electrosurgical controller; monitoring an electrical parameter associated with the energy; and determining, based on the electrical parameter, the presence of a wand condition of the electrosurgical wand, the wand condition being at least one selected from the group consisting of: a surface area of the active electrode is less than a predetermined threshold surface area; the surface area of the active electrode is approaching the predetermined threshold surface area; and that the electrosurgical wand is affected by a blockage.

A hot plasma disease treatment system includes a mutually connected control system and at least one power supply system, the control system and the power supply system respectively being connected to and controlling a medium gas modulation system, at least one cooling system, at least one hot plasma generator, at least one plasma processing apparatus, a plasma treatment cabin, a detection feedback system, and a tail gas processing system, the medium gas modulation system being connected to the hot plasma generator, the cooling system being arranged on the hot plasma generator, the hot plasma generator and the plasma processing apparatus being connected, the plasma processing apparatus and the plasma treatment cabin being connected, and the plasma treatment cabin and the tail gas processing system being connected.