An electrosurgical system includes an RF output stage configured to impart RF power between first and second electrodes; measurement circuitry measures current and voltage imparted between the first and second electrodes; a processing circuit calculates power and impedance, based upon the measured current and the measured voltage; the processing circuitry uses a proportional-integral-derivative control loop to control RF power imparted between the electrodes, based upon a selected one of the measured current, the measured voltage, calculated power, and the calculated impedance.

Systems and methods are described for functional brain mapping using neuronavigational equipment and additional features. For example, some implementations described combine novel cortical stimulator tools with stereotactic navigation for three-dimensional position tracking of the cortical stimulator tools. In some implementations, the systems and methods described herein can be used on an awake patient. In some implementations, the systems and methods described herein can be used on a patient that is asleep, via motor evoked potentials (MEPs), phase reversal, or electromyography (EMG) monitoring. Accordingly, in some cases sensory and language regions of the brain can be identified in addition to motor regions.

Systems and devices for resecting and removing tissue or organs from the interior of a patient's body, in a minimally invasive laparoscopic procedure while preventing any dispersion of potentially malignant tissue during the resection process.

A jaw angle detection system for an end effector assembly includes a first electrical contact that connects to a first jaw member and connects to a generator. A sensor connects to a second jaw member (or an actuator) and connects to the generator, and configured to move relative to the first electrical contact upon movement of the second jaw member (or the actuator) when the first and second jaw members are moved to close about tissue disposed therebetween. Information relating to the position of the sensor relative to the first electrical contact is relayed back to the generator to determine an angle between the first and second jaw members.

This invention is directed to compositions and methods for treating a condition of the heart. In an embodiment, the invention is directed to a method of treating a subject in need thereof, wherein the method comprises ablating at least one nerve of the renal artery of the subject; and administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of cells.

An end effector of an electrosurgical forceps includes a first jaw member, a second jaw member, and a cap. The first jaw member has a pivot pin extending inwardly from an inner lateral side thereof. The second jaw member is pivotably coupled to the pivot pin. The cap couples the first and second jaw members to one another.

A forceps includes an end effector assembly having a stop and a plurality of overmold teeth within at least one jaw member. One (or both) of the jaw members is moveable relative to the other between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween. One (or both) of the jaw members includes a stop molded within an insulative housing, and an insulator plate with the overmold teeth formed from plastic. The overmold teeth extend through openings within a sealing plate and protrude past the tissue sealing surface of the sealing plate. The stop primarily controls the gap distance between opposing jaw members by bearing most of an applied load and the overmold teeth assist in controlling the gap distance by bearing the remaining applied load.

A method of operating a modular surgical system including a control module, a first surgical module, and a second surgical module is disclosed. The method includes detachably connecting the first surgical module to the control module by stacking the first surgical module with the control module in a stack configuration, detachably connecting the second surgical module to the first surgical module by stacking the second surgical module with the control module and the first surgical module in the stack configuration, powering up the modular surgical system, and monitoring distribution of power from a power supply of the control module to the first surgical module and the second surgical module.

An electrosurgical instrument includes an elongated first shaft fabricated from thermally-conductive plastic material, an elongated second shaft, and opposing first and second jaw members each having a proximal end portion coupled to a distal end portion of the respective first and second shafts. One or both of the jaw members has a jaw frame and an electrically-conductive tissue sealing structure disposed over the jaw frame. The first shaft has a heat sink disposed therein configured to dissipate heat from the tissue sealing structure toward the thermally-conductive plastic material.

A surgical instrument includes an end effector assembly including first and second grasping components each defining a tissue-contacting portion. One or both of the first or second grasping components is movable relative to the other between an open position and a closed position. In the closed position, the first and second tissue-contacting portions cooperate to define a grasping area therebetween. One or both of the first or second grasping components is configured to apply energy from the tissue-contacting portion thereof to tissue disposed within the grasping area to treat tissue. The tissue-contacting portion of the first grasping component defines a first opening therethrough. The first opening is disposed within the grasping area and in communication with a first lumen defined at least partially through the first grasping component. The first lumen is adapted to connect to a source of vacuum to enable aspiration through the first opening.