Planar end effector designs having irrigation are presented. The example end effectors are configured to be affixed to a distal end of a catheter and delivered through vasculature in a collapsed configuration and expand at an intracardiac treatment site to a deployed configuration. In some instances, the end effector can have an electrode array with sufficient density to perform mapping and irrigation for mapping. The end effector can include dedicated irrigation tubes and/or irrigating electrode-carrying spines to irrigate within the electrode array. Flow rate at positions within the electrode array can be controlled in a predetermined manner by varying pore/port size, flow direction, and/or flow path cross-section throughout an irrigation flow path in the end effector.

Systems and methods for delivering energy to passageways in a patient, such as airways in the lung of a patient for treating asthma. One embodiment of a method for delivering energy to a passageway comprises positioning an access device in a lung airway of a patient and advancing an elongated body of a treatment device along the access device until an energy delivery unit at a distal portion of the elongated body projects from the access device. The method can further include expanding the energy delivery unit such that energy delivery elements contact a sidewall of the airway and activating an energy supply coupled to the treatment device such that energy is delivered to the sidewall of the airway. A single person physically operates both the access device and the treatment device while expanding the energy delivery unit and activating the energy supply.

A catheter for intraluminal lithotripsy including a first lumen, an energy delivery member supported by the catheter body. The energy delivery member includes a passageway, a valve positioned in the passageway and an energy emitter configured to communicate energy to target tissue. A method for performing intraluminal lithotripsy is also disclosed.

This document describes an end effector assembly of a medical device. The end effector assembly can include a jaw assembly including a first jaw member and an opposing second jaw member that can be pivotably coupled to the first jaw member at a fulcrum. The jaw assembly can be movable between a first position and a second position. An electrode can be arranged on an inner surface of the first jaw member or the second jaw member. The electrode can include a plurality of segments, such as can be arranged to be sequentially extending outward in a row away from the fulcrum. The segments can be spaced-apart from each other and individually deformable.

An electrode assembly including an elongate body, a proximal emitter, and a distal emitter. A discharge port may be in fluid communication with a lumen of the elongate body. The proximal and distal emitters are formed by plating a metal an outer surface of the elongate body that is polymeric. A portion of the elongate body forms an insulative spacer between the proximal and distal emitters. A distal cap may be coupled to the elongate body, formed from conductive material, and arranged in electrical communication with the distal emitter. A distal lead, a thermocouple, and/or a hypotube may be disposed within the lumen to form an electrical pathway with the distal cap. A sheath may be disposed over a portion of the proximal emitter, and a radiopaque marker may be coupled to the proximal emitter. Methods of fabricating the electrode assembly are also disclosed.

A surgical instrument with a shaft is constructed as a hollow tube and has a longitudinal axis, proximal and distal ends and a metal wire having a first end section, a shaft section and a working section. The first end section is arranged in the area of the proximal end of the shaft or is guided out of the shaft on the proximal end. The shaft section is guided in the hollow tube and the wire is arranged such that it can move along the longitudinal axis of the shaft into a first position of the working section on the distal end projecting out of the shaft and into a second position of the working section within the shaft. The instrument is constructed as a bipolar instrument, wherein the metal wire is part of a first electrode and a second electrode is arranged in some sections on the shaft.

An electrode apparatus for nerve denervation or modulation in body includes a main body including a shaft; an electrode unit formed to be drawn out from one end of the shaft and configured to denervate or modulate at least part of nerves on a tube in the body; and an electrode guide coupled to the electrode unit and deformed into a wound state to bring the electrode unit into contact with the tube in the body. The electrode guide includes a plurality of joint units disposed to enclose the circumference of the tube with the electrode unit interposed therebetween in the wound state.

A catheter includes an insertion tube, a flexible substrate and one or more electrical devices. The insertion tube is configured for insertion into a patient body. The flexible substrate is configured to wrap around a distal end of the insertion tube and includes electrical interconnections. The electrical devices are coupled to the flexible substrate and are connected to the electrical interconnections.

An end effector assembly of a forceps includes a first jaw with a tissue sealing surface and an electrode on the sealing surface, and a second jaw with a tissue sealing surface and an electrode on the sealing surface. The first jaw and the second jaw move between an open position and a closed position. The sealing surface of at least one of the first jaw and the second jaw has a rigid medial section and flexible lateral sections.

An elongate electrode is configured to flex and generate plasma to incise tissue. An electrical energy source operatively coupled to the electrode is configured to provide electrical energy to the electrode to generate the plasma. A tensioning element is operatively coupled to the elongate electrode. The tensioning element can be configured to provide tension to the elongate electrode to allow the elongate electrode to flex in response to the elongate electrode engaging the tissue and generating the plasma. The tensioning element operatively coupled to the flexible elongate electrode may allow for the use of a small diameter electrode, such as a 5 μm to 20 μm diameter electrode, which can allow narrow incisions to be formed with decreased tissue damage. In some embodiments, the tensioning of the electrode allows the electrode to more accurately incise tissue by decreasing variations in the position of the electrode along the incision path.