A catheter balloon comprises an ellipsoidal membrane. A plurality of flexible circuit strips, each of which comprises a substrate and a contact electrode, are disposed about the membrane. A coating is disposed atop at least the outer surface of the membrane and may also be disposed atop a portion of each of the substrates. The coating may comprise a dielectric material, such as parylene. The coating may increase the smoothness of the balloon. When subject to internal pressures that expand the balloon, the coating may also increase the resilience of the balloon relative to a balloon that lacks the coating as determined by changes in the balloon's diameter before and after expansion.

A method and apparatus for treating an intraosseous nerve. The method includes positioning a hollow shaft through the cortical shell of a vertebral body and into a cancellous bone region of the vertebral body. The hollow shaft includes an annular wall having a longitudinal bore therein, a proximal portion and a distal portion, and a first window extending transversely through the annular wall. An electrosurgical probe is advanced within the longitudinal bore from the proximal portion toward the distal portion. The electrosurgical probe includes a first treatment element at a distal end of the probe, wherein the first treatment element being in electrical connection with a power supply. The first treatment element is slidably disposed within the longitudinal bore so that the first treatment element is advanced radially outward from the window and shaft to affect treatment of the intraosseous nerve within the cancellous bone region.

An ablation catheter adapted for use with a guide wire has a 3-D shaped portion that carries ring electrodes for ablating a vessel or tubular region, including the renal artery. The 3-D shaped portion, for example, a helical portion, enables the ring electrodes to contact an inner surface of the vessel at a plurality of locations at different depths along the vessel to form a conduction block without forming a closed conduction loop which would otherwise increase the risk of stenosis of the vessel. In one embodiment, the catheter has a lumen with entry and exit ports to allow the guide wire to pass through the lumen but bypass the 3-D shaped portion. In another embodiment, the catheter has outer bands providing side tunnels through which the guide wire can pass through.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a medical device may include a shaft assembly. The shaft assembly may include a sheath having a first lumen. The shaft assembly may also include a rotatable shaft extending through the first lumen. The rotatable shaft may be rotatable relative to the sheath, and may have a second lumen and a side opening. The shaft assembly may also include an electrode extending through the second lumen and the side opening, and radially outwardly from the rotatable shaft. The electrode may be movable relative to the rotatable shaft.

A system for use in a renal denervation procedure includes a catheter having proximal and distal end portions, a sensor configured to sense a condition of one or more nerves, the sensor operatively associated with the distal end portion of the catheter, and at least one electrode disposed on the distal end portion of the catheter for delivering energy to renal tissue. A catheter includes a catheter body defining a distal end portion and a proximal end portion, and a sensor for sensing a renal sympathetic nerve, the sensor disposed on the distal end portion of the catheter body, wherein the sensor is configured to sense an electromagnetic signal from the renal sympathetic nerve.

An effector includes a tubular body having a proximal end and a distal end. The effector holds a plug or closure at the distal end of the tubular body; an active electrode at the distal end of the body; an insulator on the body; and one or more return electrodes on the insulator. The body dissipates heat generated by the one or more return electrodes from the distal end of the body to the proximal end of the body.

The present invention provides a device for rejuvenating a region of skin or mucosal tissue, comprising: a pulsed electromagnetic frequency generator; a plurality of electrodes in communication with the pulsed electromagnetic frequency generator and an RF tissue diathermy device. The electrodes apply the pulsed electromagnetic power and the RF tissue diathermy to the tissue, heating it such that one portion of the region of mucosal tissue is maintained at a predetermined temperature range T.sub.1 while another portion of the region of mucosal tissue is at least temporarily maintained at predetermined temperature range T.sub.2.

An electrosurgical device having a pair of jaws, at least one electrode supported by one of the pair of jaws, and a sheet of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene positioned in covering relation to at least a portion of the at least one electrode. The sheet may have a porosity of between thirty and ninety percent. The sheet may have a plurality of pores with an average diameter of between 0.2 and 1.0 micrometers.

A surgical instrument with a rotatable and articulatable end effector. The end effector includes first and second jaws that are movable between an open position and a closed position by an axially movable drive member. The end effector is coupled to an elongate shaft such that the end effector is rotatable relative to the shaft about a shaft axis when the drive member is rotated. A releasable lock system is provided to selectively lock the end effector in a desired rotary position.

An improved gastric tube for displacing a section of an esophagus during cardiac ablation procedures is disclosed. The improved gastric tube is an elongated flexible tube designed to be inserted in the esophagus of a patient and extended past the portion of the esophagus which overlies the heart. The improved gastric tube includes a first lumen extending the length of the tube which receives a control wire, plastic stylet, or other apparatus which would function for displacement of the portion of the esophagus overlying the heart. A second lumen is included which extends to the operative section of the gastric tube, where the esophagus overlies the heart, so that contrast liquid or cooling liquid can be injected into the esophagus at that location. A temperature sensor can also be included to measure the temperature of the esophageal wall, as well as electrodes to connect to a three-dimensional mapping system.