Patent classifications
A61B2018/147
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PERFORMING ENDOMETRIAL ABLATION
A method and system of providing therapy to a patient's uterus is provided, which can include any number of features. The method can include the steps of inserting a uterine device into the uterus and performing a uterine integrity test to determine that the uterus is intact and not perforated. If it is determined that the uterus is not perforated, a patency test can be performed to determine that the uterine device is not clogged or embedded in tissue. If the uterus is intact and the device is not clogged or embedded in tissue, the uterus can be treated with the uterine device, e.g., uterine ablation. Systems for performing these methods are also disclosed.
Energized surgical instrument system with multi-generator output monitoring
A surgical system includes two instruments with corresponding end effectors that are operable to apply different types of energy to tissue of a patient. The system further includes one or more electrical power generators that are configured to generate first and second energy signals via corresponding generator outputs. A power monitor is configured to monitor a first energy parameter of the first energy signal and transmit the first energy parameter to the one or more electric power generators. The one or more electric power generators is configured to adjust a second energy parameter of the second energy signal, based at least in part on the transmitted first energy parameter, to avoid interactions between the first energy signal and the second energy signal.
ENDOMETRIAL ABLATION DEVICES AND SYSTEMS
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.
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ENDOMETRIAL ABLATION
A system for treating uterine tissue having a seal assembly configured for positioning in a patient's cervical canal and uterine cavity; an expandable distal balloon portion; an expandable elongate medial balloon portion configured for movement between a first transversely expanded shape for engaging a cervical canal and a second transversely non-expanded shape for trans-cervical insertion; and a fluid source in communication with distal balloon portion and medial balloon portion for expansion of said balloon portions.
Electrosurgical instrument with flexible wiring assemblies
An electrosurgical instrument comprising a housing, a shaft extending from the housing, an end effector extending from the shaft, an articulation joint rotatably connecting the end effector to the shaft, and a wiring circuit is disclosed. The housing comprises a printed control board. The wiring circuit extends from the printed control board through the shaft and into the end effector. The wiring circuit is configured to monitor a function of the end effector and communicate the monitored function to the printed control board. The wiring circuit comprises a proximal rigid portion fixed to the shaft, a distal rigid portion fixed to the end effector, and an intermediate portion extending from the proximal rigid portion to the distal rigid portion. The intermediate portion comprises a resilient portion and a stretchable portion.
METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLED RF TREATMENTS AND RF GENERATOR SYSTEM
Electrosurgical systems and components thereof configured to deliver RF energy to a target site of a human or other animal patient with selectable RF energy delivery profiles, temperature sensors and controls, and/or electrodes configured to more uniformly or effectively delivery energy to target tissue.
SURGICAL DEVICE AND METHODS
A tissue resecting or other medical device includes a handle coupled to an elongated shaft. A radiofrequency (RF) electrode is carried at a distal end of the elongated shaft, and the electrode is moveable across a window in a sleeve or other component of the shaft. The shaft has an interior channel connectable to a negative pressure source to remove debris from the channel. A motor is carried by the handle and operatively coupled to the electrode for moving the electrode relative to the window. An electronic image sensor and lens are disposed at a distal end of the shaft, and a plurality of conductors may extend through the shaft to the image sensor. The image sensor, lens and sensor conductors are disposed within a first tubular member, and an LED or other light source is also positioned at a distal end of the shaft with LED conductors or leads extending through a second tubular member of the shaft to the LED.
Electrode arrangement for forming a dielectric barrier plasma discharge
An electrode arrangement for forming a dielectric barrier plasma discharge between a flat surface (4) of the electrode arrangement and a surface to be treated which functions as a counter surface and on which a fluid can collect, comprising a flat electrode (14) which can be connected to a high-voltage source by means of a connector and which is completely embedded in a flat dielectric (2), except for the connector for the high-voltage source, wherein the dielectric (2) forms an upper surface (1) and a lower surface (4) which appears as a flat surface to the surface to be treated, enables the drainage or supply of a fluid by means of a simple design. The flat electrode (14) has through openings (15) distributed across the surface thereof, and the dielectric (2) is provided with through openings (3) which extend from the lower surface (4) to the upper surface (1) and which align with the through openings (15) of the electrode (14) and which have smaller dimensions than the through openings (15) of the electrode (14), so that the dielectric (2) is also completely covered in the region of the through openings (15) of the electrode (14).
TECHNIQUES FOR PREDICTING RECURRENCE OF CANCEROUS CELLS USING IMPEDANCE DETECTION
One embodiment of the present application sets forth a method for predicting recurrence of cancerous cells in a patient that includes measuring, by a first subset of electrodes included in an electrode array operating at a first frequency, a first impedance of a first section of a first sample of tissue excised from the patient, computing a first Cole relaxation frequency for the first section of the first sample based on the first impedance, and generating a first prediction relating to cancerous cells in the patient based at least in part on the first Cole relaxation frequency.
INTERRUPTION OF ENERGY DUE TO INADVERTENT CAPACITIVE COUPLING
In some aspects, a surgical system configured to limit or prevent capacitive coupling and its effects is presented. The surgical system may include: an energy generator; a surgical instrument electrically coupled to the energy generator and configured to transmit electrosurgical energy to tissue of a patient at a surgical site; at least one sensor configured to detect energy an energy anomaly; and at least one processor communicatively coupled to the at least one sensor, and configured to: receive data from the at least one sensor that energy is being emitted at an unintended location within the surgical system; transmit an alert indicating that parasitic capacitive coupling is occurring; and transmit an interrupt to the energy generator to temporarily interrupt energy generation.