A multi-mode electrosurgical apparatus for use in cold plasma applications, electrosurgical cutting, electrosurgical coagulation and mechanical cutting is provided. The electrosurgical apparatus includes a housing having a passage extending therethrough, an electrically conducting tube being disposed in the passage of the housing; an insulating outer tube disposed around the electrically conducting tube coupled to the housing, the electrically conducting tube being movable along a longitudinal axis of the housing and outer tube; an electrically conducting blade coupled to the distal end of the electrically conducting tube, and a transformer assembly disposed on a proximal end of the housing, the transformer assembly including a first transformer and a first switch for selectively coupling the first transformer and an external second transformer to the electrically conducting tube for providing electrosurgical energy thereto.

An electrosurgical apparatus is provided. The electrosurgical apparatus includes a cannula insertable into a patient and positionable adjacent abnormal tissue. The electrosurgical apparatus includes a microwave antenna that includes a distal end having a radiating section receivable within the cannula and positionable within a patient adjacent abnormal tissue. The microwave antenna is adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy for transmitting electrosurgical energy to the radiating section. A portion of the radiating section substantially encompasses a portion of the abnormal tissue and may be configured to apply pressure thereto. The microwave antenna is actuated to electrocautery treat tissue to reduce blood flow to the abnormal tissue.

Methods, systems and devices for endometrial ablation. In accordance with a method, a working end of an RF ablation device is positioned in a patient uterus to contact endometrial tissue, the working end comprising a dielectric wall capable of non-expanded and expanded shapes and for conforming to an asymmetric or symmetric shape of the patient's cervix. An expandable seal is provided for sealing the cervical canal.

An electrode arrangement far forming a dielectric barrier plasma discharge between a flat surface (4) of the electrode arrangement and a surface to he 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).

The present invention relates to a method, device, and system for improved mapping and/or ablation of a tissue. The device may generally include an elongate body and a distal assembly affixed to the elongate body that includes a treatment electrode having a conductive mapping region and a selectively conductive ablation region that is conductive of high-frequency current and substantially non-conductive of low-frequency current. Alternatively, the device may generally include a treatment electrode having a conductive mapping or ablation region and a region that is coated with an electrically insulated but thermally conductive layer.

Methods, systems and devices for evaluating the integrity of a uterine cavity. A method comprises introducing transcervically a probe into a patient's uterine cavity, providing a flow of a fluid (e.g., CO.sub.2) through the probe into the uterine cavity and monitoring the rate of the flow to characterize the uterine cavity as perforated or non-perforated based on a change in the flow rate.

An electrosurgical apparatus performs a cut or incision on epithelial tissue of the body of a human or animal patient. The apparatus includes a generator system configured to generate a radio-frequency electric signal, and a hand piece held by an operator and having an end provided with a single active electrode electrically connected to the generator system. The electric signal generates a cut or an incision when the active electrode comes into contact with epithelial tissue of the body. The electric signal has a power ranging from 0.5-W-20 W and a frequency ranging from 40 kHz-90 kHz. The energy emitted by the signal is transferred from the active electrode to the tissue of the body through capacitive coupling. The tissue is cut at a peripheral temperature ranging from 45 C.-60 C. The electric circuit is closed to ground through a capacitive effect, as the apparatus does not use a return plate.

An endoscope system having: an endoscope having: a first transmission electrode arranged to a channel defined by the endoscope; and a second transmission electrode arranged to the channel, wherein the first transmission electrode and the second transmission electrode are electrically connected to the power source; and a treatment tool having: a first reception electrode arranged to a treatment tool insertion section, and spaced apart from the first transmission electrode to form a first capacitor; a second reception electrode arranged to the treatment tool insertion section, and spaced apart from the second transmission electrode to form a second capacitor; and an electrically powered treatment device configured to be moved by the treatment tool insertion section, wherein the electrically powered treatment device is electrically connected to the first reception electrode and the second reception electrode to be powered to perform a treatment on a subject.

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.