A phased radiofrequency ablation catheter includes at least three radiofrequency electrodes arrayed on the catheter shaft. Each electrode is configured to emit radiofrequency energy. The energy emitted by more centrally-located electrodes within the array is phase-delayed relative to the energy emitted by more peripherally-located electrodes within the array. Thus, the radiofrequency energy emitted by the electrodes sums to a therapeutic maximum at a preset therapeutic distance from the catheter shaft, which in turn corresponds to a desired lesion depth in the tissue being ablated. The phrase-delay can be achieved through the use of electronic delay lines, including capacitors and/or coils. In embodiments of the disclosure, the capacitor is integrally formed with one or more of the electrodes, such as by interposing one or more dielectric layers between conductive layers of the electrode.

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 implantable apparatus can be positioned in a body of a patient. The apparatus can comprise a plurality of stimulation zones that are configured to provide tumor treating fields to a target site.

An electrosurgical system includes an instrument, an RF energy generator, and two ground pads. The instrument includes an electrode and a conductive shield that is configured to collect a capacitive coupling current that is induced by the application of RF energy to tissue by the electrode. A first electrical lead couples the first ground pad with the ground return of the conductive shield and the generator. The ground return is configured to divert a first portion of the capacitive coupling current to the generator via the first electrical lead. A second electrical lead couples the second ground pad with the ground return of the conductive shield and the generator. The ground return is configured to divert a second portion of the capacitive coupling current to the generator via the second electrical lead. The first and second portions of the capacitive coupling current are substantially equal.

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.

An energy generator includes a connector port configured to couple to an electrosurgical instrument including an electrode having a polymeric dielectric coating; a power converter configured to generate energy; and a sensor coupled to the power converter and configured to sense a parameter of the energy. The energy generator also includes a controller coupled to the sensor and the power converter. The controller is configured to: control the power converter to output energy to modify an electrical property of the polymeric dielectric coating; and determine whether the electrical property of the polymeric dielectric coating has been sufficiently modified by the energy.

Apparatus and methods for imposing electric fields through a target region in a body of a patient are described. The apparatus includes a sensor array having a plurality of temperature sensors with a plurality of first temperature sensors of the sensor array connected to a first conductor, and a plurality of second temperature sensors connected to a second conductor. A circuit is configured to provide a known amount of electricity via the first conductor and the second conductor to a third temperature sensor, the third temperature sensor within the plurality of first temperature sensors, and within the plurality of second temperature sensors.

The disclosure provides a method of manufacturing a flexible circuit electrode assembly and an apparatus manufactured by said method. According to the method, an electrically conductive sheet is laminated to an electrically insulative sheet. An electrode is formed on the electrically conductive sheet. An electrically insulative layer is formed on a tissue contacting surface of the electrode. The individual electrodes are separated from the laminated electrically insulative sheet and the electrically conductive sheet. In another method, a flexible circuit is vacuum formed to create a desired profile. The vacuum formed flexible circuit is trimmed. The trimmed vacuum formed flexible circuit is attached to a jaw member of a clamp jaw assembly.

Tissue is treated using a radiofrequency power supply connected to an applicator having a chamber filled with an electrically non-conductive gas surrounded by a thin dielectric wall. A radiofrequency voltage is applied at a level sufficient to ionize the gas into a plasma and to capacitively couple the ionized plasma with the tissue to deliver radiofrequency current to ablate or otherwise treat the tissue.

A device having an optical element with a conductive coating. The device may include an optical element, a conductive material and at least one connector. The conductive material is disposed on at least a portion of the optical element. The optical element, for example, may be an object lens of an endoscope or an optical coupler. The connectors (acting as terminal(s)) are capable of providing energy (such as electrical energy) to the conductive material. In one aspect, the conductive material is an optically transparent material. Advantageously, the device may allow visualization of an object—such as body tissue or other matter—concurrent with the application of energy to the object via the conductive coating. This allows the user to observe the alteration of tissue and other matter in real time as the energy is delivered.