A device for endometrial ablation having an elongated shaft with a working end comprising an expandable-contractable frame, a complaint energy-delivery surface carried by the frame, the surface and the frame being configured to engage against the interior of a patient's uterine cavity when the working end is inserted into the cavity and the frame is expanded.

The invention relates to a treatment device for dielectric harrier discharge plasma treatment of a wound surface or skin surface, having: a flexible, planar electrode assembly with at least one planar electrode (6, 6′) and a dielectric layer (5) which at least partially embeds the at least one electrode (6, 6′), has a contact side (7) facing the wound surface or skin surface and electrically shields the planar electrode (6, 6′) from the wound surface or skin surface such that only a dielectric barrier current can flow from the electrode (6, 6′) to the wound surface or skin surface; and a control device (2) which has a separate housing (25) and via which the electrode (6, 6′) can he connected to an operating voltage. The treatment device allows simpler wound treatment in that the assembly of electrode (6, 6′) and dielectric layer (5) is designed for uninterrupted contact with the wound surface or skin surface and that the housing (25) of the control device (2) can be fastened with a fastening device (3, 3′) to the body having the wound surface or skin surface.

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.

An electrosurgical apparatus with a retractable blade for use in cold plasma applications, electrosurgical cutting and mechanical cutting is provided. The electrosurgical apparatus employs a tip of the retractable blade as a sharp conductive point to generate a plasma beam or discharge. When the blade is retracted within the electrosurgical apparatus, it is electrically energized while an inert gas flows over it, producing a cold plasma discharge. In the de-energized state, the blade is advanced and used as a traditional, mechanical surgical blade.

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 instrument is disclosed including a pencil-grip handle, a shaft coupled to the pencil-grip handle, and an end effector coupled to the shaft. The end effector includes a body, a source electrode, and one or more return electrodes. The source electrode and the one or more return electrodes are configured to provide a multi-phase bipolar electrosurgical signal to tissue. The one or more return electrodes each comprise a first return electrode and a second return electrode. The electrosurgical instrument further includes an electrosurgical generator coupled to the end effector. The electrosurgical generator is configured to produce the multi-phase bipolar electrosurgical signal including a first phase, a second phase, and a third phase. The electrosurgical generator is coupled to the source electrode, the first return electrode, and the second return electrode. The first phase, the second phase, and the third phase are combined to generate the multi-phase bipolar electrosurgical signal.

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.

Embodiments include a system comprising a non-thermal plasma (NTP) device and at least one container including supersaturated gas emulsion (SSGE). A method is described involving configuring a supersaturated gas emulsion (SSGE) for application to a treatment site and configuring a device to generate a non-thermal plasma (NTP) at the treatment site.

A catheter can include a catheter shaft, an electrical conductor, a catheter handle, and a compliant circuit. The catheter shaft can include a proximal end and a distal end having at least one electrode or sensor. The electrical conductor can be coupled to the catheter shaft. The electrical conductor can be communicatively coupled to the electrode or the sensor at the distal end of the catheter shaft. The handle can be coupled to the proximal end of the catheter shaft and can include a non-planar surface. The compliant circuit can be configured for communication with an electronic control unit and to conform to the non-planar surface. In an example, the compliant circuit can be electrically coupled to the electrode or the sensor through the electrical conductor. In various examples, the compliant circuit can include a material characteristic to stretch and comply with the non-planar surface.