The disclosure provides various embodiments of catheters having articulable ends that can be used for various procedures. Embodiments of methods are also provided that can be performed with catheters in accordance with the present disclosure.

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. An indicator mechanism is operatively coupled to the wall and configured to indicate non-expanded and expanded shapes of the wall.

This invention discloses a DBD plasma therapy device with replaceable dielectric barrier for treating different patients with different medical conditions. The plasma therapy device is equipped with a variety of dielectric barriers. The dielectric barriers may have different electrical characteristics (which are determined by their materials as well as physical dimensions and shapes) to adapt for the treatment of different types of biological tissues. The dielectric barrier of the plasma therapy device can be replaced to avoid contamination and cross-infection. As an additional feature, the plasma device further comprises an optical sensor, such as a spectroscopic sensor, for monitoring the emission spectrum of the plasma discharge. The emission spectrum can be utilized to analyze the composition of the reactive species generated by the plasma discharge and provide feedback control to the plasma therapy device.

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.

Tumors can be treated with an alternating electric field. The size of cells in the tumor is determined prior to the start of treatment by, for example, biopsy or by inverse electric impedance tomography. A treatment frequency is chosen based on the determined cell size. The cell size can be determined during the course of treatment and the treatment frequency is adjusted to reflect changes in the cell size. A suitable apparatus for this purpose includes a device for measuring the tumor impedance, an AC signal generator with a controllable output frequency, a processor for estimating the size of tumor cells and setting the frequency of the AC signal generator based thereon, and at least one pair of electrodes operatively connected to the AC signal generator such that an alternating electric field is applied to the tumor.

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.

Systems and methods utilizing RF energy to treat a patient's skin or other target tissues are provided herein. In various aspects, the methods and systems described herein can provide a RF-based treatment in which RF energy can be selectively controlled to facilitate heating uniformity during one or more of body sculpting treatment (lipolysis), skin tightening treatment (laxity improvement), cellulite treatment, all by way of non-limiting examples. In various aspects, the systems may include a flexible applicator comprising a plurality of layers, the plurality of layers comprises a first dielectric layer, a second dielectric layer, and a conductive layer, wherein the first dielectric layer and the second dielectric layer sandwich the conductive layer, the plurality of layers define a plurality of kerfs, an inner region and N regions extending from the inner region, wherein the plurality of kerfs divide the applicator into N regions.

Tumors can be treated with an alternating electric field. The size of cells in the tumor is determined prior to the start of treatment by, for example, biopsy or by inverse electric impedance tomography. A treatment frequency is chosen based on the determined cell size. The cell size can be determined during the course of treatment and the treatment frequency is adjusted to reflect changes in the cell size. A suitable apparatus for this purpose includes a device for measuring the tumor impedance, an AC signal generator with a controllable output frequency, a processor for estimating the size of tumor cells and setting the frequency of the AC signal generator based thereon, and at least one pair of electrodes operatively connected to the AC signal generator such that an alternating electric field is applied to the tumor.

A method for ablating a uterine endometrium enlarges an expandable-contractible frame to expand a compliant energy-delivery surface into a planar triangular shape and engage the surface against the walls of a patient's uterine cavity. The frame has flexible outer elements in lateral contact with the compliant surface and flexible inner elements not in said lateral contact, wherein the inner flexible element and outer flexible elements have substantially dissimilar material properties. Energy is applied through the compliant energy-delivery surface to ablate the endometrium.

Devices and methods for treating one or more pulmonary diseases while avoiding or minimizing injury to the esophagus and branches of the vagus nerve that run along the outside of the esophagus. The device includes at least one energy delivery element disposed on an elongate member and a means for protecting the esophagus and surrounding tissues, such as esophageal branches of the vagus nerve, during treatment. The energy delivery element is positionable to target at least one nerve in or around the tracheal wall when the elongate member is positioned in the trachea. Energy from the energy delivery element is delivered to the at least one nerve to treat pulmonary symptoms, conditions, and/or diseases, such as asthma, COPD, obstructive lung diseases, or other pulmonary diseases, while the protection means protects the esophagus and surrounding tissues from permanent damage.