An ablation probe tip 100 having a shaft 102 with an insertion end 104 and an annular aperture 120 near the insertion end 104. A center of ablation 124 is located within the shaft 102 and surrounded by the annular aperture shaft 102. The ablation probe tip 100 may be part of an ablation probe system 50 that includes an ablation source 60 that provides ablation means 62 to the ablation probe tip 100. The center of ablation 124 is a focal region from which the ablation means 62 radiates through the annular aperture 120 to form an ablation zone 150, 160, 170. The system 50 has at least one intra-operative control selected from the group of: ablation zone positioning control, ablation zone shaping control, ablation center control, ablation zone temperature control, guided ablation volume/diameter control, and power loading control.

Methods and devices for treating nasal airways are provided. Such devices and methods may improve airflow through an internal and/or external nasal valve, and comprise the use of mechanical re-shaping, energy application and other treatments to modify the shape, structure, and/or air flow characteristics of an internal nasal valve, an external nasal valve or other nasal airways.

Disclosed are a detection mechanism, a radio-frequency ablation catheter, and a radio-frequency ablation system. The radio-frequency ablation catheter includes a handle portion, a needle tube portion, a central electrode, and a detection mechanism. The needle tube portion includes a first tube and a second tube, the handle portion includes a cylinder sleeve and a sliding button, the central electrode includes an electrode body, an electrode wire, and an electrode connector, and the detection mechanism includes a fixing base, a pulling string, a connecting base, and multiple detection electrodes arranged in a claw-shaped configuration. A distal end of the pulling string is fixed to the fixing base, and a proximal end of the pulling string is fixed to the sliding button; and the detection electrodes are fixed to the fixing base, and slidably provided in the connecting base.

An electrosurgical apparatus is provided including a housing, a flexible shaft, and a distal tip. The housing may further be coupled to an electrosurgical generator and gas supply. The distal tip of the electrosurgical apparatus may be grasped by a grasping tool, such that the orientation and position of the distal tip relative to the housing may be manipulated to achieve a plurality of positions. The electrosurgical apparatus provides electrosurgical energy and inert gas to an electrode within the distal tip of the electrosurgical apparatus to generate a plasma beam. In one aspect, the electrode is a retractable blade such that the electrosurgical apparatus can be used for mechanical and electrosurgical cutting during surgery when the electrode is in an extended position and for cold plasma applications during surgery when the electrode is in a retracted position.

The invention provides systems and methods for performing a minimally invasive vasectomy procedure by supplying targeted RF energy to vas deferens via a pair of probes positioned within the vas deferens under ultrasound image guidance.

A cooled radio-frequency (RF) ablation probe is provided. The RF ablation probe includes a first tubular portion defining at least part of an internal cavity for circulating coolant through the cooled RF ablation probe; a second tubular portion surrounding the first tubular portion along a first portion of the length of the cooled RF ablation probe; a third tubular portion surrounding the second tubular portion along a second portion of the length of the cooled RF ablation probe; and a fourth tubular portion surrounding the third tubular portion along a third portion of the length of the cooled RF ablation probe. A gap is defined between the third tubular portion and the fourth tubular portion that can be filled with air or a vacuum can be formed in the gap to insulate one or more thermocouples attached to the fourth tubular portion from the coolant in the internal cavity.

A method and tool are described for relieving lower back pain via destruction and removal of suprapedicular tissues, particularly via the destruction and removal of the peridural membrane. The tool comprises a narrow tubular body having one of a plurality of tip designs at one end and a handle at the other end. The tool is inserted through the suprapedicular canal, and mechanical manipulation of the tool effects the destruction of the target tissues responsible for chronic lower back pain.

An ablation device for the treatment of an eye to lower intraocular pressure including a handle; and an array of rods projecting from a distal end region of the handle and electrically-connected to an energy delivery generator. Each rod of the array of rods is configured to create a cavity in a surface of the eye via ab externo tissue ablation to enhance drainage of aqueous humor from the eye. Related devices, systems, and methods are provided.

The present invention relates to a skin treatment device including a handpiece and a needle tip enabling to be coupled to the handpiece, wherein as the needle tip is mounted on the distal end of the handpiece, electrical connection with the handpiece can be made stably, and even if the needle module built in the needle tip performs linear reciprocating motions of extension and retraction by the driving device provided in the handpiece, the motion trackable connector provided in the needle tip can stably keep the electrical connection between the handpiece and the needle tip.

A pair of cooperating catheters are used together to provide rapid access to the Left heart for diagnostic or therapeutic interventions. The initial entry point for the catheter pair is the groin. The pair of catheters can be used to carry out an electrographic determination of the location of the Fossa Ovalis on the septum. Features on the Catheter system permit quick and reliable confirmation of the catheter location via echo or x-rays. Once across the septum the inner catheter is removed from the outer catheter and a standard intervention may be carried out through the lumen of the outer catheter.