A surgical device is disclosed that comprises a sleeve member, a shaft member and a pair of electrodes. The shaft member extends distally of the sleeve member and has a pair of electrode channels that open at the distal end of the shaft member, wherein the electrode channels are positioned adjacent to one another. The pair of electrodes are configured to deliver energy, and one of the pair of electrodes are configured to be disposed in each electrode channel such that distal ends of each of the electrodes are arranged to protrude from the distal end of the shaft member. An irrigation annulus is formed about the electrodes. The shaft member further includes at least one lumen opening at the distal end of the shaft member.

The present invention is an ablation device having a screen sphere configuration for the ablation of marginal tissue surrounding a tissue cavity. The device includes a probe having a nonconductive elongated shaft including at least one lumen therethrough and a nonconductive distal portion extending from the shaft. The nonconductive distal portion includes a plurality distal ports and a plurality of proximal ports in communication with the at least one lumen of the shaft. The device further includes an electrode array including a plurality of independent conductive wires extending through the lumen and positioned along an external surface of the nonconductive distal portion, each of the plurality of wires passes through at least an associated one of the proximal ports and through at least a corresponding one of the distal ports.

A method for removing tissues may comprise disposing a tissue resection device at a target tissue site, causing the tissue resection device to resect a core of tissue from the target tissue site, removing the core of tissue from the body, wherein the removing the core of tissue from the body creates a core cavity at the target tissue site.

A power supply device for a high frequency treatment instrument includes an active side detection circuit that acquires a first signal output from a treatment instrument-connecting terminal to the treatment instrument and a second signal returned from the treatment instrument to the treatment instrument-connecting terminal, a passive side detection circuit that acquires a third signal output from the treatment instrument-connecting terminal to the treatment instrument and passing through a return electrode to a return electrode-connecting terminal, and a processor that calculates a return loss as the second signal to the first signal and a first insertion loss as the third signal to the first signal and determines an abnormality occurrence location based thereon.

Multiple surgical devices that may be used during surgical procedures are shown and described herein. A surgical device includes an outer cannula and an inner member that has a pair of electrodes positioned at a distal end. The inner member defines an aspiration delivery channel with an opening. A handle assembly actuates the outer cannula relative to the inner member, thereby adjusting a size of the opening of the aspiration delivery channel. In another exemplary configuration, an irrigation hub is provided to deliver irrigation through the surgical device.

Various embodiments are directed to electrosurgical systems for providing an electrosurgical signal to a patient. A control circuit may, for a first application period, apply the electrosurgical signal to first and second electrodes according to a first mode. In the first mode, the control circuit may limit the electrosurgical signal to a first maximum power when the impedance between the first and second electrodes exceeds a first mode threshold. The control circuit may also, for a second application period after the first application period, apply the electrosurgical signal according to a second mode. In the second mode, the control circuit may limit the electrosurgical signal to a second mode maximum power when the impedance between the first and second electrodes exceeds a second mode threshold. The second maximum power may be greater than the first maximum power.

A fluid management system includes a pump connectable to a fluid source. An inflow line removably connects to a cannula for delivering a fluid flow from the pump into a surgical site, such as a joint cavity. A flow pressure sensor is coupled to measure flow pressure in the inflow line and produce a measured pressure value, A controller is connected to the pump and the flow pressure sensor, and the controller maintains a pressure set point by controlling a pump speed based on a backpressure-adjusted pressure value calculated by subtracting a backpressure value selected from a backpressure table from the measured pressure value. The BAPV is monitored to determine whether the BAPV deviates outside an initial BAPV range, and corrective measure are taken should such deviations occur.

A handpiece for a surgical instrument having a valve position sensing circuit arranged to detect the position of a valve arranged to control the flow of fluid through the suction lumen of the instrument. The distal end of the handpiece is arranged to couple to a cutting accessory. The handpiece comprises: a housing; a suction lumen within the housing extending from the distal end of the handpiece to a proximal end of the handpiece; a valve arranged to control the flow of fluid through the suction lumen; and a valve position sensing circuit arranged to detect a position of the valve. The valve position sensing circuit can be used to alert a surgeon if the valve is closed when it would be preferable for it to be open. For example, if the motor is overheating, the in-joint temperature is too high, or the RF component is activated.

Described herein are various implementations of systems and methods for accessing and modulating tissue (for example, systems and methods for accessing and ablating nerves or other tissue within or surrounding a vertebral body to treat chronic lower back pain). Assessment of vertebral endplate degeneration or defects (e.g., pre-Modic changes) to facilitate identification of treatment sites and protocols are also provided in several embodiments. Several embodiments comprise the use of biomarkers to confirm or otherwise assess ablation, pain relief, efficacy of treatment, etc. Some embodiments include robotic elements for, as an example, facilitating robotically controlled access, navigation, imaging, and/or treatment.

The present invention includes devices and methods for pacing contact, lead, conduit or other medical fixture placement in tissues or organs. The invention features an articulating multiple suction foot device, comprising an inner vacuum conduit and foot slidingly contained within an outer vacuum conduit and foot, with the inner vacuum conduit and foot configured to extend beyond the outer vacuum suction foot, and to be further articulated once extended; as well as a separate tissue or waste removal vacuum assembly that extends within the inner vacuum conduit to the inner vacuum foot to remove cut tissue prior to its advancement beyond the outer vacuum suction foot. The device is configured to permit the placement foot, such as a suction foot, to articulate to a desired position with respect to the target tissue, while the pacing contact, lead, fluid conduit or other medical fixture is releasably attached to the placement foot to permit it to be released from the placement foot after stabilization on the target tissue site.