A method of performing an electrosurgical procedure includes activating an electrode of a surgical instrument by applying an output power signal with a first energy output profile from a generator to the electrode. An induced electrical parameter of a conductive component is monitored via one or more sensors, the induced electrical parameter being associated with a predetermined electrical parameter threshold. The induced electrical parameter includes a parasitic energy loss. When the induced electrical parameter measured from a conductive component of the surgical instrument meets or exceeds the predetermined electrical parameter threshold during the operation, the output power signal of the generator is adjusted from a first energy output profile to a second energy output profile. The adjustment is operable to reduce the induced electrical parameter measured from the conductive component of the surgical instrument; and to reduce the parasitic energy loss without ceasing delivery of energy to the electrode.

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.

An electrosurgical generator includes: a power supply configured to output a DC waveform; a power converter coupled to the power supply and configured to generate a radio frequency waveform based on the DC waveform; an active terminal coupled to the power converter and configured to couple to a first electrosurgical instrument and a second electrosurgical instrument; at least one sensor coupled to the power converter and configured to sense at least one property of the radio frequency waveform; and a controller coupled to the power converter. The controller is configured to: determine a first impedance associated with a first electrosurgical instrument and a second impedance associated with a second electrosurgical instrument based on the at least one property of the radio frequency waveform; and adjust at least one parameter of the radio frequency waveform based on the first impedance and the second impedance.

A bariatric surgery operating room configured and operational for treating metabolic syndrome in human patients on an ambulatory basis. The bariatric surgery operating room includes a set of trocars for creating laparoscopy portals through small incisions formed in a human patient's body while supported upon an operating table. A source of inert gas is provided for infusion into the abdominal region of the patient so as to cause tenting of the abdominal region and abdominal distension and tenting in a human patient suffering from obesity and likely to benefit from visceral fat removal within the body of the human patient. A laparoscope is inserted through a first one of said trocars and into the abdominal region of the human patient so that a surgeon can capture video images of the abdominal region of the patient, and display the captured video images within the view of the surgeon. A powered tissue aspiration instrument is inserted through a second one of the trocars and into the mesenteric region of the human patient. Gripping tools are inserted through a third and optionally fourth trocars installed in the patient's abdomen, for gripping anatomical structures in the mesenteric region during visceral fat tissue aspiration operations. The laparoscope is used to capture video images of the mesenteric region of the human patient during visceral fat tissue aspiration operations, and display video images to provide laparoscopic guidance to the surgeon while aspirating visceral fat tissue from the mesenteric region of the human patient so as to treat metabolic syndrome of the human patient in a minimally-invasive manner by reducing three or more risk factors associated with metabolic syndrome.

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.

A surgical apparatus for making an incision in a living tissue according to the present disclosure includes a hand piece including a loop-type electrode part and a generator configured to transmit electrical energy to the electrode part, wherein the generator applies electric-field pulse waveforms made of two consecutive pulse groups to the electrode part, the two consecutive pulse groups include a first pulse group and a second pulse group, each pulse group includes mini-pulses, a peak voltage of the first pulse group is less than a peak voltage of the second pulse group, and a duration of the first pulse group is longer than a duration of the second pulse group.

A surgical device integrating a suction mechanism with a coagulation mechanism is provided for improving lesion creation capabilities. The device comprises an elongate member having an insulative covering attached about means for coagulating soft tissue. Openings through the covering expose regions of the coagulation-causing elements and are coupled to lumens in the elongate member which are routed to a vacuum source. A fluid source to passively transport fluid along the contacted soft tissue surface may be provided in order to push the maximum temperature deeper into tissue.

A target-treating system treats a target disposed within a bone of a patient. The system comprises a probe configured to be inserted into the bone and navigated therethrough toward the target. The probe comprises a shaft that includes a proximal end, a distal end, and a main body extending between and interconnecting the proximal end and the distal end. The distal end is configured to engage the target such that, upon activation of the probe, the target is treated.

Methods and surgical tools for treating back pain use a spinal facet debridement tool with cautery and denuding action and minimally invasive protocol that can denude and cauterize soft tissue associated with a synovial capsule of the spinal facet joint.

A medical device includes an elongated sleeve having a longitudinal axis, a proximal end and a distal end. A cutting member having a plurality of sharp edges is formed from a wear-resistant ceramic material is carried at the distal end of the elongated sleeve. A motor drive is coupled to the proximal end of the elongated sleeve to rotate the sleeve at cutting member at high RPMs to cut bone and other hard tissue. An electrode is carried in a distal portion of ceramic cutting member for RF ablation of tissue when the sleeve and cutting member are is a stationary position. In methods of use, (i) the ceramic member can be engaged against bone and then rotated at high speed to cut bone tissue, and (ii) the ceramic member can be held in a stationary (non-rotating) position to engage tissue and RF energy can be delivered to the electrode to create a plasma that ablates tissue.