An irrigated electrode assembly has a proximal portion with a proximal end and a distal portion with a distal end. The assembly includes a first conduit defining an irrigation channel and a second conduit, both of which extend from the proximal portion to the distal portion of the irrigated electrode assembly. A proximal and a distal emitter is located on the distal portion of the assembly with the distal emitter being positioned distally relative to the proximal emitter. A fluid irrigation port is defined by the proximal or distal emitter and is in fluid communication with the first conduit. An insulative spacer extends between a distal end of the proximal emitter and a proximal end of the distal emitter. An insulative body houses the first and second conduits and extends from the proximal portion of the irrigated electrode assembly to a proximal end of the proximal emitter.

Ablation systems and methods detect and address distortion caused by a variety of factors. A method includes measuring a temperature curve at target tissue; applying ablation energy to the target tissue; determining a peak temperature on the temperature curve; if the peak temperature is greater than the predetermined peak temperature, determining a time at which the temperature curve crosses to a lower temperature; and if the determined time is greater than a predetermined time, generating a message indicating that the target tissue was successfully ablated. Another method includes determining a distance between a remote temperature probe and an ablation probe, applying ablation energy to target tissue, measuring temperature at the remote temperature probe, estimating ablation size based on the determined distance and the temperature measured by the remote temperature probe, and determining whether the target tissue is successfully ablated based on the estimated ablation size.

A system, ablation probe, and method is provided for treating tissue, e.g., tissue having tumors. The treatment system is configured to automatically deliver infusaid to tissue when needed and comprises an ablation probe having an ablative element and at least one perfusion exit port. The system further comprises an ablation source operably coupled to the ablative element, and a pump assembly operably coupled to the perfusion exit port(s). The pump assembly is configured for pumping infusaid out through the perfusion exit port(s), preferably during the ablation process. The system further comprises a feedback device configured for controlling the amount of infusaid displaced by the pump assembly based on a sensed tissue parameter, e.g., tissue temperature or tissue impedance.

The present invention relates to a conductive electrode which is used for an electrosurgical handpiece and, more particularly, to a conductive electrode for an electrosurgical handpiece, wherein the conductive electrode is split into two pieces, and thus not only a general surgery can be performed as in the conventional electrosurgical handpiece, but also a precise surgery can be performed by even an unskilled surgeon, and the fatigue of an operating surgeon can be reduced.

A combination medical device for removing and treating tissue in a patient is disclosed. The device includes a reusable handle and a blade selectively connectable to the handle. The blade includes an outer sleeve having a lumen with an inner shaft disposed therein. The inner shaft may be coupled to a motor drive unit disposed within the handle and may rotate so as to mechanically cut tissue as the inner shaft rotates. The outer sleeve includes at least one electrode for electrosurgically treating tissue. The reusable handle includes at least one control switch for controlling a parameter associated with the rotation of the inner shaft. The blade also may include a switch assembly in electrical communication with the at least one electrode, the switch assembly including attachment means for selective attachment of the switch assembly to the reusable handle.

Electrosurgical devices and systems having one or more porous electrodes are provided. An electrosurgical apparatus is provided having a shaft, a handle, and at least one porous electrode. The shaft is coupled to the handle and the at least one porous electrode is disposed on a distal tip of the shaft. The at least one porous electrode conducts energy provided to the distal tip and enables fluid provided to the distal tip to pass through the porous structure of the at least one electrode, such that the electrosurgical energy and the fluid are simultaneously applied to patient tissue adjacent to the at least one porous electrode. In one aspect, the electrosurgical apparatus includes a switching means configured to enable a user to select which of at least a first fluid, e.g. saline, or a second fluid, e.g., helium, to be provided to the distal tip.

An electrosurgical apparatus is provided having a shaft, a handle, and at least one porous electrode. The shaft is coupled to the handle and the at least one porous electrode is coupled to a distal tip of the shaft. The at least one porous electrode conducts energy provided to the distal tip and enables fluid provided to the distal tip to pass or flow through the porous structure of the at least one electrode, such that the electrosurgical energy and the fluid are simultaneously applied to patient tissue adjacent to the at least one porous electrode. The shaft is rotatable relative to the handle of the electrosurgical apparatus to change the orientation of the at least one porous electrode relative to the handle. The shaft is extendable or retractable relative to the handle to increase or decrease the distance between the at least one porous electrode and the handle

Devices, systems and methods for cutting and sealing of tissue such as bone and soft tissue. Devices, systems and methods include delivery of energy including bipolar radiofrequency energy for sealing tissue which may be concurrent with delivery of fluid to a targeted tissue site. Devices include debridement devices which may include a fluid source. Devices include inner and outer shafts coaxially maintained and having cutters for debridement of tissue. An inner shaft may include electrodes apart from the cutter to minimize trauma to tissue during sealing or hemostasis. Devices may include a single, thin liner or sheath for electrically isolating the inner and outer shafts.

Methods and systems for modulating intraosseous nerves (e.g., nerves within bone) are provided. For example, the methods and systems described herein may be used to modulate (e.g., denervate, ablate) basivertebral nerves within vertebrae. The modulation of the basivertebral nerves may facilitate treatment of chronic back pain. The modulation may be performed by a neuromodulation device (e.g., an energy delivery device).

A system for delivering energy to a patient's body is disclosed that includes a plurality of probes, a touch-sensitive display screen, and a controller communicatively coupled to each of the probes and the display screen. The controller is configured to perform operations including displaying a virtual control object in the user interface of the touch-sensitive display screen that is associated with an operating parameter of a treatment procedure performed with the probe. The controller is configured to adjust the operating parameter when a user touch action is directed to the virtual control object. The controller is configured to convert the virtual control object into a non-control label based, at least in part, on a current status of the treatment procedure. The controller is configured to prohibit adjustment of the operating parameter using the non-control label in response to a user touch action that is directed to the non-control label.