An electrosurgical system includes a resectoscope and a generator. The resectoscope includes a fixed electrode, a movable electrode movable relative to the fixed electrode, and first and second switches actuated in first and second positions of the movable electrode, respectively. The generator is configured to supply energy to the fixed electrode and/or the movable electrode when the movable electrode is moving from the first position to the second position and to inhibit the supply of energy when the movable electrode is moving from the second position to the first position. The generator is configured to determine a direction of movement of the movable electrode based upon signals received from the first and second switches.

A resectoscope having a curved sheath that can be made with different lengths, diameters and radii of curvature to better reach the areas of the bladder that are not accessible with a conventional resectoscope. The device is equipped with a fiber optic scope that follows the curved electrode tube and can transmit images for observing the interior of bladder where the surgical procedure is performed. The device of the present invention further comprises a modified obturator to facilitate the movement of the sheath inside the body, and interior guides on the sheath help move the cutting tool and obturator through the curved portions of the sheath.

Provided is a digestive-tract treatment method including: pulling, inside a digestive tract (A), an end portion of a first wall portion (A1) positioned at a rim of a treatment target site (B), and moving the first wall portion (A1) to a position on a second wall portion (A2) on an opposite side of the treatment target site (B) from the first wall portion (A1); and joining the first wall portion (A1) and the second wall portion (A2) in a state in which the first wall portion (A1) and the second wall portion (A2) are layered.

Disclosed monopolar and bipolar tissue lacerators can comprise a wire partially covered by electrical insulation, wherein the wire has a kink defining an inner curvature, wherein the wire is exposed through the insulation at one or two exposed regions along or near the inner curvature of the kink, wherein the wire is configured to conduct electrical energy through the one or two exposed regions and through a tissue target positioned adjacent the inner curvature to lacerate the tissue target via the electrical energy. The tissue target can be a native or prosthetic heart valve leaflet in a patient's heart.

A resectoscope operating handle and electrode fitting structure and fitting method are provided. The fitting structure includes a slider of a resectoscope operating handle and a binding post of an electrode. The slider has a front surface and a back surface. The front surface of the slider is provided with a mounting groove for mounting the binding post. An end surface of the binding post is perpendicular to the front surface of the slider. The binding post is mounted in the mounting groove, and an axial direction of the binding post is perpendicular to a plane where the handle is located. The resectoscope operating handle and electrode fitting structure and fitting method of the present invention can ensure that an electrode is accurately and firmly fixed to an operating handle under the condition of convenience in operation.

An endoscopic treatment device has a sheath extending between a distal end portion and a proximal end portion; a first/second wire inserted through the sheath, wherein the first/second wire can protrude from the distal end portion of the sheath and cut tissue by being applied with current; an insulative member configured to connect distal ends of the first wire and the second wire; and a first/second insulative tube configured to cover the first/second wire protruding from the sheath, wherein the first/second insulative tube can move with respect to the first/second wire respectively, wherein the endoscopic treatment device switches between a first state where the second wire protruding from the sheath is covered by the second insulative tube and a second state where the first wire protruding from the sheath is covered by the first insulative tube.

An excisional device may comprise an introducer comprising a distal trough portion and a cutting assembly. The cutting assembly may comprise an axial hand element configured to selectively bow out of and away from the distal trough portion and to retract into the distal trough portion and a helical cutting element wound around the axial band element. A rotating drum may be provided to cause the cutting assembly to selectively rotate, bow and retract according to a mechanically-driven first cutting profile that is defined by a shape of a channel formed in the drum. An optical guidance projector assembly may be coupled to the excisional device and may be configured to visually indicate when a distal portion of the excisional device is aligned with an imaging plane of an imaging probe and in a desired position.

An electrode assembly for an electrosurgical instrument includes a housing having an active electrical connector and a return electrical connector configured to operably engage a distal end of an electrosurgical instrument shaft, the housing encapsulating an elongated return electrode and a pair of insulative tubes configured to house a wire-like active electrode. The elongated return electrode includes a clevis at a distal end thereof and operably engages to the return electrical connector at a proximal end thereof. The wire-like active electrode operably engages at one end to the active electrical connector. A donut-like insulator is operably engaged to the clevis of the elongated return electrode and is configured to support the wire-like active electrode therearound. A tensioning mechanism is configured to operably engage an opposite end of the wire-like electrode and tension the wire-like active electrode about the donut-like insulator during assembly.

A conductive coating may be adhered to a structure comprising a hydrophobic and/or adhesion-resistant surface. The conductive coating may have a polymer backbone with conductive particles suspended in the backbone. In some embodiments, the conductive coating may be applied directly to the surface. In other embodiments, the conductive coating may be indirectly applied by first applying a primer adhesive to the outer surface, and then applying the conductive coating over the primer adhesive. An example structure may be a catheter of an endoscopic medical device, such as a bipolar sphincterotome, where the conductive coating functions as a return electrode.

An electroporation probe that includes an injection means, allowing a single electroporation probe to be used for both the electroporation of cells and the injection of a fluid. The electroporation probe having (a) a probe body having an interior channel, a first end, and a second end; (b) a plurality of perforations in the probe body proximal the second end; (c) a sleeve positioned within the interior channel, wherein the sleeve is moveable between a first position sealing the perforations and a second position opening the perforations; (d) a connection between the probe body and an electroporation machine, wherein the probe body is in electrical communication with the electroporation machine; and (e) a tubing in fluid communication with the interior channel, wherein fluid injected into a proximal end of the tubing is exitable through the perforations when the sleeve is in the second position.