In some aspects, a surgical system for taking advantage of capacitive coupling is presented. The surgical system may include: a monopolar energy generator; a surgical instrument configured to transmit electrosurgical energy through the electrode to tissue of a patient at a surgical site; and at least one detection circuit configured to: measure an amount of conductivity in a return path of the electrosurgical energy; determine that the amount conductivity in the return path falls below a predetermined threshold; and transmit a signal to cause the monopolar generator to increase current leakage in the surgical system by increasing alternating current frequency in the electrosurgical energy generation. The monopolar energy generator may further include a sensor configured to determine that a monopolar energy circuit is completed by detecting that the current leakage has reached a ground terminal in the monopolar energy generator.

In some aspects, a surgical system for taking advantage of capacitive coupling is presented. The surgical system may include: a monopolar energy generator; a surgical instrument configured to transmit electrosurgical energy through the electrode to tissue of a patient at a surgical site; and at least one detection circuit configured to: measure an amount of conductivity in a return path of the electrosurgical energy; determine that the amount conductivity in the return path falls below a predetermined threshold; and transmit a signal to cause the monopolar generator to increase current leakage in the surgical system by increasing alternating current frequency in the electrosurgical energy generation. The monopolar energy generator may further include a sensor configured to determine that a monopolar energy circuit is completed by detecting that the current leakage has reached a ground terminal in the monopolar energy generator.

Devices, systems, and methods for degassing fluid prior to applying fluid to a treatment site during ablation therapy are provided. In one embodiment, an ablation system can include an elongate body, an ablation element, a heating assembly, and a fluid source. Fluid in the fluid source can be at least partially degassed prior to being provided as part of the system, or, in some embodiments, a degassing apparatus can be provided that can be configured to degas fluid within the system prior to applying the fluid to the treatment site. The degassing apparatus can include one or more gas-permeable and fluid-impermeable tubes disposed therein, which can allow gas to be removed from fluid passing through the apparatus. Other exemplary devices, systems, and methods are also provided.

Devices, systems, and methods for degassing fluid prior to applying fluid to a treatment site during ablation therapy are provided. In one embodiment, an ablation system can include an elongate body, an ablation element, a heating assembly, and a fluid source. Fluid in the fluid source can be at least partially degassed prior to being provided as part of the system, or, in some embodiments, a degassing apparatus can be provided that can be configured to degas fluid within the system prior to applying the fluid to the treatment site. The degassing apparatus can include one or more gas-permeable and fluid-impermeable tubes disposed therein, which can allow gas to be removed from fluid passing through the apparatus. Other exemplary devices, systems, and methods are also provided.

A plasma irradiation apparatus has a gas guide channel and a creeping discharge section. The creeping discharge section is disposed such that one of a discharge electrode and a ground electrode faces a flow path directly or via another member, and is configured to generate creeping discharge in the flow path by the application of a periodically changing voltage to the discharge electrode. At least a part of the ground electrode is arranged closer to an outlet port than the discharge electrode.

A plasma irradiation apparatus has a gas guide channel and a creeping discharge section. The creeping discharge section is disposed such that one of a discharge electrode and a ground electrode faces a flow path directly or via another member, and is configured to generate creeping discharge in the flow path by the application of a periodically changing voltage to the discharge electrode. At least a part of the ground electrode is arranged closer to an outlet port than the discharge electrode.

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.

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.

A tissue treatment device includes a circuit driver, an electrode, and a plasma arc focusing element, all disposed within a housing. The circuit driver generates a plasma arc source signal. The electrode generates a plasma stream in response to the plasma arc source signal. The plasma arc focusing element focuses the plasma stream to pass through an outlet hole of the housing and onto a target spot on a target tissue of a treatment subject for heat treatment of the target tissue. In some embodiments, the circuit driver controls a temperature increase of the target tissue by modulating a fundamental frequency, power level, pulsing frequency, and/or pulsing duty cycle of the plasma arc source signal.

A tissue treatment device includes a circuit driver, an electrode, and a plasma arc focusing element, all disposed within a housing. The circuit driver generates a plasma arc source signal. The electrode generates a plasma stream in response to the plasma arc source signal. The plasma arc focusing element focuses the plasma stream to pass through an outlet hole of the housing and onto a target spot on a target tissue of a treatment subject for heat treatment of the target tissue. In some embodiments, the circuit driver controls a temperature increase of the target tissue by modulating a fundamental frequency, power level, pulsing frequency, and/or pulsing duty cycle of the plasma arc source signal.