Electrosurgical lysing devices and related systems and methods. In some embodiments, the lysing device may comprise a lysing tip comprising at least one bead comprising an at least substantially electrically non-conductive surface and at least one lysing member defining at least one lysing segment extending within a recess defined, at least in part, by the at least one bead, wherein the at least one bead protrudes both distally and proximally relative to the at least one lysing member.

Systems and methods for facilitating assessment of a nature of contact between an electrode assembly of an ablation catheter and viable body tissue are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a method comprises obtaining a first detected voltage between a first electrode and a second electrode, wherein the first and second electrodes are positioned along an electrode assembly of the ablation catheter, and wherein the first electrode is distal to the second electrode, obtaining a second detected voltage between the second electrode and a third electrode, the third electrode positioned proximal to the second electrode.

Lysing surgical instruments and related systems and methods. In some embodiments, the instrument may comprise a lysing tip comprising a plurality of beads and at least one lysing member defining at least one lysing segment extending between each pair of adjacent beads or between a tip of the instrument and an adjacent bead. Some embodiments may comprise rearward-facing lysing segments to facilitate retrograde lysing movement through patient tissue.

Systems and methods for facilitating assessment of a nature of contact between an electrode assembly of an ablation catheter and viable body tissue are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a method comprises obtaining a first detected voltage between a first electrode and a second electrode, wherein the first and second electrodes are positioned along an electrode assembly of the ablation catheter, and wherein the first electrode is distal to the second electrode, obtaining a second detected voltage between the second electrode and a third electrode, the third electrode positioned proximal to the second electrode.

Ablation systems and methods of the present disclosure are directed toward delivering pulsed radiofrequency (RF) energy to target tissue. The pulsations of the RF energy, combined with cooling at a surface of the target tissue, can advantageously promote local heat transfer in the target tissue to form lesions having dimensions larger than those that can be safely formed in tissue using non-pulsed RF energy under similar conditions.

Systems, methods and devices for performing water aided endoscopy (WAE) are provided herein. The systems include a plurality of devices designed to create a sealed environment within the body cavity, including a multi-functional plug, valves, balloons and pumps. The systems also provide specialized tools configured for operation within a liquid environment which are designed to interface with the multi-functional seal for insertion into the body cavity while maintaining the seal, including an adjustable constant shape snare. Additional features of the systems and methods include specialized fluids for increasing visibility with the body cavity, dyes and other solutions for image-enhancement and diagnostics, and software for increasing the clarity of the image in real-time.

The invention is a system for monitoring and controlling tissue ablation. The system includes a controller configured to selectively control energy emission from an electrode array of an ablation device based on ablation feedback received during an ablation procedure with the ablation device. The controller is configured to receive feedback data from one or more sensors during the ablation procedure, the feedback data comprising one or more measurements associated with at least one of operation of the electrode array of the ablation device and tissue adjacent to the electrode array. The controller is further configured to generate an ablation pattern for controlling energy emission from the electrode array of the ablation device in response to the received feedback data.

Surgical devices, systems and methods for treating tissue are provided. Also provided are systems for treating tissue and methods of treating tissue. An exemplary surgical device comprises a handle (20a) having a proximal end and a distal end; a shaft extending distally beyond the distal end of the handle, the shaft having a proximal end and a distal end; an electrode tip (45), at least a portion of the electrode tip extending distally beyond the distal end of the shaft, the electrode tip extending distally beyond the distal end of the shaft comprising a spherical end surface portion (25) and a cylindrical side surface portion, the spherical end surface portion located distal to the cylindrical side surface portion and comprising at least a portion of the distal end surface of the surgical device; and a fluid passage directed to provide a fluid towards the cylindrical side portion of the electrode tip.

Ablation systems of the present disclosure facilitate the safe formation of wide and deep lesions. For example, ablation systems of the present disclosure can allow for the flow of irrigation fluid and blood through an expandable ablation electrode, resulting in efficient and effective cooling of the ablation electrode as the ablation electrode delivers energy at a treatment site of the patient. Additionally, or alternatively, ablation systems of the present disclosure can include a deformable ablation electrode and a plurality of sensors that, in cooperation, sense the deformation of the ablation electrode, to provide a robust indication of the extent and direction of contact between the ablation electrode and tissue at a treatment site.

One embodiment of the present invention relates to an electrosurgical device for conducting surgery. The device includes a tubular housing and a plurality of electrodes disposed within said tubular housing. The device further includes an actuator connected to the plurality of electrodes to extend and retract at least one of the plurality electrodes to and from the tubular housing.