Cable connection systems allow for an electrosurgical return electrode to be simultaneously connected to multiple ESUs. The cable connection systems can include individual return cables for simultaneous connection to each of the ESUs. The cable connection system can also include a junction that joins, connects, or associates the return cables in a manner that allows for the multiple ESU cables to be electrically connected to the return electrode at a single connection point on the return electrode.

An apparatus includes a shaft and a folding fan catheter. The shaft is configured for insertion through a sheath into a cavity of an organ of a patient. The folding fan catheter is fixed to a distal end of the shaft and includes (a) a resilient foldable frame, which is fixed to the distal end of the shaft and is configured to be unfolded so as to assume a fan shape, (b) one or more flexible surfaces, coupled to the frame to form a fan-shaped surface when the frame is unfolded, and (c) a plurality of electrodes that are disposed over the one or more flexible surfaces and are configured to contact tissue.

A uterine manipulator including an elongate shaft having a distal portion configured to be inserted into a uterus through a lumen of a cervix, and a return electrode coupled to the elongate shaft. The return electrode is configured to be electrically coupled to an electrosurgical generator.

A cautery safety controller can include a first input to receive a cautery power signal; a first output coupled to a nerve stimulator system; a second input coupled to receive a nerve detected signal; a zero-crossing detector coupled to receive the cautery power signal via the first input and output a nerve sense enable signal via the first output to the nerve stimulator system in response to detecting a zero crossing of the cautery power signal; and a nerve detection decision unit coupled to receive the nerve detected signal via the second input, generate a stop operation signal, and output the stop operation signal via a second output. A cauterizing pencil can be provided with a tap line for providing the cautery power signal. Alternatively, a cautery pad can be provided with a sense electrode for providing the cautery power signal.

Certain embodiments described herein relate to a system for use in analyzing neural activity of nerves surrounding a biological lumen. The system includes a probe body, electrodes, a stimulator, and an amplifier. The stimulator delivers electrical stimulation via a first pair of the electrodes, supported by the probe body, to test for an evoked neural response by nerves surrounding the biological lumen. The amplifier includes a pair of input terminals, an output terminal, and a ground reference terminal. A second pair of the electrodes is electrically coupled to the pair of input terminals of the amplifier, to thereby enable the amplifier to produce the sensed signal indicative of the evoked neural response. A remaining one of the electrodes, which is not included in the first and the second pairs of the electrodes, is electrically coupled to the ground reference terminal of the amplifier.

System and methods for channeling a path into bone include a trocar having a proximal end, distal end and a central channel disposed along a central axis of the trocar. The trocar includes a distal opening at or near the distal end of the trocar. The system includes a curved cannula sized to be received in the central channel, and having a curved distal end configured to be extended laterally outward from the distal opening in a curved path extending away from the trocar. The curved cannula has a central passageway having a diameter configured allow a probe to be delivered through the central passageway to a location beyond the curved path.

An apparatus includes a body, a catheter, and a fluid connector assembly. The catheter extends distally from the body and includes at least one electrode and at least one irrigation port. A fluid conduit is in fluid communication with the at least one irrigation port. A fluid connector assembly extends proximally from the body and includes a fluid connector body and a grounding member. The fluid connector body is configured to couple with a complementary connector associated with a fluid source. A proximal end of the fluid conduit is positioned in an interior region of the fluid connector body. The grounding member is interposed between the proximal end of the fluid conduit and the fluid connector body. The grounding member is in communication with the interior region of the fluid connector body such that the grounding member provides an electrical ground to fluid communicated to the fluid conduit via the fluid connector body.

A bipolar resectoscope (1) has a shaft (2, 2′) with an insulating insert (8) at its distal end (7). A working element (3) is mountable in the shaft (2, 2′) and a cutting electrode (4) is longitudinally displaceable in the shaft (2, 2′). The insulating insert (8) has an exposed conductive area of a neutral electrode (5, 5′). The area of the passive neutral electrode (5, 5′) exposed transverse to the longitudinal axis (34) forms an electrically conductive roof of the insulating insert (8, 8′). An inlet area (26) of the insulating insert (8, 8′) has an inner wall (38, 38′) with two opposing electrically conductive contact surfaces (39, 39′) of the neutral electrode (5, 5′) that are parallel to the longitudinal axis (33) and contact two parallel electrically conductive contact tubes (24) of a fork (26) and opening a cutting loop (25) of the cutting electrode (4).

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.

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.