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.

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.

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 catheter includes an expandable frame for insertion into an organ of a patient, one or more first electrodes, and a second electrode. The one or more first electrodes are disposed on the expandable frame at one or more first positions for placing in contact with a target tissue of the organ, and are configured to perform one or both of: (i) sensing one or more electrical signals from the target tissue, and (ii) applying one or more ablation pulses to the target tissue. The second electrode is disposed within an internal volume of the expandable frame, at a second position that is not in contact with the target tissue while the one or more first electrodes contact the target tissue, and is configured to serve as a return or common electrode for the electrical signals.

A tissue guard includes an elongated body having a proximal end and a distal end and defining a lumen therethrough. A plurality of torsion springs is included, each torsion spring having a first leg and a second leg and a spring defined therebetween. The first leg of each torsion spring is operably engaged to the distal end of the elongated body. Two or more petals extend from the distal end of the elongated body, each petal is operably engaged to the second leg of one of the torsion springs. The petals are movable between a first, compressed configuration wherein the petals are compressed relative to one another against the bias of the plurality of torsion springs to facilitate insertion of the tissue guard within an access device or natural orifice and a second, expanded configuration to facilitate engagement of the petals beneath the access device or within the natural orifical to secure the tissue guard therein.

A method and a system for assisting a wire guide to cross obstructed ducts in mammalian body are described. The method and system is based on applying pulsed energy to occlusion obstructing the duct. The pulsed energy is applied by means of an auxiliary probe. The auxiliary probe is relatively displaceable with respect to the wire guide along a lumen provided within the probe. The distal region of the probe is provided with enhanced flexibility comparing with the reminder portion of the probe.

An electrosurgical instrument includes an instrument shaft, and a suction tube extending along the shaft, the suction tube being formed of an electrically-conductive material and including a way or portion by which it can be connected to a source of electrosurgical energy. A blade-like tissue treatment electrode extends from the shaft, the blade-like tissue treatment electrode being integrally formed by the distal end of the suction tube. The distal end of the suction tube is flattened to form the blade-like tissue treatment electrode, and the distal end of the suction tube is disposed at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the shaft.

Devices, systems, and methods for resecting tissue are disclosed. In some embodiments, a tissue resecting device may comprise an elongated structure having a longitudinal axis, the elongated structure comprising an outer sleeve with a distal window configured to receive uterine polyp tissue and an inner sleeve configured to move between a proximal position and a distal position relative to the window. In some further embodiments, the device may also comprise an electrode element coupled to the inner sleeve. In some even further embodiments, the device may include an insulative layer covering at least a portion of the inner sleeve, wherein the tissue resecting device is configured to fail when used to resect tissue more fibrous than uterine polyp tissue.

Devices and methods for shaping an ablation treatment volume formed in fluid enhanced ablation therapy are provided. The devices and methods disclosed herein utilize the interaction of fluids to create ablation treatment volumes having a variety of shapes. In one embodiment, a method for forming an ablation treatment volume having a desired shape includes delivering therapeutic energy to tissue to form an ablation treatment volume and simultaneously delivering a first fluid and a second fluid to the tissue. The first and second fluids can convect the therapeutic energy in a desired direction such that the ablation treatment volume has a desired shape.

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.