A system for ablating a thyroid nodule using a moving shot technique includes an ablation device configured to be inserted into a thyroid nodule. The ablation device has an electrode configured to be retracted along an axis defined through the thyroid nodule while delivering energy to the thyroid nodule. The system also includes an electrosurgical generator configured to delivery energy to the ablation device. An audio device is in communication with the electrosurgical generator. The audio device is configured to broadcast a sound correlated with at least one sensed tissue property such that the audio device changes the sound in response to a change in the at least one sensed tissue property.

A combination of a cryoprobe and an introducer is used during surgery to ablate unwanted tissue. The introducer includes a handle portion, a cannula portion, a first internal cavity extending through the handle portion, and a second internal cavity extending through the cannula portion. The first and second internal cavities communicate with one another and are sized to receive a portion of a probe shaft of the cryoprobe therethrough. When the probe shaft is inserted into the first and second internal cavities in the introducer, the distal end of the probe shaft is positionable adjacent the distal end of the introducer, and operation of the cryoprobe facilitates cooling of a portion of the cannula portion at the distal end of the introducer.

An elongate electrode is supported between two arms and configured to flex and generate plasma to incise tissue. Each of the arms is configured to penetrate tissue with the electrode supported therebetween to form a pocket with an incision. Each arm may comprise a distal tip shaped to penetrate tissue, and an internal curved structure such as a track is shaped to allow the electrode to slide over the curved structure while the electrode is tensioned. The internal curved structure may comprise an electrically insulating material that provides electrical insulation to the tensioned sliding electrode. An opening formed in a lumen allows the electrode to extended between the curved structure and the exposed portion of the electrode suspended between the two arms. The separation distance between the two arms can be adjusted to vary an exposed length of the electrode to create a pocket incision of varying width.

An apparatus and method for selectively heating adipose cells within a treatment region of a subject is disclosed. The method includes positioning the treatment region between first and second electrodes connected to a generator, and activating the generator to apply an alternating electric field between the first and second electrodes and across the treatment region to thereby heat the treatment region. The adipose cells heat at a faster rate than non-targets within the treatment region, which preferably results in the killing of the adipose cells.

A method is disclosed comprising obtaining or acquiring image or other data from one or more regions of a target using an imaging sensor. The image or other data may then be used to determine one or more regions of interest of the target. An ambient ionisation ion source may then be used to generate aerosol, smoke or vapour from one or more regions of the target.

A device for providing a magnetic treatment by evoking muscle contraction by a time-varying magnetic field and providing a RF treatment by heating biological structure. The device includes an applicator having an RF electrode and a magnetic field generating device. The device may also include a main unit, a human machine interface, and a control unit. The control unit adjusts a signal provided to the RF electrode and creates an RF circuit, and also adjusts the signal provided to the magnetic field generating device and creates a magnetic circuit electrically insulated from the RF circuit. The RF circuit may include a power source and a power amplifier, and the magnetic circuit may include an energy storage to supply the magnetic field generating device with electric current.

A device for providing a magnetic treatment by evoking muscle contraction by a time-varying magnetic field and providing a RF treatment by heating biological structure. The device may provide a pressure treatment. The device includes an applicator having an RF electrode and a magnetic field generating device. The device may also include a main unit, a human machine interface, and a control unit. The control unit adjusts a signal provided to the RF electrode and creates an RF circuit, and also adjusts the signal provided to the magnetic field generating device and creates a magnetic circuit electrically insulated from the RF circuit. The RF circuit may include a power source and a power amplifier, and the magnetic circuit may include an energy storage to supply the magnetic field generating device with electric current.

Embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods for treating the retina and/or other areas of a patient's eye. The procedures may involve using one or more treatment beams (e.g., lasers) to cause photocoagulation or laser coagulation to finely cauterize ocular blood vessels and/or prevent blood vessel growth to induce one or more therapeutic benefits. In other embodiments, a series of short duration light pulses (e.g., between 5-15 microseconds) may be delivered to the retinal tissue with a thermal relaxation time delay between the pulse to limit the temperature rise of the target retinal tissue and thereby limit a thermal effect to only the retinal pigment epithelial layer. Such procedures may be used to treat diabetic retinopathy, macular edema, and/or other conditions of the eye. The treatment beam may be delivered within a treatment boundary or pattern defined on the retina of the patient's eye.

Embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods for treating the retina and/or other areas of a patient's eye. The procedures may involve using one or more treatment beams (e.g., lasers) to cause photocoagulation or laser coagulation to finely cauterize ocular blood vessels and/or prevent blood vessel growth to induce one or more therapeutic benefits. In other embodiments, a series of short duration light pulses (e.g., between 5-15 microseconds) may be delivered to the retinal tissue with a thermal relaxation time delay between the pulse to limit the temperature rise of the target retinal tissue and thereby limit a thermal effect to only the retinal pigment epithelial layer. Such procedures may be used to treat diabetic retinopathy, macular edema, and/or other conditions of the eye. The treatment beam may be delivered within a treatment boundary or pattern defined on the retina of the patient's eye.

A method is provided for treating chronic piriformis muscle inflammation, commonly referred to as piriformis syndrome. The method includes percutaneous advancing an electrocautery probe through an incision at the back of the buttock, and navigating the probe under medical imaging toward a proximal end of a femur bone adjacent the greater trochanter. The probe is activated to cut the piriformis muscle or piriformis muscle insertion tendon at or adjacent the greater trochanter of the proximal femur to free the muscle and permanently alleviate muscle pain and tenderness.