A method of analysis using mass spectrometry and/or ion mobility spectrometry is disclosed. The method comprises: using a first device to generate smoke, aerosol or vapour from a target comprising or consisting of a microbial population; mass analysing and/or ion mobility analysing said smoke, aerosol or vapour, or ions derived therefrom, in order to obtain spectrometric data; and analysing said spectrometric data in order to analyse said microbial population.

Systems and methods deploy a therapeutic or diagnostic element into contact with a body tissue region. The systems and methods can sense position of the therapeutic or diagnostic element relative to a targeted tissue region without direct or indirect visualization, by sensing fluid pressure in a fluid path having an outlet located at or near the therapeutic or diagnostic element. The systems and methods can also inflate the therapeutic or diagnostic element during use, while taking steps to avoid over-inflation and/or while dynamically monitoring the pressure conditions within the expanded element.

A surgical instrument end effector assembly includes a first jaw member defining an insulative tissue-contacting surface and first and second electrically-conductive tissue-contacting surfaces disposed on either side of the insulative surface. A second jaw member of the end effector assembly includes an ultrasonic blade body positioned to oppose the insulative surface of the first jaw member, and first and second electrically-conductive tissue-contacting surfaces disposed on either side of the ultrasonic blade body and positioned to oppose the first and second electrically-conductive surfaces, respectively, of the first jaw member. The first jaw member is movable relative to the second jaw member between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position to grasp tissue therebetween. The first and second electrically-conductive surfaces of the second jaw member are movable, independent of the first jaw member, relative to the first jaw member and the ultrasonic blade body between a retracted position and an extended position.

A medical treatment device includes: a pair of holding members configured to grasp a target part to be connected in a body tissue; an energy application portion provided on at least one holding member of the pair of holding members, the energy application portion being configured to contact the target part when the target part is grasped by the pair of holding members to apply energy to the target part; and a processor including hardware. The processor is configured to cause the energy application portion to: apply high-frequency energy to the target part for a first period; apply ultrasound energy to the target part for a second period subsequent to the first period; and apply heat energy to the target part for a third period subsequent to the second period.

An ultrasonic treatment tool includes: an ultrasonic oscillator in which a plurality of piezoelectric elements configured to generate ultrasonic oscillation are arranged along a longitudinal axis direction of the ultrasonic oscillator, the ultrasonic oscillator being configured to transmit the ultrasonic oscillation from a proximal end side to a distal end side of the ultrasonic oscillator; a contact receiver configured to transmit power and a control signal to the ultrasonic oscillator; and a floating structure configured to suppress transmission of ultrasonic oscillation generated by the ultrasonic oscillator to the contact receiver or dampen the ultrasonic oscillation.

A training data generation method includes: obtaining output information related to an electrical characteristic value in an energy treatment tool when ultrasound energy is being applied from the energy treatment tool to a body tissue; obtaining photography data that contains a photograph taken of a state in which the ultrasound energy is being applied to the body tissue; obtaining a label from the photography data; and adding the label to the output information to generate the training data.

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to the treatment of hypertension, diabetes, obesity, heart failure, end-stage renal disease, digestive disease, urological disease, cancers, tumors, pains, asthma, pulmonary arterial hypertension, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease by delivering of an effective amount of formulations at desired temperature to target tissue. The formulations include gases, vapors, liquids, solutions, emulsions and suspensions of one or more ingredients. The temperature may enhance safety and efficacy of the formulations for the treatments. The amounts of the formulation and/or energy are effective to injury or damage the tissues to have a benefit of symptom relive.

A surgical system is disclosed including impedance sensors and a control circuit. The impedance sensors are configured to apply a therapeutic level of RF energy to tissue, sense a real time impedance of the tissue, sense a first tissue impedance based on an initial contact with the tissue, sense a second tissue impedance of the tissue without applying a therapeutic amount of RF energy to the tissue. The control circuit is configured to determine a control parameter of a motor based on the first tissue impedance and the second tissue impedance, determine a percentage of use of an end effector, detect a change of the real time impedance of the tissue, adjust the control parameter of the motor based on the change of the real time impedance and the percentage of use of the end effector, and control delivery of a therapeutic energy application to the tissue.

A surgical instrument with a rotatable and articulatable end effector. The end effector includes first and second jaws that are movable between an open position and a closed position by an axially movable drive member. The end effector is coupled to an elongate shaft such that the end effector is rotatable relative to the shaft about a shaft axis when the drive member is rotated. A releasable lock system is provided to selectively lock the end effector in a desired rotary position.

Described is an apparatus for locally monitoring nerve activity that may be incorporated into a nerve ablation catheter. Such a catheter is equipped with magnetic sensing for both identifying nerves and assessing the success of the ablation. The catheter is also equipped with an ablation instrument for both stimulating and destroying nerve tissue.