A catheter for use with a suction source for removing excess fluid from a tissue treatment site has a catheter body, a distal section and a fluid evacuation path, where the distal section includes a multi-lumened member and at least one evacuation port, and the fluid evacuation path extends through a lumen in the multi-lumened member to provide suction communication between the suction source and the at least one evacuation port. The fluid evacuation path may also be configured for two-way flow, including distally and proximally along the catheter.

An apparatus includes a catheter having a flexible outer sheath and a flexible irrigation tube. The flexible outer sheath defines a first lumen. The flexible irrigation tube is positioned inside the first lumen and includes an inner layer and an outer coating layer. The inner layer is formed of a synthetic polymer compound and has a uniform cross-section with a hollow interior defining a second lumen. The outer coating layer is disposed around the inner layer. The outer coating layer is formed of a polymeric compound and includes first and second isomers. The first isomer is configured to carry a positive electric charge and the second isomer is configured to carry a negative electric charge.

Certain aspects relate to systems and techniques for an articulating monopolar medical instrument. In one aspect, the medical instrument includes a wrist comprising a proximal clevis and a distal clevis; an end effector coupled to the distal clevis via a distal axle; at least one proximal pulley in the proximal clevis; at least one distal pulley in the distal clevis and coupled to the distal axle; a first cable configured to engage with the at least one proximal pulley and the at least one distal pulley; and a second cable configured to engage with the at least one proximal pulley without engaging the at least one distal pulley.

An electrosurgical device comprises an electrically conductive elongate member for traversing body vasculature defining a hollow lumen with one or more apertures at or near its distal end, wherein electrical energy can flow through the wall of the elongate member; and an energy delivery device in electrical communication with the elongate member is located distal to the end of the elongate member. The energy delivery device includes an electrode for delivering energy. Methods of using the electrosurgical device include cutting through occlusions and creating transseptal punctures.

A surgical instrument includes an end effector assembly having first and second jaw members at least one of which is movable relative to the other between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween. A sheath is movable relative to the end effector assembly between a retracted position, wherein the sheath is positioned proximally of the first and second jaw members, and an extended position, wherein the sheath is disposed about the first and second jaw members. The sheath is configured to fluidly couple to a source of at least one of suction or irrigation to provide at least one of suction or irrigation at a surgical site.

Provided herein are expandable devices, rail systems, and motorized devices. in one embodiment, an expandable device comprises an expandable sac having a tool housed therein. The expandable device is optionally configured for operation while inside a body cavity. The expandable device optionally comprises at least one rail in the sac, and at least one railed device coupled to the rail for movement there on. Movement of the railed device on the rail is provided by, for example, a motor such as an electromagnetic motor or an inch-worm type motor. Expandable devices can be used, for example, to perform minimally invasive medical procedures requiring access to a body cavity. Expandable devices can also be used, for example, to provide safe and stable transport of instruments to the body cavity.

Certain aspects relate to systems and techniques for an articulating monopolar medical instrument. In one aspect, the medical instrument includes a wrist comprising a proximal clevis and a distal clevis; an end effector coupled to the distal clevis via a distal axle; at least one proximal pulley in the proximal clevis; at least one distal pulley in the distal clevis and coupled to the distal axle; a first cable configured to engage with the at least one proximal pulley and the at least one distal pulley; and a second cable configured to engage with the at least one proximal pulley without engaging the at least one distal pulley.

A wrist mechanism for a surgical instrument is disclosed. In some implementations, a surgical instrument includes an end effector and a unitary wrist mechanism coupled to the end effector, where the wrist mechanism is formed from a single piece of material. The wrist mechanism provides at least one degree of freedom to the end effector, and includes a plurality of link members linked together as well as one or more flexures, where at least one of the flexures includes a chain of a connected plurality of segments. Each flexure connects associated adjacent link members and enables rotational movement of the associated link members relative to each other to provide an associated degree of freedom to the end effector.

Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to, for example, a high-thermal-sensitivity ablation catheter tip with force measurement capability. More specifically, various aspects of the present disclosure are directed to improving the deformation consistency of the ablation catheter tip in response to various forces, and thereby improving force measurement accuracy of an ablation catheter system.

Various aspects of a skin treatment device and a method to cleanse and balance pH value of skin are disclosed herein. In accordance with an embodiment, the skin treatment device includes a nozzle to be directed into contact with the skin of a subject. A vacuum pump may be operably coupled to the nozzle for generating a suction force of the nozzle to evacuate impurities from the skin. A liquid replenishing assembly may be operably coupled to the nozzle for atomizing liquid at a pre-defined pH value. The liquid from the liquid replenishing assembly may pass into the nozzle based on the pre-defined pH value. The first control valve may be connected to an outlet of the vacuum pump and an outlet of the liquid replenishing assembly for communication with the nozzle.