A tissue sensing device for use with an electrosurgical knife is proposed which comprises a proximal end portion, a distal end portion and a grip portion there between. The proximal end portion is configured for attachment to a housing of the electrosurgical knife. The distal end portion is configured for movably supporting a blade of the knife. A distal end of an optical fiber is arranged at the distal end portion of the device and a proximal end of the optical fiber is connectable to an optical console, so that optical measurements can be performed at the distal end portion.

An electrosurgical probe for ablating tissue includes an elongated shaft having an axis and a distal end. An electrically insulating housing at the distal end of the shaft has a window, and an interior channel in the shaft extends through the housing to the window. The window faces laterally relative to the axis, and a moveable member with a blade-like electrode edge is disposed within the window. A motor drives the energized electrode edge axially in the window to ablate tissue.

A method and apparatus for treating tissue are disclosed, including intra-operative mapping of a probe ablation zone. The method uses a system that maps the proximal and distal margins of the probe ablation zone using tools that access the ablation target. In some embodiments, the tools comprise a bone drill, and an introducer assembly, including a cannula and a stylet. The tools have features or markings that cooperate to indicate which probe to use to achieve the desired ablation. The method further facilitates planning probe placement for delivering energy to treat (ablate) a desired ablation volume of a target tissue by using a system that maps both the target tissue and possible probe ablation zones.

An intervertebral disc surgical system has at least one optical cannula configured with a working channel and an optical channel, wherein the working channel and the optical channel are positioned parallel to one another. The working channel is configured to receive the elongated tubular member of an electrosurgical instrument and the optical channel is configured to receive an optical scope. The optical cannula has an optical cannula operative end for entering an operative field of a patient.

Electrode devices are provided having certain thin film components, including at least one thin film contact and a temperature sensor associated with the contact. The temperature sensor can be used to monitor the temperature during use of the electrode device, including during electrical stimulation or ablation. Further, the temperature sensor can be used to identify the most effective temperature for stimulation or ablation.

A probe for ablating tissue comprises an electrosurgical working end configured to provide a first plasma about a first surface location and a second plasma about a second surface location, the first plasma having first ablation parameters and the second plasma having second ablation parameters. The probe has a working end with a thickness below 3 mm and produces a low temperature plasma.

A surgical manipulator and method of operating the same. The surgical manipulator includes an arm with a plurality of links and joints, wherein an angle between adjacent links forms a joint angle. The arm includes a distal end configured to support a surgical instrument with an energy applicator. At least one controller is coupled to the arm and models the surgical instrument and the energy applicator as a virtual rigid body. The controller(s) determine a commanded pose for the surgical instrument and the energy applicator based on a summation of a plurality of forces and/or torques, wherein the plurality of forces and/or torques are selectively applied to the virtual rigid body to emulate orientation and movement of the surgical instrument and the energy applicator. The controller(s) determine commanded joint angles for the arm that place the surgical instrument and the energy applicator according to the commanded pose.

An assembly for radiofrequency ablation of tissue. The assembly includes a cannula and an electrode. A cannula body includes a cannula bend, and a single side opening radially positioned on an outer side of the cannula body. The outer side may be opposite an inner side on which a tip terminates at a point. A cannula hub may include indicia on a face that corresponds to the inner side. An electrode bend of an electrode body may be formed at a same axial location along its length as the cannula bend is formed along the length of the cannula body. The electrode may include a thermocouple near a distal end of the electrode body to be either directed through the single side opening in a dual active tip mode, or seated in a distal section of the cannula body in a single active tip mode.

A handpiece for a surgical instrument, having a lumen for the provision of suction or fluids to the surgical instrument, the lumen being formed from at least two concentrically arranged tubes, one of the tubes being formed from metal, and the other of the tubes being formed from an electrically insulating material, the arrangement being such as to prevent electrical charge carried by any fluid within the lumen from leaking to an external surface of the lumen. In one example the at least two concentrically arranged tubes define a tube connector having a distal end and a proximal end, wherein the proximal end is located within a receiving formation in the handpiece and the distal end protrudes outwardly from the handpiece.

A tissue cutting probe includes an outer sleeve assembly, an inner sleeve assembly, a burr and an electrode. Each of the inner and outer sleeves has a proximal end, a distal end, and central passage extending therebetween. The inner sleeve assembly is coaxially and rotatably received in the central passage of the outer sleeve assembly, and the burr has a plurality of metal cutting edges carried on a first side of the distal end of the inner sleeve assembly. The electrode is carried a second side of the distal end of the inner sleeve assembly.