A medical device includes a heating element and at least one multifunctional wire coupled to the heating element. The multifunctional wire provides current for both heating the heating element and for determining the temperature of the medical device as a thermocouple. The heating element is further coupled to one or more additional wires for completing both a heating circuit and a thermocouple circuit in combination with the multifunctional wire. In one form, the multifunctional wire and a thermocouple return wire is coupled to a first end of the heating element and heating return wire is coupled to a second end of the heating element. In another form, a first multifunctional wire is coupled to the first end of the heating element, and a second multifunctional wire is coupled to the second end of the heating element.

Ablation systems and methods of the present disclosure include a catheter including one or more image sensors. The one or more image sensors can facilitate, for example, positioning an ablation electrode at a treatment site of an anatomic structure and, additionally or alternatively, can facilitate controlling delivery of therapeutic energy to a treatment site of an anatomic structure.

A multiple thermocouple assembly with a reduced wire count is configured for use in an ablation catheter tip. In at least one embodiment, the assembly comprises a first metal material comprising a plurality of junctions; a plurality of conductors comprising a second metal material, each conductor connected to the first metal material at one of the plurality of junctions; and a common conductor that is physically paired with at least one of the plurality of conductors at a corresponding common conductor junction such that the common conductor forms a thermocouple pair with each of the plurality of conductors.

An electrosurgical instrument comprising a first arm carrying at least a first and optionally a second and third electrode, and a second arm opposing the first arm, the second arm carrying one of a nonconductor element or one or more conductive elements.

An ablation applicator for an ablation device for ablating tissue of a blood vessel having a tubular body defining an inner lumen to which an ablation medium is conductible, a control mechanism for converting the tubular body between a passive operation mode for inserting the ablation applicator into the blood vessel and an active operation mode for ablating tissue of the blood vessel, and an ablation medium supply line for supplying the ablation medium to the inner lumen and positioned within the inner lumen and having a number of openings for passing the ablation medium from the ablation medium supply line to the inner lumen for thermally contacting the ablation medium with the tubular body wherein at least some of the openings are distributed along the ablation medium supply line with a predetermined spacing between neighboring openings. The ablation device can include a first temperature sensor arranged within the inner lumen and an ablation medium return line inside the tubular body made from a material that defines the active shape of the applicator.

Thermal cutting surgical instruments incorporate a blade incorporating a first substrate of high thermal conductivity material in the heated portion of the blade and a support and, the first substrate of high thermal conductivity material joined to a second substrate of low thermal conductivity material in the support region of the blade; an electrically insulative dielectric layer disposed on the first surface of the first substrate and on the first surface of second substrate; an electrically resistive heating element disposed on the electrically insulative dielectric; electrically conductive power leads and electrically conductive sense leads disposed on the electrically insulative dielectric layer and that are in electrical communication with the electrically resistive heating element; and an electrically insulative dielectric overcoat layer disposed on the electrically resistive heating element and on the distal portion of the electrically conductive power leads and electrically conductive sense leads.

A branch of an instrument comprising a metal part, which is embodied in one piece seamlessly, which comprises the electrode support as well as the electrode plate and connection webs. Preferably, this metal part is produced in an additive production method, for example selective laser melting (SLM). The branches are suitable for instruments for open surgery as well as for laparoscopic and flexible endoscopic instruments.

Various methods and systems are provided for fabricating a backing material for an acoustic probe. In one example, the backing material may include an additively manufactured meta-structure formed from layers of a tessellation pattern. A geometry of the tessellation pattern and an alignment of the layers may affect acoustic properties of the backing material.

An electrosurgical instrument may comprise a pair of jaw members configured to move between an open position and a closed position. In the closed position, the pair of jaw members may be configured to exert a gripping force on material placed between working surfaces of the pair of jaw members. A first jaw member of the pair of jaw members may comprise a first electrode, and a second jaw member of the pair of jaw members may comprise a second electrode and a third electrode.

Ablation systems and methods of the present disclosure control lesion depth and width such that, for example, wide and shallow lesions can be formed in target tissue in an anatomic structure of a patient during a medical procedure. Such wide and shallow lesions can be useful for treating, for example, thin tissue such as atrial tissue in atria of the heart of the patient.