Described here are methods and systems for the manipulation of ovarian tissues. The methods and systems may be used in the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The systems and methods may be useful in the treatment of infertility associated with PCOS.

An electrode unit of the invention includes: an electrode including one end and another end, the other end including a free end; and an electrode supporting portion that supports the one end of the electrode. The electrode is disposed in a second plane that is different from a first plane in which the electrode supporting portion is moved to advance or withdraw when the electrode supporting portion is moved to advance or withdraw in a direction along a longitudinal axis of the electrode supporting portion, and the electrode is supported by the electrode supporting portion via a flexed portion projecting from the first plane to the second plane.

An apparatus is provided to detect electrical contact between anatomical tissue and a shield conductor: a transformer; an alternating current (AC) reference frequency signal generator to inject a reference frequency signal to a primary winding of the transformer; a reactive impedance coupled in parallel with a secondary winding of the transformer between a first node and a second node; and a phase match detector circuit to detect a phase match between the reference frequency signal and a reflected reference frequency signal that is reflected from the secondary winding to the primary winding.

An end effector assembly for use with a forceps includes a pair of jaw members, a knife assembly, and one or more cam assemblies. One or more of the jaw members are moveable relative to the other about a pivot between open and closed positions. One or more of the jaw members include a knife channel. The pivot includes first and second sections defining a passage therebetween. The knife assembly includes a knife blade and an actuation shaft. The knife blade is disposed distally relative to the pivot. The actuation shaft is configured for slidable translation through the passage to allow selective advancement of the knife blade through the knife channel. The one or more cam assemblies are operably coupled to the one or more moveable jaw members and are actuatable to move the one or more jaw members between the open and closed positions for grasping tissue therebetween.

An apparatus includes a shaft assembly, first and second electrode assemblies, and a controller. The shaft assembly is configured to fit in a nasal cavity of a patient. The first and second electrode assemblies are at the distal end of the shaft assembly. The second electrode assembly includes a stimulus electrode and a sensing electrode. The stimulus and sensing electrodes are positioned on opposing lateral sides in relation to the longitudinal axis of the shaft assembly. The controller is operable to generate an electrical signal to perform one or both of tissue ablation or denervation of a targeted nerve via the first electrode assembly, generate an electrical stimulus signal to stimulate the targeted nerve via the stimulus electrode of the second electrode assembly, and process a response signal received from the targeted nerve via the sensing electrode of the second electrode assembly.

An intravascular catheter for nerve activity ablation and/or sensing includes one or more needles advanced through supported guide tubes (needle guiding elements) which expand to contact the interior surface of the wall of the renal artery or other vessel of a human body allowing the needles to be advanced though the vessel wall into the extra-luminal tissue including the media, adventitia and periadvential space. The catheter also includes structures which provide radial and lateral support to the guide tubes so that the guide tubes open uniformly and maintain their position against the interior surface of the vessel wall as the sharpened needles are advanced to penetrate into the vessel wall. Electrodes at the distal ends of the guide tubes allow sensing of nerve activity before and after attempted renal denervation. In a combination embodiment ablative energy or fluid is delivered to ablate nerves outside of the media.

Disclosed embodiments include apparatuses, systems, and methods for positioning electrodes within a body. In an illustrative embodiment, an apparatus for slidably moving multiple features relative to a sheath insertable into a body and positionable relative to a reference point includes a primary actuator configured to move a primary electrode to a first position. A secondary actuator is configured to move a secondary electrode to a second position. A shrouding device is configured to selectively prevent access to the secondary actuator until the primary actuator has been manipulated to extend the primary electrode to the first position.

Disclose are a radio-frequency ablation catheter and a radio-frequency ablation system. The radio-frequency ablation catheter includes a needle tube portion and a handle portion. A sleeve of the handle portion is mounted around a booster of the handle portion. A puncture tube of the needle tube portion is fixed to an end of the sleeve. An electrode tube and a signal conduit of the needle tube portion are disposed passing through the puncture tube. A plurality of needles are provided on the electrode tube and a plurality of supports are provided on the signal conduit. The plurality of supports correspond to the plurality of needles respectively. A plurality of temperature sensors are provided at ends of the plurality of supports.

Described herein are cannulas that comprise a cannula tube and a cannula tip. The cannula tube comprises a proximal end, a distal end, a cannula tube lumen, a sidewall, and a sidewall opening extending through the sidewall, the sidewall opening a proximal end and distal end. The cannula tip is secured to the distal end of the cannula tube and comprises a proximal tip portion that is inserted into the cannula tube lumen and a distal tip portion that extends beyond the distal end of the cannula tube. The cannula tip is configured to allow fluid to flow therethrough and is configured to eject a distal tip of an elongated device through the sidewall opening of the cannula tube as the elongated device is inserted through the cannula tube from the proximal end of the cannula tube.