A catheter includes a shaft for insertion into an organ of a patient, an expandable distal-end assembly, and at least an electrical interconnection. The expandable distal-end assembly is coupled to the shaft and includes multiple splines, at least one of the splines includes a flexible substrate, which is configured to conform to tissue of the organ. The electrical interconnection has: (i) a first section, which is formed within the flexible substrate and is configured to conduct ablation signals, and (ii) a second section thicker than the first section, which is formed over an outer surface of the flexible substrate and is configured to apply the ablation signals to the tissue.

An elongate medical device shaft may comprise an elongate body and an annular electrode disposed on the elongate body. The annular electrode may define a longitudinal axis and have an outer diameter. The outer diameter may be greater at an axial center of the electrode than at an axial end of the electrode. Additionally or alternatively, the elongate body may comprise three longitudinal sections having three wall thicknesses. The middle wall thickness may be less than the proximal and distal wall thicknesses and the distal wall thickness may be less than the proximal wall thickness. Additionally or alternatively, the shaft may comprise an inner cylindrical structure and an outer tube. The outer tube may comprise a first radial layer and a second radial layer that is radially-outward of the first radial layer, the first radial layer, second radial layer, and inner structure having different stiffnesses.

In a method of forming a FinFET, a first sacrificial layer is formed over a source/drain structure of a FinFET structure and an isolation insulating layer. The first sacrificial layer is recessed so that a remaining layer of the first sacrificial layer is formed on the isolation insulating layer and an upper portion of the source/drain structure is exposed. A second sacrificial layer is formed on the remaining layer and the exposed source/drain structure. The second sacrificial layer and the remaining layer are patterned, thereby forming an opening. A dielectric layer is formed in the opening. After the dielectric layer is formed, the patterned first and second sacrificial layers are removed to form a contact opening over the source/drain structure. A conductive layer is formed in the contact opening.

An apparatus includes a catheter shaft assembly and an end effector. The catheter shaft assembly includes an outer sheath with a distal end. The end effector is associated with a distal end of the catheter shaft assembly. The end effector includes a plurality of leaflets. The leaflets are configured to transition between a first configuration and a second configuration. The leaflets are configured to fit within the outer sheath in the first configuration. The leaflets are configured to expand outwardly away from the longitudinal axis in the second configuration in response to being exposed distally relative to the distal end of the outer sheath. Each leaflet includes a flexible body and a plurality of electrodes. Each flexible body defines a plurality of openings. The electrodes are positioned on the flexible body.

An end effector assembly of a forceps includes a first jaw with a tissue sealing surface and an electrode on the sealing surface, and a second jaw with a tissue sealing surface and an electrode on the sealing surface. The first jaw and the second jaw move between an open position and a closed position. The sealing surface of at least one of the first jaw and the second jaw has a rigid medial section and flexible lateral sections.

A medical device, system, and method having a flexible shaft and a multi-core fiber within the flexible shaft. The multi-core fiber includes a plurality of optical cores dedicated for shape sensing sensors, and a plurality of optical cores dedicated for force sensing sensors. A medical device flexing structure assembly can comprise a multi-core fiber comprising a plurality of cores, and a flexing structure comprising at least one slot. Each of the plurality of cores can comprise a fiber Bragg grating, and the flexing structure can be configured to bend in response to a force imparted on the flexing structure.

A vessel sealing instrument includes a housing having a shaft extending from a distal end thereof including an end effector assembly having opposing first and second jaw members operably coupled thereto. The jaw members movable between open and closed positions for clamping tissue with a closure pressure. The jaw members are adapted to connect to a generator for providing energy thereto. An anti-backdrive mechanism is operably associated with the end effector assembly, the anti-backdrive mechanism including first and second mesh-like electrodes disposed in opposing relation on respective first and second jaw members and including openings defined therein. The first and second mesh-like electrodes compressible between a first configuration for grasping tissue wherein the openings defined within each mesh-like electrode include a first diameter to a second configuration for sealing tissue wherein the openings defined within each mesh-like electrode expand to a second diameter configured to release steam upon activation.

An elongate electrode is configured to flex and generate plasma to incise tissue. An electrical energy source operatively coupled to the electrode is configured to provide electrical energy to the electrode to generate the plasma. A tensioning element is operatively coupled to the elongate electrode. The tensioning element can be configured to provide tension to the elongate electrode to allow the elongate electrode to flex in response to the elongate electrode engaging the tissue and generating the plasma. The tensioning element operatively coupled to the flexible elongate electrode may allow for the use of a small diameter electrode, such as a 5 μm to 20 μm diameter electrode, which can allow narrow incisions to be formed with decreased tissue damage. In some embodiments, the tensioning of the electrode allows the electrode to more accurately incise tissue by decreasing variations in the position of the electrode along the incision path.

A system for electroporation ablation including a catheter having an electrode assembly and one or more states. The electrode assembly may be in different shapes when the catheter is at different states. The controller is configured to generate, based on one or more models of electric fields, graphical representations of electric fields generated by the electrode assembly when the catheter is at different states. In some embodiments, the controller is configured to overlay the graphical representations of the one or more electric fields on an anatomical map of a patient.

An end effector of an electrosurgical device may include a first body, a first electrode on the left side of the first body, and a second electrode on the right side of the first body. The first and second electrodes may be configured to receive electrosurgical energy to treat tissue in a target treatment zone. The end effector may also include a fluid aspiration port in fluid communication with a fluid path. The fluid aspiration port may be configured to remove a material from the target treatment zone.