摘要:
A tissue electrode assembly includes a membrane configured to form an expandable, conformable body that is deployable in a patient. The assembly further includes a flexible circuit positioned on a surface of the membrane and comprising at least one base substrate layer, at least one insulating layer and at least one planar conducting layer. An electrically-conductive electrode covers at least a portion of the flexible circuit and a portion of the surface of the membrane not covered by the flexible circuit, wherein the electrically-conductive electrode is foldable upon itself with the membrane to a delivery conformation having a diameter suitable for minimally-invasive delivery of the assembly to the patient.
摘要:
An electrosurgical generator includes one or more radio frequency (RF) power sources and an output stage including at least two output lines for connection to an electrosurgical instrument. The generator includes means for measuring a parameter associated with the electrosurgical procedure, such as the impedance measured across two of the output lines. A controller controls the generator such that it delivers a first RF waveform (such as a cutting signal) or a second RF waveform (such as a coagulating signal) to the output lines, and, in a combined mode, both first and second waveforms. The controller automatically adjusts at least one aspect of one or both waveforms in the combined mode, in response to the measured parameter associated with the surgical procedure.
摘要:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a surgical cutting and fixing instrument to simultaneously make a longitudinal incision in tissue and apply lines of staples on opposing sides of the incision. SOLUTION: The instrument comprises a handle 6 and an end effector 12 connected to the handle. The end effector comprises upper and lower opposing jaw members 24 and 22, wherein the upper jaw member comprises a plurality of colinear, separately actuable, RF electrodes. One embodiment is pertinent to a cordless motor-powered instrument. The instrument may comprise a torque-limiting device to limit the torque supplied by the motor, to limit thereby actuation forces that may damage components of the instrument. COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT
摘要:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a system and method for selectively applying electrical energy to a target location within a patient's body, particularly including tissue in the spine. SOLUTION: This system applies high frequency RF electrical energy to one or more electrode terminals 58 in the presence of electrically conductive fluid 50 to remove, contract or otherwise modify the structure of tissue structures. In one aspect of the invention, a method is provided for treating herniated discs within a patient's spine by applying sufficient electrical energy to the disc tissue to reduce a volume of the disc, thereby relieving pressure on a spinal nerve. In one embodiment, the high frequency voltage is sufficient to ablate a portion of the nucleus pulposis, either the extruded portion outside of the annulus or a portion or all of the pulposis within the annulus. In another embodiment, the electrode terminal is advanced into the annulus and sufficient high frequency voltage is applied to contract or shrink the collagen fibers within the nucleus pulposis. This causes the pulposis to shrink and withdraw from its impingement on the spinal nerve. COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT
摘要:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a system which supplies catheter electrodes with energy selectively basing on their impedance measurements thereby to provide improved ablation performance and improved energetic efficiency; a method; and a catheter. SOLUTION: The system supplies catheter electrodes with energy which are arranged toward the diametric directions as well as at the top of the catheter to form an almost serial tissue touching surface, selectively basing on their respective impedance measurements indicating their respective degrees to which they touch a tissue. COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT
摘要:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide systems and methods for monitoring and reliably controlling the application of energy ablating body tissue, to provide therapeutic results by a consistent and predictable method. SOLUTION: A method for ablating the living body tissue includes a process to supply ablating energy to an electrode 16, a process to transmit heat from the electrode 16, a process to sense temperature in the electrode 16, a process to sense electric power from the electrode, and a process to predict the maximum tissue temperature condition ocurring beneath the tissue-electrode interface from the sensed temperature and electric power. COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI
摘要:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an improved system and method to carry out ablation of tissue using a plurality of ablation elements. SOLUTION: The system comprises: at least one temperature sensing element set in an emitter to measure temperature at each energy emitter site; a power controller which sends ablation energy individually in the order of power pulses by combining ablation energy sources to respective energy emitters; a processing element which periodically reads temperature measured by each temperature sensor, compares the read temperature with a desired temperature established for each emitter, and individually generates signals to each emitter on the basis of the comparison result; and a temperature controller which is connected to the power controller for individually changing power pulses to each emitter on the basis of signals for each emitter and keeps temperatures for all the emitters at a substantially desired temperature during the ablation of tissue. COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO