Abstract:
Various forms are directed to systems and methods for coagulation and dissection of tissue. A surgical instrument includes an end effector configured to seal and dissect tissue at a distal end thereof and a generator circuit that is configured to deliver energy to the end effector. A force sensor is in communication with the end effector and is configured to measure a force being applied to the tissue by the end effector. The energy delivered to the end effector is dynamic based on a determination of the type of tissue interacting with the end effector. The tissue type is determined based on a tissue coefficient that is calculated based on the measured force applied to the tissue by the end effector, the ultrasonic motion of the end effector, and a rate of heat generated by the end effector.
Abstract:
A device and method of using the device to detect the presence and composition of clots and other target objects in a circulatory vessel of a living subject is described. In particular, devices and methods of detecting the presence and composition of clots and other target objects in a circulatory vessel of a living subject using in vivo photoacoustic flow cytometry techniques is described.
Abstract:
A device for providing tactile stimulation of a subject via a pulse of compressible fluid, typically for medical diagnostic and therapeutic applications. The device preferably includes a high pressure fluid source and a low pressure fluid source. A pressure valve selectively connects the pressure sources to an outlet conduit. The outlet conduit includes an applicator for directing pulses against the skin of a subject. The pulses may be applied via one applicator or a plurality of applicators, and may be applied in one pattern or several patterns at various application sites. A method of providing tactile stimulation is also disclosed.
Abstract:
An instrumented surgical tool and associated systems and methods for performing surgical procedures such as tissue dissection or ligation using the instrumented surgical tool are described. In particular, a surgical tool operatively connected to a sensor used to detect a structural artifact such as the presence and characteristics of a blood vessel and to evaluate the safe use of the surgical tool within a surgical field is described.
Abstract:
A surgical system includes a surgical instrument including a conducting section transmitting ultrasound vibration generated by an ultrasound transducer to a distal end portion and transmitting a high-frequency output signal to the distal end portion, an ultrasound drive section outputting an ultrasound drive signal to the ultrasound transducer, a high-frequency output section outputting a high-frequency output signal to the conducting section, a detection section detecting an ultrasound impedance of a surgical site to which ultrasound energy and high-frequency energy are provided from the distal end portion by outputting both signals simultaneously to the surgical instrument, a determination section determining whether the detected ultrasound impedance is in a predetermined range, and a control section performing control to increase a high-frequency output value by a first predetermined amount or decrease the high-frequency output value by a second predetermined amount when the detected ultrasound impedance is out of the predetermined range.
Abstract:
A transducer arrangement causes target tissue of the body to vibrate and senses resulting vibration of the target tissue. Changes in one or more mechanical properties of the target tissue are measured based on the sensed vibration. Changes in one or more electromechanical properties of the target tissue can also be measured based on the sensed vibration and various electrical parameters. An output indicative of the measured changes in the one or more mechanical and/or electromechanical properties of the target tissue is generated. Changes in elasticity of the target tissue, for example, can be measured based on the sensed vibration, such as changes resulting from ablation of the target tissue.
Abstract:
A microprobe useful for assessing auditory function by enabling clinical and intraoperative measurements of blood flow, particularly cochlear blood flow and neural compound action potentials, particularly of the auditory nerve (cranial nerve VIII) is disclosed. In addition, a monitoring system containing this microprobe and a method of using the microprobe are described.
Abstract:
A surgical laser system (100) includes a first laser source (140A), a second laser source (140B), a beam combiner (142) and a laser probe (108). The first laser source is configured to output a first laser pulse train (144, 104A) comprising first laser pulses (146). The second laser source is configured to output a second laser pulse train (148, 104B) comprising second laser pulses (150). The beam combiner is configured to combine the first and second laser pulse trains and output a combined laser pulse train (152, 104) comprising the first and second laser pulses. The laser probe is optically coupled to an output of the beam combiner and is configured to discharge the combined laser pulse train.In some embodiments, a surgical laser system includes a laser generator (102), a laser probe (108), a stone analyzer (170), and a controller (122). The laser generator is configured to generate laser energy (104) based on laser energy settings (126). The laser probe is configured to discharge the laser energy. The stone analyzer has an output relating to a characteristic of a targeted stone (120). The controller comprises at least one processor configured to determine the laser energy settings based on the output.In some embodiments of a method of fragmenting a targeted kidney or bladder stone, a first laser pulse train (144) comprising first laser pulses (146) is generated using a first laser source (140A). A second laser pulse train (148) comprising second laser pulses (150) is generated using a second laser source (140B). The first and second laser pulse trains are combined into a combined laser pulse train (152) comprising the first and second laser pulses. The stone is exposed to the combined laser pulse train using a laser probe (108). The stone is fragmented in response to exposing the stone to the combined laser pulse train.In some embodiments of a method of fragmenting a targeted kidney or bladder stone, an output relating to a characteristic of the targeted stone (120) is generated using a stone analyzer (170). Embodiments of the characteristic include an estimated size of the stone, an estimated length of the stone, an estimated composition of the stone, and a vibration frequency measurement of the stone. Laser energy settings (126) are generated based on the output. Laser energy (104) is generated using a laser generator in accordance with the laser energy settings. The stone is exposed to the laser energy using a laser probe (108). The stone is fragmented in response to exposing the stone to the laser energy.In some embodiments of a method of fragmenting a targeted kidney or bladder stone (120), the stone is exposed to first laser energy (130) having a first power level using a laser probe (108). The stone is exposed to second laser energy (164) having a second power level using the laser probe, wherein the second power level is higher than the first power level. The stone is fragmented in response to exposing the stone to the second laser energy.
Abstract:
A system may include a stone analyzer, a controller, a laser generator, and a beam combiner. The stone analyzer may be configured to generate an output relating to a natural or resonance frequency of a kidney or bladder stone. The controller may be configured to determine the natural or resonance frequency of the stone based on the output from the stone analyzer, and match a resultant pulse repetition rate with the natural or resonance frequency. The laser generator may be configured to generate at least two laser pulse trains, with each laser pulse train including laser pulses at a pulse repetition rate. The beam combiner may be configured to combine the at least two laser pulse trains into a combined laser pulse train including laser pulses at the resultant pulse repetition rate.
Abstract:
A system and method for treating an arrhythmia in a heart are provided. The system includes an electronic control unit configured to monitor movement of one or more position sensor over a period of time. The position sensors may, for example, comprise electrodes or coils configured to generate induced voltages and currents in the presence of electromagnetic fields, The positions sensors are in contact with portions of heart tissue and changes in position are representative of motion of that tissue. The electronic control unit is further configured to generate an indicator, responsive to the movements of the sensors over the period of time, of a characteristic of the heart affected by delivery of ablation energy to heart tissue. In this manner, the effectiveness and safety of cardiac tissue ablation for treatment of the arrhythmia can be assessed and a post-ablation therapy regimen determined.