Abstract:
The present disclosure relates to methods and devices for surgically manipulating tissue. In general, the methods and devices can include an elongate retractor shaft having a distal retractor tip that is configured to manipulate tissue, for example the tip can be configured to separate muscle and nerve fibers surrounding a vertebra. The elongate retractor shaft can include an illumination source such that at least a portion of the surgical field is illuminated by the device when the device is used in the body. A sensor can also or alternatively be included on the elongate retractor shaft, for example on the blunt retraction tip, such that the sensor can monitor physiological parameters of the tissue in or adjacent to the surgical field.
Abstract:
An ultrasonic surgical instrument is provided. The ultrasonic surgical instrument includes a housing having an elongated shaft extending therefrom. The shaft defines a longitudinal axis therethrough and has at least one jaw member disposed at a distal end thereof. The jaw member(s) is movable between open and clamping configurations. A probe extends through the shaft and operably couples to the housing. The probe includes a cutting blade at a distal end thereof adjacent the jaw member(s) to treat tissue of interest. The jaw member(s) and cutting blade are configured such that heat damage to tissue adjacent tissue of interest that has been treated by the cutting blade is reduced and/or eliminated.
Abstract:
Apparatus and methods for delivering high frequency energy to tissue with improved temperature sensing. The treatment apparatus may be a delivery device (14) positiortable adjacent to the tissue (30). The delivery device (14) may further include an electrode (16) adapted to deliver high frequency energy to the tissue (30) and at least one thermal sensor (64, 69, 75, 81, 100, 118, 130, 162, 202). In one embodiment, the thermal sensor (64, 100, 1 18, 130, 162, 202) may include one or more thermocouple junctions (70, 110, 112, 132, 142, 168, 175, 210, 214) of dissimilar metals formed by either thin film or thick film techniques. Alternatively, the thermal sensor (69, 75, 81) may include a body (74, 80, 82) composed of a resistive material having a resistance that varies with temperature to an extent sufficient to measure the skin temperature. A region of the delivery device near the thermal sensor may be heated by a heater (96), before skin contact is established during treatment, for purposes of detecting contact by the occurrence of heat loss from the delivery device region.
Abstract:
A long-term implantable ultrasound therapy system (11) and method is provided that provides directional, focused ultrasound to localized regions of tissue within body joints, such as spinal joints. An ultrasound emitter or transducer (16) is delivered to a location within the body associated with the joint and heats the target region of tissue associated with the joint from the location. Such locations for ultrasound transducer placement may include for example in or around the intervertebral discs (1), or the bony structures such as vertebral bodies or posterior vertebral elements such as facet joints. Various modes of operation provide for selective, controlled heating at different temperature ranges to provide different intended results in the target tissue, which ranges are significantly affected by pre-stressed tissues such as in-vivo intervertebral discs. In particular, treatments above 70 degrees C, and in particular 75 degrees C, are used for structural remodeling, whereas lower temperatures achieves other responses without appreciable remodeling.
Abstract:
The malleable cryosurgical probe (10) includes a cryostat assembly and a cryoprobe assembly. The cryostat assembly includes an elongated shaft assembly (12) having at least one malleable segment (28) thereof and a closed distal end (34). The shaft assembly includes at least one freezing portion, at least one thermally insulated portion and a thermally insulating element positioned about the thermally insulated portion. A cryostat (14) is operably associated with the elongated shaft assembly. It includes a cryostat inlet (42) for receiving gas entering the cryostat, a cryostat outlet (44) and a heat exchanger (40) positioned between the cryostat outlet and the cryostat inlet. The heat exchanger receives gas from the cryostat inlet and provides heat transfer between gas flowing within the cryostat and fluid exterior thereto. At least one joule-Thomson nozzle is in fluid communication with the cryostat outlet. The at least one Joule-Thomson nozzle expands gas expelled therefrom. The expanded cold fluid communicates with the freezing portion to provide cooling thereof. The cryoprobe assembly includes a handle assembly for supporting the cryostat assembly and a fluid supply line assembly connectable to a fluid source at one end and to the cryostat inlet at a second end. The heat exchanger is positioned at a location longitudinally spaced from the freezing portion(s).
Abstract:
A device and method for treating tissue at a treatment site. The device and method include supplying controlled energy to a heating portion of the device positioned within a tissue wall at the treatment site. The size of the heating portion and energy supplied provides for ablation of the tissue to form a cavity within the tissue wall without ablating the surfaces of the tissue wall. Treatment fluid can then be supplied through the device to the cavity to supplement growth of blood vessels or retard such growth of the treatment site. The device can also be used to create an injury zone at a treatment site without ablating tissue, wherein the injury zone can be injected with treatment fluid. The device and method has use anywhere within the body, especially in the regions of the heart.
Abstract:
An orally or nasally insertable apparatus for identifying and treting specific tissues proximate to a human ear eustachian tube. The apparatus incorporates pressure differential feedback elements, a temperature sensor, and RF electrodes capable of heating targeted areas to 70 degrees Celsius.
Abstract:
An energy delivery system and method control the frequency of the power driving an ultrasonic device (24) to achieve more efficient power delivery. During operation of the ultrasonic device to deliver power to a patient site (16), the system and method automatically sweep the drive power through a frequency range, locate the series and parallel resonance frequencies, calculate the average of those frequencies and lock the power generator at that average frequency to drive the crystal. This frequency sweep procedure occurs automatically when the ultrasonic crystal is located at the patient site and the power generator operator presses the power-on switch to apply power. The method of tuning the power generator thus occurs when the crystal is at the site temperature and is transparent to the operator. The application of an external bio-layer to the crystal increases its bandwidth and its robustness. Mounting a temperature sensor (28) or sensors at the crystal permits monitoring of the crystal temperature and allows drive level control over the power generator to control the temperature at the crystal.
Abstract:
An apparatus for ablating at least a portion of a uvula includes an electrode means with a proximal end, and an electrode means distal end sharpened sufficiently to pierce an exterior of the uvula without a retainer device supporting the uvula. An advancement and retraction means coupled to the electrode means is configured to advance the electrode means distal end through an exterior surface of the uvula and into an interior region of the uvula. The advancement and retraction means is configured to retract the electrode means distal end from the interior of the uvula. Handle means is coupled to the electrode means proximal end. Cabling means is coupled to the electrode means. The treatment is made by the use of RF energy. Aspiration and infusion means are provided.
Abstract:
An apparatus including an aspiration conduit (1), a pump (2) and a pressure transducer (3) and logic console (4) which determines vacuum level fluctuations in the aspiration conduit. The aspiration conduit is connected to a surgical cavity. The pump (2) creates a vacuum in the aspiration conduit (1) downstream and transports the fluid and/or tissue material from the surgical cavity, through the aspiration conduit and into a collection container (11). The logic console (4) responds to a predetermined rate of decrease in vacuum in the aspiration conduit (2) and causes an electric signal to be sent to the pump (2), which upon receipt of the signal reverses its action and/or to an electromechanical valve located along the aspiration conduit (2) that in response to receipt of the signal occludes the aspiration conduit and terminates the removal of tissue or fluid from the surgical cavity. The reversal of rotation prevents the occurrence of a fluid surge that would result in the collapse of a surgical cavity. In addition, a surgical tool (24) is disconnected from its source of power when the temperature of the surgical tool is above a predetermined value.