90results about "Instrument probes" patented technology

An apparatus and method for phototherapy are described in which laser light or other radiation is projected from within a catheter, through a balloon member, and toward the surface of tissue. The light reflected from body fluids or the tissue surface is captured by a collecting device located within the catheter, e.g., within the balloon member, and the intensity of the reflected light is ascertained. The apparatus and method provides for accurately positioning the apparatus against the tissue treatment site.

Methods and apparatus are disclosed for forming annular lesions in tissue. The methods include introduction of an optical apparatus proximate to a tissue site, via, for example, a catheter. The optical apparatus includes a pattern-forming optical wave guide in communication with a light transmitting optical fiber. Energy is transmitted through the optical fiber, such that radiation is propagated through the optical fiber and the wave guide projects an annular light pattern, e.g., a circle or a halo.

The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and method for preventing reuse of a surgical instrument. The single-use surgical instrument includes a housing, an electrical connector and a treatment component. Indicia may be printed on the housing, the electrical connector and / or the treatment component. A removable ink is applied to any portion of the surgical instrument in the form of indicia that is readable by a scanning device. The removable ink includes a protein-based composition that is reactivateable with a sterilization solution having an enzyme-based composition such that upon sterilization, the removable ink reacts with the sterilizing solution and becomes unreadable by the scanning device.

The present invention provides devices and methods for the treatment of atrial fibrillation. In one embodiment a deflectable sheath catheter includes an elongate catheter body having proximal and distal ends, the distal end having a distal tip region that includes a plurality of flexible segments with varying degrees of stiffness. A handle portion can be located at the proximal end of the catheter body to provide a steering mechanism that causes the distal tip region to deflect according to a compound curve.

Ablation methods and instruments are disclosed for creating lesions in tissue, especially cardiac tissue for treatment of arrhythmias and the like. Percutaneous ablation instruments in the form of coaxial catheter bodies are disclosed having at least one central lumen therein and having one or more balloon structures at the distal end region of the instrument. The instruments include an energy emitting element which is independently positionable within the lumen of the instrument and adapted to project radiant energy through a transmissive region of a projection balloon to a target tissue site. The instrument can optionally include at least one expandable anchor balloon disposed about, or incorporated into an inner catheter body designed to be slid over a guidewire. This anchor balloon can serve to position the device within a lumen, such as a pulmonary vein. A projection balloon structure is also disclosed that can be slid over the first (anchor balloon) catheter body and inflated within the heart, to define a staging from which to project radiant energy. An ablative fluid can also be employed outside of the instrument (e.g., between the balloon and the target region) to ensure efficient transmission of the radiant energy when the instrument is deployed. In another aspect of the invention, generally applicable to a wide range of cardiac ablation instruments, mechanisms are disclosed for determining whether the instrument has been properly seated within the heart, e.g., whether the device is in contact with a pulmonary vein and / or the atrial surface, in order to form a lesion by heating, cooling or projecting energy. This contact-sensing feature can be implemented by an illumination source situated within the instrument and an optical detector that monitors the level of reflected light. Measurements of the reflected light (or wavelengths of the reflected light) can thus be used to determine whether contact has been achieved and whether such contact is continuous over a desired ablation path.

The present invention provides devices and methods for the treatment of atrial fibrillation. In one embodiment, a deflectable sheath catheter includes an elongate catheter body having proximal and distal ends, a deflectable end section at the distal end of the catheter body, which upon deflection causes the distal end segment to bend into various curved positions within a plane of deflection, and a bent tip oriented in a direction that is out of the plane of deflection.

An indwelling venous catheter and method capable of destroying undesirable cellular growth is provided. The catheter includes a shaft having at least one lumen and adapted to be placed inside a vein for long term use. A plurality of electrodes are positioned near a distal section of the shaft and are adapted to receive from a voltage generator a plurality of electrical pulses in an amount sufficient to cause destruction of cells in the undesirable cellular growth that have grown around the shaft. In one aspect of the invention, a probe is configured to be removably insertable into the at least one lumen and the electrodes are positioned near the distal section of the probe.

A laser therapy system and method of cutting and vaporizing a tissue body which includes a fiber optic which is inserted into the lumen of a catheter and operable between an extended position wherein a distal end portion of the fiber optic is positioned to cut and vaporize a tissue body and a retracted position wherein the fiber optic is received within the lumen of the catheter. The catheter incorporates at a distal end portion a means for removing attached tissue fragments and the like from the distal end portion of the fiber optic such that tissue fragments stuck to the distal end portion of the fiber optic can be removed while the catheter and fiber remain at the treatment site. This improved system eliminates the need to completely remove the fiber optic during the cutting and vaporization procedure in order to remove the fragments and debris.

Methods and instruments are disclosed for creating lesions in tissue, especially cardiac tissue, for treatment of arrhythmias and the like, by employing an elastic balloon and an energy emitter, which is independently positionable within the lumen of the instrument and adapted to project a series of spots of ablative energy through a transmissive region of the balloon to a target tissue site. The energy emitter preferably is configured such the spots of energy result in a series of lesions formed in the target tissue region when the emitter is activated, the lesions having an average area ranging from about 5 mm2 to about 100 mm2. In one aspect of the invention, percutaneous ablation instruments are disclosed in the form of catheter bodies having one or more balloon structures at the distal end region of the instrument and an energy emitting element, which is independently positionable and rotatable within a lumen of the instrument and adapted to project ablative energy through a transmissive region of the balloon to a target tissue site in contact with, or proximal to, the balloon surface.

In an apparatus for directing a laser beam to a dental treatment area, where the apparatus includes a hand piece having an optical subsystem including a turning mirror for directing a laser beam to a treatment area via an orifice of the hand piece, a fluid supply subsystem creates a fluid flow within the hand piece proximate the turning mirror so as to mitigate contamination thereof.

The invention discloses an electric coagulation forceps system with an open-type suction groove. The electric coagulation forceps system comprises a forceps body and a base. The forceps body comprises a forceps tip and a forceps rod and is characterized in that the half-opened type suction groove is formed in the forceps rod, the front end of the suction groove is connected with an suction channel inside the forceps tip, an outlet in the rear end of the suction groove is provided with a socket, the system further comprises a sealing device matched with the suction groove, and the section of the suction groove is semicircular. The half-opened suction groove is formed in the forceps body; when the electric coagulation forceps system is used, the sealing device is tightly pressed on the suction groove so that the suction groove can form a closed pace; when hematocele needs to be eliminated, the system can work as long as the socket is connected with a suction machine in an operating room; after the system is used, the sealing device can be taken down, and a user only needs to wash the suction groove. The electric coagulation forceps system is simple in principle, can simultaneously execute hemostasis work and suction work, and is convenient to clean.

An electrosurgical instrument for spinal procedures comprises a generally scoop-shaped cup whose periphery is electrically active and is capable of applying RF electrosurgical currents to spinal tissue. The active electrode may comprise an exposed bare wire at the leading edge of the cup. A conduit in a handle section can convey suction to the cup. A tissue clearing member is pivotably mounted on or inside the cup and can be manipulated via a lever on the handle to help dislodge tissue. The tissue clearing member may be a radially-extending vane for rotation in the plane of the cup edge. The tissue clearing member may also be made electrically active thus selectively providing unipolar or bipolar operation.

The present invention provides an apparatus for performing a minimally-invasive procedure. The apparatus comprising: a shaft having a distal end and a proximal end; a monopolar knife assembly attachedto the distal end of the shaft, the monopolar knife assembly comprising a knife; a handle attached to the proximal end of the shaft; wherein the shaft comprises a flexible portion and an articulatingportion, wherein the flexible portion extends distally from the handle and the articulating portion extends distally from the flexible portion; at least one articulation cable extends from the handleto the articulating portion, such that when tension is applied to the at least one articulation cable, the articulating portion deflects; an actuation element extends through the shaft from the handle to the knife, such that when the actuation element is moved, the knife is moved; and the actuation element transmits electrical power from the handle to the knife.

A bipolar forceps may include a first forceps arm having a first forceps arm conductor tip; a second forceps arm having a second forceps arm conductor tip; and an input conductor isolation mechanism having a first forceps arm housing and a second forceps arm housing. The first forceps arm may be disposed in the first forceps arm housing and the second forceps arm may be disposed in the second forceps arm housing. The first forceps arm conductor tip may include a chrome conversion coating configured to prevent tissue from sticking to the first forceps arm conductor tip during a surgical procedure. The second forceps arm conductor tip may include a chrome conversion coating configured to prevent tissue from sticking to the second forceps arm conductor tip during a surgical procedure.

Inducing thrombolysis of thermally induced thrombus occurring during endovenous ablation of varicose veins by introducing an optical fiber laser deliver device with optical fiber portion and with an energy emitting tip at its distal end into the varicosed vein to be treated, emitting pulsed, laser energy with sufficient energy to close and destroy varicose veins to the emitting tip of the optical fiber laser delivery device, thereby inducing laser thrombolysis of coagulated blood which accumulates at the energy emitting tip of the fiber when the fiber is caused to emit energy in the presence of uncoagulated blood and minimizing adverse effects associated with thermally induced thrombus within a varicose vein.

The invention discloses an electrocoagulation forcep system convenient to clean. The system comprises a forcep body and a base, wherein the forcep body comprises forcep tips and forcep poles. The system is characterized in that a semi-open absorption groove is formed in each forcep pole, the front end of each absorption groove is connected with an absorption channel in the corresponding forcep tip, and an insertion port is formed in an outlet in the rear end of each absorption groove. The system further comprises sealing devices matched with the absorption grooves, wherein the cross section of each absorption groove is semi-circular. The semi-open absorption grooves are formed in the forcep body, the sealing devices are tightly pressed on the absorption grooves when the system is used, so that the absorption grooves is sealed, when hematocele needs to be removed, all that is required is to connect the insertion ports with an absorption machine in an operation room, and then operation can be performed; after the system is not used, the sealing devices are taken off, and the absorption grooves are washed clean. The electrocoagulation forcep system is simple in principle, can perform hemostasis and absorption work simultaneously and is convenient to wash.