Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.

Pulse Biosciences, Inc.

Gynesonics, Inc.

Novare Surgical Systems, Inc.

Other

Oplink Communications, Inc.

Cameron Dale Hinman

David J Danitz

Darrin R Uecker

Kevin Lee Moss

Michael Munrow

Lincoln J Alvord

David Elias Hegeman

Brian Placek

Harry Kwan

David Blair Toub

Mark P Kreis

Richard Lee Nuccitelli

Christopher James Foster

Edward A Ebbers

J Donald Hill

Michael A Sims

Wesley Chung Joe

Geoff Briggs

Sean Nicholas Finson

Karrie S Bertsch

Kenneth Robert Krieg

Peter H Robino

David F Moore

Qunwen Leng

Jenkin Angelo Richard

Eric V Chamness

Steven J Benerofe

George H Guan

Anjul K Katare

Lauren M Jauregui Johnston

Michael A Munrow

Chris Foster

Methods and apparatuses (e.g., devices, instruments and systems, including applicator handles for use with pulse generators) for automatically and/or mechanically setting impedance matching for connecting the applicator handle with different electrode tips. These methods and apparatuses may be useful for applying therapeutic energy, including but not limited to short, high field strength electric pulses, while avoiding the risk of arcing or otherwise harming the tissue.

Handpiece for electrical treatment applicator

A system for deploying needles in tissue includes a controller and a visual display. A treatment probe has both a needle and tines deployable from the needle which may be advanced into the tissue. The treatment probe also has adjustable stops which control the deployed positions of both the needle and the tines. The adjustable stops are coupled to the controller so that the virtual treatment and safety boundaries resulting from the treatment can be presented on the visual display prior to actual deployment of the system.

Methods and systems for controlled deployment of needle structures in tissue

A handheld, therapeutic electrode and connector that are compatible with high voltages from a pulse generator are disclosed. The electrode includes therapeutic terminals on a tip configured to deliver high voltage pulses safely to a patient. The electrode includes sleeves, bosses, wiring channels, and other features that maximize a minimum clearance distance (across non-conductive surfaces) and air clearance between conductive connectors themselves or the connectors and a user, thus preventing dangerous arcing. Internal surfaces and seams are taken into account. The connector and its mating outlet can include similar features to maximize clearance distance. Skirts, skirt holes, and finger stops are also employed, and they can be on either the connector or outlet, or the tip or handle of the electrode.

High voltage connectors and electrodes for pulse generators

Described herein are methods and apparatuses for reducing or eliminating skin glands (e.g., sebaceous, eccrine and apocrine) with an electric treatment. These apparatuses and methods may produce electroporation of cells by applying treatment dose having an energy density sufficient to eliminate or reduce the size of a target gland. Also described herein are methods for treating and/or preventing a disorder of a skin gland. For example, described herein are methods of treating sebaceous hyperplasia.

Treatment of dermal glands by the application of non-thermal energy

Described herein are methods of treating a tissue using a treatment tip apparatus (e.g., devices, systems, etc.) including one, or more preferably a plurality, of electrodes that are protected by an electrode partition, such as an electrode housing (which may be retractable) until pressed against the tissue for deployment of the electrodes and delivery of a therapeutic treatment. In particular, these methods may include the use of a plurality of treatment electrodes (e.g., needle electrodes) and in some examples may include for the delivery of nanosecond pulsed electric fields.

Methods of treatment using treatment applicator with protected electrodes

Applicators, systems, and methods for delivering electrical energy to a target treatment region with large area surface electrodes are disclosed. In one example, a system may include a housing, a pulse generator, and a treatment applicator coupled to the pulse generator and configured to deliver sub-microsecond high-voltage electric pulses from the pulse generator. The treatment applicator may include a first and second electrodes coupled to a substrate, where the first and second electrodes are configured to provide a uniform gap between edges of the first and second electrodes.

Electrical applicators with non-penetrating electrodes for applying energy to tissue surfaces

Universal handpiece for electrical treatment applicator

An articulating mechanism capable of transmitting torque for remote manipulation of a surgical or diagnostic tool comprises at least two adjacent links. A first adjacent link of the adjacent links has a ball and a second adjacent link of the adjacent links has a socket for receiving the ball to form a ball and socket joint. The ball and socket joint includes at least one engaging pin and reciprocal slot that provides for torque transmission between the adjacent links while also allowing for pivoting movement of the first adjacent link relative to the second adjacent link. The articulating mechanism also comprises at least one set of cables connecting the first adjacent link and the second adjacent link to one another such that movement of the first adjacent link causes corresponding relative movement of the second adjacent link.

Articulating mechanisms and link systems with torque transmission in remote manipulation of instruments and tools

Described herein are methods and systems for using the treatment tip apparatuses and high-voltage connectors with robotic surgical systems. For example, retractable treatment tip apparatuses (e.g., devices, systems, etc.) including one, or more preferably a plurality, of electrodes that are protected by a housing (which may be retractable) until pressed against the tissue for deployment of the electrodes and delivery of a therapeutic treatment, are disclosed. In particular, these apparatuses may include a plurality of treatment needle electrodes and may be configured for the delivery of nanosecond pulsed electric fields. Also described herein are high-voltage connectors configured to provide high-voltage energy, such as nsPEF pulses, from a generator to the retractable treatment tip apparatuses.

Treatment instrument and high-voltage connectors for robotic surgical system

Methods and apparatuses for treating a tissue with an electric treatment by rotating a pattern of electrodes partway through a treatment is disclosed. Also described herein are methods and apparatuses to treat tissue, including treating skin disorders, by selectively de-nucleating epidermal cells without provoking a significant inflammatory response, e.g., without increasing the density of leukocytes in the treated skin, and without affecting the non-cellular components of the dermis.

Treatment of tissue by the application of energy

Electrodes that are configured to apply energy within the tissue while moving relative to the tissue. The apparatuses (devices, assemblies, systems) described herein may be configured with one or more electrodes that may move slightly in oscillatory movement and/or rotation relative to the tissue. The apparatuses described herein may be used to apply energy to a patient while minimizing or preventing the unintended modification of the tissue adjacent to the electrode, such as by arcing.

Moving electrodes for the application of electrical therapy within a tissue

A tool comprises a distal portion and a proximal portion spaced apart by a shaft along a longitudinal axis. The distal portion includes a distal link and the proximal portion including a proximal link. The distal link and proximal link form a pair of links. The tool also comprises a set of tension load bearing members connecting the proximal link and the distal link and terminating at the links of the pair to transfer movement therebetween. The tool also comprises an articulation lock positioned between the distal portion and the proximal portion and configured to allow through passage of the set of tension load bearing members. The articulation lock is adjustable between an unlocked configuration in which the proximal and distal links are moveable and a locked configuration in which an effective length of the shaft is increased, creating a force to impede movement of the proximal and distal links.

Surgical instrument

A surgical tool comprises a pair of opposing jaws moveable relative to each other between a closed position and first and second open positions. The opposing jaws remain substantially parallel to one another when moving between the closed position and the first open position and remain non-parallel to one another when moving between the first open position and the second open position.

Articulating mechanism with flex-hinged links

Growing community of inventors

Thurmond, NC, United States of America

Cameron Dale Hinman