Abstract: The present invention discloses devices and methods for creating multiple lesions using ablation devices in anatomical regions such as the heart, for example to treat cardiac arrhythmias. The present invention discloses methods and devices to create continuous lesions using area ablation devices. The present invention discloses various embodiments of reference assemblies for accurately positioning ablation devices having ablating portions, especially deployable ablation portions adapted for area ablation. The ablation devices are positioned using the reference assemblies in the anatomy to create one or more lesions. The present invention also discloses several method embodiments for creating continuous lesions using deployable ablating portions to produce two or more overlapping lesions.

Abstract: A treatment apparatus system includes a plurality of needles configured to provide radio frequency energy, a source of radio frequency energy for supplying radio frequency energy to the plurality of needles, and a driving unit configured to insert the plurality of needles to different dermal depths. A user interface is configured to allow a user to select a plurality of depths the needles are to be inserted and, at each depth, an energy level to be applied. A controller subsystem is responsive to a user selected plurality of depths and a user selected energy level at each depth and is configured to control the driving unit to insert the plurality of needles to the user selected plurality of depths and, at each depth, control the source of radio frequency energy to apply the user selected energy level. A computer safety routine is configured to limit a user selected energy level when a user selected depth is less than a predetermined minimum depth from the skin surface.

Abstract: The present invention discloses devices and methods for creating multiple lesions using ablation devices in anatomical regions such as the heart, for example to treat cardiac arrhythmias. The present invention discloses methods and devices to create continuous lesions using area ablation devices. The present invention discloses various embodiments of reference assemblies for accurately positioning ablation devices having ablating portions, especially deployable ablation portions adapted for area ablation. The ablation devices are positioned using the reference assemblies in the anatomy to create one or more lesions. The present invention also discloses several method embodiments for creating continuous lesions using deployable ablating portions to produce two or more overlapping lesions.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are provided for deployment of one or more functional devices, such as therapeutic and/or diagnostic medical devices and/or positioning devices, at various locations relative to a defined operative path. The devices, systems, and methods can include a guide system and a positioning element. The guide system defines the operative path when deployed within a patient's body. The positioning element cooperates with the guide system to define one or more positions relative the defined operative path from which the one or more functional devices are deployed. The present inventions allow for the accurate and reliable placement of the one or more functional devices at the one or more positions relative the operative path. In one embodiment, the functional device is an ablation device adapted to ablate cardiac tissue for the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias, such as atrial fibrillation.

Abstract: A skin tightening system and method features a substrate including an array of electrodes for application to a patient's skin surface. A first temperature sensor is located proximate outer electrodes of the array. A second temperature sensor is located proximate inner electrodes of the array. A first RF source powers outer electrodes of the array and a second RF source powers inner electrodes of the array. A first controller is responsive to the first temperature sensor and is configured to control the first RF source based on the temperature of the epidermis sensed by the first temperature sensor. A second controller is responsive to the second temperature sensor and is configured to control the second RF source based on the temperature of the epidermis sensed by the second temperature sensor to provide heating of the dermis.

Abstract: The present invention discloses devices and methods for creating multiple lesions using ablation devices in anatomical regions such as the heart, for example to treat cardiac arrhythmias. The present invention discloses methods and devices to create continuous lesions using area ablation devices. The present invention discloses various embodiments of reference assemblies for accurately positioning ablation devices having ablating portions, especially deployable ablation portions adapted for area ablation. The ablation devices are positioned using the reference assemblies in the anatomy to create one or more lesions. The present invention also discloses several method embodiments for creating continuous lesions using deployable ablating portions to produce two or more overlapping lesions.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are provided for deployment of one or more functional devices, such as therapeutic and/or diagnostic medical devices and/or positioning devices, at various locations relative to a defined operative path. The devices, systems, and methods can include a guide system and a positioning element. The guide system defines the operative path when deployed within a patient's body. The positioning element cooperates with the guide system to define one or more positions relative the defined operative path from which the one or more functional devices are deployed. The present inventions allow for the accurate and reliable placement of the one or more functional devices at the one or more positions relative the operative path. In one embodiment, the functional device is an ablation device adapted to ablate cardiac tissue for the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias, such as atrial fibrillation.

Abstract: A device and method for treating tissue. Two or more pairs of needle electrodes are spaced about a zone and each pair of needle electrodes includes a first needle electrode on one side of the zone and a second needle electrode on an opposite side of the zone. An energy source for each pair of needle electrodes is configured to induce current from the first needle electrode of the pair to only the second needle electrode of the pair through the interior of the zone to increase the total current density and temperature in the interior of the zone.

Abstract: A subcutaneous fat treatment system and method. An electrode is for application to a patient's epidermis above subcutaneous fat to be treated. There may optionally be a cooling subsystem for cooling the electrode. A sensor such as a microwave radiometer measures the temperature of the subcutaneous fat to be treated. In addition or in the alternative, a subcutaneous fat thickness measurement may be used. A radio frequency source is for applying radio frequency energy to the electrode. A controller subsystem is responsive to the sensor and/or the subcutaneous fat thickness measurement and controls the radio frequency source to determine the thermal dose applied to the subcutaneous fat being treated and automatically adjust the radio frequency energy supplied to the electrode subjecting the subcutaneous fat to a thermal dose of between 0.1 and 10.0.

Abstract: The present invention discloses devices and methods for creating multiple lesions using ablation devices in anatomical regions such as the heart, for example to treat cardiac arrhythmias. The present invention discloses methods and devices to create continuous lesions using area ablation devices. The present invention discloses various embodiments of reference assemblies for accurately positioning ablation devices having ablating portions, especially deployable ablation portions adapted for area ablation. The ablation devices are positioned using the reference assemblies in the anatomy to create one or more lesions. The present invention also discloses several method embodiments for creating continuous lesions using deployable ablating portions to produce two or more overlapping lesions.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are provided for deployment of one or more functional devices, such as therapeutic and/or diagnostic medical devices and/or positioning devices, at various locations relative to a defined operative path. The devices, systems, and methods can include a guide system and a positioning element. The guide system defines the operative path when deployed within a patient's body. The positioning element cooperates with the guide system to define one or more positions relative the defined operative path from which the one or more functional devices are deployed. The present inventions allow for the accurate and reliable placement of the one or more functional devices at the one or more positions relative the operative path. In one embodiment, the functional device is an ablation device adapted to ablate cardiac tissue for the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias, such as atrial fibrillation.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are provided for deployment of one or more functional devices, such as therapeutic or diagnostic medical devices, or positioning devices, at various locations relative to a defined operative path. The devices, systems, and methods can include a guide system and a positioning element. The guide system defines the operative path when deployed within a patient's body. The positioning element cooperates with the guide system to define one or more positions relative the defined operative path from which the one or more functional devices are deployed. The present inventions allow for the accurate and reliable placement of the one or more functional devices at the one or more positions relative the operative path. In one embodiment, the functional device is an ablation device adapted to ablate cardiac tissue for the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias, such as atrial fibrillation.

Abstract: The present invention discloses devices and methods for creating multiple lesions using ablation devices in anatomical regions such as the heart, for example to treat cardiac arrhythmias. The present invention discloses methods and devices to create continuous lesions using area ablation devices. The present invention discloses various embodiments of reference assemblies for accurately positioning ablation devices having ablating portions, especially deployable ablation portions adapted for area ablation. The ablation devices are positioned using the reference assemblies in the anatomy to create one or more lesions. The present invention also discloses several method embodiments for creating continuous lesions using deployable ablating portions to produce two or more overlapping lesions.

Abstract: The invention provides a system and method for percutaneous energy delivery in an effective, manner using one or more probes in a data driven system so that the previously compiled energy delivery profiles control the treatment. Additional variations of the system include array of probes configured to minimize the energy required to produce the desired effect.

Abstract: The present invention discloses devices and methods for creating multiple lesions using ablation devices in anatomical regions such as the heart, for example to treat cardiac arrhythmias. The present invention discloses methods and devices to create continuous lesions using area ablation devices. The present invention discloses various embodiments of reference assemblies for accurately positioning ablation devices having ablating portions, especially deployable ablation portions adapted for area ablation. The ablation devices are positioned using the reference assemblies in the anatomy to create one or more lesions. The present invention also discloses several method embodiments for creating continuous lesions using deployable ablating portions to produce two or more overlapping lesions.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods relating to delivery systems suitable for positioning various medical components within a patient's body and, more specifically, to delivery systems designed to cooperate with certain therapeutic and diagnostic devices.

Abstract: An instrument assesses the transmurality of an ablation lesion from a first surface of a targeted biological tissue to an opposed second surface thereof. The instrument includes at least a first electrode operably attached to an ablation instrument adapted to engage a tissue first surface, and at least a second electrode adapted to engage a tissue second surface, the at least second electrode positioned generally opposed to the at least first electrode. Alternatively, the at least second electrode may be adapted to be placed within a chamber of an organ. These electrodes facilitate measuring at least one of conduction time, conduction velocity, phase angle, and impedance through at least a portion of the targeted tissue to determine the transmurality of the ablation lesion.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are provided for deployment of one or more functional devices, such as therapeutic or diagnostic medical devices, or positioning devices, at various locations relative to a defined operative path. The devices, systems, and methods can include a guide system and a positioning element. The guide system defines the operative path when deployed within a patient's body. The positioning element cooperates with the guide system to define one or more positions relative the defined operative path from which the one or more functional devices are deployed. The present inventions allow for the accurate and reliable placement of the one or more functional devices at the one or more positions relative the operative path. In one embodiment, the functional device is an ablation device adapted to ablate cardiac tissue for the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias, such as atrial fibrillation.

Abstract: A medical instrument includes a pair of spaced apart and electrically isolated elongated electrodes positioned adjacent one another on a working member. The electrodes are arranged for sensing electrical activity of biological tissues inside the body of the patient. The medical instrument also includes a pair of electrically isolated electrode wires that extend through the working member and electrically couple to associated electrodes.

Abstract: A securing apparatus for selectively securing an ablating element of an ablation instrument proximate to a targeted region of a biological tissue. The securing apparatus includes a support base affixed to the ablation instrument relative the ablating element, and having a support face adapted to seat against the biological tissue proximate to the ablation element. The support base further defines a passage having one end communicably coupled to a vacuum source and an opposite end terminating at an orifice at the support face. The support face together with the biological tissue forms a hermetic seal thereagainst during operation of the vacuum source to secure the ablation instrument thereagainst. Essentially, the hermetic seal and the vacuum source cooperate to form a vacuum force sufficient to retain the ablation device against the biological tissue.