Abstract: The present invention discloses access devices and methods to create an access channel for introduction of one or more working devices into an anatomical region. The access channel is created using a visualization modality that is later removed before inserting one or more working devices through the access channel. This allows the methods and devices of the present invention to be used even in small sized natural or surgically created insertion tracts leading to the anatomical region. The access channel can be made of a device such as a sheath, a guidewire, and an elongate device comprising a lumen. Examples of visualization modalities are endoscopes and body insertable ultrasound imaging devices. The working devices can be used to perform a variety of diagnostic, therapeutic, or preventive procedures. Endometrial ablation devices and procedures have been used as an example to describe various aspects of the present invention.

Abstract: Devices and methods that use returned power (RP) measurements during microwave energy delivery to perform one or more functions. For example, such microwave devices and systems with one or more features to measure the returned microwave power. One or more measurements of the returned microwave power may be used to obtain information about one or more of: antenna shape, system status and system performance. One or more measurements of the returned microwave power shaping elements may also be used to obtain information about one or more properties of the target material. Devices and methods for delivering microwave energy to a variety of target materials to achieve a variety of desired microwave effects.

Abstract: Devices and methods that use returned power (RP) measurements during microwave energy delivery to perform one or more functions. For example, microwave devices and systems with one or more features to measure the returned microwave power. One or more measurements of the returned microwave power may be used to obtain information about one or more of: antenna shape, system status and system performance. One or more measurements of the returned microwave power shaping elements may also be used to obtain information about one or more properties of the target material. Devices and methods for delivering microwave energy to a variety of target materials to achieve a variety of desired microwave effects.

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 and methods for treating tissue with microwave energy used in applications such as destroying a soft tissue by microwave ablation and/or creating point, line, area or volumetric lesions. Various embodiments of flexible, low-profile devices are also disclosed where such device can be inserted non-invasively or minimally invasively near or into the target tissue such as cardiac tissue. The devices disclosed herein comprise antennas wherein the field profile generated by an antenna is tailored and optimized for a particular clinical application. The antennas use unique properties of microwaves such as interaction of a microwave field with one or more conductive or non-conductive shaping elements to shape or redistribute the microwave field.

Abstract: Devices and methods for treating tissue with microwave energy used in applications such as destroying a soft tissue by microwave ablation and/or creating point, line, area or volumetric lesions. Various embodiments of flexible, low-profile devices are also disclosed where such device can be inserted non-invasively or minimally invasively near or into the target tissue such as cardiac tissue. The devices disclosed herein comprise antennas wherein the field profile generated by an antenna is tailored and optimized for a particular clinical application. The antennas use unique properties of microwaves such as interaction of a microwave field with one or more conductive or non-conductive shaping elements to shape or redistribute the microwave field.

Abstract: The present invention discloses access devices and methods to create an access channel for introduction of one or more working devices into an anatomical region. The access channel is created using a visualization modality that is later removed before inserting one or more working devices through the access channel. This allows the methods and devices of the present invention to be used even in small sized natural or surgically created insertion tracts leading to the anatomical region. The access channel can be made of a device such as a sheath, a guidewire, and an elongate device comprising a lumen. Examples of visualization modalities are endoscopes and body insertable ultrasound imaging devices. The working devices can be used to perform a variety of diagnostic, therapeutic, or preventive procedures. Endometrial ablation devices and procedures have been used as an example to describe various aspects of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention discloses access devices and methods to create an access channel for introduction of one or more working devices into an anatomical region. The access channel is created using a visualization modality that is later removed before inserting one or more working devices through the access channel. This allows the methods and devices of the present invention to be used even in small sized natural or surgically created insertion tracts leading to the anatomical region. The access channel can be made of a device such as a sheath, a guidewire, and an elongate device comprising a lumen. Examples of visualization modalities are endoscopes and body insertable ultrasound imaging devices. The working devices can be used to perform a variety of diagnostic, therapeutic, or preventive procedures. Endometrial ablation devices and procedures have been used as an example to describe various aspects of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention discloses medical systems and methods adapted for the delivery of various medical components such as microwave antennas within or on a body for performing one or more medical procedures. Several embodiments herein disclose medical systems comprising a combination of one or more medical components and one or more elongate steerable or non-steerable arms that are adapted to mechanically manipulate the one or more medical components. Several embodiments of microwave antennas are disclosed that comprise an additional diagnostic or therapeutic modality located on or in the vicinity of the microwave antennas.

Abstract: The present invention discloses medical systems and methods adapted for the delivery of various medical components such as microwave antennas within or on a body for performing one or more medical procedures. Several embodiments herein disclose medical systems comprising a combination of one or more medical components and one or more elongate steerable or non-steerable arms that are adapted to mechanically manipulate the one or more medical components. Several embodiments of microwave antennas are disclosed that comprise an additional diagnostic or therapeutic modality located on or in the vicinity of the microwave antennas.

Abstract: The invention comprises novel microwave antennas wherein the microwave field profile generated by an antenna is tailored and optimized for a particular clinical application. The antennas disclosed herein incorporate one or more additional elements called shaping elements that use unique properties of microwaves such as interaction of a microwave field with one or more conductive or non-conductive elements to shape or redistribute the microwave field. Such shaping elements may be used to reduce the undesired backward coupling of the emitted microwave field to the transmission line. Such shaping elements may be used to increase the power efficiency of the antenna. The invention also discloses devices and methods for treating tissue with microwave energy emitted from the antennas for use in applications such as destroying a soft tissue by microwave ablation.

Abstract: Devices and methods are disclosed for treating tissue with microwave energy. Such devices and methods are able to treat cavities or surface tissue by creating one or more area or volumetric lesions. Also disclosed are flexible, low-profile devices that can be inserted non-invasively or minimally invasively near or into the target tissue as well as microwave antennas designed to generate ablation profiles that can ablate a large area or a large volume of target tissue in a single ablation. The devices include antennas wherein the field profile generated by an antenna is tailored and optimized for a particular clinical application. The antennas use unique properties of microwaves such as interaction of a microwave field with a metallic object and the use of additional shaping elements to shape the microwave field.

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 and methods are disclosed for treating tissue with microwave energy. Such devices and methods are able to treat cavities or surface tissue by creating one or more area or volumetric lesions. Also disclosed are flexible, low-profile devices that can be inserted non-invasively or minimally invasively near or into the target tissue as well as microwave antennas designed to generate ablation profiles that can ablate a large area or a large volume of target tissue in a single ablation. The devices include antennas wherein the field profile generated by an antenna is tailored and optimized for a particular clinical application. The antennas use unique properties of microwaves such as interaction of a microwave field with a metallic object and the use of additional shaping elements to shape the microwave field.

Abstract: The present invention related to devices and methods that use returned power (RP) measurements during microwave energy delivery to perform one or more functions. For example, microwave devices and systems with one or more features to measure the returned microwave power. One or more measurements of the returned microwave power may be used to obtain information about one or more of: antenna shape, system status and system performance. One or more measurements of the returned microwave power shaping elements may also be used to obtain information about one or more properties of the target material. The invention also discloses devices and methods for delivering microwave energy to a variety of target materials to achieve a variety of desired microwave effects.

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: 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 and methods for treating tissue with microwave energy used in applications such as destroying a soft tissue by microwave ablation and/or creating point, line, area or volumetric lesions. Various embodiments of flexible, low-profile devices are also disclosed where such device can be inserted non-invasively or minimally invasively near or into the target tissue such as cardiac tissue. The devices disclosed herein comprise antennas wherein the field profile generated by an antenna is tailored and optimized for a particular clinical application. The antennas use unique properties of microwaves such as interaction of a microwave field with one or more conductive or non-conductive shaping elements to shape or redistribute the microwave field.

Abstract: The present invention related to devices and methods that use returned power (RP) measurements during microwave energy delivery to perform one or more functions. For example, microwave devices and systems with one or more features to measure the returned microwave power. One or more measurements of the returned microwave power may be used to obtain information about one or more of: antenna shape, system status and system performance. One or more measurements of the returned microwave power shaping elements may also be used to obtain information about one or more properties of the target material. The invention also discloses devices and methods for delivering microwave energy to a variety of target materials to achieve a variety of desired microwave effects.

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.