Abstract: A tissue treatment selection device that has at least one treatment delivery member, a delivery setting circuit that is coupled to the treatment delivery member that is adapted to be deployed into tissue to deliver therapeutic energy to a target tissue zone, and the processing circuit is operable to set treatment parameters in the delivery setting circuit that is operable to set treatment parameters in the delivery setting circuit. The processing circuit is operable to transmit a test signal through the deployed treatment delivery member and to determine deployment status. The treatment selection device has a processing circuit adapted to send a message to a display device that indicates that the deployed treatment delivery member has been determined to be compensable and contains a suggested change in the treatment parameters. Also presented herein is a method of treating a tissue of a patient using the treatment delivery device.

Abstract: A tissue treatment selection device that has at least one treatment delivery member, a delivery setting circuit that is coupled to the treatment delivery member that is adapted to be deployed into tissue to deliver therapeutic energy to a target tissue zone, and the processing circuit is operable to set treatment parameters in the delivery setting circuit that is operable to set treatment parameters in the delivery setting circuit. The processing circuit is operable to transmit a test signal through the deployed treatment delivery member and to determine deployment status. The treatment selection device has a processing circuit adapted to send a message to a display device that indicates that the deployed treatment delivery member has been determined to be compensable and contains a suggested change in the treatment parameters. Also presented herein is a method of treating a tissue of a patient using the treatment delivery device.

Abstract: A tissue treatment selection device that has at least one treatment delivery member, a delivery setting circuit that is coupled to the treatment delivery member that is adapted to be deployed into tissue to deliver therapeutic energy to a target tissue zone, and the processing circuit is operable to set treatment parameters in the delivery setting circuit. The processing circuit is operable to transmit a test signal through the deployed treatment delivery member and to determine deployment status. The treatment selection device has a processing circuit adapted to send a message to a display device that indicates that the deployed treatment delivery member has been determined to be compensable and contains a suggested change in the treatment parameters. Also presented herein is a method of treating a tissue of a patient using the treatment delivery device.

Abstract: A medical system and method for estimating a treatment region for a medical treatment device is provided. The system includes a memory; a processor coupled to the memory; and a treatment control module stored in the memory and executable by the processor. The treatment control module generates an estimated treatment region which is an estimate of a treatment region which would have been derived as a result of a numerical model analysis such as a finite element analysis. Advantageously, the estimated treatment region is generated using a fraction of the time it takes to generate the region using the numerical model analysis.

Abstract: A method and device are herein described to treat a target region of tissue, using at least one energy delivery device coupled to a power source and positioned in a treatment position so as to irreversibly electroporate tissue to ablate a target region, and introduce regenerative materials into a treated region.

Abstract: A device for delivering therapeutic energy to tissue is provided. The device includes a proximal segment and a distal segment having one or more electrodes for delivering the therapeutic energy to the tissue. An articulating segment connects the proximal segment and the distal segment such that the distal segment is articulatable with respect to a longitudinal axis of the proximal segment. In one aspect of the invention, the articulating segment includes a living hinge. In another aspect of the invention, at least one electrically conductive articulating cable runs along the articulating segment, wherein the articulating cable is used both to articulate the distal segment and to deliver the therapeutic energy to the one or more electrodes.

Abstract: A method and device are herein described to treat a target region of tissue, using at least one energy delivery device coupled to a power source and positioned in a treatment position so as to irreversibly electroporate tissue to ablate a target region, and introduce regenerative materials into a treated region.

Abstract: A lighting device for use as a visual indicator in a medical probe is provided. The lighting device includes one or more light emitting elements that are used as a visual status indicator for the medical probe, and a driver circuit that receives current from a power source and drives the light emitting elements. The driver circuit includes a current sensor to sense a current flowing through the light emitting elements, and a shut off switch. The shut off switch shuts off the power source current from the light emitting elements based on the sensed current from the current sensor.

Abstract: A method and device are herein described to treat a target region of tissue, using at least one energy delivery device coupled to a power source and positioned in a treatment position so as to irreversibly electroporate tissue to ablate a target region, and introduce regenerative materials into a treated region.

Abstract: A system and method for interactively planning and controlling a treatment of a patient for a medical treatment device are provided. The system includes a memory; a processor coupled to the memory; and a treatment control module stored in the memory and executable by the processor. The treatment control module graphically displays in real time a continuously changing treatment region defined by the electrodes as a user moves at least one of the electrodes. This allows the user to more effectively plan and treat a target region.

Abstract: A medical system and method for estimating a treatment region for a medical treatment device is provided. The system includes a memory; a processor coupled to the memory; and a treatment control module stored in the memory and executable by the processor. The treatment control module generates an estimated treatment region which is an estimate of a treatment region which would have been derived as a result of a numerical model analysis such as a finite element analysis. Advantageously, the estimated treatment region is generated using a fraction of the time it takes to generate the region using the numerical model analysis.

Abstract: A method and device are herein described to treat a target region of tissue, using at least one energy delivery device coupled to a power source and positioned in a treatment position so as to irreversibly electroporate tissue to ablate a target region, and introduce regenerative materials into a treated region.

Abstract: A tissue treatment selection device that has at least one treatment delivery member, a delivery setting circuit that is coupled to the treatment delivery member that is adapted to be deployed into tissue to deliver therapeutic energy to a target tissue zone, and the processing circuit is operable to set treatment parameters in the delivery setting circuit that is operable to set treatment parameters in the delivery setting circuit. The processing circuit is operable to transmit a test signal through the deployed treatment delivery member and to determine deployment status. The treatment selection device has a processing circuit adapted to send a message to a display device that indicates that the deployed treatment delivery member has been determined to be compensable and contains a suggested change in the treatment parameters. Also presented herein is a method of treating a tissue of a patient using the treatment delivery device.

Abstract: A lighting device for use as a visual indicator in a medical probe is provided. The lighting device includes one or more light emitting elements that are used as a visual status indicator for the medical probe, and a driver circuit that receiving current from a power source and drives the light emitting elements. The driver circuit includes a current sensor to sense a current flowing through the light emitting elements, and a shut off switch. The shut off switch shuts off the power source current from the light emitting elements based on the sensed current from the current sensor.

Abstract: A device for delivering therapeutic energy to tissue is provided. The device includes a proximal segment and a distal segment having one or more electrodes for delivering the therapeutic energy to the tissue. An articulating segment connects the proximal segment and the distal segment such that the distal segment is articulatable with respect to a longitudinal axis of the proximal segment. In one aspect of the invention, the articulating segment includes a living hinge. In another aspect of the invention, at least one electrically conductive articulating cable runs along the articulating segment, wherein the articulating cable is used both to articulate the distal segment and to deliver the therapeutic energy to the one or more electrodes.

Abstract: A medical device for photodynamically treating cancerous tissue, such as prostate cancer, comprising a body, a needle extendable from the body and at least one light-emitting (e.g., laser) diode mounted on the needle. The body is sized and configured for introduction into the urethra of a patient. The needle is movable between a retracted position housed substantially within the cylindrical body, and a deployed position in which the needle extends from the cylindrical body to enable it to penetrate into prostate tissue. The light-emitting diode is adapted to emit light to activate a photosensitizing agent (e.g., porfimer sodium) in or adjacent cancerous tissue in the prostate. Methods of treating cancer and other embodiments of medical devices for cancer treatment are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for monitoring the impedance in a circuit coupling a radio frequency electrode to a radio frequency generator to control the power supplied by the generator to the electrode during a treatment procedure. In the method, the impedance in the circuit is monitored over a length of time. An expected impedance at the end of the treatment procedure is calculated from the monitored impedance and compared to a predetermined maximum impedance. The power supplied to the circuit is reduced if the expected impedance is greater than the predetermined maximum impedance. A computer-readable memory and apparatus utilizing the method are provided.

Abstract: A method for calculating the impedance in a first circuit coupling a first radio frequency electrode to a radio frequency controller where the first electrode is disposed in tissue in the vicinity of a second radio frequency electrode coupled to a second circuit. The impedance IMP of the first circuit is measured when energy is being supplied to both electrodes. The impedance IMP0 of the first circuit is also measured when energy is being supplied to the first electrode but not to the second electrode, and subtracted from the impedance value IMP to determine a delta value IMP&Dgr;. The impedance IMP2 of the first circuit is then measured when energy is being supplied to both electrodes. The impedance delta value IMP&Dgr; is subtracted from the impedance value IMP2 to arrive at a calculated impedance value for the first circuit. A computer-readable memory and apparatus utilizing the method are provided.

Abstract: A method for monitoring the impedance in a circuit coupling a radio frequency electrode to a radio frequency generator to control the power supplied by the generator to the electrode during a treatment procedure. In the method, the impedance in the circuit is monitored over a length of time. An expected impedance at the end of the treatment procedure is calculated from the monitored impedance and compared to a predetermined maximum impedance. The power supplied to the circuit is reduced if the expected impedance is greater than the predetermined maximum impedance. A computer-readable memory and apparatus utilizing the method are provided.

Abstract: A method for calculating the impedance in a first circuit coupling a first radio frequency electrode to a radio frequency controller where the first electrode is disposed in tissue in the vicinity of a second radio frequency electrode coupled to a second circuit. The impedance IMP of the first circuit is measured when energy is being supplied to both electrodes. The impedance IMP0 of the first circuit is also measured when energy is being supplied to the first electrode but not to the second electrode, and subtracted from the impedance value IMP to determine a delta value IMP. The impedance IMP2 of the first circuit is then measured when energy is being supplied to both electrodes. The impedance delta value IMP is subtracted from the impedance value IMP2 to arrive at a calculated impedance value for the first circuit. A computer-readable memory and apparatus utilizing the method are provided.