Abstract: Medical devices using fluid or cooling fluids having one or more bimaterial valves positioned at each point of flow control to control the flow of a fluid in response to temperature changes. In particular, devices for ablating tissue having multiple ablation elements or cells include one or more bimaterial valves positioned within or near the ablation cells. The bimaterial valves respond to temperature changes by adjusting the flow rate of a fluid through the valve.

Abstract: A medical device comprising a cell including an ablation element and a carrier configured to receive at least a portion of said ablation element is disclosed. The medical device further comprises a tube enclosing the cell. At least a portion of the tube includes a membrane and the tube includes at least one hole proximate the ablation element for facilitating fluid flow. The medical device further comprises a fluid inlet for providing fluid to the interior of the tube. A method of using the medical device is also disclosed.

Abstract: A medical device comprising a cell including an ablation element and a carrier configured to receive at least a portion of said ablation element is disclosed. The medical device further comprises a tube enclosing the cell. At least a portion of the tube includes a membrane and the tube includes at least one hole proximate the ablation element for facilitating fluid flow. The medical device further comprises a fluid inlet for providing fluid to the interior of the tube. A method of using the medical device is also disclosed.

Abstract: Template systems and methods for various procedures (e.g., tissue ablation procedures) are disclosed. An exemplary template system comprises a track having at least one suction port. The at least one suction port anchors the track to a tissue after the track is positioned adjacent a target area. The template system may further comprise a transducer operatively associated with the track. Exemplary transducers include imaging transducers and ablating transducers. The transducer is guided by the track adjacent the target area while the transducer is moved along the track for a procedure. One or more umbilical may provide a conduit to the track and/or transducer so that the template system may be positioned in a patient's body (e.g., for a procedure on the patient's heart) and operated remotely by a physician or other user from outside of the patient's body.

Abstract: The invention discloses a system for delivering acoustic energy to a subject in connection with high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) systems. In an embodiment, the system comprises an optionally disposable waveguide-attached ablation applicator coupled with an optionally re-usable waveguide, and an optional acoustic power source. The systems may comprise acoustic energy exit port intensity control, waveguide heat-sinking, and transducer operational adjustments that accommodate waveguide effects on the traversing acoustic power.

Abstract: A high intensity focused ultrasound transducer includes an ultrasonic emitter having a surface that emits ultrasonic energy along a beam path, at least one low attenuation polymeric ultrasonic lens acoustically coupled to the surface in the beam path of the ultrasonic energy, such that the lens can direct the ultrasonic energy in at least one direction, and at least one stress mitigation feature, such as a kerf, a heat sink, or an acoustic matching layer, to mitigate thermal expansion mismatch stresses within the transducer. For manufacturing simplicity, the first surface is typically either flat or monotonically curvilinear. The lens may take a variety of shapes, including Fresnel features, and may focus, collimate, or defocus the ultrasonic energy. Any orientation and positioning of the at least one ultrasonic lens relative to the first ultrasonic emitter is contemplated. Manufacture is further simplified by molding, casting, or thermoforming the lens.

Abstract: A medical device comprising a cell including an ablation element and a carrier configured to receive at least a portion of said ablation element is disclosed. The medical device further comprises a tube enclosing the cell. At least a portion of the tube includes a membrane and the tube includes at least one hole proximate the ablation element for facilitating fluid flow. The medical device further comprises a fluid inlet for providing fluid to the interior of the tube. A method of using the medical device is also disclosed.

Abstract: A control system alters one or more characteristics of an ablating element to ablate tissue. In one aspect, the control system delivers energy nearer to the surface of the tissue by changing the frequency or power. In another aspect, the ablating element delivers focused ultrasound which is focused in at least one dimension. The ablating device may also have a number of ablating elements with different characteristics such as focal length.

Abstract: Volumetric three-dimensional (3-D) graphical or computer displays are disclosed herein that are capable of presenting objects, data, scenes or other visual information in a realistic or solid-like manner, allowing for an unaided observer to observe such static or moving objects from multiple perspectives with natural depth-cues and superior image quality. We utilize in this refined approach moving-screens formed from particulate-arrays and we preferably optically project multiple image sub-slices on each such flying-screen as it passes through the image-volume thereby minimizing particulate mass-flow since only once screen per image-volume is needed to present the several or many necessary slices of each volumetric frame.

Abstract: A medical device comprising a cell including an ablation element and a carrier configured to receive at least a portion of said ablation element is disclosed. The medical device further comprises a tube enclosing the cell. At least a portion of the tube includes a membrane and the tube includes at least one hole proximate the ablation element for facilitating fluid flow. The medical device further comprises a fluid inlet for providing fluid to the interior of the tube. A method of using the medical device is also disclosed.

Abstract: A deflectable, flexible device includes an elongate body, a convoluted tip portion at a distal end of the elongate body, and a lumen to receive one or more wires. The convoluted tip portion includes an electroformed pleated region which is formed by electrodepositing a metal on a mandrel having a pleated region. The convoluted tip portion may be hermetically sealed to permit repeated sterilization. The electroformed pleated region may include one or more fluid emission orifices. The convoluted tip portion extends or bends in response to fluid pressure manipulation, contact with tissue, manipulation with an internal spring or wire, or by a user pushing, pulling, or twisting the catheter directly or via an introducer sheath or the like. The convoluted tip portion may further include an RF ablation element or other energy-driven technique to create continuous linear lesions or a sensing element.

Abstract: An ablating device has a cover which holds an interface material such as a gel. The cover contains the interface material during initial placement of the device. The ablating device may also have a removable tip or a membrane filled with fluid. In still another aspect, the ablating device may be submerged in liquid during operation.

Abstract: A high intensity focused ultrasound transducer includes an ultrasonic emitter having a surface that emits ultrasonic energy along a beam path, at least one low attenuation polymeric ultrasonic lens acoustically coupled to the surface in the beam path of the ultrasonic energy, such that the lens can direct the ultrasonic energy in at least one direction, and at least one stress mitigation feature, such as a kerf, a heat sink, or an acoustic matching layer, to mitigate thermal expansion mismatch stresses within the transducer. For manufacturing simplicity, the first surface is typically either flat or monotonically curvilinear. The lens may take a variety of shapes, including Fresnel features, and may focus, collimate, or defocus the ultrasonic energy. Any orientation and positioning of the at least one ultrasonic lens relative to the first ultrasonic emitter is contemplated. Manufacture is further simplified by molding, casting, or thermoforming the lens.

Abstract: Ultrasonic, sonic or vibratory energy, delivered non-invasively, minimally invasively or invasively (e.g. surgically), is utilized to provide direct cleaning action at or to the location of the implanted device such as a prosthetic heart valve with undesirable deposits of at least some amount thereon or therein. Such ultra-sound energy may be aided by the use of a drug in association or cooperation with the acoustic irradiation. The “cleaning” acoustic energy may optionally be delivered under the guidance of an imaging modality and may be delivered in a timed or gated manner such that the valve occluders or leaflets are in a preferred position (assuming they are functioning) during exposures.

Abstract: An ablating device has a cover which holds an interface material such as a gel. The cover contains the interface material during initial placement of the device. The ablating device may also have a removable tip or a membrane filled with fluid. In still another aspect, the ablating device may be submerged in liquid during operation.

Abstract: A directable acoustic transducer assembly is presented for use in a medical insertion device (MID). In an embodiment, the assembly aims an acoustic signal in response to a sensed or detected force or load imposed on the MID. The directable acoustic transducer assembly includes a switch array and a plurality of directional acoustic transducer elements. The switch array responds to the force or load and activates the directional acoustic transducer elements closest to the source of the force or load. The switch array may include a plurality of switches, at least one of which responses to a force or load and may activate directional acoustic transducer elements having a target tissue in the field of view. The assembly includes embodiments that are responsive to various loads. A directable acoustic transducer assembly may be part of a diagnostic and/or therapeutic system, such as an RF ablation system.

Abstract: A wearable treatment or therapy apparatus for provision of an acoustically enabled or acoustically enhanced treatment or therapy to a patient or treatment subject is provided. Also provided are apparatuses for delivering an acoustic or acoustically-aided therapy or treatment to a patient or treatment-subject.

Abstract: A device for measuring a spatial location of a tissue surface, such as the interface between different types of tissues or between tissue and body fluids, generally includes an elongate catheter body having a distal end portion, a plurality of localization elements carried by the distal end portion, and at least one pulse-echo acoustic element carried by the distal end portion. The localization elements allow the catheter to be localized (e.g., position and/or orientation) within a localization field, while the acoustic element allows for the detection of tissue surfaces where incoming acoustic energy will reflect towards the acoustic element. A suitable controller can determine the location of the detected tissue surface from the localization of the distal end portion of the catheter body. Tissue thicknesses can be derived from the detected locations of multiple (e.g., near and far) tissue surfaces. Maps and models of tissue thickness can also be generated.

Abstract: A focused ultrasound transducer includes a first ultrasonic emitter and at least one metallic ultrasonic lens acoustically coupled thereto. The emitter generates ultrasonic energy that propagates along a beam path projecting therefrom. The at least one metallic ultrasonic lens is positioned at least partially in the beam path so that it can direct (e.g., focus, defocus, and/or collimate) in at least one direction (or along at least one plane) at least some of the ultrasonic energy propagating from the emitter. The metallic lens may be formed by extrusion, by molding (e.g., diecast molding or thermoforming), or by sintering (e.g., powder metallurgy). The metallic lens also advantageously functions as a heat sink, improving thermal performance of the ultrasound transducer.

Abstract: Volumetric three-dimensional (3-D) graphical or computer displays are disclosed herein that are capable of presenting objects, data, scenes or other visual information in a realistic or solid-like manner, allowing for an unaided observer to observe such static or moving objects from multiple perspectives with natural depth-cues and superior image quality. We utilize in this refined approach moving-screens formed from particulate-arrays and we preferably optically project multiple image sub-slices on each such flying-screen as it passes through the image-volume thereby minimizing particulate mass-flow since only once screen per image-volume is needed to present the several or many necessary slices of each volumetric frame.