Abstract: A method of occluding a vessel, comprises forming an incision through tissue covering the vessel to expose a portion of the vessel and looping a first suture around the vessel such that ends of the first suture extend out of the incision in combination with closing the incision with the ends of the first suture protruding through the closed incision, placing a force distribution element over the incision and tightening the first suture over the force distribution element to form a kink in the vessel.

Abstract: A probe for detecting changes in tissue properties comprising an illumination element providing light to a target area and a sensing element receiving light from the illumination element after reflection from a target portion of tissue in combination with a device that detects changes in a property of the light received by the sensing element and determining, based on the detected changes in the property of the received light, a change in the target tissue.

Abstract: A device for heating tissue, comprises a housing sized for insertion through a naturally occurring body orifice to a target location within a lumen and a heat generating element within the housing focusing thermal energy on a target area separated from an outside of the housing so that, when the housing is in the target location, the target area is within tissue surrounding the lumen at a predetermined depth from a lumenal wall in combination with a temperature sensing element sensing data corresponding to a temperature of tissue in the target area and a processor controlling the heat generating element in response to the data sensed by the sensing element.

Abstract: An energy delivery device comprises an elongated body sized and shaped for insertion into a body lumen via a naturally occurring body orifice and an acoustic energy element emitting energy around a circumference of a portion of the elongated body in combination with an electrical connection between the acoustic energy element and a power source to drive the acoustic energy element.

Abstract: A device for accessing a hollow organ comprises an elongated body sized for insertion into an opening into a hollow organ, the elongated body including a working channel extending therethrough from a proximal opening which, when the seal is in an operative position, is located proximally of the opening to a distal opening which, when the seal is in the operative position, opens into the hollow organ and a seal extending around a portion of the elongated body between the proximal and distal openings, the seal expanding from an insertion configuration to a sealing configuration.

Abstract: A neuromodulation system, comprises an implantable electrode which is implanted within a body adjacent to a target nerve structure to which electric energy is to be applied via the electrode and a connection port which is implanted in the body with a proximal surface thereof substantially flush with an outer surface of a skin of the body, the connection port including a device interface for electrically connecting to an external device which remains external to the body in combination with an electric line extending from the device interface to the electrode for carrying electric energy from the external device to the electrode and a cover selectively closing an opening of the external surface of the implanted connection port.

Abstract: A system for ablating tissue lining a body cavity, comprises a source of diffusive medium including a plurality of scattering particles suspended therein and a medium introduction device coupled to the source of diffusive medium, a distal end of the medium introduction device being insertable into the body cavity for introduction of the diffusive medium thereinto in combination with a source of radiation energy which, when the system is in an operative configuration, remains outside the body and a wave guide coupled to the source of radiation energy to transmit the radiation energy from the source of radiation energy into the diffusive medium, a frequency of the radiation energy being matched with optical characteristics of the diffusive medium and scattering particles so that the radiation energy passes through the diffusive medium with out substantial absorption therein and is reflected from the scattering particles without substantial absorption therein.

Abstract: An ablation device, comprises a first tubular element and a first electrode which, when in an insertion configuration, is received within the first tubular element, the first electrode being deployable from the first tubular element to anchor in a target portion of tissue at a first electrode operative position in combination with a second electrode which, when in the insertion configuration, is received within the first tubular element, the second electrode being deployable from the first tubular element to anchor in the target portion of tissue at a second electrode operative position separated from the first electrode operative position, the second electrode being deployable independently of the first electrode and an insulating element movable relative to the first electrode to insulate selected portions of the first electrode.

Abstract: The present invention relates to implantable or insertable medical devices that treat uterine and urological conditions that cause chronic pelvic pain and other symptoms. In another aspect, the present invention relates to methods of manufacturing such implantable or insertable medical devices.

Abstract: Various injectable or insertable uterine fibroid treatment formulations are provided, which comprise a uterine fibroid treatment agent in an amount effective to cause shrinkage or elimination of uterine fibroids. The injectable or insertable formulations are typically solids, semi-solids or high-viscosity fluids. Other aspects of the invention are directed to systems and methods for treatment of uterine fibroids.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention includes providing a medical device including an elongate portion and a distal portion, the distal portion including a plurality of substantially flat crystals configured to emit energy to a common focal point. The medical device may be advanced into a body lumen, energy may be provided to a body tissue via the substantially flat crystals, and the medical device may be removed from the body lumen.

Abstract: An apparatus for stiffening tissue comprises an ultrasound element including an array of ultrasound crystals arranged on a surface, the surface shaped so that energy generated by the crystals converges on a predetermined focusing area. A method of treating tissue comprises positioning adjacent a target portion of tissue to be treated a probe including an ultrasound element, a geometry of the ultrasound element focusing ultrasound energy generated thereby on a predetermined focus area, adjusting the position of the probe so that the predetermined focus area is located at the target portion of tissue and energizing the ultrasound element to treat the target portion of tissue.

Abstract: A system comprises a first signal handling unit sized and shaped for insertion to a reference distance within a first body cavity and a probe sized and shaped for insertion into a second body cavity the probe including an energy emitting head and a second signal handling unit, wherein one of the first and second signal handling units comprises a transmitter and the other of the first and second signal handling units comprises one of a receiver adapted to receive signals from the transmitter and a signal reflecting element, wherein, when the other of the first and second signal handling units comprises a signal reflecting element, the one of the first and second signal handling units comprises a receiver in combination with a controller operatively connected to the receiver, the controller generating an output varying as a distance between the first and second signal handling units varies.

Abstract: A system and method for surgery on a hollow organ comprises a source of a biocompatible gellable fluid in a flowable state and an insertion device for introducing the gellable fluid into a hollow organ of a patient, the gellable fluid transitioning from the flowable state to a gel-like state to form a gel mass within the hollow organ to support a wall of the hollow organ in combination with a state control apparatus for transitioning the gel mass from the gel-like state to the flowable state and a removal device for removing from the hollow organ the gellable fluid in the flowable state.

Abstract: A tissue ablation system comprises a first electrode assembly adapted for insertion into a target tissue mass within a body, the first electrode assembly including a first electrode coupled to a source of RF energy in combination with an ultrasound imaging probe movably coupled to the first electrode assembly for insertion with the first electrode assembly to a desired location relative to the target tissue mass, the probe being movable relative to the first electrode assembly between an insertion configuration in which a distal end of the probe covers a distal end of the first electrode assembly and a deployed configuration in which the distal end of the first electrode assembly is uncovered.

Abstract: A method for treating a uterine fibroid comprises forming an incision in a vaginal fornix to expose a first blood vessel supplying the fibroid, forming an opening in the first blood vessel and inserting an introducer into the first blood vessel via the opening in combination with the steps of advancing a catheter to a desired position within the first blood vessel via the introducer and introducing an occlusive agent into the first blood vessel through the catheter to block blood flow through the first blood vessel.

Abstract: A tissue treatment device comprises an insertion sized and shaped for insertion into the body via a trocar and a diagnostic element coupled to the insertion section, the diagnostic element illuminating tissue with the light of a wavelength selected to facilitate identification of target tissue in combination with an ultrasound element coupled to the insertion section for delivering to a portion of tissue illuminated by the diagnostic element ultrasound energy.

Abstract: A tissue ablation device comprises first and second electrodes of opposite polarities, the first electrode being mounted to a first elongated member for movement relative to the second electrode for separation therefrom by a desired distance. A method of ablating a tissue comprises inserting first and second electrodes to desired initial positions relative to a tissue mass to be ablated and applying electrical energy to the first and second electrodes to ablate a first portion of tissue between the first and second electrodes in combination with the step of applying electrical energy to desired second positions separated from the desired initial positions by a distance selected to transfer electrical energy around the first portion of tissue through a second portion of tissue to be ablated, the second portion of tissue surrounding the first portion of tissue.