Abstract: A system and method for treating a target tissue region (e.g., malignant tissue) is provided. A hyperthermic probe is placed into contact with the target tissue region, and the target tissue region is exposed to a therapeutic x-ray radiation beam. The probe is operated to increase the temperature of the target tissue region, thereby facilitating a therapeutic effect of the radiation beam. Image data of the probe containing a fiducial datum is acquired while in contact with the target tissue region, a position of the target tissue region within a treatment coordinate system is determined based on the fiducial datum, and the radiation beam is spatially adjusted relative to the target tissue region based on the determined position of the target tissue region.

Abstract: A tissue ablation device includes an array of elongate electrodes configured to be deployed in tissue, wherein the deployed electrode array defines a tissue ablation region, an inflatable balloon configured to be deployed in tissue, and a coupler securing the balloon relative to the one or more elongate electrodes, wherein the balloon, when inflated, is configured to apply a force to tissue located in the tissue ablation region. An ablation device includes a first array of electrodes, a second array of electrodes, a first inflatable balloon, and a coupler securing the first balloon relative to the first and second electrode arrays. A method of ablating tissue includes positioning an array of elongate electrodes and an inflatable balloon proximate tissue to be ablated, inflating the balloon to compress a tissue region located between the balloon and the electrode array, and energizing the electrode array to ablate the tissue region.

Abstract: A tissue ablation assembly comprises an elongate probe device, at least one ablation electrode element carried by the probe device for conveying ablation energy, and at least one magnetic element for substantially altering the path of the ablation energy conveyed by the electrode element(s). In one embodiment, the magnetic element substantially urges the ablation energy radially outward. In another embodiment, magnetic element takes the form of a ring magnet that exhibits at least four alternating magnetic poles circumferentially disposed around the probe device axis. A method of treating tissue (e.g., a tumor) is also provided. The method comprises introducing a probe device into the patient, conveying ablation energy from the probe device, and applying a magnetic field adjacent the probe device to substantially alter the path of the ablation energy, e.g.

Abstract: Assemblies and methods are provided for resecting a portion of tissue to be removed (e.g., unhealthy tissue, such as cancerous tissue) from a portion of the tissue to be retained (e.g., healthy tissue) within a patient is provided. An electrically conductive fluid, such as saline, may be absorbed into a hydrophilic electrode. Electrical energy (e.g., radio frequency (RF) energy) is conveyed to or from the hydrophilic electrode while being moved in proximity to the tissue along a resection line, whereby tissue adjacent to the resection line is coagulated. A resection member, such as a blunt resection member or a resection electrode, which may be on the same device as the hydrophilic electrode, is used to separate the tissue along the resection line to resect the tissue portion to be removed from the tissue portion to be retained.

Abstract: Embolization, as well as related particles, compositions, and methods, are disclosed.

Abstract: Particles and related methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method of making particles can include forming a stream of a mixture including first and second materials, exposing the stream to a vibration, and treating the stream to form particles. The vibration can have, for example, a sinusoidal, triangular, and/or sawtooth waveform.

Abstract: A percutaneous port comprises a port body defining a cavity and a first catheter channel adapted to allow passage of a catheter thereinto a shuttle removably received within the cavity, the shuttle including a first flow conduit which, when the shuttle is received within the cavity, extends to the first catheter channel and a sealing mechanism sealing the first flow conduit when a fluid pressure applied thereto is less than a threshold value and opening to permit flow therethrough when the fluid pressure applied thereto is at least the threshold value a cover releasably attachable to the port body to enclose the cavity.

Abstract: A tissue ablation device includes an array of elongate electrodes configured to be deployed in tissue, wherein the deployed electrode array defines a tissue ablation region, an inflatable balloon configured to be deployed in tissue, and a coupler securing the balloon relative to the one or more elongate electrodes, wherein the balloon, when inflated, is configured to apply a force to tissue located in the tissue ablation region. An ablation device includes a first array of electrodes, a second array of electrodes, a first inflatable balloon, and a coupler securing the first balloon relative to the first and second electrode arrays. A method of ablating tissue includes positioning an array of elongate electrodes and an inflatable balloon proximate tissue to be ablated, inflating the balloon to compress a tissue region located between the balloon and the electrode array, and energizing the electrode array to ablate the tissue region.

Abstract: A solution for use in medical procedures, comprises including a plurality of microspheres holding a fluorescent dye reactive to ultraviolet light and a base dye which, under white light, has one of a color substantially matching a color of a target portion of skin into which it is to be injected and which has, under UV light, a color slightly darker than a color of the target portion of skin. A method comprises identifying a target area of the skin to be accessed in a medical procedure and injecting into at least a portion of the target area a solution including a plurality of microspheres holding a colored dye and a fluorescent dye reactive to ultraviolet light in combination with locating the target area by illuminating the skin with ultraviolet light.

Abstract: A guide conduit for facilitating insertion of flexible instruments into body lumens, the conduit defining a lumen extending from an opening at a proximal end of the conduit to a distal opening at the distal end of the conduit, the conduit comprises an outer layer forming a substantially smooth outer surface and a plastically deformable layer radially within the outer layer, the plastically deformable inner layer constructed to maintain its shape when subjected to a force below a predetermined threshold level and to assume a new shape when subjected to a bending force greater than the threshold level, wherein the threshold level is selected to be greater than a range of forces to which the conduit will be subjected by instruments inserted therethrough.

Abstract: A method of treating a tissue region includes inserting a flexible sheath within a vessel, the vessel leading to a tissue region, placing a distal end of the sheath through a wall of the vessel to thereby position the distal end is at or adjacent the tissue region, deploying a plurality of electrodes from the distal end of the sheath such that tips of the deployed electrodes approximately face towards a proximal end, and delivering energy to the tissue region using the deployed electrodes.

Abstract: A device for locating target tissue within a living body, comprises an elongate member extending from a proximal end which, when in an operative position, remains outside the body to a distal end which, when in the operative position, extends into the body to a location proximate to a target portion of tissue, the elongate member defining a working channel extending therethrough to a distal opening in the distal end and a radiation delivery apparatus delivering infrared radiation to a target area distal of the distal end of the elongate member in combination with a radiation receiving apparatus at a distal end of the elongate member receiving radiation reflected from the target area.

Abstract: A tissue ablation system comprises an ablation source, such as an RF ablation source, configured for generating a common power signal, and a power multiplexor configured for splitting the power signal into first and second power signals, substantially attenuating the second power signal relative to the first power signal to create nominal and attenuated power signals, and sequentially delivering the nominal power signal to each tissue ablation probe, while delivering the attenuated power signal to the remaining ablation probes to which the nominal power signal is currently not delivered.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises an elongated delivery member and a scaffold. The elongated delivery member has a distal end, a fixed portion and an actuator portion. The actuator portion is disposed proximate to the distal end. The actuator portion and the fixed portion are movable with respect to each other. The scaffold is mounted to the elongated delivery member proximate to the distal end. The scaffold has a first end coupled to the fixed portion. The scaffold has a second end coupled to the actuator portion. The scaffold is changeable between a stowed configuration and a deployed configuration by movement of at least the actuator portion and the fixed portion relative to each other.

Abstract: A method of treating a tissue region includes inserting a flexible sheath within a vessel, the vessel leading to a tissue region, placing a distal end of the sheath through a wall of the vessel to thereby position the distal end is at or adjacent the tissue region, deploying a plurality of electrodes from the distal end of the sheath such that tips of the deployed electrodes approximately face towards a proximal end, and delivering energy to the tissue region using the deployed electrodes.

Abstract: A tissue ablation system comprises an ablation source, such as an RF ablation source, configured for generating a common power signal, and a power multiplexor configured for splitting the power signal into first and second power signals, substantially attenuating the second power signal relative to the first power signal to create nominal and attenuated power signals, and sequentially delivering the nominal power signal to each tissue ablation probe, while delivering the attenuated power signal to the remaining ablation probes to which the nominal power signal is currently not delivered.

Abstract: An implantable port comprises a port body forming a fluid reservoir and a septum sealing a proximal end of the reservoir in combination with a clicker member biased toward a first configuration, the clicker member being deformable via mechanical force applied thereto and configured so that, when subject to a force of at least a predetermined magnitude, the clicker member rapidly deforms away from the first configuration to a second configuration to provide one of an aural and tactile feedback to the user.

Abstract: Tissue ablation probes and methods for treating tissue are provided. The tissue ablation probe comprises an elongated probe shaft, at least one electrode carried by the distal end of the probe shaft, and a pharmaceutical agent carried by the probe shaft. The pharmaceutical agent may be disposed on the electrode(s), the probe shaft, or a releasable portion associated with the electrode or the probe shaft. A method for treating tissue comprises introducing a tissue ablation probe to a tissue site, operating the tissue ablation probe to ablate tissue at the tissue site, and releasing a pharmaceutical agent from the tissue ablation probe at the tissue site.

Abstract: Described herein are various implantable devices that include a heat generating element for degrading bacterial. In particular, the device can include a catheter having a heat generating element proximate to a distal end of the catheter for heating an outer surface of the catheter.

Abstract: An agent delivery device includes an inner tubular body having a proximal end, a sharpened distal end, a delivery lumen extending therebetween, and one or more outlet ports on the distal end communicating with the delivery lumen. The device also includes one or more seals sealing the one or more outlet ports, the one or more seals capable of being melted to allow a fluid to be delivered from the delivery lumen through the one or more outlet ports. The agent delivery device may further include a monopolar or bipolar electrode and/or a radio-opaque marker carried at the distal end of the device. The inner tubular body can be made from a conductive material to thereby allow the inner tubular body to function as an electrode.