Abstract: Disclosed is an electrical control system for minimally invasive tumor therapies. The electrical control system for minimally invasive tumor therapies includes a control module, a perfusion module and a power box. The perfusion module includes a working medium storage tank, a tank liquid level meter, a tank pressure sensor, a tank deflation valve, a liquid charging valve and an external working medium container. The power box is configured to supply power to the control module and the perfusion module. The control module is configured to receive working medium parameters sent by the tank liquid level meter and the tank pressure sensor, and to control, when the work medium parameters meet a perfusion condition, the tank deflation valve and the liquid charging valve to open or close respectively so as to input working medium from the external working medium container into the working medium storage tank.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a thermal ablation probe device that integrates deployable sensors with a freezing probe or heating probe for use in ablating tissues. The ablation probe includes a longitudinal body including a thermal ablation energy source which may be, e.g., a cryosource or a heat source. The longitudinal body has a proximal end and a distal end terminating at a probe tip; and at least one deployable assembly disposed within the longitudinal body. The deployable assembly includes a flexible and substantially rigid deployment member, and at least one sensor affixed to a distal end of the deployment member. The ablation probe further includes a control mechanism for controlling deployment and retraction of the deployable assembly.

Abstract: Methods of ablating endometrial tissue are disclosed. The methods include providing an ablation device that has a catheter with a hollow shaft through which an ablative agent can travel, a first positioning element, and a second positioning element positioned on the catheter distal to the first positioning element. The second positioning element is a disc shaped wire mesh and has a diameter in a range of 0.1 mm to 10 cm.

Abstract: A device, system, and method for identifying an area of ablated tissue. Specifically, the device, system, and method may include a device having one or more fiber sensors and a processing unit for receiving emitted and/or reflected light from tissue and making one or more determinations based on the received light regarding ablated tissue, tissue contact, and/or occlusion. Each of the fiber sensors may include at least one multimode waveguide segment and at least one singlemode waveguide segment, or each of the fiber sensors may be singlemode waveguide. Further, each fiber sensor may have a core with long-period grating for optically coupling light from tissue to the fiber sensor. The processing unit may include a beam processing apparatus and a hyperspectral imaging and analysis apparatus, and may optionally include a light source.

Abstract: A neuromodulation apparatus for stimulating neural activity in a renal nerve of a patient is provided, the apparatus comprising a transducer Patient for applying a signal to the renal nerve so as to produce a physiological response. Methods of treating sleep apnoea are also provided, including methods using the neuromodulation apparatus.

Abstract: Described embodiments include an apparatus that includes an intrabody probe and an electrode coupled to a distal end of the intrabody probe. The electrode includes a flexible electrically-insulating substrate, comprising a substrate surface. The electrode further includes a layer of an electrically-conducting metal covering at least part of the substrate surface. The electrode further includes a metallic sheet, comprising an inner sheet surface, and an outer sheet surface shaped to define multiple depressions. The electrode further includes an adhesive, which fills the depressions and bonds the outer sheet surface to the layer of the electrically-conducting metal. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: An intravascular ablation device, including a flexible elongate body; an expandable element positioned on the elongate body; a radiofrequency or electroporation treatment segment located distally of the expandable element; a cryogenic coolant source in fluid communication with an interior of the expandable element; and a radiofrequency or electroporation energy source in communication with the radiofrequency or electroporation treatment segment.

Abstract: A system for determining a location of a structure within a patients vasculature includes three or more pads adhered to the patients torso in a predetermined pad pattern. Each pad generates a pad electrical signal. A stylet has longitudinally spaced proximal and distal stylet ends, with at least one stylet electrode located proximate the distal stylet end. The stylet electrode receives the pad electrical signals and responsively generates a stylet electrical signal. A signal processor is operatively coupled for signal exchange with the stylet and to each of the pads via a selective electrical coupling. The signal processor compares the stylet electrical signal and at least two pad electrical signals to triangulate a position of the stylet electrode relative to each of the pads and responsively produce a triangulated position. The triangulated position is indicative of a position of the stylet electrode within the patients vasculature.

Abstract: A container replacement system for replacing a fluid container with a replacement fluid container, wherein the fluid container contains a cryogenic fluid and is coupled to a pressure line, includes a control valve that vents the cryogenic fluid within the pressure line, a pressure sensor that senses a line pressure of the cryogenic fluid and generates sensor output and a controller that receives sensor output and determines whether to replace the fluid container. If the line pressure is below a threshold line pressure, the controller determines replacing the fluid container is permissible. Contrarily, if the line pressure is above the threshold line pressure, the controller determines replacing the fluid container is not permissible. The container replacement system further includes a GUI that instructs whether replacing the fluid container is permissible.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for use in the selective disruption of lipid-rich cells by controlled cooling. The present invention further relates to a device for use in carrying out the methods for selective disruption of lipid-rich cells by controlled cooling.

Abstract: A system and method for prostate cancer treatment under local anesthesia includes creating a superficial skin and subcutaneous block in a perineal area of a patient by administering a first anesthetizing agent; creating a deep nerve block under ultrasound guidance by administering a second anesthetizing agent, the second anesthetizing agent infiltrating cavernosal nerve bundle tissue and periprostatic space; and ablating prostate tissue. The office-based method, statistical models and computer generated treatment plans identify and ablate prostate tissue containing cancer through or via the perineum while preserving prostate function, and critical anatomical structures.

Abstract: A system and method of monitoring, controlling and/or detecting events during the removal of heat from subcutaneous lipid-rich tissue is described. In some examples, the system detects an increase in temperature at a treatment device in contact with the skin of a subject, determines that the increase in temperature is related to a treatment event, and performs an action based on the determination. In some examples, the system shuts off the treatment device, alerts an operator, or reduces the cooling in response to a determined treatment event.

Abstract: A microscale thermocouple probe for intracellular temperature measurements comprises a cantilever structure including a suspended portion extending from a support, where the suspended portion includes first and second conductive lines on a surface thereof. The first and second conductive lines extend along the surface and meet at a tip of the suspended portion to define a thermocouple junction.

Abstract: The present invention provides a touching head for cosmetic device and a cosmetic device using the same, the touching head includes a holder and a touch pad, the upper and lower openings of the holder are connected, wherein the holder is provided with a washer, and the top of the washer is fixedly connected with the touch pad. the touch pad of the touching head of the invention is made of toughened glass, which is only a simple sheet portion without additional processing, its surface is smooth, soft and transparent, which can provide good touch feeling when contacting with human skin, and has the advantages of simple structure, excellent waterproof performance and low production cost. In addition, the heat emitted by the LED light board of the cosmetic device can be effectively transmitted to the touching head, so that the therapeutic effect of the cosmetic device is better.

Abstract: A cryoprobe is used during surgery in a human body to remove unwanted tissue. The cryoprobe includes a first gas supply line and a second gas supply line for delivering a supply of cryogenic gas from at least adjacent a proximal end to at least adjacent a distal end of the cryoprobe. The cryoprobe further includes a first gas return line and a second gas return line for returning the supply of cryogenic gas from at least adjacent the distal end to at least adjacent the proximal end of the cryoprobe. At least a portion of the first gas supply line is received in the first gas return line. A transition portion having at least one internal cavity and an aperture from the at least one internal cavity to an exterior portion of the transition portion is also included in the cryoprobe.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is disclosed. The surgical instrument includes a shaft, a sensing array and a fluid detection circuit. The sensing array is positioned within the shaft. The fluid detection circuit is electrically coupled to the sensing array, and is configured to determine when a fluid originating from an environment external to the shaft is present within the shaft.

Abstract: A light-based epilation device having at least two sub-groups of light emission elements, each of the sub-groups of light emission elements having at least one distinct light emission element, wherein the sub-groups of light emission elements are arranged for separate energizing, and a controller unit arranged for energizing the sub-groups of light emission elements in accordance with an energizing sequence so that the light emission unit quasi-continuously emits light

Abstract: A system is disclosed for delivering insufflation gas to a body cavity of a patient during a surgical procedure, which includes an insufflator for delivering a flow of insufflation gas to the body cavity of the patient through a flow path that communicates with a pneumatically sealed trocar, a flow meter for measuring an amount of gas that has been removed from the body cavity by use of a suction device, and a controller operatively connected to the flow meter for receiving a flow measurement from the flow meter to determine when the suction device is in use and an amount of insufflation gas needed to be delivered to the body cavity by the insufflator to compensate for the gas removed from the body cavity by the suction device.

Abstract: A lens/sensor subassembly (318) may include a feedback sensor (324), a data transmission line (302), and an electrical element (328). The feedback sensor (324) may be configured to measure a phenomenon in an eye (100) of a patient during a laser-based ophthalmological therapy. The data transmission line (302) may be configured to communicate feedback data measured by the feedback sensor (324) to a laser-based ophthalmological treatment system (200). The electrical element (328) may be degradable in response to exposure to therapeutic radiation (316). The degradation of the electrical element (328) may interrupt communication of the feedback data measured by the feedback sensor (324) to the laser-based ophthalmological treatment system (200).

Abstract: Cryocatheter including an elongated flexible catheter member having a short rigid catheter tip for introduction into a therapy site and a heat exchange arrangement for freezing the catheter tip to a cryo-temperature from between about ?15° C. to about ?30° C. for freezing human tissue at the therapy site. Cerebral medical procedures include inter alia employing a local ice ball for sealing a bleeding rupture in an arterial wall in the case of a stroke hemorrhage, employing a local ice ball for mapping electrical disorder foci in a brain, for example, epileptic foci, and the like.

Abstract: A flow modulation device 300 for controlling a rheological state of a dispensed pressurized fluid includes a porous element 304 and an exit tube. The porous element 304 is in fluid communication with a distal end of an outlet tube 303 and receives pressurized fluid in a first rheological state. The porous element 304 includes a plurality of channels that divide a flow channel into a plurality of flow paths through which the pressurized fluid flows and that modulates the flow of the pressurized fluid. The exit tube 305 includes proximal end 355 and distal end 345 and an intermediate body including a sidewall 365 defining a hollow internal lumen 375. The exit tube 305 is in fluid communication with the porous element 304 and receives the modulated pressurized fluid from the plurality of flow paths and refocuses the fluid to dispense the pressurized fluid in a second rheological state.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for controlling a patient's body temperature by endovascular heat exchange.

Abstract: A method of delivering light energy to a pathological tissue includes emitting light energy from a first optical element within a cannula, producing a substantially uniform irradiance profile from the light energy within the cannula, transmitting the light energy emitted from the first optical element through a second optical element in thermal contact with a distal end of the cannula to the pathological tissue without ablating the pathological tissue, and conducting thermal energy from the pathological tissue through the second optical element and to the cannula.

Abstract: Systems and methods for treating cellulite including an apparatus that applies or a method involving separating septa to eliminate or reduce the appearance of cellulite. In one approach, an interventional tool is placed between tissue layers to engage and treat septa connecting tissue layers between which fat deposits are contained.

Abstract: An intravascular ablation device, including a flexible elongate body; an expandable element positioned on the elongate body; a radiofrequency or electroporation treatment segment located distally of the expandable element; a cryogenic coolant source in fluid communication with an interior of the expandable element; and a radiofrequency or electroporation energy source in communication with the radiofrequency or electroporation treatment segment.

Abstract: A phototherapy device for promoting wound healing and treating pain associated with soft-tissue and musculo-skeletal injuries is presented. The phototherapy device may deliver therapeutic light outputs that are variable, in real time, based in part on morphologic data of the patient measured by the device in real-time.

Abstract: A device, system, and method for identifying an area of ablated tissue. Specifically, the device, system, and method may include a device having one or more fiber sensors and a processing unit for receiving emitted and/or reflected light from tissue and making one or more determinations based on the received light regarding ablated tissue, tissue contact, and/or occlusion. Each of the fiber sensors may include at least one multimode waveguide segment and at least one singlemode waveguide segment, or each of the fiber sensors may be singlemode waveguide. Further, each fiber sensor may have a core with long-period grating for optically coupling light from tissue to the fiber sensor. The processing unit may include a beam processing apparatus and a hyperspectral imaging and analysis apparatus, and may optionally include a light source.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a charged particle beam apparatus that enables temperature maintenance in a cooling unit provided inside a vacuum application apparatus using a refrigerant. The charged particle beam apparatus includes a cooling tank that contains a refrigerant for cooling a cooling unit, a cooling pipe that supplies the refrigerant from the cooling tank to the cooling unit, and a unit that leads the refrigerant to liquefy when the refrigerant is biased to a solid.

Abstract: A system for cryogenic cooling of a remote cooling target comprising a cryogenic cooling device and a flexible cold fluid discharge interface, said flexible cold fluid discharge interface further comprising a flexible outer hose, a flexible middle recirculation line, a flexible inner hose, a flexible cryogen supply line, a first annular vacuum insulating area disposed between said flexible outer hose and said middle recirculation line, and a second annular vacuum insulating area disposed between said flexible inner hose and said flexible supply line. Said outer flexible hose, first evacuated annular segment, recirculation line, inner hose, second evacuated annular segment and supply line are arranged substantially concentrically.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for cosmetically treating dark spots on the skin, wherein said method is intended for eliminating at least one of said dark spots located in a region of the hand, the face, the limbs or the chest area of a person suffering from such skin hyperpigmentation, characterised in that said method includes a step of applying a spray of cryogenic fluid to said region, which brings the skin temperature to a temperature of between ?4° C. and ?15° C. for a consecutive application period of from 2 to 10 seconds, in order to selectively act on the melanocytes, and to a device for carrying out said method.

Abstract: A method and system for creating permanent lesions in an area of target tissue, such as tissue at or proximate a junction between a pulmonary vein and the left atrium. The method may generally include positioning a medical device in contact with a pulmonary vein ostium, ablating the tissue, and recording a plurality of temperature measurements from one or more of three temperature sensors. The device may include an occlusion element in communication with a coolant source, a first sensor located distal of the occlusion element, a second sensor located proximal of the occlusion element, and a third sensor located in the occlusion element. One or more temperature measurements may be compared with each other to assess occlusion of the pulmonary vein, and/or may be compared with a set of reference temperatures to predict a real-time temperature within the target tissue.

Abstract: A treatment device for removing heat from subcutaneous lipid-rich cells of a subject having an actuator that provides mechanical energy to the tissue. The mechanical energy provided may include a vibratory component that can range between low and ultra-high frequencies, and such energy may include various combinations of two or more frequencies tailored to produce the desired effect on the subcutaneous tissue. Disruption of adipose tissue cooled by an external treatment device may be enhanced by applying mechanical energy to cooled tissue. Furthermore, such mechanical energy may impart a vibratory effect, a massage effect, a pulsatile effect, or combinations thereof on the tissue.

Abstract: A medical ultrasonic probe includes an ultrasonic probe having a probe head and a connector. The connector includes a fluid cooling system comprising a pump configured to pump a cooling fluid between the connector and the probe head. A damper including a housing has a first portion defining a cavity receiving the cooling fluid and a second portion including a gas that is separated from the first portion by a membrane.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for thermally-induced renal neuromodulation. Thermally-induced renal neuromodulation may be achieved via direct and/or via indirect application of thermal energy to heat or cool neural fibers that contribute to renal function, or of vascular structures that feed or perfuse the neural fibers. In some embodiments, parameters of the neural fibers, of non-target tissue, or of the thermal energy delivery element, may be monitored via one or more sensors for controlling the thermally-induced neuromodulation. In some embodiments, protective elements may be provided to reduce a degree of thermal damage induced in the non-target tissues.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for delivering energy substantially distal to an electrosurgical device. Embodiments of a device of the present invention may comprise an elongate member having one or more electrically insulated portions and a distal face comprising one or more electrically exposed conductive portions for delivering energy substantially distal to the elongate member. At least one of the one or more electrically insulated portions may extend from a proximal region of the elongate member to a distal end of the elongate member. In addition, a method is provided for creating a lesion at a target site within a body of a human or animal using an electrosurgical device.

Abstract: A system for alleviating occipital neuralgia. The system has a needle probe having at least one needle. The at least one needle has a proximal end, a distal end, and a needle lumen therebetween, the needle configured for insertion proximate to a location of the occipital nerve. A cooling fluid supply lumen extends distally within the needle lumen to a distal portion of the needle lumen. A cooling fluid source is coupled to the cooling fluid supply lumen to direct cooling fluid flow into the needle lumen. A controller that has at least one processor configured implements an occipital neuralgia treatment algorithm for controlling the cooling fluid source so that liquid from the cooling flow vaporizes within the needle lumen to provide a treatment phase to location of the occipital nerve such that the occipital neuralgia is mitigated.

Abstract: A cryosurgical probe assembly including a cryosurgical probe having a shaft, an insulation element housed within the cryosurgical probe and being slideably repositionable relative to the shaft, and a fluid supply line having an inlet portion for connection to a cryogenic fluid source.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for performing cryogenic ablation of tissue and adjusting the size and/or location of a cryogenic cooling region. A cooling assembly may include tubes for dispensing and exhausting a coolant or refrigerant. One or both of the tubes may be moved, e.g., slidably adjusted, in order to adjust the location or size of a cryogenic ablation region. The cooling assembly may be integrated into cryogenic ablation devices including a cryogenic balloon device that includes an inner inflatable balloon and another balloon that is at least partially wrapped around the inner balloon and carries refrigerant for performing cryo-ablation. Electrodes permit electrical mapping of tissue before or after cryo-ablation to verify success of the procedure.

Abstract: A cryotreatment catheter for treating tissue. The catheter may include an outer elongate body, a balloon treatment element coupled to the distal portion of the elongate body with a plurality of balloon lobes radially arranged around the outer elongate body, an inner elongate body rotatably movable within the lumen of the outer elongate body, and a fluid delivery lumen located within the lumen of the outer elongate body and at least partially within the lumen of the inner elongate body. The fluid delivery lumen may be branched at a distal portion into a plurality of linear segments, each linear segment being in fluid communication with one of the plurality of balloon lobes. Each of the balloon lobes may be inflated independently of each other by the linear segments of the fluid delivery lumen.

Abstract: An embodiment of the disclosure includes a method for treating a lung. The method may include inserting a cooling element into an airway of the lung; and damaging tissue disposed radially outward of surface tissue defining the airway via the cooling element.

Abstract: Methods and devices for treating nasal airways are provided. Such devices and methods may improve airflow through an internal and/or external nasal valve, and comprise the use of mechanical re-shaping, energy application and other treatments to modify the shape, structure, and/or air flow characteristics of an internal nasal valve, an external nasal valve or other nasal airways.

Abstract: A method is provided for treating a neuromuscular defect in a subject. One step of the method includes locating a target nerve. After locating the target nerve, a treatment probe is provided. The treatment probe includes an elongated body member having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion. The distal end portion includes an energy delivery mechanism for stimulating or ablating the target nerve, a monitoring mechanism, and a fluid aspiration/delivery mechanism. Next, the target nerve is verified as an appropriate target for ablation by stimulating and then monitoring the target nerve via the energy delivery mechanism and the monitoring mechanism, respectively. After verifying the target nerve, a tumescent fluid is injected into the tissue surrounding the target nerve. An electric current is then delivered to the energy delivery mechanism to substantially ablate the target nerve.

Abstract: The invention relates to a temperature distribution determining apparatus for determining a temperature distribution within an object caused by applying energy to the object. A temperature distribution measuring unit (6, 7) measures a spatially and temporally dependent first temperature distribution in the object (3), while the energy is applied to the object (3) such that the object (3) is heated to a temperature within a first temperature range, and a temperature distribution estimating unit (5) estimates a spatially and temporally dependent second temperature distribution in the object (3) within a second temperature range, which is different to the first temperature range, based on the spatial and temporal dependence of the measured first temperature distribution. Since temperature distributions can be obtained not only in the first temperature range, but also in the second temperature range, the overall temperature range, in which the temperature distribution can be determined, can be increased.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus for use in the selective disruption of visceral fat tissue by controlled cooling.

Abstract: An internally-cooled RF electrode can have a construction that provides for an electrode hub having reduced weight and size.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with characterizing Radio Frequency Ablation (RFA) lesions using Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) are described. One example method includes acquiring an OCT signal from a Region Of Interest (ROI) in an ablated material. The example method may also include determining whether a lesion was formed by the ablation by analyzing optical properties of the ROI as recorded in the OCT signal.

Abstract: A method of operating a medical system, including coupling a medical system to an outlet of a fluid distribution network having a plurality of fluid outlets in a patient treatment center; delivering fluid from the outlet to the medical system; compressing the delivered fluid with the medical system; decreasing the moisture content of the delivered fluid with the medical system; cooling the fluid with the medical system; delivering the fluid from the medical system to a medical device; and removing the fluid from medical device with the medical system.

Abstract: A method and system for automated and semi-automated predictable, consistent, safe, effective, and lumen-specific and patient-specific cryospray treatment of airway tissue in which treatment duration is automatically set by the system following entry of patient information and treatment location information into the system by the user, and treatment spray is automatically stopped by the system when the automatically selected treatment duration has been achieved as determined by the system.

Abstract: Fluid removal systems and methods for removing a fluid from a tissue site are presented. The systems include a semi-permeable inbound conduit, which is fluidly coupled to a treatment-fluid delivery unit, for placement proximate to the tissue site, and a semi-permeable outbound conduit, which is fluidly coupled to the inbound conduit and to a treatment-fluid collector, for placement proximate to the tissue site of a patient. The treatment-fluid collector receives a treatment fluid and a recruited fluid from the tissue site. A recruited-fluid determination unit may be coupled to the treatment-fluid collector to determine a volume of the recruited fluid recruited from the patient. The treatment fluid is any fluid (including a gas) that pulls the fluid from an interstitial and intracellular space. A reduced-pressure treatment subsystem may also be included, among other things, for removing ascites and other fluids from a body cavity.

Abstract: An electrode for an electrosurgical unit is used for ablating and necrosing a living tissue by RF electric energy. The electrode can be a hollow electrode formed in an elongated hollow tube shape, including a non-insulating region of a predetermined length formed on one side, and an insulating region formed on an outer surface other than the non-insulating region. The electrode further can include a saline solution circulation structure that supplies pressurized saline solution for cooling a living tissue which is in contact with the hollow electrode from the outside of the living tissue to the inside of the hollow electrode, and one or more saline solution discharge holes formed in the non-insulating region of the hollow electrode to discharge some of the circulating pressurized saline solution to the living tissue.