Abstract: The invention provides improved devices, methods, and systems for repeatably and reliably contracting fascia and other support tissues, particularly for the treatment of urinary incontinence. A probe surface includes at least one heating element with a heating area and at least one cooling element with a cooling area. The heating and cooling areas are interspersed along the probe surface so as to produce alternating heated and cooled regions across a tissue engaged by the probe. Sufficient controlled energy is transmitted from the surface into the engaged tissue to contract the tissue and inhibit incontinence (or otherwise provide the desired therapeutic results). The interspersed cooling element helps decrease trauma to the tissue for a given amount of shrinkage.

Abstract: A method of determining the dimensions of a laser beam spot, comprising: scanning the laser beam in a path across a reference-edge having a photodetector positioned therebehind; and measuring an output signal from the photodetector during the scanning, the output signal corresponding to an area of the laser beam spot incident on the photodetector during the scanning. A method of aligning a laser beam delivery system, the method comprising: positioning a measurement/alignment tool at a target location; firing the laser beam on the tool; observing the laser beam using the tool; and adjusting the system in response to the sensed laser beam.

Abstract: The invention provides improved devices, methods, and systems for shrinking of collagenated tissues, particularly for treating urinary incontinence in a noninvasive manner by directing energy to a patient's own support tissues. The energy can be applied intermittently, often between a pair of large plate electrodes having cooled flat electrode surfaces, the electrodes optionally being supported by a clamp structure. Such cooled plate electrodes are capable of directing electrical energy through an intermediate tissue and into fascia while the cooled electrode surface prevents injury to the intermediate tissue, particularly where the electrode surfaces are cooled before, during, and after an intermittent heating cycle.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved devices, methods, and kits for inhibiting restenosis and hyperplasia after intravascular intervention. In particular, the present invention provides controlled drug delivery in combination with x-ray radiation delivery to selected locations within a patient's vasculature to reduce and/or inhibit restenosis and hyperplasia rates with increased efficacy. In one embodiment, the combination radiation and agent delivery catheter for inhibiting hyperplasia comprises a catheter body having a proximal end and distal end, an x-ray tube coupleable to the catheter body for applying a radiation dose to a body lumen, and a porous material, matrix, membrane, barrier, coating, infusion lumen, stent, graft, or reservoir for releasing an agent to the body lumen.

Abstract: Post-angioplasty hyperplasia in blood vessels is treated using a cryosurgical balloon catheter. The balloon catheter is positioned at a target region within the blood vessel, and the balloon inflated by expanding a cryogenic fluid, such as liquid nitrogen, across an expansion orifice into a balloon. The balloon will be constructed so that cooling is achieved primarily in the central regions of the balloon, with the proximal and distal regions being less cold and acting to insulate adjacent regions of the blood vessel from excessive cooling.

Abstract: Magnetic recording media-are provided having separately textured data and read/write head landing zones. Separating these zones on the recording surface allows independent optimization of the topology to maximize both recording characteristics and mechanical durability. The landing or contact start stop zone has an average surface roughness greater than that of the data zone. Preferably, a transition zone extends between the contact start stop zone and the data zone, the transition zone varying between the two in average surface roughness. Preferably, the contact start stop zone is textured first, followed by the data zone, thereby ensuring uniform stiction performance. Texture machines for producing such zone texturing and texturing methods are also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides improved devices, methods, and systems for repeatably and reliably contracting fascia and other support tissues, particularly for the treatment of urinary incontinence. Rather than relying on a surgeon's ability to observe, direct, and control the selective shrinking of pelvic support tissues, a relatively large surface of a tissue contraction system is placed statically against the target tissue. Sufficient controlled energy is transmitted from the surface into the engaged tissue to contract the tissue and inhibit incontinence (or otherwise provide the desired therapeutic results).

Abstract: The present invention provides magnetic recording media comprising a rigid substrate and an underlayer disposed over the substrate, in which the underlayer comprises CrTiCu or CrTiV. A magnetic layer is disposed over this underlayer, and is also disposed over a texturized surface. Generally, the substrate comprises aluminum, and an NiP layer is disposed over the substrate and below the underlayer. The texture will typically be imposed on this NiP layer. Advantageously, the CrTiCu or CrTiV underlayer has been found to compensate for texture-induced anisotropy, limiting a ratio of circumferential coercivity to radial coercivity within the range between about 0.8 and 1.25.

Abstract: The invention provides improved devices, methods, and systems for shrinking of collagenous tissues, particularly for treating urinary incontinence in a noninvasive manner by directing energy to a patient's own support tissues. This energy heats fascia and other collagenous support tissues, causing them to contract. Pre-cooling and/or pre-heating may induce a temperature difference between the target tissue and the intermediate tissue prior to initiating RF heating. This allows the dimensions of tissue reaching the treatment temperature to be controlled and/or minimized, the dimensions of protected intermediate tissue to be maximized, and the like.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for imaging a narrow body lumen, the method comprising maintaining separation between a distal end of an optical viewing scope and a lumen wall with a spacing structure which extends distally from the distal end of an access catheter. Optional spacing structures include distal cages and a guidewire which is fixed to and extends distally from the access catheter body. The invention is beneficial during either retrograde imaging of the fallopian tube, and also allows antigrade imaging and advancing the access catheter and scope under the direction of the image provided, as it prevents the tubal wall from coming into such close proximity to a falloposcope as to produce “white-out” on the imaging monitor.

Abstract: Magnetic recording media are provided having separately textured data and read/write head landing zones. Separating these zones on the recording surface allows independent optimization of the topology to maximize both recording characteristics and mechanical durability. The landing or contact start stop zone has an average surface roughness greater than that of the data zone. Preferably, a transition zone extends between the contact start stop zone and the data zone, the transition zone varying between the two in average surface roughness. Preferably, the contact start stop zone is textured first, followed by the data zone, thereby ensuring uniform stiction performance. Texture machines for producing such zone texturing and texturing methods are also provided.