Abstract: An apparatus for treatment of soft tissue includes a source of radiation, a handpiece which is adapted to transmit radiation emitted from the source of radiation to a region of soft tissue, resulting in irradiated soft tissue, said handpiece being positioned adjacent to or in contact with said soft tissue region, a grid element adapted to hold at least one temperature sensor in contact with or embedded in said region of soft tissue, and a microprocessor, which converts a signal from the at least one temperature sensor into a measure of damage produced in at least two components of the irradiated soft tissue, said components comprising at least one normal tissue component and at least one malignant, hypertrophic, diseased, or unwanted component.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are optical assemblies having thin, low profile shapes. These optical assemblies may be used with fiber coupled lasers and other light sources, including high power sources, to irradiate tissue at a wavelength suitable for inducing ablation or coagulation to a target depth, denaturation, thermal modification of a tissue, and/or preferential injury to a target tissue structure. Example optical assemblies can produce substantially uniform illumination patterns that are useful for treating superficial tissue, including the internal or luminal (e.g., esophageal) tissue. Some examples may have capability for cooling superficial tissue or skin, such as a detachable, reusable heat sink for active cooling without consumables, fluid pumps, or other cooling equipment.

Abstract: An apparatus for treatment of soft tissue includes a source of radiation, a handpiece which is adapted to transmit radiation emitted from the source of radiation to a region of soft tissue, resulting in irradiated soft tissue, said handpiece being positioned adjacent to or in contact with said soft tissue region, a grid element adapted to hold at least one temperature sensor in contact with or embedded in said region of soft tissue, and a microprocessor, which converts a signal from the at least one temperature sensor into a measure of damage produced in at least two components of the irradiated soft tissue, said components comprising at least one normal tissue component and at least one malignant, hypertrophic, diseased, or unwanted component.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are optical assemblies having thin, low profile shapes. These optical assemblies may be used with fiber coupled lasers and other light sources, including high power sources, to irradiate tissue at a wavelength suitable for inducing ablation or coagulation to a target depth, denaturation, thermal modification of a tissue, and/or preferential injury to a target tissue structure. Example optical assemblies can produce substantially uniform illumination patterns that are useful for treating superficial tissue, including the internal or luminal (e.g., esophageal) tissue. Some examples may have capability for cooling superficial tissue or skin, such as a detachable, reusable heat sink for active cooling without consumables, fluid pumps, or other cooling equipment.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method are provided for the treatment of soft tissue. The apparatus includes a light source and at least two optical assemblies. Each of the optical assemblies includes at least one optical element and a light-transmitting contact surface configured to transmit a substantially uniform distribution of light therethrough. The apparatus further includes at least two optical transmission devices each disposed between the light source and a corresponding one of the at least two optical assemblies. The apparatus also includes a handpiece to which the at least two optical assemblies are attached, and which is adapted to bring the light-transmitting contact surfaces of the at least two optical assemblies in contact with soft tissue disposed therebetween.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method are provided for the treatment of soft tissue. The apparatus includes a light source and at least two optical assemblies. Each of the optical assemblies includes at least one optical element and a light-transmitting contact surface configured to transmit a substantially uniform distribution of light therethrough. The apparatus further includes at least two optical transmission devices each disposed between the light source and a corresponding one of the at least two optical assemblies. The apparatus also includes a handpiece to which the at least two optical assemblies are attached, and which is adapted to bring the light-transmitting contact surfaces of the at least two optical assemblies in contact with soft tissue disposed therebetween.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are optical assemblies having thin, low profile shapes. These optical assemblies may be used with fiber coupled lasers and other light sources, including high power sources, to irradiate tissue at a wavelength suitable for inducing ablation or coagulation to a target depth, denaturation, thermal modification of a tissue, and/or preferential injury to a target tissue structure. Example optical assemblies can produce substantially uniform illumination patterns that are useful for treating superficial tissue, including the internal or luminal (e.g., esophageal) tissue. Some examples may have capability for cooling superficial tissue or skin, such as a detachable, reusable heat sink for active cooling without consumables, fluid pumps, or other cooling equipment.

Abstract: An apparatus for treatment of soft tissue includes a source of radiation, a handpiece which is adapted to transmit radiation emitted from the source of radiation to a region of soft tissue, resulting in irradiated soft tissue, said handpiece being positioned adjacent to or in contact with said soft tissue region, a grid element adapted to hold at least one temperature sensor in contact with or embedded in said region of soft tissue, and a microprocessor, which converts a signal from the at least one temperature sensor into a measure of damage produced in at least two components of the irradiated soft tissue, said components comprising at least one normal tissue component and at least one malignant, hypertrophic, diseased, or unwanted component.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and apparatus for treating bladder cancer. Example apparatus include a laser or other source that generates visible or near-infrared radiation and a cytoscope to deliver and apply the radiation to a treatment site, such as the urothelial surface of the bladder. The radiation alters the permeability of at least one layer of the bladder wall, allowing more efficacious administration of chemotherapeutic or anticancer agent to the bladder lumen during or after application of the radiation. Permeability of the bladder wall may be altered by damaging suburothelial blood vessels, such as those of the lamina propria of the bladder wall, or by damaging the urothelium and suburothelial blood vessels of the bladder in a patient with bladder cancer. Damage to the urothelium induced by the radiation may be of a continuous or discontinuous nature. Treatment may also cause regression or destruction of (pre)malignant tissue in the urothelium and suburothelium.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method are provided for the treatment of soft tissue. The apparatus includes a light source and at least two optical assemblies. Each of the optical assemblies includes at least one optical element and a light-transmitting contact surface configured to transmit a substantially uniform distribution of light therethrough. The apparatus further includes at least two optical transmission devices each disposed between the light source and a corresponding one of the at least two optical assemblies. The apparatus also includes a handpiece to which the at least two optical assemblies are attached, and which is adapted to bring the light-transmitting contact surfaces of the at least two optical assemblies in contact with soft tissue disposed therebetween.