Abstract: An extender for use in an electro-mechanical surgical system that includes a surgical attachment that may be detachably coupled to an electro-mechanical driver device via a flexible shaft. The extender is a substantially rigid extender that includes a proximal end that may be detachably coupled to a distal end of the flexible shaft. The extender also includes a distal end that may be detachably coupled to the surgical attachment. The extender also includes at least one rotatable drive shaft configured to engage and be secured with a respective rotatable drive shaft of the flexible shaft such that rotation of the respective rotatable drive shaft of the flexible shaft by the electro-mechanical driver device causes the at least one rotatable drive shaft of the extender to rotate, thereby rotating a complementary connector of the surgical attachment so as to operate the surgical attachment.

Abstract: An apparatus for exchanging heat in a patient has a first elongated heat exchange catheter carrying circulating working fluid to and from a heat exchange system and a second elongated heat exchange catheter carrying circulating working fluid to and from the heat exchange system. The apparatus has a connector supporting proximal portions of both catheters while distal portions of the catheters are disposed inside a patient's vasculature to exchange heat with the patient.

Abstract: Technologies are generally described for detecting diseased tissues through fiber optic based Raman spectroscopy, image acquisition, and/or RF induced hyperthermia treatment of the detected tissues in an integrated manner. A fiber optic bundle for carrying optical and RF signals for the spectroscopy, visual imaging, and RF ablation may also be used to detect a temperature of the treated tissue such that level and duration of the RF signal can be controlled for optimum results. A shielding configuration in the form of a coaxial waveguide of the fiber optic bundle may be used to guide and deliver the RF signal. Sources and detectors for the optical and RF signals may be integrated into an endoscopic probe containing the fiber optic bundle or be externally positioned. An integrated or remote controller may be employed to manage the optical imaging, spectroscopy, RF ablation, and thermal sensing operations.

Abstract: A warming blanket is provided that includes a first sheet and a second sheet sealed at least along a common edge. An air inlet is provided on the warming blanket where the first sheet and the second sheet are not sealed. An inlet opening device is attached to the inlet opening. The inlet opening device separates the first sheet from the second sheet at the inlet opening in the absence of an opposing force. Methods of forming and using the warming blanket are also provided.

Abstract: A thermal regulation blanket includes a plurality of cells with a first reagent. A plurality of pouches with a second reagent are disposed within the plurality of cells. A plurality of dividers are disposed between each of the plurality of cells. A thermally conductive layer is disposed over the cells and the plurality of dividers. When the first reagent and the second reagent mix, a thermal reaction occurs which modifies a temperature of the thermally conductive layer. A method of providing thermal therapy to a patient includes positioning the patient on a thermal regulation blanket, an abdomen of the patient is engaged with at least one abdominal blanket of the thermal regulation blanket. At least one cell of the thermal regulation blanket is activated to begin providing thermal therapy to the patient. A temperature of the thermal regulation blanket is monitored with a temperature sensor. At least one additional cell is activated to adjust the temperature of the thermal regulation blanket.

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: Systems, devices, and methods are described for providing a monitor/treatment device configured to, for example, detect hemozoin, as well as to monitor or treat a malarial infection.

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 robotic surgery system comprises a mounting base, a plurality of surgical instruments, and an articulate support assembly. Each instrument is insertable into a patient through an associated minimally invasive aperture to a desired internal surgical site. The articulate support assembly movably supports the instruments relative to the base. The support generally comprises an orienting platform, a platform linkage movably supporting the orienting platform relative to the base, and a plurality of manipulators mounted to the orienting platform, wherein each manipulator movably supports an associated instrument.

Abstract: The present invention provides a skin patch laminate body, comprising a skin patch body including a base layer and a skin adhesive layer being formed on one surface of the base layer for being directly applied to the skin and a heat imparting body including an exothermic agent and an exothermic agent-accommodating layer that accommodates the exothermic agent therein, wherein the exothermic agent-accommodating layer on one surface of the heat imparting body, and the other surface of the base layer of the skin patch body are attached to each other via a peelable adhesive layer.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems for transcutaneously treating tissue located beneath a skin surface with electromagnetic energy delivered from a treatment electrode. A portion of the treatment electrode is contacted with the skin surface. While maintaining the contact between the portion of the treatment electrode and the skin surface, the electromagnetic energy is delivered from the treatment electrode in a plurality of power pulses through the skin surface to the tissue over a treatment time with a time gap between each consecutive pair of the pulses to lower a level of pain perceived by a patient.

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 heat exchange fluid supply system for supplying a heat exchange fluid to an intravascular heat exchange catheter includes a disposable cassette having a bulkhead and an external heat exchanger, and which is configured to operate in combination with a reusable master control unit. The bulkhead includes a reservoir section and a pump section. The reservoir section is provided with a means to monitor the amount of heat exchange fluid that is in the system. The bulkhead provides the mechanism for priming the system with heat exchange fluid from an external source and for circulating fluid to the catheter in a closed circuit. The pump section is configured to allow for pumping of heat exchange fluid at a constant pressure.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention disclosed herein generally include methods and/or devices for increasing blood flow, controlling the vasodilatation of a patient's vascular structure, regulating the temperature of a portion of a mammal, and for improving various interventional procedures and/or therapeutic techniques. The device may also include one or more access ports, or apertures, that allow access to portions of the mammal's extremity to allow interventional type medical devices, therapeutic devices, surgical support equipment or patient monitoring devices to have access to the extremity on which a body element is disposed. The device may also be configured to allow other supporting components, which may include IV or other catheters, a means of accessing to a portion of the extremity positioned inside the temperature regulating device.

Abstract: An infrared emitter at least partially defines an interior space that at least partially contains convective products of combustion. A burner provides a mixture of combustible gas and primary air to the combustion, while secondary air is also provided to the combustion. A first side of the infrared emitter is in opposing face-to-face relation with the interior space so that the first side of the infrared emitter is exposed to, and heated by, the convective products of combustion. As a result, a second side of the infrared emitter emits infrared radiation. Static gauge pressure, measured at a location that is within the interior space and adjacent to the first side of the infrared emitter, may not exceed about 0.009 inches water column while the burner is operating. Excess air present in gasses exhausted from the interior space may be less than 300% while the burner is operating.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining a thermal property of tissue includes a base unit with one or more energy source and at least two, preferably detachable, leads. The distal end of each lead, which is introduced into the tissue to be treated, has at least two longitudinally spaced temperature measuring elements to measure surrounding tissue temperature and at least two longitudinally spaced electrode surfaces for applying current to the tissue. Each distal end is also provided with an element which uses energy emitted by the sources of energy to heat up the surrounding tissue. The base unit has computing elements, current generating elements for generating an alternating current, and conductance determining elements for determining the tissue conductance between pairs of electrode surfaces based on the alternating current applied by the current generating elements to the tissue. Methods for using the device and leads for use in the device are also described.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method to non-invasively deliver a therapeutic amount of energy to a treatment site to fragment particulate material. More specifically, an external power source is provided for transmitting energy non-invasively through the skin and body of a patient to a medical implant. The medical implant, including an energy focusing device, is surgically positioned at the treatment site. The energy focusing device is configured to receive the transmitted energy and directing therapeutic energy to the treatment site to fragment particulate material.

Abstract: A heat exchange fluid supply system for supplying a heat exchange fluid to an intravascular heat exchange catheter includes a disposable cassette having a bulkhead and an external heat exchanger, and which is configured to operate in combination with a reusable master control unit. The bulkhead includes a reservoir section and a pump section. The reservoir section is provided with a means to monitor the amount of heat exchange fluid that is in the system. The bulkhead provides the mechanism for priming the system with heat exchange fluid from an external source and for circulating fluid to the catheter in a closed circuit. The pump section is configured to allow for pumping of heat exchange fluid at a constant pressure.

Abstract: Disclosed herein, among other things, is system for thermal neuroinhibition. According to an embodiment, the system includes at least one implantable fluid-filled conduit adapted to be placed adjacent to a neural target. The system also includes an implantable housing including a power source, a heat pump deriving power from the source and connected to the conduit, and a controller within the housing. The controller is connected to the heat pump, and is adapted to control the heat pump to effect fluid flow in the conduit to cool the neural target using electromechanical refrigeration to reversibly inhibit neural activity as part of a medical treatment.

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.