Abstract: Disclosed embodiments relate to devices, systems, and methods of shaping, shrinking, opening, dilating, stiffening, or otherwise modifying a Eustachian tube and its surrounding tissue in order to improve the Eustachian tube's function. For example, patients with blocked, closed, or hypertrophic Eustachian tubes may be able to achieve improved function including easier equalization of pressure between the inner ear and environment.

Abstract: A system for treating uterine tissue comprises an elongated shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis extending between said proximal and distal ends. An energy applicator at the distal end of the elongated shaft is actuatable between a non-expanded shape to be inserted through a patient's cervical canal and an expanded shape to conform to the walls of the patient's uterus. A handle is coupled to a proximal end of the elongated shaft. The handle may include first and second moveable grips coupled to actuate the energy applicator with an upper spring and a lower spring disposed to urge the first and second moveable grips to move apart. An inflatable seal may be located at a distal end of the elongated shaft with a thermally insulating sleeve disposed over the elongated shaft proximal to the inflatable seal.

Abstract: Retrieval of material from vessel lumens can be improved by electrically enhancing attachment of the material to the removal device. The removal device can have a core assembly that includes a hypotube coupled to a first electrical terminal and a pushwire coupled to a second electrical terminal, the pushwire extending through the hypotube lumen. An insulating layer separates the hypotube and the pushwire, and an interventional element is coupled to a distal end of the pushwire. The interventional element can be disposed adjacent to a thrombus. An electrical signal is delivered to the interventional element to promote adhesion of the thrombus to the interventional element. The electrical signal can optionally be a periodic waveform, and the total energy delivered can be between 0.75-24,000 mJ and the peak current delivered via the electrical signal can be between 0.5-5 mA.

Abstract: A medical device that includes a handle, a sheath extending from the handle, and a tool within the sheath and movable relative to the sheath. The handle includes an inner body and an outer body disposed over the inner body. The outer body is movable relative to the inner body. The handle includes a first actuator secured to the tool. The first actuator has an actuated state permitting movement of the tool relative to the sheath in response to moving the outer body relative to the inner body. The handle includes a second actuator secured to the sheath. The second actuator has an actuated state permitting movement of the sheath relative to the tool in response to moving the second actuator relative to the outer body. An unactuated state of the first actuator and an unactuated state of the second actuator prevents movement of the tool relative to the sheath.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems, methods, and devices for electroporation-based therapies (EBTs). Embodiments provide patient-specific treatment protocols derived by the numerical modeling of 3D reconstructions of target tissue from images taken of the tissue, and optionally accounting for one or more of physical constraints or dynamic tissue properties. The present invention further relates to systems, methods, and devices for delivering bipolar electric pulses for irreversible electroporation exhibiting reduced or no damage to tissue typically associated with an EBT-induced excessive charge delivered to the tissue.

Abstract: Low power MASER (Microwave Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation) radiation is used to non-invasively record molecular activity in a biological object such as a brain. Low power MASER radiation is also used to neuromodulate molecular targets via Rabi coupling, resulting for example in conformational and function change in specific molecular targets such as ligand-gated ion channels, voltage-gated ion channels, G-proteins, or dopamine receptors. The method can be used to change the energy state of targeted molecules via energization or enervation, or to ablate targeted molecules.

Abstract: A ceramic guide device includes a columnar ceramic guide including a first portion including a first end, a second portion including a second end and having a smaller diameter than a diameter of the first portion, and a third portion disposed between the first portion and the second portion, the columnar ceramic guide provided with an insertion hole through which a long wire electrode can be inserted from the first end to the second end; and the long wire electrode that penetrates through the insertion hole, the long wire electrode including a first protruding portion projecting from the first end, and a second protruding portion projecting from the second end.

Abstract: An electro-surgical pencil comprising: a housing forming an axially extending main suction passage from a proximal opening to a distal opening; a tube forming an extension of the main suction passage from the proximal opening to a proximal extension opening, the tube being configured for telescoping movement through the proximal opening; an electrode for cutting and/or coagulating tissue, the electrode being attached to the tube and extending axially from the proximal extension opening; and a suction tip attached to the tube and forming a further extension of the suction passage. Since both the tube and the suction tip are movable relative to the housing, a short and a long configuration can be obtained while good smoke removal capabilities are maintained.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to devices and methods for preparing an existing, implanted prosthetic aortic valve for subsequent prosthetic aortic valve implantation. To prepare the existing valve, a valve preparation device is delivered to the valve and valve leaflets are severed either via mechanical cutting or electrodes so that the leaflets cannot obstruct a blood flow path once a prosthetic valve is subsequently implanted within the valve. Similarly, in alternate embodiments, devices and methods of the disclosure can be used for preparing a native aortic valve for delivery and implantation of a prosthetic valve.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for treatment of a urethra that is constricted due to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). A positioning device is used to determine a location of the area of the urethra that is constricted and is to be treated. An execution device includes a dilation balloon, a cutter, an implant carrier, and an implant, the implant and the implant carrier both being disposed outside the outer surface of the dilation balloon. The urethra is dilated by expanding the dilation balloon, and a cut is formed in the inner surface of the urethra using the cutter. The implant is released into the cut within the inner surface of the urethra subsequent to the cutter forming the cut in the inner surface of the urethra, to thereby maintain the urethra in a dilated state. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a catheter shaft assembly and an end effector positioned at a distal end of the catheter shaft assembly. The end effector includes a balloon, one or more electrodes on the balloon, and a tip assembly at a distal end of the balloon. The balloon defines an interior configured to receive a fluid to inflate the balloon. The balloon is sized and configured to fit within a cardiovascular anatomical structure. The tip assembly includes a pressure relief valve that is configured to transition between a sealing state and a pressure-relieving state. In the sealing state, the pressure relief valve is configured to prevent fluid from leaking out from the interior of the balloon via the pressure relief valve. In the pressure-relieving state, the pressure relief valve is configured to provide a path for fluid to leak from the interior of the balloon via the pressure relief valve.

Abstract: A flexible catheter includes an elongated body, and a sensor. The elongated body has proximal and distal end portions and defines a working channel therethrough. The sensor is disposed in the distal end portion of the elongated body and is adapted for detecting the position of a distal end of the elongated body within the anatomy of a patient. The sensor is formed from a wire that forms a first layer of wraps about the distal end portion of the elongated body and that includes first and second leads that form a twisted pair proximal to the first layer of wraps. The twisted pair of the first and second leads extends to the proximal end portion of the elongated body.

Abstract: A device, system, and method for mapping myocardial tissue, such as epicardial tissue on the right ventricle. A system for mapping myocardial tissue may include a mapping device having a distal portion that includes a distal assembly sized and configured to be positioned within the pericardial space. The distal assembly may include an expandable shell, at least one inflatable or expandable element within the expandable shell, and a mapping electrode assembly. Inflation or expansion of the at least one inflatable or expandable element, and therefore expansion of the expandable shell, within the pericardial space may provide sufficient force of the mapping electrodes against the myocardial tissue being mapped. The system may also include a delivery sheath with a retention element for controllably retracting the device within the sheath during delivery and removal of the device from the pericardial space.

Abstract: A medical device comprises a housing and a sheath having opposed proximal and distal ends and being attached from the proximal end to the housing. An end effector is attached to the distal end portion of the sheath. The end effector includes a pair of grasping jaws capable of be openable and closable with respect to one another. A movable shaft includes a distal end that being connected at to the end effector and configured to be movable with respect to the sheath so as to cause the paired grasping jaws to be opened or closed with respect to one another. A movable handle is configured to pivot with respect to the housing and having an input position where an operation is inputted so as to cause the handle to pivot. The movable shaft is changeable in an initial state before the operation is inputted at the input position.

Abstract: Methods and systems for ablating target tissue, such as in or along an airway, include modulation one of power and current of an a system to achieve a treatment output or parameter. Treatment outputs can include current, power, energy delivered, percent drop in impedance, an impedance-based ratio, a percent impedance slope, and/or an airway wall impedance. Power and/or current of the system can be varied, within certain maximum thresholds, such as power, current, and/or impedance thresholds, to achieve the desired output parameter target during some or all of the treatment time. The systems and methods reduce the variability of the treatment efficacy otherwise due to variability in electrical properties of patient tissue and/or electrode contact.

Abstract: A system for visualizing one or more bubbles formed by a catheter, the system includes a fluid container, a pulse generator, a schlieren imaging assembly, and a processor. The fluid container is configured to: (i) contain a fluid, and (ii) receive into the fluid the catheter having one or more electrodes. The pulse generator is configured to apply one or more pulses to at least one of the electrodes. The schlieren imaging assembly is configured to acquire schlieren images of the bubbles occurring in the fluid when applying the one or more pulses, and the processor is configured to visualize the bubbles using the schlieren images.

Abstract: The instant disclosure relates to electrophysiology catheters for tissue ablation. In particular, the instant disclosure relates to a cryogenic ablation balloon with safety features that facilitate identification of a leak into an interstitial space between inner and outer balloons as part of the ablation balloon catheter assembly, and prevents egress of cryogenic fluid out of the ablation balloon.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to systems and methods for improving sleep by treating at least one of rhinitis, congestion, and/or rhinorrhea to thereby reduce or eliminate symptoms associated therewith, including, but not limited to, nasal congestion, coughing, sneezing, and nasal or throat irritation and itching.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include apparatuses, systems, and methods for guiding a rotatable actuator along a helical path with a varied pitch to motivate an attached implement. In an illustrative embodiment, an apparatus includes an elongated implement movable along an axis and a rotatable actuator operably coupled with a proximal end of the implement to motivate the implement to move along the axis in response to rotation of the rotatable actuator. A guide is operably coupled with rotatable actuator, where the guide defines a generally helical channel around the axis to direct movement of a rotatable actuator, and wherein a pitch of the helical channel is varied to reduce a distance of travel of the actuator along the axis per unit of rotation of the actuator.

Abstract: A medical device includes an electrode shaft and an insulation tip. The electrode shaft is configured to deliver energy to a target site and includes an electrode shaft lumen configured to deliver fluid to the target site. The insulation tip is coupled to a distal tip of the electrode shaft. The insulation tip includes an insulation tip lumen fluidly connected to the electrode shaft lumen and configured to deliver fluid to the target site. The insulation tip covers an entirety of the distal tip of the electrode shaft.