Abstract: Catheter apparatuses, systems, and methods for achieving renal neuromodulation by intravascular access are disclosed herein. One aspect of the present technology, for example, is directed to a treatment device having a direct heating element configured to be delivered to a renal blood vessel. The treatment device is selectively transformable between a delivery or low-profile state and a deployed state. The direct heating element is housed within an occlusion element which is sized and shaped so that the direct heating element contacts an interior wall of the occlusion element, an outer wall of which is simultaneously in contact with the inner wall of a renal blood vessel when the treatment assembly is in the deployed state. The direct heating element is configured to apply thermal energy to heat neural fibers that contribute to renal function.

Abstract: Concepts presented herein relate to an interface module that can be electrically coupled to an electrical stimulation generator, a radio frequency generator and an instrument. A selection module is coupled to the interface module and operates in a first mode to deliver electrical stimulation signals from the electrical stimulation generator to the instrument and in a second mode to deliver radio frequency signals from the radio frequency generator to the instrument.

Abstract: A method of determining contact status of electrodes includes applying drive signals between pairs of electrodes, measuring a bipolar electrode complex impedance (BECI) value generated in response to the drive signals over a collection period, and determining a baseline BECI value representing a minimum value measured during the collection period. The method further includes determining contact status of the electrode by applying drive signals between pairs of electrodes over a given interval, measuring a BECI value generated in response to the drive signals, measuring a peak-to-peak value associated with the BECI values measured over the given interval, and determining contact status based on a combination of the baseline BECI value, the measured BECI value, and the peak-to-peak value associated with the measured BECI values.

Abstract: An electrosurgical generator supplies, during operation, a high-frequency alternating current to an electrosurgical instrument for plasma cutting of body tissue. The electrosurgical generator has outputs for connecting an electrosurgical instrument to supply an electrosurgical instrument connected to the outputs with a high-frequency alternating current, and for determining the impedance of a load connected to the outputs. The electrosurgical generator features impedance and voltage measuring units as well as an output voltage control unit. The output voltage control unit is designed to control the AC output voltage depending on a maximum output voltage value that is set during operation depending on an output value of the impedance measuring unit and/or depending on an output value of the voltage measuring unit, such that the maximum output voltage value predefines a lower AC output voltage during a vaporization phase than during an ignition phase occurring subsequently to the vaporization phase.

Abstract: An intubation device and a method of intubating a patient with an endotracheal tube is disclosed. The device comprises a housing and a flexible, tubular sheath having one end connected to the housing and a free end extending away from it. The sheath, which is adapted to fit within the endotracheal tube, also has a special light at the end of the sheath's free end for selectively providing illumination. In use, the sheath is inserted into the endotracheal tube until the light is at the end of the distal end of the tube. A clamp on the intubation device then clamps the endotracheal tube to the housing to prevent relative movement between the tube and the sheath. A tube stop is then slid along the sheath into abutting contact with the proximal end of the endotracheal tube to identify the location on the sheath corresponding to the proximal end of the tube. When the tube is properly positioned in the patient, the light will create a distinct glow visible to an observer in the area of the sternal notch.

Abstract: A method for producing an exceptionally durable electrical insulation coating for electro-surgical instrumentation with excellent insulative properties in the 500 KHZ to 1 MHZ frequency range which can drastically reduce, if not totally eliminate, many problems of current electrical insulation materials in use. A process of ceramic plasma deposition is used. A thin ceramic coating can be readily applied to new or existing mono/bipolar surgical instrumentation.

Abstract: A dual wavelength laser is disclosed for use in dental therapeutic applications. The dual wavelength laser includes a laser cavity in which a laser crystal is disposed and preferably the laser crystal is an Nd:YAG laser, which, upon excitation, lases at two different wavelengths, each of which has a different gain. A shutter, or alternatively an optical filter, is selectively disposed within the optical path of the laser crystal whereupon the higher gain wavelength is selectively suppressed. Thus, with the shutter or optical filter removed from the optical path, the laser lases at its higher gain wavelength. Conversely, with the shutter or filter positioned within the optical path, the higher gain wavelength is effectively suppressed so that the laser crystal lases at the lower gain wavelength.

Abstract: A laser operation and control system preferably comprising a laser adapted to be grasped by a user and freely passed over a treatment area, control circuitry for activating and deactivating the laser, at least one boundary sensor operable to transmit a signal to the control circuitry to deactivate the laser upon passage thereof beyond a boundary of the treatment area and to transmit a signal to the control circuitry to activate the laser upon passage thereof within the boundary, and at least one proximity sensor for transmitting a signal to the control circuitry to deactivate the laser should the proximity sensor fail to sense a substantially solid surface within a predetermined distance therefrom and for transmitting a signal to the control circuitry to activate the laser should the proximity sensor sense such a surface.

Abstract: An irrigation arrangement is provided for electrically powered endoscopic probes that supplies the surgeon with suction or irrigation on demand. The irrigation arrangement is described for use with endoscopic probes employing thermal auto-regulating and bipolar electrosurgical probe tip configurations. An extendable shroud is also provided for selectively covering tip of the endoscopic probe while positioning or manipulating the endoscopic probe at the surgical site.

Abstract: A work station particularly adapted for use in a uniform open floor plan. The work station has a horizontal work surface having a front edge and a rear edge, a support member for supporting the horizontal work surface, a first trough located in an area beneath the horizontal work surface, and a second trough at a location displaced vertically below the first trough whereby the first and the second troughs define separate substantially horizontal passageways for the laying-in of cabling. In a further aspect, there is provided an office furniture system comprising a plurality of like work station modules aligned along a linearly extending course, each work station module occupying substantially the same area.

Abstract: A stent consisting of the alternate juxtaposition of axially rigid cylindrical parts and at least one axially flexible cylindrical part. The stent comprises two axially rigid cylindrical parts at its two ends, the axially rigid cylindrical parts being adapted to expand radially in plastic manner and the axially flexible cylindrical part or parts being adapted to expand radially in elastic manner. Such a stent is of axially modulable length and flexibility.

Abstract: A radially expandable endoprosthesis device (10) comprises an elongated sleeve member (12) in which the radially outward expansion of the sleeve member (12) is initially limited by connecting strips (22) which are operatively connected to the sleeve member (12). The connecting strips (22) are selectively removable to allow further radial outward expansion. Further, the sleeve can be C-shaped in cross sections when expanded, allowing space for growth of a vessel contained therein.

Abstract: A catheter carries a functional component, like an ablating electrode, having a predetermined operating characteristic. The catheter also electronically retains an identification code that uniquely identifies the predetermined operating characteristic. The catheter is capable of transmitting the identification code to an external reader in response to a predetermined prompt. An associated apparatus, like an ablating energy source, reads the identification code and compares it to predetermined operating criteria. The apparatus will not permit interaction with the functional catheter component, if the identification code indicates that the functional characteristics of the catheter are not suited for the intended interaction. The catheter can also store usage information, to prevent reuse.

Abstract: A medical laser treatment device comprising a laser generation source and a laser handpiece which comprises a light-guiding fiber used to guide a laser beam irradiated from the laser generation source, a probe for guiding the laser beam having been guided by the fiber to an object to be irradiated, at least two independent air supply passages and at least one water supply passage, the laser handpiece being adapted such that the emission end of the light-guiding fiber is airtightly isolated from the incident end of the probe via a light-guiding shield plate to make the internal section of the light-guiding fiber airtight, to cool the emission end of the light-guiding fiber using dry gas supplied from the first air supply passage and to cool the incident end of the probe using gas supplied from the second air supply passage, and being also arranged such that water supplied from the water supply passage is blown out from the peripheral section of the leading end of the probe, thereby preventing the emission end

Abstract: An antenna assembly has an energy propagating region that is encapsulated in a material having a high dielectric constant for minimizing the loss of energy while having a high thermal conductivity for dissipating conductive heat patterns about the energy propagating region.

Abstract: A laparoscopic surgical cutting tool has a handle attached to a hollow tube. A tube end segment is pivotally attached to the tube. A linkage connects the handle to the end segment to allow the surgeon to adjust the angle between the end segment and tube, using the handle. A step projects upwardly at an angle at the distal end of the end segment. A lip attached to the end segment extends in a plane generally parallel to the axis of the end segment. Electrifiable cutting wires extend from an upper inside surface of the end segment to the lip.

Abstract: A medical catheter which includes one or more optical fibers, each of which transmits both ultrasonic signals for imaging of the treatment area and laser energy for treatment of a medical condition. Different embodiments of the invention make use of different ways to utilize the same fiber for both ultrasonic and laser transmission.

Abstract: In a laser surgical unit having a contact laser probe (1), a hydroxyl group (13) is included in the contact laser probe so that a laser beam is partially absorbed by the hydroxyl group (13) to heat the contact laser probe (1) for transmission to living tissue. Consequently, a coagulation layer is formed in the living tissue along with vaporization and incision. At least a part of the contact laser probe (1) is made of a material which contains the hydroxyl group (13) generally in an amount of between 0.5 and 10 ppm. Alternatively, the hydroxyl group (13) may be included only in a portion adjacent to a surface of a tip portion of the probe (1). As a further alternative, a coating film containing the hydroxyl group (13) may be attached to the tip of the contact laser probe (1). The laser beam preferably has a wavelength between 1.5 and 15 .mu.m. For example, use is made of an Er:YAG laser beam, a Ho:YAG laser beam, or a CO.sub.2 laser beam.

Abstract: A medical laser delivery system usable to transmit laser energy from a laser energy source to a surgical site of a patient. The delivery system includes a handpiece adapted for rotatable coupling to a delivery arm coupled to the laser energy source such that the handpiece is rotatable about its longitudinal axis with respect to the delivery arm. A distal delivery system is coupled to the handpiece and delivers laser energy to the surgical site when the laser energy source is actuated. The handpiece includes a handpiece body adapted for rotatable coupling to the delivery arm and a handpiece head coupled to both the handpiece body and the distal delivery system. The handpiece head can be rotatably coupled to the handpiece body. In one embodiment, the handpiece head is angularly oriented at a fixed angle with respect to the handpiece body.

Abstract: An improved optical system for treatment of disorders of the skin, especially vascular lesions, such as PortWine Stains. The system irradiates the skin with radiation at a predetermined wavelength and cools the skin during a predetermined time interval in coordination with delivery of the radiation. The absorption of the radiation by the skin and the change in temperature of the skin is monitored by the system and the operation of the radiation delivery system is controlled to optimize treatment of the vascular lesion. The source of irradiation is an arc lamp and the cooling system delivers a cooling gas to a lens in contact with the skin. The cooling gas can be carbon dioxide, freon, or any other appropriate gas. The lens used has a high heat conductivity and may be formed of sapphire.