Abstract: Apparatus comprising an ultrasound ablation system, which comprises a reflection-facilitation element, configured to be placed at an extramyocardial site of a subject, and to provide an extramyocardial reflective region; and an ultrasound tool, which comprises at least one ultrasound transducer configured to be positioned within a heart chamber of the subject. The ultrasound transducer is configured to ablate myocardial tissue by applying ultrasound energy to the myocardial tissue such that at least a portion of the transmitted energy is reflected by the reflective region onto the myocardial tissue. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A method of treating abnormal tissue within a patient includes positioning a delivery cannula within the patient, the delivery cannula having a first electrode disposed on its distal end; introducing an ablation probe through the cannula and out an open distal end thereof, so that a second ablation electrode carried on the ablation probe contacts abnormal tissue within the patient; conveying ablation energy between the first and second ablation electrodes to ablate the abnormal tissue; and introducing a separate medical element, whether a device or a therapeutic agent, through the cannula before or after the ablation process.

Abstract: A microwave applicator for insertion into living body tissue for use in microwave coagulation and ablation treatments includes a microwave transmission line extending between an attachment end of the applicator and an antenna toward an insertion end of the applicator with an outer conductive sleeve forming an enclosed fluid space around the transmission line. A fluid circulation system circulates fluid in the fluid space. A portion of or all of the circulating fluid can be injected into tissue that surrounds the applicator body from approximately the proximal end of a desired heating zone produced by microwave energy radiated from the antenna along the applicator body toward the proximal end of the applicator to hydrate and wet the tissue outside the proximal end of the desired heating zone to reduce the drying of this tissue and limit extension of the heating and ablation zone proximally along the applicator body.

Abstract: Devices and methods for ablating tissue in the wall of various organs of the gastrointestinal tract of a patient in order to cure or ameliorate metabolic pathophysiological conditions such as obesity, insulin resistance, or type 2 diabetes mellitus are provided. Ablational treatment of target areas may be fractional or partial, rendering a post-treatment portion of target tissue ablated and another portion that is substantially intact. Fractional ablation is achieved by controlling the delivery of ablational energy across the surface area being treated, and controlling the depth of energy penetration into tissue. Surface area control of energy delivery may controlled by the spatial pattern of distributed ablation elements or by the selective activation of a subset of a dense pattern of ablation elements. Embodiments of the device include an ablational electrode array that spans 360 degrees and an array that spans an arc of less than 360 degrees.

Abstract: An in-ear stimulator for administering thermal stimulation to the ear canal of a subject includes (a) an earpiece configured to be insertable into the ear canal of said subject, the earpiece having an outer surface and an internal cavity formed therein, the internal cavity having an inner surface; and (b) at least one thermoelectric device thermally coupled to the earpiece internal cavity inner surface.

Abstract: A plasma generating device that utilizes a cold plasma to contain and direct a stream of electrons with a hand held nozzle to enhance healing of wounds and skin surface abnormalities, and to kill pathogens on skin surfaces in humans and animals wounds, abnormalities and pathogens.

Abstract: In accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, an ablation apparatus includes a proximal body portion, a shaft extending distally from the proximal body portion, the shaft being selectively deformable utilizing at least one deformation system between a first position wherein the shaft is straight an a second position wherein the shaft is bent, the at least one deformation system configured to retain the shaft in each of the first and second positions, and at least one electrode disposed at least partially within the shaft, the electrode movable with the shaft upon movement of the shaft between the first and second positions.

Abstract: Multi-electrode ablation systems, methods, and controllers are described. In one example, a multi-electrode ablation system includes a power supply configured to be coupled to a plurality of electrodes and a controller coupled to the power supply. The controller is configured to determine a thermal gain of each electrode of the plurality of electrodes. For each electrode of the plurality of electrodes, the controller sets a power limit based at least in part on said electrode's determined thermal gain. The power limit establishes a maximum power that may be dissipated through said electrode.

Abstract: Disclosed herein, among other things, are methods and apparatus related to radio frequency (RF) ablation catheters. The present subject matter provides an ablation catheter system including an ablation catheter, multiple RF electrodes positioned along a distal end of a catheter, an electrical stimulation generator, and a control circuit electrically connected to the stimulation generator. According to various embodiments, the RF electrodes are each connected to the stimulation generator using a switch, and the control circuit is configured to distribute RF power from the stimulation generator to the RF electrodes using the switches to provide ablation therapy.

Abstract: A system for treating tissue includes a device including a first member and a second member arranged to move relative to the first member to treat tissue. The system also includes a processor configured to automatically control movement of the second member relative to the first member using position control methodology. A method of treating tissue includes providing a device having a first member and a second member arranged to move relative to the first member, moving the second member relative to the first member, and automatically controlling the movement of the second member using position control methodology.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for treating diseased tissue by gentle heating. The method induces vasodilation on tissue disposed about an lumen having both healthy tissue and diseased tissue. The method includes coupling a probe surface to the luminal tissue at a target location and transmitting desired quantities of tissue remodeling energy from the coupled probe into each of a plurality of discrete remodeling zones in the luminal tissue so that the tissue remodeling energy heats the plurality of remodeling zones, the remodeling energy being configured to avoid muscular contraction and inhibit both acute and long-term occlusion of the lumen.

Abstract: A medical device for treating and analyzing tissue includes a plasma applicator having a housing. The housing includes a substantially tubular shape and defines a lumen therethrough. The lumen is in fluid communication with an ionizable media source configured to supply ionizable media thereto. The applicator also includes one or more electrodes coupled to the housing. The electrodes are adapted to couple to a power source configured to energize the electrodes to ignite the ionizable media to form a plasma plume for treating tissue. The device also includes an effluent-collection attachment coupled to the plasma applicator. The effluent-collection attachment is configured to collect a portion of a plasma effluent.

Abstract: A coating system comprising at least one layer made at least essentially of ZrO2 which is used for providing insulating properties to parts of medical devices, particularly of electrosurgical devices.

Abstract: Methods for treating erectile dysfunction with therapeutic neuromodulation and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. Erectile dysfunction can be characterized by the inability to develop and/or maintain an erection during sexual arousal or activity. One aspect of the present technology is directed to methods that at least partially inhibit sympathetic neural activity in nerves innervating the penis of a patient. Sympathetic drive in the patient can thereby be reduced in a manner that treats the patient for erectile dysfunction. Sympathetic nerve activity can be modulated along afferent and/or efferent pathways. The modulation can be achieved, for example, using an intravascularly positioned catheter carrying a therapeutic assembly, e.g., a therapeutic assembly configured to use electrically-induced, thermally-induced, and/or chemically-induced approaches to modulate the nerves.

Abstract: A microwave applicator for insertion into living body tissue for use in microwave coagulation and ablation treatments includes a microwave transmission line extending between an attachment end of the applicator and an antenna toward an insertion end of the applicator with an outer conductive sleeve forming an enclosed cooling fluid space around the transmission line. Circulation of cooling fluid is guided in the cooling fluid space by a guide sleeve. A fluid circulation system provides a plurality of fluid supply connectors and fluid return connectors which can be connected and used with any number of applicators between one and the number of the fluid supply connectors provided by the system. A portion of the applicator inserted into the tissue can stick to the tissue to stabilize the applicator during treatment. A warning marking on the applicator can be used during track ablation to prevent ablation of the patient skin tissue.

Abstract: An emitter assembly can include a proximal shaft, a distal shaft, a shunt that connects the proximal shaft to the distal shaft, and a tip that is connected to a distal end of the distal shaft. An inner conductor can extend through the proximal shaft, the shunt, and the distal shaft and into the tip to provide microwave energy to the tip. An outer conductor can extend into the shunt. The shunt can therefore form an electrical connection between the outer conductor and a proximal ring of electrically conductive material formed on an exterior surface of the distal shaft. Distal shaft can be made of a thermally conductive but electrically insulated material to facilitate transfer of heat from the distal shaft to the proximal shaft.

Abstract: A device (10) for tissue coagulation, in particular for fusion, encompasses an electric source (18), which is connected or which can be connected to electrodes (12, 13) for influencing biological tissue (11) with current. A control unit (22) controls the source (18) during phases I and II of the tissue fusion. These phases I and II correspond to operating phases I, II and III of the device (10). During operating phase I, a monitoring unit (23) determines the energy E1, which is applied into the tissue (11). In the subsequent operating phases II and III, the control unit (22) controls the source (18) by means of the determined energy E1. Such a device turns out to be particularly reliable and to be robust in use.

Abstract: Disclosed is a treatment device for occluding a body lumen, including: a hollow shaft which can be inserted into the body lumen; a flat portion forming section which has a pair of arms inserted in the shaft, the arms capable of being protruded from and retracted into a distal end opening of the shaft and expandable widthwise, and which deforms the body lumen into a form having a flat portion as the pair of arms is expanded within the body lumen; and a heating section which is extendable and contractible in a width direction of the flat portion forming section, is extended as the pair of arms is expanded within the body lumen, and heats the flat portion.

Abstract: Medical devices and methods for making and using medical devices are disclosed. An example medical device may include a medical device for modulating nerves. The medical device may include an elongate shaft having a distal region. A balloon may be coupled to the distal region. An electrode may be disposed within the balloon. A virtual electrode may be defined on the balloon. The virtual electrode may include a conductive region having an edge and a peripheral region disposed at least partially along the edge of the conductive region. The peripheral region may be configured to dissipate forces, electrical current, or both accumulating along the edge of the conductive region.

Abstract: A system and method for providing greater control over the temperature of a thermal treatment element of a medical device, enabling an operator to extend a thawing period of a cryoablation procedure. The system may include a fluid flow path that bypasses a subcooler, giving the operator selective control over the temperature of refrigerant delivered to the treatment element and, therefore, treatment element temperature. Additionally or alternatively, the system may include a fluid delivery conduit that is in communication with a liquid refrigerant and a gaseous refrigerant. Adjustment of the ratio of liquid to gaseous refrigerant also offers control over the treatment element temperature. Additionally or alternatively, the system may include one or more valves and/or heating elements in the fluid delivery and recovery conduits to control the treatment element temperature.