Abstract: A brush electrode catheter and a method for using the brush electrode catheter for tissue ablation are disclosed. The brush electrode catheter comprises a plurality of flexible filaments or bristles for applying ablative energy (e.g., RF energy) to target tissue during the formation of spot or continuous linear lesions. Interstitial spaces are defined among the filaments of the brush electrode, and the interstitial spaces are adapted to direct conductive or nonconductive fluid, when present, toward the distal ends of the brush filaments. The brush electrode facilitates electrode-tissue contact in target tissue having flat or contoured surfaces. The flexible filaments may be selectively trimmed to give a desired tip configuration or a desired standoff distance between the tissue and the conductive filaments in the brush electrode. Also, the filaments may be grouped into clusters. A shielded-tip brush electrode, including a flexible boot, is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for guiding an instrument associated with a medical device, such as an endoscope, is provided. The method is useful for positioning a flexible medical instrument extending from an instrument channel of an endoscope, such as for the treatment of tissue. The method is also useful for providing cooperative motion between first and second instruments extending from instrument channels within a patient's body lumen. In one embodiment, the step of guiding the instrument comprises bending the instrument as the instrument extends from the instrument channel.

Abstract: The present invention provides cryotherapy treatment of dissections in a blood vessel of a patient. The present invention further provides cryotherapy treatment of side branch occlusion in a bifurcated blood vessel. One method for treating potential or existing dissections in a blood vessel comprises cooling the blood vessel to a temperature and for a time sufficient to remodel the blood vessel such that dissections of the blood vessel are reduced. Another method for treating side branch occlusion in a bifurcated blood vessel, the bifurcated blood vessel having a side branch and a main branch, the main branch having plaque disposed thereon, comprises cooling an inner surface of the main branch to a temperature and for a time sufficient to inhibit plaque shift from the main branch into the side branch.

Abstract: An operation kit is provided for access into the subretinal region of the eye. The kit comprises an elongated flat body of soft material, which can be inserted into the subretinal region from the side through an incision in the sclera. The body is formed as a strip, whose one surface is configured as a guiding surface for a medical device, for example for implanting a microphotodiode chip.

Abstract: A urological resectoscope having an outer stem fitted with orifices at its distal terminal zone and an inner stem, both stems being tubular and metallic and being sealed from each other in the distal end zone and being affixed to each other, optionally in detachable manner, and to a main case. The resectoscope also includes an electrode support running longitudinally through the inner stem and bearing an hf-loaded cutting loop at its distal end. Liquid hookups feed liquid into the inner stem and drain liquid from an annular duct defined between the inner and outer stems. A distally affixed tubular insulating shell is disposed between the inner and outer stems and affixed to the outer stem.

Abstract: A photodynamic therapy method administers, to a patient to be treated, a photosensitive medication which fluoresces when illuminated. The fluorescent light is an indication of the instantaneous phototherapy dose. A catheter according to the invention includes a probe or sensor arrangement for generating a signal representing the instantaneous amplitude of the fluorescence or the incident illumination. The signal is integrated to produce a signal representing the total dose of phototherapy. The photodynamic therapy is terminated when the integrated signal indicates a particular value. The catheter in one embodiment includes an array of semiconductor light sources near its distal end, energized from the proximal end. In another embodiment, the light source is external to the patient, and the light is conducted to the distal end of the catheter by one or more optical fibers.

Abstract: A laser treatment apparatus which is used to treat an affected part of a patient by irradiating a treatment laser beam to the affected part is disclosed. The apparatus includes a laser irradiation unit provided with a laser irradiation optical system for delivering the laser beam to the affected part; a contact member including a contact face which is brought into contact with at least one of the affected part and a periphery thereof; a cooler which cools down at least the contact face of the contact member; a sensor which detects at least one of a temperature of a periphery of the contact face made contact with the affected part, a temperature of a predetermined portion of at least one of the contact member and the cooler, a contact state of the contact face with respect to the affected part, and a relative substantially horizontal movement of the contact member with respect to the affected part; and an irradiation controller which controls laser irradiation based on a result of detection by the sensor.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods of the present invention utilize sensed acoustical energy and may detect both instability of an ablation electrode during the ablation process and/or crater formation during tissue ablation.

Abstract: Devices and methods for cold-treating lesions within the body. A temperature monitoring device for use with a cryo therapy apparatus may include a cryo therapy apparatus, one or more tubular members coupled to the cryo therapy apparatus, and a temperature monitoring member coupled to the tubular member. The temperature monitoring member may comprise a retractable needle, an infrared sensor, an ultrasound transmitter, or a stent having a plurality of spikes.

Abstract: A device is described that can be used by surgeons to provide accurate tissue-lifting and tightening maneuvers that uses minimal external incisions, enhances accuracy, reduces inadvertent consequences while speeding the procedure. The device is comprised of a shaft with a relatively planar but possibly lenticulate or even slightly curved tip that can divide and energize various tissue planes causing net contraction via the fibrous tissue modification. Various forms of energy can also be delivered to cause desirable tissue alterations.

Abstract: A catheter for applying ablation energy to biological tissue having biological fluid flowing thereby includes a shaft having a distal-end region defining a tissue-contacting surface and a fluid-contacting surface. A plurality of band electrodes are positioned at the distal-end region of the shaft. A thermally conductive and non-electrically conductive surface covering, covers a portion of each of the band electrodes substantially coincident with the fluid-contacting surface. Each band electrode thereby has at least one masked portion substantially coincident with the fluid-contacting surface and at least one non-masked portion substantially coincident with the tissue-contacting surface. Ablation energy is transferred through the non-masked portion of the electrode. One or more thermal sensors are located in the non-masked portion of each of the band electrodes.

Abstract: Methods for (a) preventing hypoxic damage to a potentially transplantable organ or tissue prior to explanation of that organ or tissue from the body of a mammalian transplant donor and (b) preventing rejection of a transplanted organ or tissue in a human or veterinary transplant recipient. The methods comprise placing a heat exchange apparatus in the vasculature of the donor or recipient and using that heat exchange apparatus to cool at least a portion of the body of the donor or recipient to a temperature below normothermia (e.g. below normothermia and sometimes between about 30° C. and about 36° C.).

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for treating acne. The methods include exposing the subject afflicted with acne to ultraviolet light having a wavelength between about 320 to about 350 nm, such that the acne is treated, e.g., inhibited, diminished, eradicated or prevented. In a preferred embodiment, the wavelength is 335 nm and is emitted by either a nitrogen laser or a third harmonic of a NdYAG laser. Treatments can be administered over a several week period, where the subject is exposed to sequential doses of ultraviolet light to obtain beneficial effects, e.g., a reduction or elimination of the acne, e.g., an eradication or diminishment of the bacteria responsible for acne, e.g., Propionibacterium acnes.

Abstract: A laser treatment apparatus includes an aiming light optical system (9-16) for delivering an aiming light to an intended affected part, a laser irradiation mechanism including a laser source (1) for emitting a laser beam for treatment and an irradiation optical system (2-4, 7-9, 13-16) for delivering the treatment laser beam emitted from the laser source to the affected part, a focal shift mechanism (8, 43, 86) for shifting a focal point of the treatment laser beam from a focal point of the aiming light, a position setting mechanism (41, 50, 57, 90, 90a, 90b, 91) for changeably setting an initial focal point of the treatment laser beam to a desired point, a command signal input mechanism (105a, 57, 90, 90a, 90b, 91) for inputting a command signal to change the focal point of the treatment laser beam to the initial point, and a control unit (40) for controlling the focal shift mechanism to change the focal point of the treatment laser beam to the set initial point in response to the input command signal.

Abstract: A system and method for creating lesions and assessing their completeness or transmurality. Assessment of transmurality of a lesion is accomplished by monitoring the impedance of the tissue to be ablated. Rather than attempting to detect a desired drop or a desired increase impedance, completeness of a lesion is detected in response to the measured impedance remaining at a stable level for a desired period of time, referred to as an impedance plateau. The mechanism for determining transmurality of lesions adjacent individual electrodes or pairs may be used to deactivate individual electrodes or electrode pairs, when the lesions in tissue adjacent these individual electrodes or electrode pairs are complete, to create an essentially uniform lesion along the line of electrodes or electrode pairs, regardless of differences in tissue thickness adjacent the individual electrodes or electrode pairs.

Abstract: A polypectomy device and method which includes a snare cable, a fixed jaw and a moveable jaw. The snare cable is routed through both the fixed jaw and the moveable jaw. The snare cable forms a hoop for encircling the polyp. Shortening the snare cable positions the jaws about the base of the polyp and further shortening the cable closes the jaws. The fixed jaw includes a heating element which cauterizes the base of the polyp. The closing of the jaws and the heating of the heating element cuts and seals the polyp.

Abstract: Catheter devices and methods for intravascular heating and/or cooling of human or veterinary patients. The catheter devices generally comprise catheters having inflow and outflow lumens and at least one curvilinear balloon connected to the inflow and outflow lumens such that heat exchange fluid may be circulated through the balloon(s). The catheter is inserted into the vasculature and heated or cooled fluid is circulated through the balloon(s) to heat or cool blood flowing in heat-exchange proximity to the balloon(s), thereby effecting heating or cooling of all or a portion of the patient's body.

Abstract: A surface covering including a primary layer of a porous polymer structure and a secondary surface covering one or both of a metallic element layer and a hydrophilic layer is positioned over the surface of an ablation electrode. The pores of the surface covering are sized such that blood platelets are prevented from contacting the surface of the electrode while physiological fluid is allowed to pass through and contact the electrode surface to hereby provide a conduction path for current from the electrodes. The surface covering may further include an electrically non-conductive and thermally conductive portion positioned over another portion of the electrode to prevent alternate or non-intended site ablations.

Abstract: Veins are removed using a pull catheter introduced over a guidewire which extends between first and second percutaneous access points. Optionally, a side branch management tool including an excision device and/or a viewing scope can be advanced over the same guidewire in the direction opposite to that of the pull catheter. In that way, as the pull catheter inverts the vein being removed, side branches can be selectively viewed and/or severed using the side branch management tool.

Abstract: Method and system for illuminating a selected body component with light to encourage selected beneficial reactions of the body component as a result of such exposure and to provide phototherapy. The body component is exposed to light in a first wavelength range, in first and second nonoverlapping time intervals, and to light within a second wavelength range, in a third time interval that overlaps at least one of the first and second time intervals. The first and second wavelength ranges may be the same, may partly overlap, or may be mutually exclusive and preferably lie within the combined visible and infrared ranges.