Abstract: A removable electrode assembly for use in combination with a forceps having opposing end effectors and a handle for effecting movement of the end effectors relative to one another. The electrode assembly includes a housing which is removably engageable with the forceps and a pair of electrodes which are attachable to a distal end of the housing. The electrodes are removably engageable with the end effectors of the forceps such that the electrodes reside in opposing relation relative to one another. The electrode assembly also includes a cover plate which is removably attachable to the housing and at least one stop member for controlling the distance the electrodes move relative to one another.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for use in performing ablation of organs and other tissues includes a radio frequency generator which provides a radio frequency signal to ablation electrodes. The power level of the radio frequency signal is determined based on the subject area of ablation. The radio frequency signal is coupled with the ablation electrodes through a transformation circuit. The transformation circuit includes a high impedance transformation circuit and a low impedance transformation circuit. The high or low impedance transformation circuit is selected based on the impedance of the ablation electrodes in contact with the subject tissue. Vacuum level, impedance level, resistance level, and time are measured during ablation. If these parameters exceed determinable limits the ablation procedure is terminated.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for implanting seeds in or about a target area, such as a tumor, within a patient. The implantation device includes an implantation needle having a bore extending longitudinally therethrough from a proximal and to a distal end of the needle, the needle bore being adapted to permit at least one seed to pass therethrough. An elongated plunger extends longitudinally through the implantation device in aligned relation to the needle bore and is selectively movable in the longitudinal direction relative the needle from a retracted position spaced apart from the needle to an extended position wherein the plunger is advanced through the needle bore to eject at least one of the seeds through the bore, out of the distal end of needle and into the target area. An optical device is carried by and operatively connected to the plunger to provide visual assistance to an operator of the implantation device to guide and verify implantation of the ejected seed into the target area.

Abstract: A system and method for performing cryosurgery of the prostate while protecting surrounding tissue. Cryosurgical probes are provided with argon gas for cooling and with helium for warming. Probes are inserted into the prostate and supplied with argon gas for cooling, while probes inserted into the surrounding tissue and supplied with helium gas for warming. The warmed probes protect the surrounding tissue from freezing.

Abstract: The apparatus includes a flow control conduit (2) connectable with an output portion of the heart, preferably a bypassed portion of the aorta, and includes a means of feeding heart fluid (R/O), for example blood or cardioplegia into the heart. The flow control device (1) includes in communication a variable resistance pressure control means (4) which is variably biased to a closed position to maintain on the bypassed heart region a predetermined level of pressure, to facilitate the creation of back pressure during filling of the bypassed heart region or a beat or pumping phase of the heart, and when the heart fluid pressure increases to reach a predetermined threshold, the pressure control means facilitates a release of fluid from the conduit, thus facilitating expulsion of potential emboli from the bypassed heart region, and enabling “cycling” of the heart while in a bypassed condition, prior to the bypassed region being taken off bypass.

Abstract: A rollable visual display is used in a room containing an article of furniture adapted to support a person, such as a bed or chair, wherein the room has a visual display support structure facing the article of furniture within the room. The visual display member, which is mounted on the support structure, is located so that when the visual display member is unfurled from the cylindrical housing, the pictorial image thereon is visible to a viewing person lying or seated in the article of furniture, wherein the pictorial image is located within the line of vision of the viewing person. Optionally, the visual display member displays a pictorial display on a surface facing the person, which is a biophilic savanna-type landscape containing imagery designed to create relaxation and reduce stress of the person.

Abstract: An electro-surgical device for performing tissue resection and cauterization includes an elongated body, a pair of arms extending from a distal end of the elongated body, and an electrode in communication with the pair of arms. The elongated body is adapted to be coupled to a source of energy at a proximal end. The electrode has a first region coated with an insulative coating and a second region for focusing energy emission. The coating can be a diamond-like carbon coating or other coating exhibiting resistance to cracking at high temperatures and high voltages. The coating can be deposited on a base section of a loop electrode while the end sections remain free of the coating. Alternatively, the coating can be unevenly deposited on the electrode. In other embodiments, the electrode can comprise a rollerball and the insulative coating can be deposited on selected or random portions of the rollerball.

Abstract: Novel apparatus for treating a disorder of a biological tissue in a mammal by stimulating the biological tissue with light having selected optical parameters. The apparatus has a power source, a central microprocessor with stored optical parameter protocols and wireless probes to receive the protocols and to generate and transmit the light. The invention also relates to a method for stimulating healing of a disorder of a biological tissue in a mammal by stimulating the biological tissue with light having selected optical parameters.

Abstract: A cautery hook includes a proximal portion, a shank portion, and a distal hook portion. The shank portion is connected to the proximal portion at a bent knee protruding generally on a front side of the cautery hook. The distal hook portion is connected to the shank portion at an ankle protruding generally on a rear side of the cautery hook opposite from the front side of the cautery hook. The distal hook portion includes a distal hook tip generally on the front side of the cautery hook. The bent knee, ankle, and distal hook tip are the three most likely locations of contact between the cautery hook and a cannula sleeve when the cautery hook is passed through the cannular sleeve between an internal surgical site and the outside. Each contact tends to self-align the cautery hook to allow the hook to pass through the cannula sleeve without getting stuck or damaged.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument is provided for the treatment of tissue in the presence of an electrically-conductive fluid medium. The instrument comprises an instrument shaft (10), and a tissue treatment electrode (12) at the distal end of the shaft for electrosurgically excising tissue pieces at an operation site. The tissue treatment electrode (12) is cyclically movable relative to the distal end of the shaft (10). Threshold control means are provided for controlling the power threshold for vaporization of the electrically-conductive fluid medium at the tissue treatment electrode (12).

Abstract: The invention provides a method and device for heating or cooling a surrounding fluid in a feeding vessel. The device includes a catheter assembly capable of insertion to a selected feeding vessel in the vascular system of a patient. The assembly includes a heat transfer element at a distal end of the catheter assembly, the heat transfer element having a plurality of exterior surface irregularities shaped and arranged to create turbulence in a surrounding fluid, the surface irregularities having a depth at least equal to the boundary layer thickness of flow of the surrounding fluid in the feeding vessel. The assembly also includes a supply catheter to deliver a working fluid to an interior of the heat transfer element, a return catheter to return a working fluid from the interior of the heat transfer element, and a drug delivery catheter running substantially parallel to the axis of the catheter assembly.

Abstract: The invention provides systems, methods for 14 treatment, and occlusion of the fallopian tube. An elongated catheter (22) is placed into the isthmic region (14) of the fallopian tube (16) in a trans-cervical trans-uterine fashion, and a mono-pole antenna (92) is disposed within a distal end of the catheter. The antenna radiates microwave energy in resonance to a drive frequency into tissue of the isthmic region without physical contact between the mono-pole antenna, and the tissue. This heating causes occlusion after a period of time. Typically, the catheter, and the mono-pole antenna are disposable after one treatment. In the preferred embodiment, the antenna is formed from an extension of the inner conductor of a coaxial cable coupled to a microwave generator. A power control section (24) can be used to control, and apply the appropriate microwave power to the fallopian tube tissue.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for substantially reducing the size of a thrombus in a blood vessel in which blood is flowing. The method includes delivering a heat transfer element to a blood vessel in fluid communication with a thrombosed blood vessel. The temperature of the heat transfer element is adjusted such that the same is sufficient to remove heat from the flowing blood. Heat is transferred from a volume including the thrombus to the heat transfer element. In a separate embodiment, heat may be delivered to the volume including the thrombus from the heat transfer element. The resultant temperature of the volume may be sufficient to substantially reduce the size of a thrombus. For example, the resultant temperature of the volume may be sufficiently high to substantially enhance plasminogen activation near the thrombus.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and device for selectively controlling the temperature of a selected organ of a patient for performance of a specified application. The method includes introducing a guide catheter into a blood vessel. The guide catheter may have a soft tip and a retaining flange, and may be used to provide treatments such as administration of thrombolytic drug therapies, stenting procedures, angiographic procedures, etc. A supply tube is provided having a heat transfer element attached to a distal end thereof. The heat transfer element having a plurality of exterior surface irregularities, these surface irregularities having a depth greater than the boundary layer thickness of flow in the feeding artery of the selected organ. The supply tube and heat transfer element may be inserted through the guide catheter to place the heat transfer element in the feeding artery of the selected organ.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treatment of the skin or other biologic tissue includes the ability to subject said skin or other tissue to temperature modulation and radiation, simultaneously. The apparatus that delivers warm or cold material to the treatment site to effect this modulation of temperature may be attached to the apparatus that delivers radiation or it may be a separate entity, that could be utilized with a variety of radiation generating equipment.

Abstract: A sheath for use on a closed loop Joule-Thomson cryosurgical probe, and the combination of the and the closed loop probe. The sheath is slipped over the probe, thereby separating the probe from the environment. The sheath has a grip which fits over the handle of the cryosurgical probe, and an extendible shroud which can be longitudinally extended to cover tubing and which are attached to the handle. The sheath has a hollow multi-lumen catheter shaped and sized to fit snugly over the cannula of the cryosurgical probe. The catheter is not thermally conductive, preventing transfer of heat from the ambient to the gas mixture, and preventing the freezing of tissues at undesired locations along the catheter. A thermally conductive cap or tip is attached to the distal end of the hollow catheter. The thermally conductive cap or tip fits snugly over the cold tip on the probe, and it efficiently transfers heat from the target tissue to the cold tip, which in turn transfers heat to the expanded gas mixture.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and device for selectively controlling the temperature of a selected organ of a patient for performance of a specified application. The method includes introducing a guide catheter into a blood vessel. The guide catheter may have a soft tip and a retaining flange, and may be used to provide treatments such as administration of thrombolytic drug therapies, stenting procedures, angiographic procedures, etc. A supply tube is provided having a heat transfer element attached to a distal end thereof. The heat transfer element having a plurality of exterior surface irregularities, these surface irregularities having a depth greater than the boundary layer thickness of flow in the feeding artery of the selected organ. The supply tube and heat transfer element may be inserted through the guide catheter to place the heat transfer element in the feeding artery of the selected organ.

Abstract: An ablation catheter comprises an elongated, flexible catheter body having proximal and distal ends and at least one lumen extending therethrough. A tip electrode having a length of at least about 3 mm is mounted on the distal end of the catheter body. The tip electrode comprises a base material having an outer surface and a porous layer applied over at least a portion of the outer surface of the base material, the porous layer comprising metal nitride, metal oxide, metal carbide, metal carbonitride, carbon, carboxy nitride, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for automatic operation of a refrigeration system to provide refrigeration power to a catheter for tissue ablation or mapping. The primary refrigeration system can be open loop or closed loop, and a precool loop will typically be closed loop. Equipment and procedures are disclosed for bringing the system to the desired operational state, for controlling the operation by controlling refrigerant flow rate, for performing safety checks, and for achieving safe shutdown.

Abstract: An applanation tonometer with a replaceable prism for contacting a cornea has emitter and detector ports arranged opposite each other on opposite sides of a longitudinal axis, with the ports aimed at about 45° to the longitudinal axis. Light from an emitter then passes through the emitter port and crosses the prism axis to be incident and reflected from an emitter-reflecting surface of the prism and become incident on the applanation surface. Light reflected from the applanation surface is incident on and reflected from a detector-reflecting surface opposite and parallel with the emitter-reflecting surface to proceed across the prism axis to the detector port. Such an arrangement produces reliable applanation signals and varies the spacial intensity of light reflected from the applanation surface so that the tonometer can automatically distinguish between concentric and eccentric contact of the applanation surface with a cornea.