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: A system for treating a target region in tissue beneath a tissue surface comprises a probe for deploying an electrode array within the tissue and a surface electrode for engaging the tissue surface above the treatment site. Preferably, surface electrode includes a plurality of tissue-penetrating elements which advance into the tissue, and the surface electrode is removably attachable to the probe. The tissue may be treated in a monopolar fashion where the electrode array and surface electrode are attached to a common pole on an electrode surgical power supply and powered simultaneously or successively, or in a bipolar fashion where the electrode array and surface electrode are attached to opposite poles of the power supply. The systems are particularly useful for treating tumors and other tissue treatment regions which lie near the surface.

Abstract: A design and method of manufacture is disclosed for an insulated electrode used during surgical procedures. The electrode includes a durable electrical insulation element that can withstand the range of temperatures generated during an electrosurgical procedure. Such insulation characteristics include resistance to meltback and manufacturability to ensure the device is biocompatible and non-toxic so as to prevent adverse reactions in both patients and users of the device. The insulated electrode further includes properties that reduce the incidence of scope damage caused by the intensity of heat generated during the cutting and coagulation cycles.

Abstract: An bipolar electrosurgical tool (10) for cauterizing or ablating tissue. The tool has a nose cone (12) which serves as a handle. A conductive shaft (14) extends from the nose cone. A tip assembly (18) with an active electrode (20) is mounted to the shaft. A circuit board (78) is mounted in the nose cone. Conductive traces that forming contact pads (96, 102) are formed on the circuit board. A web (108) formed from a single piece of elastomeric material is seated over the opening in which the printed circuit board is mounted to seal the opening shut. Integrally formed with the web are buttons (116, 118) that are in registration over the contact pads. The buttons can be depressed downwardly towards the contact pads. When a button is so depressed, a conductive landing pad (120) integral with the button closes the connection between the traces that form the contact pad. Thus, the tool of this invention is provided with switches. The circuit board also has two conductive traces (92, 104a) that run in parallel.

Abstract: A device for treating leakage from an external orifice in the body of a patent which comprises a first member having a body-contacting first surface and an opposing second surface about an aperture, which first surface is attachable to the patient with said aperture positioned over said orifice, and a second member integral with said second surface, which second member comprises a valve mounted over said aperture, which valve has a closed position which prevents leakage of fluid through the device and an open position which allows fluid to flow through said aperture when desired, the closed and open positions being achievable without removing the device from the body of the patient.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument having a universal handle that is adopted for mounting and unmounting of different core assemblies for carrying out various electrosurgical procedures. The mounting and unmounting is accomplished by constructing the handle in several parts with upper concave portions configured to receive and hold the core assemblies which are provided with similar outer housings so they all can fit within the concave portions. The handle parts are held together with detent mechanisms which allow them to be easily snapped together and apart as desired. The handle can accommodate a variety of core assemblies that can comprise parts of a family of assemblies capable of both unipolar and bipolar electrosurgical procedures, and thus provides a very flexible instrument for the active surgeon.

Abstract: A kit for establishing and maintaining hypothermia in a patient for neurotherapeutic purposes includes a high cooling capacity catheter that is advanced into the patient's central venous system to quickly cool the patient to, e.g., 32° C. or so. Once hypothermia has been established, the high capacity catheter is removed and replaced with a lower cooling capacity catheter which maintains a desired reduced temperature. The lower capacity catheter advantageously can be configured as a central venous catheter for permitting the catheter to be used for multiple functions. Alternatively, the high cooling capacity catheter can be used to attenuate a fever and lower the patient's body temperature to normal, with the lower capacity catheter being used to maintain normal body temperature.

Abstract: An ablation catheter is provided which comprises a steerable catheter including a distal portion and a proximal portion. An ablation electrode is carried by the distal portion, with the ablation electrode having structure defining an interior space and having at least one aperture. A positional sensor is located in the interior space, wherein the proximal portion is connected to a source of cooling liquid which flows out of the aperture. The ablation catheter provides a suitable flow of fluid through the aperture while providing a space or volume sufficiently large for placement of a positional sensor.

Abstract: A kit for establishing and maintaining hypothermia in a patient for neurotherapeutic purposes includes a high cooling capacity catheter that is advanced into the patient's central venous system to quickly cool the patient to, e.g., 32° C. or so. Once hypothermia has been established, the high capacity catheter is removed and replaced with a lower cooling capacity catheter which maintains a desired reduced temperature. The lower capacity catheter advantageously can be configured as a central venous catheter for permitting the catheter to be used for multiple functions. Alternatively, the high cooling capacity catheter can be used to attenuate a fever and lower the patient's body temperature to normal, with the lower capacity catheter being used to maintain normal body temperature.

Abstract: A high frequency generator system with a computer graphic two-dimensional user-interactable interface is achieved to allow selection of menus associated with the function, state, and output parameters of the high frequency generator system. A two-dimensional graphics display is coupled directly or remotely to a high frequency power source system which is further connected to electrodes in contact or proximity to the tissue of a patient's body. A two-dimensional display allows the user to see, in a compact, convenient, and comprehensive way, selection menus for use of the high frequency generator system, control of its parameters, monitoring of its processes during clinical application, and graphics displays related to historic or current image scan data and real-time monitoring of output parameters related to the application. Pre-set or user-selectable arrays of parameters can be selected through the two-dimensional user interface to the high frequency generator system.

Abstract: An ablation catheter comprising, in an exemplary embodiment, a probe having a proximal end and a distal end and an electrode which is axially displaceable along the probe. A first pull cable is attached to the electrode, extends from the electrode towards the distal end of the probe, and doubles back through the catheter for pulling the electrode toward the distal end of the probe. The first pull cable is disposed within a lumen formed in the catheter that extends substantially from the distal end to the proximal end. A second pull cable is attached to the opposite end of the electrode and extends from the electrode toward the proximal end of the catheter for pulling the electrode away from the distal end. The second pull cable is disposed within a lumen formed in the catheter. Both pull cables are coupled to an actuator mechanism at the proximal end of the catheter for effecting axial movement of the electrode relative to the distal tip of the probe by selectively tensioning the respective pull cables.

Abstract: An ablation device system for treating tissues in a patient, the ablation device comprising capabilities for temperature sensing and providing ablation energy hyperthermically or hypothermically for treating tissue.

Abstract: An electrode device is for microwave coagulation therapy disclosed in which the direction of its electrode tip can be controlled by operation in its proximal region.

Abstract: An electrode catheter assembly for ablation of obstructive material formed within and around a stent inserted within a lumen includes an elongate flexible tube having a distal end and a proximal end, and an electrode assembly attached to the distal end of the tube. The electrode assembly includes: a first electrode formed by a cylindrical body defining a longitudinal axis and having a first end, and an opposite second end, the body having a plurality of slits formed therein, each of the slits extending parallel to the axis from a corresponding first point proximate the first end to a corresponding second point proximate the second end, the slits defining a plurality of elongated deformable segments; and a second electrode disposed along the axis at a distance from the first electrode. A spacer means, disposed between the first and second electrodes, is operative to physically separate and electrically insulate the first electrode from the second electrode.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for selectively stimulating cortical brain activity of a patient with hemispheric brain differences using light and/or sound includes exposing the patient to one or more lights (12) placed in close proximity to a patient's eyes (20, 30) wherein the one or more of lights (12) selectively stimulate the non-dominant eye (30) connected to the non-dominant cerebral hemisphere.

Abstract: A method for treating cardiac arrest includes defibrillating the patient and/or ventilating the patient and/or administering a cardiac arrest drug such as epinephrine to resuscitate the patient, and then cooling the patient using one or more cooling catheter positioned in the central venous system of the patient.

Abstract: An integrated catheter assembly for enabling diverse endoscopic in situ therapies. The assembly includes a catheter with an irrigation fluid lumen, a distal electrode tip portion that acts as a hemostat, and a cutting wire for making incisions in or ablating tissue. A cutting wire hub provides a sealing entrance for a cutting wire. An operator enables the physician to displace the cutting wire between extended and retracted positions. The cutting wire and electrode are electrically isolated. In addition, the catheter assembly may include a planar tip which, when extended outside the distal end of the assembly, assumes a substantially flat unbiased configuration for use. The apparatus of the present invention allows the physician to make incisions in or ablate tissue using electrosurgery, irrigate tissue, and cauterize or coagulate tissue without having to remove the apparatus from the working channel of the endoscope.

Abstract: A bipolar electrosurgical instrument that is configured for use in MIS and other electrosurgical procedures. The instrument is constructed with a rigid end as a bipolar electrode comprising spaced rounded electrodes. The electrode preferably comprises spaced hemispherically-shaped electrically conductive members projecting from the end of the housing. When energized, a bipolar discharge is generated between the bare ends of the electrode.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical device for the application of ultrasonic energy is disclosed. The surgical device has a housing and an acoustic assembly having a solid core waveguide. The waveguide extends from the housing and has a novel end effector at the distal end for the conduction of ultrasonic energy thereto. Two novel end effectors are described having an embedding surface at the distal end, and a coagulating surface extending from the embedding surface. The first novel end effector has a cylindrical shaft, an embedding surface, and an angled coagulating surface. The second novel end effector has a truncated cone having a circumferential coagulating surface and a distal embedding surface.