Abstract: Apparatus and methods for cooling selected regions within a body are described herein. An implantable cooling system is used to cool regions of the brain, spinal cord, fibrous nerve bodies, e.g., vagus nerve, etc. down to about 30° C. to diminish nerve impulses which control seizures or chronic pain. The system includes an implantable unit containing a pumping mechanism and/or various control electronics. It also has a heat exchanger attachable to a tubular body organ, such as the superior vena cava or the inferior vena cava, through which the heat is effectively dissipated. Also included is a heat pump such as a Peltier junction configured to be placed into contact with the region of tissue to be cooled. The heated portion of the Peltier junction is cooled by a liquid heat transfer medium which absorbs the heat from the junction and dissipates it into the tubular body organ.

Abstract: A convective warmer to which blankets of different dimensions may be connected is capable of providing air to the various blankets at flow rates that optimally inflate those blankets to achieve the optimal clinical result for the patients covered by those blankets. The blanket connected to the warmer may range from a full size adult warming blanket to a pediatric warming blanket. The convection warmer may have multiple fixed air flow rates each selectable by a user, via switch(es) either electronically or mechanically. For the electronic selection of a given flow rate, a motor adaptable to rotate a different speeds is used. To vary the flow rate mechanically, a valve is controlled to vary the amount of air that may pass to the blanket. Instead of different fixed flow rates, variable air flow rates, selectable by the user, may be used. Also, a feedback circuit that maintains the pressure sensed at the outlet of the warmer to a preset pressure may be used to eliminate the need for user intervention.

Abstract: A compact hand held device is provided that can be safely used by those suffering from acne, blemished skin or fine wrinkles. The hand held device includes an on/off switch and a button that pulses the device when it is placed on the target site. A battery within the device powers a circuit board and drives a short pulse of current through a heating element, which heats up to approximately 300° C. in less than 0.1 sec. Thermal conduction transfers the heat to the skin and causes a biological response that accelerates acne clearing, treats blemished skin or fine wrinkles. The total heat transferred is low enough to prevent burns.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for heating or cooling at least a selected portion of a patient's body. The method begins by inserting a catheter having a balloon into the colon or stomach of the patient. A heated or chilled fluid is conducted through a supply lumen of the catheter and into the balloon. The fluid is evacuated from the balloon through a return lumen of the catheter.

Abstract: A resecting device is disclosed. The resecting device comprises: a handle having a jaw trigger slidably engaged with the handle and mechanically engaged with a spring mechanism communicating a biasing force to the jaw trigger; a fixed shaft portion having a first and a second end, wherein the fixed shaft portion first end is affixed to the housing, wherein the fixed shaft portion second end forms a first jaw member, and wherein the first jaw member has a tissue contact area; and a slidable shaft portion in communication with the spring mechanism and slidable relative to the fixed shaft portion.

Abstract: An electric heat therapy apparatus which includes an upper cover, a holder, a heating unit including a control circuit, an electrical connector and a light bulb, a heat reservoir, wherein the holder has no upper end connected to a lower ed of the upper cover and a lower end connected to an upper end of the electrical connector, the heat reservoir is connected to a lower end of the electrical connector, the heat reservoir has a closed bottom, and the light bulb is fitted within the heat reservoir for keeping heat and light in the heat reservoir, whereby the human skin can be prevented from causing pathological changes by the direct light given by the light bulb and the heat given by the light bulb will be efficiently retained in the heat reservoir and the temperature of the heat reservoir can be rapidly increased.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and method for treating urinary incontinence generally rely on energy delivered to a patient's own pelvic support tissue to selectively contract or shrink at least a portion of that pelvic support tissue so as to reposition the bladder. The energy will preferably be applied to the endopelvic fascia and/or an arcus tendineus fascia pelvis. The invention provides a variety of devices and methods for applying gentle resistive heating of these and other tissues to cause them to contract without imposing significant injury on the surrounding tissue structures. Alternatively, heat-applying probes are configured to heat tissue structures which comprise or support a patient's urethra. By applying sufficient energy over a predetermined time, the tissue can be raised to a temperature which results in contraction without significant necrosis or other tissue damage.

Abstract: A therapeutic apparatus, comprising a base and a container supported by the base, the container being hollow, elongate, with angles comprised between 30 and 60 degrees, the container comprising a front part that slides relative to a rear part on rails, the container being made of stainless steel and wood; in which a user lies to be submitted to heat diffused by radiant strips, the head of the user remaining out of the container and isolated from the rest of the body by a removable flap mounted on the front part of the container.

Abstract: A surgical device includes an elongated shaft having first and second electrically isolated electrodes coupled to the shaft such that an exposed portion of the second electrode is disposed around only part of a circumference of the elongated shaft, and includes a portion that is spaced proximally from the first electrode. Another surgical device also includes an elongated shaft having first and second electrically isolated electrodes coupled to the shaft, wherein the shaft includes a first side, and exposed surfaces of the first and second electrodes are side-facing toward the first side. Various embodiments of a “cool back” are provided, allowing arthroscopic surgery on a first side of a device without tissue effects on a back side of the device.

Abstract: Ablative treatment of metastatic bone tumors and relief of pain associated with metastatic bone tumors is achieved by heat ablation of the bone tumor or tissue near the bone tumor by an ablation probe. In one form the probe is an electrode coupled to a high frequency power supply to provide ablative heating of tissue proximate to an electrode that is placed in or near the bone tumor. Cooling of the electrode by fluid circulation from a cooling apparatus outside the patient's body may be used to enlarge the region of high frequency heating around the electrode. Image guidance of the electrode placement may be monitored by an imaging device. Tracking of the electrode by an image-guided navigator helps in placement of the electrode with respect to the configuration of the bone and bone metastasis. A set of tools accommodates biopsy and various shapes of electrodes according to clinical requirements.

Abstract: The present invention provides devices and methods for treating tissue. In one embodiment the present invention provides a method of controlling a temperature of an applicator body, the method comprising providing an applicator body that comprises at least one contact surface A coolant is delivered through at least a portion of the applicator body at a substantially constant rate. Energy is delivered to the coolant through a heating element so that the contact surface of the applicator body is cooled to a desired temperature.

Abstract: A method of creating a tissue effect at a tissue site delivers electromagnetic energy through a skin surface from an electromagnetic energy delivery device coupled to an electromagnetic energy source. At least one of the electromagnetic energy delivery device or electromagnetic energy source includes a memory. A reverse thermal gradient is created through the skin surface to sufficiently heat an underlying tissue site to provide that a temperature of the skin surface is lower than a temperature of the underlying tissue. Information is stored from the memory to facilitate operation of at least one of the electromagnetic energy delivery device or the electromagnetic energy source. Electromagnetic energy is applied through the skin surface to the underlying tissue. A tissue effect is created on at least a portion of the tissue site.

Abstract: Methods for reducing kidney damage induced by radiographic contrast medium or another nephrotoxic drug or substance administered to a patient include reducing the temperature of the patient by positioning an endovascular heat exchange device in a blood vessel of the patient and adjusting the temperature of the device to cause a reduction in the patient's temperature. The patient's temperature may be reduced prior to, during, and/or after, the administration of the contrast medium. The methods may also include administering an anti-shivering mechanism to the patient to reduce shivering caused by the reduction in the patient's temperature. The methods may also include disrupting the laminarity of blood flow around the device to enhance the temperature exchange between the device and the blood flowing around the device. The endovascular heat exchange device may be an endovascular heat exchange catheter.

Abstract: An electrosurgery medical device is enhanced with unique solution-assistance, and comprises, in combination, co-operating device jaws including jaw portions for manipulating tissue, and a plurality of solution infusion openings defined and spaced along each of the jaw portions, for receiving electrolytic solution and infusing the solution onto and into tissue to be manipulated, along said jaw portions. As preferred, the device further comprises at least one, and most preferably, many, longitudinal groove(s) along at least one and most preferably, both, of the jaw portions, with the solution infusion openings located in the groove or grooves. The solution is energized with RF energy and contributes to the functions and beneficial effects of the instrument. The solution exits the openings in the grooves at sufficient flow rates to separate substantially all the operative surfaces of the device from tissue, thereby substantially completely preventing adherence between the operative surfaces and tissue.

Abstract: A clinical garment having a lower hem and sleeves includes permeable surfaces inside near peripheral portions, a duct in communication with the permeable surfaces, and at least one inlet port opening into the duct. When worn by a patient, the permeable surfaces are positioned adjacent the patient's limbs. Warmed pressurized air may be introduced into the duct and conducted to the permeable surfaces. The warmed pressurized air circulates through the permeable surfaces to warm the adjacent limbs.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a system for temperature control of the human body. The system includes an indwelling catheter with a tip-mounted heat transfer element. The catheter is fluidically coupled to a console that provides a heated or cooled heat transfer working fluid to exchange heat with the heat transfer element, thereby heating or cooling blood. The heated or cooled blood then heats or cools the patient's body or a selected portion thereof. In particular, methods and devices, including software, are provided for administering cooling or rewarming and controlling the same based on a projected control temperature measured by a temperature sensor within the catheter.

Abstract: The heating treatment device according to the present invention is constituted by a coagulation and incision forceps having a plurality of built-in heating elements, and a device main unit. A forceps identifying section inside the device main unit recognizes the identification of the type of forceps by an identifier, and information for the individual heating elements, and supplies the same to a temperature control and correction section. The temperature control and correction section reads out from a memory the resistance values for controlling required for the respective set temperatures for the respective heating elements, on the basis of this information. A heating setting section sets a resistance value for controlling for the set temperature level, from these resistance values for controlling. The resistance value detecting section calculates the resistance value for the heating elements from the measurement results of an applied power detecting section.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for electrically induced thrombosis. The surgical device includes a first electrode and a second electrode. The first electrode is for placement adjacent to, near, or within a treatment site of a patient. The second electrode can be movable with respect to the first electrode. When the electrodes are charged by an electricity source, negatively charged blood components are attracted to the positively charged electrode while being repelled from the negatively charged electrode. Due to the electric potential between the adjacent electrodes, thrombosis is induced. The negatively charged blood and components form a thrombus or a clot adjacent to the positively charged electrode. The surgical device can be used to induce the otherwise natural process of thrombosis. When the surgical device is used in a treatment site such as a puncture or incision, the thrombosis can seal the opening created by the treatment site.

Abstract: A device for application to a body or body parts and releasing chemical/physical parameters has an applicator with at least two layers. A space formed between the layers includes at least one chamber and/or one channel for releasing the chemical/physical parameters that can be filled with fluidic, i.e., gaseous and/or liquid, media. A control device is connected for controlling parameters such as flowthrough volume, temperature, pressure, and the like, of the media in the chambers or channels. Biosensors for detecting body parameters such as temperature, EKG, and the like are connected to the control device.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an electrosurgical device having a shapeable elongate cutting electrode having a free distal end with an exposed length of at least 0.5 inch and secured by its proximal end to the distal end of a handle. The electrosurgical device is designed for use with a high frequency electrosurgical generator which has an output at a frequency of between about 1 MHz and about 10 MHz, preferably about 3 to about 8 MHz. Preferably, the output has an essentially sinusoidal waveform with little harmonic distortion. The methods provide for the enhanced cutting of a variety of tissue including muscular, connective, glandular and fatty tissue. The device is particularly suitable in performing a breast biopsy.