Abstract: The present invention relates generally to methods and systems for an adjustable drill stop, which has additional optional features of tissue retraction, visualization via transparent or semi-transparent material and/or window(s) on its size, precise gradation of depth by rotation indicated on side of the device, windows on the side for irrigation while drilling, and ability to utilize this device in setting of surgical drilling, in a drill which cannot be easily “overpowered” by typically applied forces (e.g. downward pressure by typical user).

Abstract: A holder for an elongated medical body suitable for insertion into a patient during a surgical procedure is provided. The holder includes a first outer member having a first inner surface, and a first outer surface, and a second outer member having a second inner surface and a second outer surface. The holder also includes a core extending between the first and second outer members, and at least one holding member placed between the inner surfaces of the first and second outer members. The holding member or holding members are compressible for holding the elongated medical body in the holder.

Abstract: A method and device for placing and/or retaining medical devices on an animal or subject is provided that may include an anchoring device having a body with a channel or aperture through which a medical device may pass and be reversibly retained at given degrees of insertion, a retaining mechanism for controlling the release or retention of the medical device in the channel or aperture, and an attachment feature for attaching the anchoring device to an animal or subject (e.g. onto the skin of a human). The anchoring device may be attached to a subject, such as over the site of an incision or other point of access to the interior of the subject, and a medical device may be inserted into the interior via the channel or aperture in the body of the anchoring device and retained by action of the retention mechanism.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and devices for maintaining the opening and/or caliber of a bodily orifice, particularly to methods and devices for maintaining the opening and/or caliber of the vaginal cavity of a human, and more particularly to methods and devices for maintaining the opening and/or caliber of the vaginal cavity of a human with an inserted vaginal stent. In general, a device for maintaining the opening and/or caliber of a bodily orifice, such as a human vaginal cavity, may include a vaginal stent shaped and having material properties for insertion into the bodily orifice and holding the bodily orifice open and/or at a given caliber, such as to resist collapse or closure of the bodily orifice. The vaginal stent may further include features for facilitating placement, retention in the bodily orifice, size or shape adjustment, drainage and/or removal of the vaginal stent after use.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to systems and methods for thermal therapy, especially to detection-guided, -controlled, and temperature-modulated interstitial thermal therapy. Thermal therapy may be used to treat the tissues of a patient. In the case of interstitial thermal therapy, energy is applied to generate heating of the tissue to affect treatment, such as, for example, thermally inducing tissue damage (e.g. thermally-induced tissue necrosis), which may be useful in treating tumors and/or other diseased tissues. Since targets for thermal therapy are internal to the patient, the use of detection guidance may be useful in locating and monitoring treatment of a target tissue.

Abstract: This invention is directed to devices and methods for surgical access to the body, and particularly to surgical drills for accessing a body cavity and methods therefor. In general, a surgical drill is utilized to gain access to a body cavity or part, such as where bone and/or other hard tissues need to be pierced. For example, the skull and other bones with internal cavities may require surgical access to treat body portions contained within the bone. Further in general, it may be generally desirable to create access holes or openings which may be as small as possible and at a particular direction and/or trajectory. In this manner the access hole or opening may be utilized to guide another device, such as a treatment device, to a particular target along the established trajectory of the access hole or opening.

Abstract: An external needle guide can include a skin contact portion for attaching to skin of a patient and a needle guide portion for guiding a needle into a vessel of the patient. The external needle guide provides an accurate placement of a needle into the vessel (e.g., a good puncture), which reduces the failures of the vessel. Furthermore, because of the accurate placement of the needles and the ease of placement of the external needle guide, a patient and/or another person can insert the needles into the vessel with one hand. An external needle guide can also include an anchor portion that secures a needle to the external needle guide, preventing unwanted movement of the needle and damage to the vessel.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the disclosure is directed to an integrated apparatus for delivering energy to a tissue. The integrated apparatus included a housing having a distal end and a tubular structure located within the housing forming a first annulus between the tubular structure and the housing. The tubular structure is configured to accept an energy delivery component and is configured to form a second annulus between the tubular structure and the energy delivery component. The first annulus and the second annulus are configured to communicate with each other proximate to the distal end of the housing.

Abstract: The invention relates to devices and methods for affecting an internal body tube, such as the esophagus, particularly to affecting the internal body tube by inserting a device into the internal body tube and more particularly to affecting the internal body tube by at least partially sealing off a section and moving the walls of the internal body tube, and/or applying cooling to the internal body tube. This invention further relates to methods of using such devices to move portions of an internal body tube away from an area undergoing a treatment or therapy, such as to minimize damage to the internal body tube, and/or providing cooling/temperature monitoring.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the disclosure is directed to an integrated apparatus for delivering energy to a tissue. The integrated apparatus included a housing having a distal end and a tubular structure located within the housing forming a first annulus between the tubular structure and the housing. The tubular structure is configured to accept an energy delivery component and is configured to form a second annulus between the tubular structure and the energy delivery component. The first annulus and the second annulus are configured to communicate with each other proximate to the distal end of the housing.

Abstract: This invention is directed to devices and methods for surgical access to the body, and particularly to surgical drills for accessing a body cavity and methods therefor. In general, a surgical drill is utilized to gain access to a body cavity or part, such as where bone and/or other hard tissues need to be pierced. For example, the skull and other bones with internal cavities may require surgical access to treat body portions contained within the bone. Further in general, it may be generally desirable to create access holes or openings which may be as small as possible and at a particular direction and/or trajectory. In this manner the access hole or opening may be utilized to guide another device, such as a treatment device, to a particular target along the established trajectory of the access hole or opening.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to systems and methods for thermal therapy, especially to detection-guided, -controlled, and temperature-modulated interstitial thermal therapy. Thermal therapy may be used to treat the tissues of a patient. In the case of interstitial thermal therapy, energy is applied to generate heating of the tissue to affect treatment, such as, for example, thermally inducing tissue damage (e.g. thermally-induced tissue necrosis), which may be useful in treating tumors and/or other diseased tissues. Since targets for thermal therapy are internal to the patient, the use of detection guidance may be useful in locating and monitoring treatment of a target tissue.

Abstract: The invention relates to devices and methods for visualizing and/or interacting with internal body tissues. More particularly, the present invention relates to endoscopic methods and devices for visualizing and/or interacting with the gastrointestinal and/or pancreaticobiliary systems, such as with one use or disposable devices, such as with duodenoscopes. A device for visualizing and/or interacting with internal body tissues may generally include a handpiece, a distal assembly, and/or a connecting conduit. A plurality of conduits and/or channels may span through the connecting conduit from the handpiece to the distal assembly, and may, for example, carry fluid/gas connections, electrical/sensor connections, such as for a camera, mechanical connections and/or carry medical devices through a working channel. The device may also reduce the needs associated with reusable devices such as for reducing risks associated with improper sterilization.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to systems and methods for thermal therapy, especially to detection-guided, -controlled, and temperature-modulated interstitial thermal therapy. Thermal therapy may be used to treat the tissues of a patient. In the case of interstitial thermal therapy, energy is applied to generate heating of the tissue to affect treatment, such as, for example, thermally inducing tissue damage (e.g. thermally-induced tissue necrosis), which may be useful in treating tumors and/or other diseased tissues. Since targets for thermal therapy are internal to the patient, the use of detection guidance may be useful in locating and monitoring treatment of a target tissue.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and device for maintaining a separately-determined trajectory and securing an electrode or other such placed object through a bone, such as a skull, while also covering the aperture. The device includes a base and an engaging-disengaging butterfly with inner sleeve for temporary engagement of the base and sliding screwdriver for engaging the base or butterfly inner sleeve, depending upon desired function. The base's lower portion engages via threads the bone, while maintaining previously determined trajectory; the upper portion engages the butterfly to continue to maintain previously determined trajectory electrode trajectory; a feature grasps a passing electrode in a given position; the electrode grasp from the butterfly can be then released, the base screwed in to final position, and the butterfly disengaged by unscrewing it from the base.

Abstract: This invention is directed to devices and methods for surgical access to the body, and particularly to surgical drills for accessing a body cavity and methods therefor. In general, a surgical drill is utilized to gain access to a body cavity or part, such as where bone and/or other hard tissues need to be pierced. For example, the skull and other bones with internal cavities may require surgical access to treat body portions contained within the bone. Further in general, it may be generally desirable to create access holes or openings which may be as small as possible and at a particular direction and/or trajectory. In this manner the access hole or opening may be utilized to guide another device, such as a treatment device, to a particular target along the established trajectory of the access hole or opening.

Abstract: This invention is directed to devices and methods for stereotactic access, and particularly to a frameless stereotactic access device for accessing a body cavity and methods therefor. In general, a stereotactic device may include portions or features for fixing the device to a portion of a patient's body, such as, for example, a skull, such that the device may be generally spatially fixed in relation to the patient's body or part thereof. The stereotactic device may also generally include portions or features for guiding a medical device or other device at a particular trajectory in relation to the patient's body or part thereof.

Abstract: This invention is directed to devices and methods for stereotactic access, and particularly to a frameless stereotactic access device for accessing a body cavity and methods therefor. In general, a stereotactic device may include portions or features for fixing the device to a portion of a patient's body, such as, for example, a skull, such that the device may be generally spatially fixed in relation to the patient's body or part thereof. The stereotactic device may also generally include portions or features for guiding a medical device or other device at a particular trajectory in relation to the patient's body or part thereof.