Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention is a system, a device and a method for sensing the concentration of an analyte in a fluid or matrix. The analyte may be glucose or any other chemical of interest. The fluid or matrix may be, for example, the fluid in a bioreactor, a food or agricultural product, any fluid or matrix in the body of an animal, or any other fluid or matrix whose concentration of an analyte is under investigation. In one embodiment, the analyte sensing device includes a housing having an interior space. Contained within the housing and in the interior space is one or more analyte sensing component(s). The analyte sensing component, in one embodiment, includes one or more radiation converting element(s), for example, converting chromophores. The radiation converting element(s) are capable of converting or modifying radiation of one or more wavelengths into radiation of one or more different wavelengths.

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: Disclosed is a method for delivering energy to a tissue. The method includes providing an apparatus which includes an energy delivery component and an inflatable member disposed around the energy delivery component. At a minimum, the inflatable member is constructed of a flexible inner wall and a flexible outer wall, which, taken together, enclose a cavity therebetween. The inflatable member is expanded such that the inflatable member's outer wall contacts the tissue's surface. Cooling fluid is disposed in the cavity, and energy is delivered to the energy delivery component so that at least a portion of the energy delivered to the energy delivery component passes through the inflatable member's inner wall, through the cooling fluid disposed in the cavity, through the inflatable member's outer wall, and into the tissue.

Abstract: A light diffusing tip is provided. The light diffusing tip comprises a housing and a monolithic light scattering medium disposed within the housing. The monolithic light scattering medium comprises a first scattering region at a first position, the scattering region having a first scattering property and a second scattering region at a second position, the second scattering region having a second scattering property different from the first scattering property, wherein the first scattering region and the second scattering region are coextensive along a substantial portion of a length of the housing. A light diffusing applicator also is provided. The light diffusing applicator comprises at least one optical waveguide, a first termination coupled to a first end of the at least one optical waveguide, the first termination to couple to a light source and a light diffusing tip coupled to a second end of the at least one optical waveguide.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and methods for selectably assessing a fallopian tube. The apparatus is a device that allows for treatment and/or the assessment of the patency of each fallopian tube independently by isolating at least one cornual regions from the uterine cavity. The method of the present invention is based on use of the device and allows for assessment of fallopian tube patency without the use of dyes of x-rays.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention is a system, a device and a method for sensing the concentration of an analyte in a fluid or matrix. The analyte may be glucose or any other chemical of interest. The fluid or matrix may be, for example, the fluid in a bioreactor, a food or agricultural product, any fluid or matrix in the body of an animal, or any other fluid or matrix whose concentration of an analyte is under investigation. In one embodiment, the analyte sensing device includes a housing having an interior space. Contained within the housing and in the interior space is one or more analyte sensing component(s). The analyte sensing component, in one embodiment, includes one or more radiation converting element(s), for example, converting chromophores. The radiation converting element(s) are capable of converting or modifying radiation of one or more wavelengths into radiation of one or more different wavelengths.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for delivering energy to a tissue. The method includes providing an apparatus which includes an energy delivery component and an inflatable member disposed around the energy delivery component. At a minimum, the inflatable member is constructed of a flexible inner wall and a flexible outer wall, which, taken together, enclose a cavity therebetween. The inflatable member is expanded such that the inflatable member's outer wall contacts the tissue's surface. Cooling fluid is disposed in the cavity, and energy is delivered to the energy delivery component so that at least a portion of the energy delivered to the energy delivery component passes through the inflatable member's inner wall, through the cooling fluid disposed in the cavity, through the inflatable member's outer wall, and into the tissue.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a glucose sensing device for implantation within subcutaneous tissue of an animal body. In one embodiment, the glucose sensing device includes a first chamber containing first magnetic particles and a hydrocolloid solution (for example, ConA-dextran hydrocolloid) wherein the first magnetic particles are dispersed in the hydrocolloid solution. In operation, glucose within the animal may enter and exit the first chamber and the hydrocolloid solution changes in response to the presence or concentration of glucose within the first chamber. The sensing device also includes a reference chamber containing second magnetic particles and a reference solution wherein the second magnetic particles are dispersed in the reference solution. The reference solution (for example, oil or alcohol compounds) includes a known or fixed viscosity. The reference solution may also be a hydrocolloid solution (for example, ConA-dextran hydrocolloid).

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a glucose sensing device for implantation within subcutaneous tissue of an animal body. In one embodiment, the glucose sensing device includes a first chamber containing first magnetic particles and a hydrocolloid solution (for example, ConA-dextran hydrocolloid) wherein the first magnetic particles are dispersed in the hydrocolloid solution. In operation, glucose within the animal may enter and exit the first chamber and the hydrocolloid solution changes in response to the presence or concentration of glucose within the first chamber. The sensing device also includes a reference chamber containing second magnetic particles and a reference solution wherein the second magnetic particles are dispersed in the reference solution. The reference solution (for example, oil or alcohol compounds) includes a known or fixed viscosity.

Abstract: A method and system for using real time closed loop feedback to control the delivery of heat energy is disclosed herein. An energy delivery system may be used to deliver heat energy to a target to effect a change in the target. For example, medical professionals use laser energy to irreversibly damage cells found in cancerous tumors without damaging the surrounding healthy cells. The energy delivery system includes a temperature detection system, a data processor, and a heat generating device. The temperature detection system obtains temperature data from a target and transmits the data to the data processor. The data processor may process the temperature data to provide real time feedback control to the heat generating system, as well as display the data as one or more images on a graphical user interface. The heat generating system receives control commands from the data processor and modulates its heat output accordingly.

Abstract: A sterilization device (10) is provided having a flexible housing element (12) that is smaller in diameter than the diameter of the lumen of the isthmic portion of the fallopian tube, a heating element (14) carried by the housing element adjacent to its distal end, and an energy source (18) coupled to the heating element such that when the energy source is energized the temperature of the heating element will be increased. A procedure is described for inserting the sterilization device (10) through the uterus and into the isthmic portion of the fallopian tube where the heating element (14) is energized and the heat generated destroys the mucosal layer and damages the muscular layer of the fallopian tube wall inducing sufficient scarification to occlude the fallopian tube.

Abstract: A method and system for using real time closed loop feedback to control the delivery of heat energy is disclosed herein. An energy delivery system may be used to deliver heat energy to a target to effect a change in the target. For example, medical professionals use laser energy to irreversibly damage cells found in cancerous tumors without damaging the surrounding healthy cells. The energy delivery system includes a temperature detection system, a data processor, and a heat generating device. The temperature detection system obtains temperature data from a target and transmits the data to the data processor. The data processor may process the temperature data to provide real time feedback control to the heat generating system, as well as display the data as one or more images on a graphical user interface. The heat generating system receives control commands from the data processor and modulates its heat output accordingly.

Abstract: The disclosures made herein relate to methods and equipment adapted for treatment of cardiac arrhythmias and for limiting, if not preventing, damage to surface tissue while coagulating tissue within the myocardium. In one embodiment of the disclosures made herein, a cooled tip laser catheter system includes an energy delivery apparatus, a laser apparatus and a cooling medium supply apparatus. The energy delivery apparatus includes a flexible tubular housing, a tip assembly and an optical waveguide. The flexible tubular housing includes a plurality of lumens therein extending between a proximal end and a distal end of the flexible tubular housing. The tip assembly includes a tip body attached at a first end thereof to the distal end of the flexible tubular housing and an optical window mounted at a second end of the tip body. The circulation chamber is defined within the tip body between the distal end of the flexible tubular housing and the optical window.

Abstract: An optical imaging probe for providing information representative of morphological arid biochemical properties of a sample is provided. The optical imaging probe includes a spectroscopic imaging probe element and an OCT imaging probe element.

Abstract: A transcutaneous implant having a stable biological seal at the skin interface, obviating the need for puncturing the skin to obtain fluid samples is described. The implant includes an advanced filtration membrane to promote neovascularization which eliminates mass transfer problems by promoting the development of capillary networks with transcapillary mass transfer rates high enough to insure rapid exchange of analyte between blood and the device. Additionally the membrane provides a bioprotective layer which prevents transport of proteins and cellular components into the device.

Abstract: A transcutaneous implant having a stable biological seal at the skin interface, obviating the need for puncturing the skin to obtain fluid samples is described. The implant includes an advanced filtration membrane to promote neovascularization which eliminates mass transfer problems by promoting the development of capillary networks with transcapillary mass transfer rates high enough to insure rapid exchange of analyte between blood and the device. Additionally the membrane provides a bioprotective layer which prevents transport of proteins and cellular components into the device.

Abstract: A transcutaneous, implantable skin port sensor includes an access component and a sensor component, both of which can be made from inexpensive biocompatible materials. The access component provides a biological seal that forms around the skin port sensor. The sensor component facilitates non-invasive optically based measurement of analytes by providing a window to the body which avoids changes in the optical signal due to variations in skin optics, optical pathlength, ambient temperature and probe pressure. Tissue ingrowth or interstitial fluid in a through portion downstream of the optical window serves as the sample for the non-invasive, optically based measurement.

Abstract: A transcutaneous, implantable skin port sensor includes an access component and a sensor component, both of which can be made from inexpensive biocompatible materials. The access component provides a biological seal that forms around the skin port sensor. The sensor component facilitates non-invasive optically based measurement of analytes by providing a window to the body which avoids changes in the optical signal due to variations in skin optics, optical pathlength, ambient temperature and probe pressure. Tissue ingrowth or interstitial fluid in a through portion downstream of the optical window serves as the sample for the non-invasive, optically based measurement.

Abstract: A sterilization device (10) is provided having a flexible housing element (12) that is smaller in diameter than the diameter of the lumen of the isthmic portion of the fallopian tube, a heating element (14) carried by the housing element adjacent to its distal end, and an energy source (18) coupled to the heating element such that when the energy source is energized the temperature of the heating element will be increased. A procedure is described for inserting the sterilization device (10) through the uterus and into the isthmic portion of the fallopian tube where the heating element (14) is energized and the heat generated destroys the mucosal layer and damages the muscular layer of the fallopian tube wall inducing sufficient scarification to occlude the fallopian tube.