Abstract: Systems, methods and devices for utilizing heat transfer parameters or energy expenditure of devices providing controlled hypothermia, normothermia or hyperthermia to detect changes, or the absence of changes, a patient's endogenous set-point temperature; which is not available during exogenously induced targeted temperature management. A particular embodiment would allow detection of fever in patients undergoing targeted temperature managed.

Abstract: Systems, methods and devices for utilizing heat transfer parameters or energy expenditure of devices providing controlled hypothermia, normothermia or hyperthermia to detect changes, or the absence of changes, a patient's endogenous set-point temperature; which is not available during exogenously induced targeted temperature management. A particular embodiment would allow detection of fever in patients undergoing targeted temperature managed.

Abstract: Systems, methods and devices for utilizing heat transfer parameters or energy expenditure of devices providing controlled hypothermia, normothermia or hyperthermia to detect changes, or the absence of changes, a patient's endogenous set-point temperature; which is not available during exogenously induced targeted temperature management. A particular embodiment would allow detection of fever in patients undergoing targeted temperature managed.

Abstract: Systems, methods and devices for utilizing heat transfer parameters or energy expenditure of devices providing controlled hypothermia, normothermia or hyperthermia to detect changes, or the absence of changes, a patient's endogenous set-point temperature; which is not available during exogenously induced targeted temperature management. A particular embodiment would allow detection of fever in patients undergoing targeted temperature managed.

Abstract: A method, for enhancing uptake, into a disease site, of therapeutic agent administered to the bloodstream, includes sealing a partial enclosure to the patient at the disease site, administering the therapeutic agent to the bloodstream at a first time, and evacuating air from the partial enclosure to produce a partial vacuum in the partial enclosure at a second time that is after the first time by a first delay. A system, for enhancing uptake, into a disease site, of therapeutic agent administered to the bloodstream, includes a first partial enclosure configured to seal to an exposed surface overlying the disease site, a pump configured to produce a partial vacuum in the first partial enclosure to enhance the uptake of the therapeutic agent, and a control module for controlling delay between delivery of the therapeutic agent to the bloodstream and production of the partial vacuum.

Abstract: Systems, methods and devices for utilizing heat transfer parameters or energy expenditure of devices providing controlled hypothermia, normothermia or hyperthermia to detect changes, or the absence of changes, a patient's endogenous set-point temperature; which is not available during exogenously induced targeted temperature management. A particular embodiment would allow detection of fever in patients undergoing targeted temperature managed.

Abstract: A method for enhancing uptake of a therapeutic agent from the bloodstream of a patient into a disease site of the patient includes applying negative pressure to the disease site to form a pressure differential favorable for transport of the therapeutic agent from the bloodstream into the disease site. A system for enhancing uptake of therapeutic agent from the bloodstream of a patient into a disease site of the patient includes (a) a partial enclosure with edge configured to interface with an exposed surface, of the patient and overlying the disease site, to seal the partial enclosure to the exposed surface, and (b) a pump for evacuating air from the partial enclosure to produce a partial vacuum in the partial enclosure, to apply a negative pressure to the disease site so as to enhance uptake of the therapeutic agent into the disease site.

Abstract: An implantable radially-porous, polymeric, scaffold device configured for insertion into and obstruct a Fallopian tube formed of a polymer such as collagen, nanocellulose, xanthan gum, konjac glucomannan, alginate, agar, agarose, chitin, chitosan, chitosan-alginate polylactic acid (PLA), polygultamic acid (PGA), polycaprolactone, or polydioxanone. The device is compressed and placed within a first end of an insertion tube adapted for insertion through the cervix into the Fallopian tube; the insertion tube having a plunger to expel the device from the tube. The method includes using the insertion tube containing the radially freeze-cast and freeze-dried implant. Under hysteroscopic guidance the tube is positioned in the Fallopian tube and the implant is expelled into the Fallopian tube. Epithelium of the Fallopian tube is disrupted; and ingrowth of cells into the implant is permitted.

Abstract: A method for enhancing uptake of a therapeutic agent from the bloodstream of a patient into a disease site of the patient includes applying negative pressure to the disease site to form a pressure differential favorable for transport of the therapeutic agent from the bloodstream into the disease site. A system for enhancing uptake of therapeutic agent from the bloodstream of a patient into a disease site of the patient includes (a) a partial enclosure with edge configured to interface with an exposed surface, of the patient and overlying the disease site, to seal the partial enclosure to the exposed surface, and (b) a pump for evacuating air from the partial enclosure to produce a partial vacuum in the partial enclosure, to apply a negative pressure to the disease site so as to enhance uptake of the therapeutic agent into the disease site.

Abstract: Systems, methods and devices for utilizing heat transfer parameters or energy expenditure of devices providing controlled hypothermia, normothermia or hyperthermia to detect changes, or the absence of changes, a patient's endogenous set-point temperature; which is not available during exogenously induced targeted temperature management. A particular embodiment would allow detection of fever in patients undergoing targeted temperature managed.

Abstract: A system for heating tissue in a subject, has an alternating current (AC) source coupled to a coil; a magnetically permeable passive magnetic concentrator, and positioned to alter an intensity distribution of the field;. The system has a processor with a computer model of coil and concentrator, the memory with code for simulating magnetic fields and configured to generate an intensity map describing the intensity distribution of the AC magnetic field. A method of providing an alternating current (AC) magnetic field to magnetic nanoparticles includes: providing a source of alternating current coupled to a coil; positioning the coil in a vicinity of the nanoparticles; positioning a passive concentrator near the nanoparticles; and energizing the coil to generate the AC field, the field shaped by the concentrator and heats the nanoparticles. A particular embodiment simulates the magnetic field and compares the field to parameters to verify adequate heating of the nanoparticles.

Abstract: A method for local heating includes placing first magnetic material in a first lumen, and a second magnetic material in a second lumen from the first magnetic material to a magnetically permeable rod, then applying alternating magnetic fields. The first lumen may be a fallopian tube. A method of occluding fallopian tubes uses a catheter to inject first magnetic material into the tubes, injecting second magnetic fluid into uterus, introducing a magnetically-permeable rod into vagina, positioning a second end of the rod over the fallopian tube and applying an alternating magnetic field to the first magnetic material to heat it. The method is performed with apparatus having a coil wound over a magnetically-permeable rod, a high frequency AC generator coupled to the coil, a first magnetic fluid capable of generating heat in an alternating magnetic field, and a second magnetically-permeable magnetic fluid capable of conducting magnetic fields through a lumen.

Abstract: The present invention provides applicators for performing thermokeratoplasty. One embodiment of such applicators includes a pair of electrical conducting elements electrically separated by a selected distance and extending from a proximal end to a distal end. The electrical conducting elements define, at the distal end, a contact surface that is positionable at a cornea. At least one of the electrical conducting elements is divided into a plurality of discrete sections extending from the proximal end to the distal end. The discrete sections are selectively and separately actuated by a controller according to one or more variable characteristics to deliver energy to the cornea.

Abstract: A method for local heating includes placing first magnetic material in a first lumen, and a second magnetic material in a second lumen from the first magnetic material to a magnetically permeable rod, then applying alternating magnetic fields. The first lumen may be a fallopian tube. A method of occluding fallopian tubes uses a catheter to inject first magnetic material into the tubes, injecting second magnetic fluid into uterus, introducing a magnetically-permeable rod into vagina, positioning a second end of the rod over the fallopian tube and applying an alternating magnetic field to the first magnetic material to heat it. The method is performed with apparatus having a coil wound over a magnetically-permeable rod, a high frequency AC generator coupled to the coil, a first magnetic fluid capable of generating heat in an alternating magnetic field, and a second magnetically-permeable magnetic fluid capable of conducting magnetic fields through a lumen.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for the treatment of keratinized tissue infected with a pathogen are provided. In certain examples, electromagnetic energy, such as microwave energy, may be used in the treatment process to reduce the amount of or eliminate the pathogen from the keratinized tissue.

Abstract: A thermal treatment system with acoustic monitoring applies substantially constant electromagnetic energy superposed with pulsed electromagnetic energy to targeted tissue. The pulsed electromagnetic energy reacts with tissue to create an acoustic pressure wave within the tissue. The acoustic pressure wave is sensed by an acoustic sensor, and a sensor signal indicative of the acoustic pressure wave is generated and processed to determine changes in tissue composition.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for the treatment of keratinized tissue infected with a pathogen are provided. In certain examples, electromagnetic energy, such as microwave energy, may be used in the treatment process to reduce the amount of or eliminate the pathogen from the keratinized tissue.

Abstract: The present invention provides applicators for performing thermokeratoplasty. One embodiment of such applicators includes a pair of electrical conducting elements electrically separated by a selected distance and extending from a proximal end to a distal end. The electrical conducting elements define, at the distal end, a contact surface that is positionable at a cornea. At least one of the electrical conducting elements is divided into a plurality of discrete sections extending from the proximal end to the distal end. The discrete sections are selectively and separately actuated by a controller according to one or more variable characteristics to deliver energy to the cornea.

Abstract: The present invention provides applicators for performing thermokeratoplasty. One embodiment of such applicators includes two generally tubular electrical conducting elements coaxially disposed relative to one another and separated by an electrically insulating element having a selected thickness. At least a portion of each conducting tube is coated with an electrically insulating and thermally conductive material, e.g., anodized aluminum, so as to electrically insulate the conducting tubes from corneal tissue upon placement of the applicator on a subject's cornea while facilitating extraction of heat from the cornea.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for treating a tissue infected with an organism are provided. In certain examples, the device includes an applicator energetically coupled to an electromagnetic energy source to provide electromagnetic energy to the tissue for treatment. The device may also include a controller electrically coupled to the electromagnetic energy source to implement one or more treatment methods.