Abstract: Methods and apparatus of embodiments of the invention are adapted to treat tissue inside a patient's body. Aspects of the invention can be used in a wide variety of applications, but certain embodiments provide minimally invasive alternatives for treating atrial fibrillation by delivering a tissue-damaging agent to selected areas of the heart. One exemplary embodiment of the invention provides a method of treating cardiac arrhythmia. This method includes positioning a distal tissue-contacting portion of a body in surface contact with a tissue surface of cardiac tissue; detecting the surface contact between the tissue-contacting portion and the tissue surface; and thereafter, injecting a tissue-ablating agent into the cardiac tissue through the tissue-contacting portion of the body.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus of embodiments of the invention are adapted to treat tissue inside a patient's body. Aspects of the invention can be used in a wide variety of applications, but certain embodiments provide minimally invasive alternatives for treating atrial fibrillation by delivering a tissue-damaging agent to selected areas of the heart. One exemplary embodiment of the invention provides a method of treating cardiac arrhythmia. This method includes positioning a distal tissue-contacting portion of a body in surface contact with a tissue surface of cardiac tissue; detecting the surface contact between the tissue-contacting portion and the tissue surface; and thereafter, injecting a tissue-ablating agent into the cardiac tissue through the tissue-contacting portion of the body.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus for treating a selected patient tissue or organ region, at the surface of such region. The apparatus has an accessing tool for accessing the patient region, the tool having a distal end, and a proximal end at which the tool can be manipulated to place the distal end adjacent to the patient region. The apparatus also has a probe carried on the distal end and defining a contact surface that may be urged against the patient region thereby creating contact pressure. A pressure transducer is operatively coupled to the probe and is capable of producing a measurable response to the contact pressure. A monitoring device is operatively connected to the pressure transducer, for determining the contact pressure. An effector is operatively disposed on the probe for producing a given effect on the patient region when the effector is activated, and an activator operatively connected to the effector, by which the effector can be activated.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus of embodiments of the invention are adapted to treat tissue inside a patient's body. Aspects of the invention can be used in a wide variety of applications, but certain embodiments provide minimally invasive alternatives for treating atrial fibrillation by delivering a tissue-damaging agent to selected areas of the heart. One exemplary embodiment of the invention provides a method of treating cardiac arrhythmia. This method includes positioning a distal tissue-contacting portion of a body in surface contact with a tissue surface of cardiac tissue; detecting the surface contact between the tissue-contacting portion and the tissue surface; and thereafter, injecting a tissue-ablating agent into the cardiac tissue through the tissue-contacting portion of the body.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus for treating a selected patient tissue or organ region, at the surface of such region. The apparatus has an accessing tool for accessing the patient region, the tool having a distal end, and a proximal end at which the tool can be manipulated to place the distal end adjacent to the patient region. The apparatus also has a probe carried on the distal end and defining a contact surface that may be urged against the patient region thereby creating contact pressure. A pressure transducer is operatively coupled to the probe and is capable of producing a measurable response to the contact pressure. A monitoring device is operatively connected to the pressure transducer, for determining the contact pressure. An effector is operatively disposed on the probe for producing a given effect on the patient region when the effector is activated, and an activator operatively connected to the effector, by which the effector can be activated.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus for treating a selected patient tissue or organ region, at the surface of such region. The apparatus has an accessing tool for accessing the patient region, the tool having a distal end, and a proximal end at which the tool can be manipulated to place the distal end adjacent to the patient region. The apparatus also has a probe carried on the distal end and defining a contact surface that may be urged against the patient region thereby creating contact pressure. A pressure transducer is operatively coupled to the probe and is capable of producing a measurable response to the contact pressure. A monitoring device is operatively connected to the pressure transducer, for determining the contact pressure. An effector is operatively disposed on the probe for producing a given effect on the patient region when the effector is activated, and an activator operatively connected to the effector, by which the effector can be activated.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus for treating a selected patient tissue or organ region, at the surface of such region. The apparatus has an accessing tool for accessing the patient region, the tool having a distal end, and a proximal end at which the tool can be manipulated to place the distal end adjacent to the patient region. The apparatus also has a probe carried on the distal end and defining a contact surface that may be urged against the patient region thereby creating contact pressure. A pressure transducer is operatively coupled to the probe and is capable of producing a measurable response to the contact pressure. A monitoring device is operatively connected to the pressure transducer, for determining the contact pressure. An effector is operatively disposed on the probe for producing a given effect on the patient region when the effector is activated, and an activator operatively connected to the effector, by which the effector can be activated.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are devices for altering gaseous flow within a lung to improve the expiration cycle of an individual, particularly individuals having chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). More particularly, a medical catheter is disclosed to detect the presence of blood vessels and to produce collateral openings or channels through the airway wall so that air is able to pass directly out of the lung tissue to facilitate both the exchange of oxygen ultimately into the blood and/or to decompress hyper-inflated lungs.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus of embodiments of the invention are adapted to treat tissue inside a patient's body. Aspects of the invention can be used in a wide variety of applications, but certain embodiments provide minimally invasive alternatives for treating atrial fibrillation by delivering a tissue-damaging agent to selected areas of the heart. One exemplary embodiment of the invention provides a method of treating cardiac arrhythmia. This method includes positioning a distal tissue-contacting portion of a body in surface contact with a tissue surface of cardiac tissue; detecting the surface contact between the tissue-contacting portion and the tissue surface; and thereafter, injecting a tissue-ablating agent into the cardiac tissue through the tissue-contacting portion of the body.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus for treating a selected patient tissue or organ region, at the surface of such region. The apparatus has an accessing tool for accessing the patient region, the tool having a distal end, and a proximal end at which the tool can be manipulated to place the distal end adjacent to the patient region. The apparatus also has a probe carried on the distal end and defining a contact surface that may be urged against the patient region thereby creating contact pressure. A pressure transducer is operatively coupled to the probe and is capable of producing a measurable response to the contact pressure. A monitoring device is operatively connected to the pressure transducer, for determining the contact pressure. An effector is operatively disposed on the probe for producing a given effect on the patient region when the effector is activated, and an activator operatively connected to the effector, by which the effector can be activated.