Abstract: A method for treating an intestine with an expandable scaffolding expanded within the intestine. After placing the expandable scaffolding at a target location, such as across a fistula, the first and second end portions of the expandable scaffolding are radially expanded such that the first and second end portions contact an inner surface of the intestine on opposing sides of the fistula, anchoring the first and second end portions to the intestine. Radially expanding the first and second end portions foreshortens the medial portion along the longitudinal axis such that the first and second end portions are drawn closer together along the longitudinal axis as the medial portion foreshortens to close the fistula.

Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to a medical device for treating a cancerous tumor, the medical device having a first lead including a first wire and second wire; a second lead can include a third wire and fourth wire; and a first electrode in electrical communication with the first wire, a second electrode in electrical communication with the second wire, a third electrode in electrical communication with the third wire, and a fourth electrode in electrical communication with the fourth wire. The first and third electrodes form a supply electrode pair configured to deliver one or more electric fields to the cancerous tumor. The second and fourth electrodes form a sensing electrode pair configured to measure an impedance of the cancerous tumor independent of an impedance of the first electrode, the first wire, the third electrode, the third wire, and components in electrical communication therewith. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to a medical device for treating a cancerous tumor, the medical device having a first lead including a first wire and second wire; a second lead can include a third wire and fourth wire; and a first electrode in electrical communication with the first wire, a second electrode in electrical communication with the second wire, a third electrode in electrical communication with the third wire, and a fourth electrode in electrical communication with the fourth wire. The first and third electrodes form a supply electrode pair configured to deliver one or more electric fields to the cancerous tumor. The second and fourth electrodes form a sensing electrode pair configured to measure an impedance of the cancerous tumor independent of an impedance of the first electrode, the first wire, the third electrode, the third wire, and components in electrical communication therewith. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to implantable systems and methods for treatment of pancreatic cancer. In an embodiment, a method of treating pancreatic cancer is included, the method including inserting an electrical stimulation lead through the inferior vena cava, a hepatic vein, and into the portal vein via a transjugular intrahepatic portosystem shunt (TIPS). The method can further include inserting the electrical stimulation lead into at least one of the superior mesenteric vein and the splenic vein. The method can further include positioning electrodes on the lead within at least one of the superior mesenteric vein and the splenic vein and delivering one or more electric fields through the electrodes to a treatment zone including at least a portion of the pancreas. The electric fields can be at frequencies and a field strength effective to prevent and/or disrupt cellular mitosis in a cell.

Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to implantable systems for cancer treatment and related methods. In an embodiment, an implantable system for cancer treatment is included having a therapy output circuit configured to generate an electrical current for a plurality of electric field therapy electrodes to create one or more electric fields and control circuitry that causes the therapy output circuit to generate the one or more electric fields at frequencies selected from a range of between 10 kHz to 1 MHz within a bodily tissue. The control circuitry can be configured to select between operating in a first mode or a second mode of generating the electrical current for the electric field therapy electrodes based on a minimum electrical field strength threshold, wherein the first mode includes modulating amplitude of the electrical current and the second mode includes duty cycling of the electrical current. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to implantable systems for cancer treatment and related methods. In an embodiment, an implantable system for cancer treatment is included having a plurality of implantable stimulation leads, a plurality of electric field therapy electrodes, a therapy output circuit, and control circuitry. The therapy output circuit can generate an electrical current for the plurality of electric field therapy electrodes to create one or more electric fields that are effective to prevent and/or disrupt cellular mitosis in a cell. The control circuitry can be configured to cause the electrical current to be distributed asymmetrically between working electrodes and counter electrodes amongst the plurality of electric field therapy electrodes. At least some of the plurality of electric field therapy electrodes are disposed on the plurality of implantable stimulation leads and in electrical communication with the therapy output circuit. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to medical devices and methods for using the same to treat cancerous tumors within a bodily tissue. A medical device system is included having at least one electric field generating circuit configured to generate one or more electric fields; control circuitry in communication with the electric field generating circuit, the control circuitry configured to control delivery of the one or more electric fields from the at least one electric field generating circuit; and two or more electrodes to deliver the electric fields to the site of a cancerous tumor within a patient. At least one electrode can be configured to be implanted. At least one electrode can be configured to be external. The control circuitry can cause the electric field generating circuit to generate one or more electric fields at frequencies selected from a range of between 10 kHz to 1 MHz.

Abstract: A medical device may include a plurality of links reciprocally movable between a loose configuration having a first rigidity and a compact configuration having a second rigidity greater than the first rigidity, wherein application of a force to a distalmost link of the plurality of links when the plurality of links are in the loose configuration causes the plurality of links to change orientation relative to one another, and application of the force to the distalmost link when the plurality of links are in the compact configuration does not cause the plurality of links to change orientation relative to one another.

Abstract: Metabolic disorders such as Type 2 diabetes may be treated using a system that is adapted to modulate an hepatic neural plexus of a patient. The system includes a stimulation device adapted for implantation near the patient's hepatic neural plexus and to provide mechanical energy to the patient's hepatic neural plexus, a source of excitation energy adapted to provide excitation energy to the stimulation device, and a controller that is operably coupled to the source of excitation energy and is adapted to control the source of excitation energy.

Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to implantable systems for cancer treatment including electrodes that can aid in thermal management. In an embodiment, an implantable lead for a cancer treatment system is included having a lead body with a proximal end and a distal end. The lead body can define sides of a tissue exclusion channel. The lead can include one or more supply electrodes, wherein the electrodes are disposed along a length of the lead body. The tissue exclusion channel can be disposed circumferentially around the electrodes. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to medical devices and methods for using the same to treat cancerous tumors within a bodily tissue. A medical device system is included having an electric field generating circuit and control circuitry configured to control delivery of the one or more electric fields from the electric field generating circuit to the site of the cancerous tissue. An implantable lead is included having a lead body including a first electrical conductor disposed within the lead body, and a first electrode coupled to the lead body, the first electrode in electrical communication with the first electrical conductor, wherein the first electrical conductor forms part of an electrical circuit by which the electric fields from the electric field generating circuit are delivered to the site of the cancerous tissue, and the first electrode can include a conductive coil filar disposed around the lead body. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to implantable cancer therapy systems and stimulation leads thereof with low resistance. In an embodiment, an implantable lead for a cancer treatment system is included having a lead body with a proximal end and a distal end and one or more electric field generating electrodes. The electrodes are disposed along a length of the lead body. A plurality of electrical wires are included and disposed within the lead body. The plurality of electrical wires provides an electrical connection between at least one of the electrodes and the proximal end of the lead body. At least two of the plurality of electrical wires are arranged in parallel and connected to the same electrode. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to implantable systems for cancer treatment and related methods. In an embodiment, an implantable system for cancer treatment can be included having a therapy output circuit configured to generate an electrical output for one or more electrodes to create one or more electric fields. The implantable system can include control circuitry that causes the therapy output circuit to generate the one or more electric fields at frequencies between 10 kHz and 1 MHz within a bodily tissue. The one or more electric fields can be effective to prevent and./or disrupt cellular mitosis in a cell. The implantable system can further include a therapy zone temperature sensor. The implantable system can be configured to measure the temperature and/or record the temperature data of a patient over time. The temperature data can include tissue temperature and time stamps of the same. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to a medical device for treating a cancerous tumor, the medical device having a first lead including a first wire and second wire; a second lead can include a third wire and fourth wire; and a first electrode in electrical communication with the first wire, a second electrode in electrical communication with the second wire, a third electrode in electrical communication with the third wire, and a fourth electrode in electrical communication with the fourth wire. The first and third electrodes form a supply electrode pair configured to deliver one or more electric fields to the cancerous tumor. The second and fourth electrodes form a sensing electrode pair configured to measure an impedance of the cancerous tumor independent of an impedance of the first electrode, the first wire, the third electrode, the third wire, and components in electrical communication therewith. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to interactive medical visualization systems for visualizing stimulation lead placements and related methods. In an embodiment, a medical visualization system can be included having a video processing circuit, a central processing circuit in communication with the video processing circuit, and a user interface. The user interface can be generated by the video processing circuit and can include a three-dimensional model. The three-dimensional model can include at least a portion of a subject's anatomy and a graphic representation including at least one cancer therapy stimulation lead, and a visual thermal heating zone associated with the graphic representation of the at least one cancer therapy stimulation lead and/or a visual electrical field strength zone associated with the graphic representation of the at least one cancer therapy stimulation lead. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to medical devices and methods for using the same to treat cancerous tumors within a bodily tissue. A medical device system is included having an electric field generating circuit and control circuitry configured to control delivery of the one or more electric fields from the electric field generating circuit to the site of the cancerous tissue. An implantable lead is included having a lead body including a first electrical conductor disposed within the lead body, and a first electrode coupled to the lead body, the first electrode in electrical communication with the first electrical conductor, wherein the first electrical conductor forms part of an electrical circuit by which the electric fields from the electric field generating circuit are delivered to the site of the cancerous tissue, and the first electrode can include a conductive coil filar disposed around the lead body. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to medical devices and methods for using the same to treat cancerous tumors within a bodily tissue. A medical device system is included having at least one electric field generating circuit configured to generate one or more electric fields; control circuitry in communication with the electric field generating circuit, the control circuitry configured to control delivery of the one or more electric fields from the at least one electric field generating circuit; and two or more electrodes to deliver the electric fields to the site of a cancerous tumor within a patient. At least one electrode can be configured to be implanted. At least one electrode can be configured to be external. The control circuitry can cause the electric field generating circuit to generate one or more electric fields at frequencies selected from a range of between 10 kHz to 1 MHz.

Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to implantable cancer therapy electrodes with reduced magnetic resonance imaging artifacts. In an embodiment, a lead for a cancer treatment system can include a lead body with a proximal end and a distal end and defining a lumen, and one or more electric field generating electrodes, wherein the one or more electric field generating electrodes can be disposed along a length of the lead body. The one or more electric field generating electrodes include a ribbon wire with a thickness of the ribbon wire in a radial direction with respect to the lead body of less than 0.005 inches, or a walled tube with a thickness of the walled tube less than 0.005 inches, or a sputter coating with a thickness of the sputter coating in a radial direction with respect to a lead body of less than 0.005 inches. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to a medical device for treating a cancerous tumor, the medical device having a first lead including a first wire and second wire; a second lead can include a third wire and fourth wire; and a first electrode in electrical communication with the first wire, a second electrode in electrical communication with the second wire, a third electrode in electrical communication with the third wire, and a fourth electrode in electrical communication with the fourth wire. The first and third electrodes form a supply electrode pair configured to deliver one or more electric fields to the cancerous tumor. The second and fourth electrodes form a sensing electrode pair configured to measure an impedance of the cancerous tumor independent of an impedance of the first electrode, the first wire, the third electrode, the third wire, and components in electrical communication therewith. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to medical devices and methods for using the same to treat cancerous tumors within a bodily tissue. A medical device system is included having at least one electric field generating circuit configured to generate one or more electric fields; control circuitry in communication with the electric field generating circuit, the control circuitry configured to control delivery of the one or more electric fields from the at least one electric field generating circuit; and two or more electrodes to deliver the electric fields to the site of a cancerous tumor within a patient. At least one electrode can be configured to be implanted. At least one electrode can be configured to be external. The control circuitry can cause the electric field generating circuit to generate one or more electric fields at frequencies selected from a range of between 10 kHz to 1 MHz.