Abstract: A device for thermally affecting tissue of a patient includes a housing defining an interior volume that is at least partially insertable into an exterior opening in a patient. A thermal member positioned within the interior volume of the housing includes a thermal input side and a thermal output side to impart a thermal change to the tissue.

Abstract: A method and expandable device for thermally affecting tissue in which there is a fluid conduit. The fluid conduit defining a spiral-shaped element. The fluid conduit includes a wall defining an inner volume. The inner volume being configured to pass thermally transmissive fluid. Optionally, the tissue contact region is operable to have a first contact surface area and a second contact surface area in which the second contact surface area is larger than the first contact surface area. A method of use of the device is provided.

Abstract: A method and expandable device for thermally affecting tissue in which there is a fluid conduit. An expandable element includes a wall defining an inner volume. The wall has a tissue contact region which is non-coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the fluid conduit. The tissue contact region is operable to have a first contact surface area and a second contact surface area in which the second contact surface area is larger than the first contact surface area. A port is formed through the wall and is in fluid communication with the fluid conduit.

Abstract: The present invention provides a surgical device for decreasing the trauma imposed on soft tissue by extended contact with a surgical device during a surgical procedure by thermally treating the tissue. To thermally treat the tissue, the surgical device can be configured to include a structure for enveloping and receiving at least a portion of the surgical device, where the structure is configured to control thermal energy transfer between the structure and the tissue.

Abstract: A method and expandable device for thermally affecting tissue in which there is a fluid conduit. An expandable element includes a wall defining an inner volume. The wall has a tissue contact region which is non-coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the fluid conduit. The tissue contact region is operable to have a first contact surface area and a second contact surface area in which the second contact surface area is larger than the first contact surface area. A port is formed through the wall and is in fluid communication with the fluid conduit.

Abstract: A medical device for controlling the temperature of a region of brain tissue. Selective cooling of the brain is achieved by lowering the localized blood temperature of the internal blood vessel. The medical device controls the localized temperature of the brain by cradling the blood vessel and transferring thermal energy between the medical device and the blood vessel.

Abstract: The present invention provides a surgical device for decreasing the trauma imposed on soft tissue by extended contact with a surgical device during a surgical procedure by thermally treating the tissue. To thermally treat the tissue, the surgical device can be configured to include a structure for enveloping and receiving at least a portion of the surgical device, where the structure is configured to control thermal energy transfer between the structure and the tissue.

Abstract: The present invention provides a surgical device for decreasing the trauma imposed on soft tissue by extended contact with a surgical device during a surgical procedure by thermally treating the tissue. To thermally treat the tissue, the surgical device can be configured to include a structure for enveloping and receiving at least a portion of the surgical device, where the structure is configured to control thermal energy transfer between the structure and the tissue.

Abstract: A method and expandable device for thermally affecting tissue in which there is a fluid conduit. The device including a housing having a first end region and a second end region, the second end region containing a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, the housing being securable to a boney structure of the patient. An expandable element, including a wall defining an inner volume and a tissue contacting surface, is coupled to the housing first end region such that the inner volume is in fluid communication with the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet.

Abstract: A medical device and method for thermally affecting tissue are provided. The device includes a fluid inlet conduit a fluid outlet conduit and a shapeable body operatively connected to the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet conduit. The shapeable body defines a tissue contact region and the shapeable body has a height, a length, and a width in which the height is less than the length and the width. The shapeable body further includes a first channel and a second channel which are substantially parallel from the proximal end of the shapeable body to the distal end of the shapeable body and which are in fluid communication. The shapeable body further has a malleable conformation such that the body retains a first shape until manipulated to a second shape.

Abstract: A method and device for thermally affecting tissue. The device having a thermal member and a contact probe in thermal communication with the thermal member. The device configured to provide a way to contact tissue with the contact probe and to thereby impart a thermal change to the tissue.

Abstract: A device for thermally affecting tissue having a thermally transmissive contact member being in thermal communication with a thermal member and a surface area expansion element configured for contacting a tissue. The contact member and thermal member are disposed within a housing and the surface area expansion element is coupleable to the housing. The housing is configured to fit within an opening in a skull.

Abstract: A device for thermally affecting tissue of a patient includes a housing defining an interior volume that is at least partially insertable into an exterior opening in a patient. A thermal member positioned within the interior volume of the housing includes a thermal input side and a thermal output side to impart a thermal change to the tissue.

Abstract: A medical device for controlling the temperature of a region of brain tissue. Selective cooling of the brain is achieved by lowering the localized blood temperature of the internal blood vessel. The medical device controls the localized temperature of the brain by cradling the blood vessel and transferring thermal energy between the medical device and the blood vessel.

Abstract: A device for thermally affecting tissue having a thermally transmissive contact member being in thermal communication with a thermal member and a surface area expansion element configured for contacting a tissue. The contact member and thermal member are disposed within a housing and the surface area expansion element is coupleable to the housing. The housing is configured to fit within an opening in a skull.

Abstract: A device for thermally affecting tissue of a patient includes a housing defining an interior volume that is at least partially insertable into an exterior opening in a patient. A thermal member positioned within the interior volume of the housing includes a thermal input side and a thermal output side to impart a thermal change to the tissue.

Abstract: A method and device for thermally affecting tissue. The device having a thermal member and a contact probe in thermal communication with the thermal member. The device configured to provide a way to contact tissue with the contact probe and to thereby impart a thermal change to the tissue.

Abstract: A method and expandable device for thermally affecting tissue in which there is a fluid conduit. An expandable element includes a wall defining an inner volume. The wall has a tissue contact region which is non-coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the fluid conduit. The tissue contact region is operable to have a first contact surface area and a second contact surface area in which the second contact surface area is larger than the first contact surface area. A port is formed through the wall and is in fluid communication with the fluid conduit.

Abstract: A method and expandable device for thermally affecting tissue in which there is a fluid conduit. The fluid conduit defining a spiral-shaped element. The fluid conduit includes a wall defining an inner volume. The inner volume being configured to pass thermally transmissive fluid. Optionally, the tissue contact region is operable to have a first contact surface area and a second contact surface area in which the second contact surface area is larger than the first contact surface area. A method of use of the device is provided.

Abstract: A steerable guiding catheter having an ultrasound imaging distal tip for use in guiding an electrophysiology catheter. The guiding catheter includes a steering mechanism in order to steer the tip of the catheter so that the electrophysiology catheter may be steered to a desired location within the body of a patient.