Abstract: A system for denaturing corneal tissue. The system includes a ground element and an electrode coupled to a power unit. The electrode is inserted into a cornea. The power unit provides power to the electrode to denature corneal tissue. The power may be at a level so that the temperature of the corneal tissue adjacent to the electrode is such that it minimizes tissue overheating. The power may be applied for a time duration up to 30 seconds at a level that does not exceed 500 mW. The surgeon may dial in an input parameter that correlates with a diopter correction in a cornea.

Abstract: The present invention provides multi-functional medical catheters, systems and methods for their use. In one particular embodiment, a medical catheter (100) includes a flexible elongate body (105) having a proximal end (110) and a distal end (120). A plurality of spaced apart electrodes (130–136) are operably attached to the flexible body near the distal end. At least some of the electrodes are adapted for mapping a tissue and, in some embodiments, at least one of the electrodes is adapted for ablating a desired portion of the tissue. The catheter includes a plurality of tissue orientation detectors (140–146) disposed between at least some of the electrodes. In this manner, the medical catheter is capable of tissue mapping, tissue imaging, tissue orientation, and/or tissue treatment functions.

Abstract: A medical device used to denature corneal tissue. The device includes a probe and an applanator that can flatten the cornea. The probe has a plurality of electrodes that extend through apertures of the applanator and into the cornea. The electrodes deliver energy into the cornea to denature corneal tissue. The corneal tissue is denatured in a pattern that can correct for refractive conditions of the eye.

Abstract: An apparatus that is used to perform a medical procedure on a cornea. The apparatus may include a ring that can be placed on a cornea and a probe that can deliver energy to denature corneal tissue. The probe can be moved about the ring and cornea by a first actuator. A second actuator may move the probe into contact with the cornea to deliver energy and denature tissue. The process of moving the probe and delivering energy can be repeated to create a circular pattern of denatured areas. The circular pattern of denatured areas may correct for hyperopia. The actuators may be controlled by a controller that operates in accordance with a program to move the probe and create the circular pattern of denatured areas in an automated process.

Abstract: A system and method for denaturing corneal tissue of a cornea. The system may include an optical recognition system that-can recognize a feature of the corneal. The recognized feature is used to register a desired probe location relative to the cornea. The desired probe location is displayed by a monitor. The system further includes a probe that is coupled to an arm. The arm contains position sensors that provide position information of the probe. The position information is used to map and display the actual position of the probe. By watching the monitor the user can move the probe into the desired probe location relative to the cornea. Once the probe is properly positioned energy is delivered to denature corneal tissue.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for reducing wrinkles in the skin tissue of a patient. The method includes detecting a nerve. The nerve can be detected by inserting an electrode into the skin tissue, delivering a current and then observing any stimulation of muscle tissue. The process of inserting the electrode, delivering current and detecting muscle stimulation may be repeated at a plurality of different skin location to trace the nerve. Once the nerve is traced, the electrode can be inserted into the skin at various locations, either at or adjacent to the nerve, and deliver energy into the tissue at a level sufficient to disrupt interaction between the nerve and the adjacent muscle. Once the nerve/muscle interaction is disrupted the muscle will be relaxed and the wrinkle(s) will either be removed or reduced.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for denaturing corneal tissue. The apparatus includes a first electrode and a second electrode that are both inserted into a cornea. The electrodes are coupled to a power unit that delivers energy sufficient to denature corneal tissue. The dual electrode assembly allows for the creation of multiple denatured spots with a single application of energy. Additionally, the multi-electrode assembly provides uniform spacing between the denatured spots.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for catheter-based sensing and injection at a target site within a patient's body. An injection catheter is equipped with electrodes at its distal end which contact the surface of a target site, such as an AV node of the heart. Electrical signals detected at the target site by the electrodes are fed via leads to the proximal end of the catheter, where they are received by a monitor, such as an EKG monitor. If the electrical signals satisfy predetermined criteria, a needle within the catheter is extended into the target site, and a therapeutic agent is injected into the target site.

Abstract: A template that is used with a probe to perform a medical procedure on a cornea. One embodiment of the template includes one or more openings that are used to align the probe with locations of the cornea that are to be denatured with energy transferred by the probe. By way of example, the openings may be located at 6, 7 and 8 millimeters about the center of the cornea. The denatured spots may collectively decrease the radius of curvature of the cornea. The template may have a bottom surface that conforms to the shape of the cornea. The template may have a centering feature that is used to center the template on the cornea and a vacuum channel that maintains the position of the template. The template openings may have stop features that limit a penetration depth of the probe.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for catheter-based sensing and injection at a target site within a patient's body. An injection catheter is equipped with a electrodes at its distal end which contact the surface of a target site, such as an AV node of the heart. Electrical signals detected at the target site by the electrodes are fed via leads to the proximal end of the catheter, where they are received by a monitor, such as an EKG monitor. If the electrical signals satisfy predetermined criteria, a needle within the catheter is extended into the target site, and a therapeutic agent is injected into the target site.

Abstract: An apparatus that provides energy to a probe in contact with a cornea to perform a medical procedure. The apparatus includes a circuit that supplies energy to the probe and a regulator that regulates the delivery of energy during the medical procedure. The apparatus may include a sensing circuit that senses a change in a physiology of the cornea. The regulator can vary the energy delivered to the cornea in accordance with changes in the cornea physiology. For example, a waveform of tissue impedance may be determined and compared to a desired waveform. Deviations from the desired waveform may cause the regulator to increase or decrease the power applied to the cornea.

Abstract: A medical system for performing a tissue ablation procedure comprises a guide sheath and an ablation catheter disposed within an internal lumen of the catheter. The guide sheath has a distal end that includes irrigation exit ports that are configured to perfuse irrigation fluid in a distal direction over the ablation electrode of the catheter when the distal end of the catheter protrudes from the guide sheath. In this manner, the ablation electrode can be advantageously cooled during the tissue ablation process, thereby maximizing the size and depth of the ablation lesion and reducing the duration of the ablation process.

Abstract: A system for performing an invasive diagnostic or therapeutic medical procedure includes a first probe having a distal portion carrying a plurality of functional elements and a second probe having a distal portion carrying a functional element and a location sensor. The system includes a proximity processing subsystem in communication with the functional elements carried by each of the first and second probes and configured to determine a proximity of the functional element carried by the second probe relative to a first functional element carried by the first probe. The systems further includes a location processing subsystem configured to determine an absolute position and orientation of the location sensor carried by the second probe with respect to a three-dimensional reference coordinate system that can be internal or external to the three-dimensional space in which the first and second probes are positioned.

Abstract: The present invention provides ultrasound-guided ablation catheters and methods for their use. In one embodiment, a tissue ablation apparatus (2) includes a flexible elongate body (12) having proximal (14) and distal (12) ends. A plurality of spaced-apart electrodes (24) are operably attached to the flexible body near the distal end. A plurality of transducer elements (28) are disposed between at least some of the electrodes. Transducers assist the physician in determining whether or not the ablation elements are in contact with the tissue to be ablated.

Abstract: A method and system for delivering power over a patient cable to a therapeutic device, in which a variable that depends on the delivered power is sensed or measured near a distal end of the patient cable, and a feedback signal is generated based on the sensed or measured value. The delivered power is adjusted based at least in part on the feedback signal to compensate for power variance along the patient cable.

Abstract: An interface is associated with a structure which, in use, is deployed in an interior body region of a patient. The structure includes an operative element coupled to a controller, which establishes an operating condition for the operative element to perform a diagnostic or therapeutic procedure in the interior body region. The interface generates a first display comprising an image of the structure at least partially while the operative element performs the procedure. The interface also generates a second display comprising one or more data fields reflecting the operating condition of the controller. The interface enables selection of the first display or the second display for viewing on a display screen.

Abstract: Systems and methods for visualizing ablation lesions are provided. A contrast agent is injected into an artery that feeds blood to tissue surrounding an ablation lesion. During or after contrast agent injection, the ablation lesion and surrounding tissue is imaged using an imager that is responsive to the injected contrast agent. In one non-limiting embodiment, the contrast agent comprises echogenic particles, e.g., echogenic microbubbles, and the imager is an ultrasound imager.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for localizing a catheter. One or more permanent magnets are mounted to a catheter. The permanent magnet(s) generate a magnetic field that is asymmetrical about the longitudinal axis of the catheter. One or more magnetic sensors are used to sense the magnetic field. Processing circuitry is configured for determining the roll of the catheter based on the sensed magnetic field. The processing circuitry can also determine the positional coordinates and/or the pitch and yaw of the catheter based on this sensed magnetic field.

Abstract: Electrode assemblies and associated systems employ a nonporous wall having an exterior for contacting tissue. The exterior peripherally surrounds an interior area. The wall is essentially free of electrically conductive material. The wall is adapted to assume an expanded geometry having a first maximum diameter and a collapsed geometry having a second maximum diameter less than the first maximum diameter. The assemblies and systems include a lumen that conveys a medium containing ions into the interior area. An element free of physical contact with the wall couples the medium within the interior area to a source of electrical energy to enable ionic transport of electrical energy from the source through the medium to the wall for capacitive coupling to tissue contacting the exterior of the wall.

Abstract: A process of refining a map of a body cavity includes positioning a first probe and a second probe within the body cavity. Mapping elements on the first probe are used to gather local information from a plurality of locations along the body cavity. The absolute locations of the mapping elements are registered in a three-dimensional coordinate system, and are associated with the local information to generate the map. A mapping element on the second probe is then used to gather information local to a location between the plurality of locations along the body cavity. The absolute location of the mapping element is registered in the three-dimensional system and associated with the local information to refine the map.