Abstract: An imaging, guidance, planning and treatment system integrated into a single unit or assembly of components, and a method for using same, that can be safely and effectively deployed to treat prostate cancer, unresectable pancreatic cancer, tumors of the breast or soft tissue, including those located in the head, neck, central nervous system or brain, melanoma, ductal carcinoma, neoplasia, or intra and extra luminal abnormal tissue. The system utilizes the novel process of Radio-Frequency Electrical Membrane Breakdown (“EMB” or “RFEMB”) to destroy the cellular membranes of unwanted or cancerous tissue without denaturing the intra-cellular contents of the cells comprising the tissue, thereby ablating it and exposing tumor antigens and other intra-cellular components which can have an immunologic effect on local or distant cancerous tissue, with or without the addition of immunologic adjuvant drugs, agents, or materials.

Abstract: An imaging, guidance, planning and treatment system integrated into a single unit or assembly of components, and a method for using same, that can be safely and effectively deployed to treat prostate cancer in all medical settings, including in a physician's office or in an outpatient setting. The system utilizes the novel process of Radio-Frequency Electrical Membrane Breakdown (“EMB” or “RFEMB”) to destroy the cellular membranes of unwanted or cancerous tissue without denaturing the intra-cellular contents of the cells comprising the tissue, thereby exposing tumor antigens and other intra-cellular components which can have an immunologic effect on local or distant cancerous tissue, with or without the addition of immunologic adjutant drugs. The system preferably comprises at least one EMB treatment probe 20, at least one trackable biopsy needle 200, at least one trackable anesthesia needle 300, and at least one controller unit for at least partially automating the treatment process.

Abstract: A method of non-thermally ablating undesirable tissue in the body by application of pulsed, bipolar, instant charge reversal electrical fields of sufficient energy to cause complete and immediate cell membrane rupture and destruction. Energy is delivered through radio frequency pulses of particular frequencies, wave characteristics, pulse widths and pulse numbers, such that enhanced physical stresses are placed on the cell membrane to cause its immediate and complete destruction thereby spilling the entire cell content and membrane constituents into, the extracellular space without denaturing proteins so as to enable an immunological response to destroy and remove the target tissue and similarly marked tissue elsewhere in the subject.

Abstract: A method of non-thermally ablating undesirable tissue in the body by application of pulsed, bipolar, instant charge reversal electrical fields of sufficient energy to cause complete and immediate cell membrane rupture and destruction. Energy is delivered through radio frequency pulses of particular frequencies, wave characteristics, pulse widths and pulse numbers, such that enhanced physical stresses are placed on the cell membrane to cause its immediate and complete destruction thereby spilling the entire cell content and membrane constituents into, the extracellular space without denaturing proteins so as to enable an immunological response to destroy and remove the target tissue and similarly marked tissue elsewhere in the subject.

Abstract: A system for destruction the cellular membranes of unwanted or cancerous tissue without denaturing the intra-cellular contents of the cells comprising the tissue, comprising a treatment probe configured to apply radio-frequency energy to a target tissue followed an injection of immunologic adjuvant drugs into the treatment area and an electric pulse generator, and, optionally, a cryomachine operatively coupled to said treatment probe. The treatment optionally comprises a cryoablative pre-cycle to pre-stress the target tissue, thereby reducing the amount of radio-frequency energy needed to achieve tumor membrane destruction, but without damaging the lymphatic or vascular antigen or tumor drainage systems through which the subsequent antitumor effects are enhanced.

Abstract: A method of non-thermally ablating undesirable tissue in the body by application of pulsed, bi-polar, instant charge reversal electrical fields of sufficient energy to cause complete and immediate cell membrane rupture and destruction. Energy is delivered through radio frequency pulses of particular frequencies, wave characteristics, pulse widths and pulse numbers, such that enhanced physical stresses are placed on the cell membrane to cause its immediate and complete destruction thereby spilling the entire cell content and membrane constituents into the extracellular space without denaturing proteins so as to enable an immunological response to destroy and remove the target tissue and similarly marked tissue elsewhere in the subject.

Abstract: An imaging, guidance, planning and treatment system integrated into a single unit or assembly of components, and a method for using same, that can be safely and effectively deployed to treat prostate cancer in all medical settings, including in a physician's office or in an outpatient setting. The system utilizes the novel process of Radio-Frequency Electrical Membrane Breakdown (“EMB” or “RFEMB”) to destroy the cellular membranes of unwanted or cancerous tissue without denaturing the intra-cellular contents of the cells comprising the tissue, thereby exposing tumor antigens and other intra-cellular components which can have an immunologic effect on local or distant cancerous tissue, with or without the addition of immunologic adjutant drugs. The system preferably comprises at least one EMB treatment probe 20, at least one trackable biopsy needle 200, at least one trackable anesthesia needle 300, and at least one controller unit for at least partially automating the treatment process.

Abstract: An imaging, guidance, planning and treatment system integrated into a single unit or assembly of components, and a method for using same, that can be safely and effectively deployed to treat Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia in ail medical settings, including in a physician's office or in an outpatient setting. The system utilizes the novel process of Radio-Frequency Electrical Membrane Breakdown (“EMB” or “RFEMB”) to destroy the cellular membranes of unwanted BPH tissue without damaging sensitive anatomical structures in the prostate. The system preferably comprises at least one EMB treatment probe 20, at least one ultrasound scanner, at least one trackable anesthesia needle 300, and at least one controller unit for at least partially automating the treatment process.

Abstract: An imaging, guidance, planning and treatment system integrated into a single unit or assembly of components, and a method for using same, that can be safely and effectively deployed to treat cardiac rhythm disorders and atrial fibrillation in an open operative procedure, or in a minimally invasive thorascopic surgical procedure, or in a transvascular procedure. The system utilizes the novel process of Radio-Frequency Electrical Membrane Breakdown (“EMB” or “RFEMB”) to destroy the cellular membranes of targeted cardiac tissue to create transmural lesions designed to prevent atrial reentry and to allow sinus impulses to activate the atrial myocardium thereby preserving atrial transport and aiding its function. The system preferably comprises at least one EMB treatment probe 20 and at least one controller unit for at least partially automating the treatment process.

Abstract: An imaging, guidance, planning and treatment system integrated into a single unit or assembly of components, and a method for using same, that can be safely and effectively deployed to treat and ablate unwanted masses of adipose tissue in all medical settings, including in a physician's office or in an outpatient setting. The system utilizes the novel process of Radio-Frequency Electrical Membrane Breakdown (‘EMB’* or “RFEMB”) to destroy the cellular membranes of unwanted adipose tissue without damaging sensitive anatomical structures in the treatment, area. The system preferably comprises at least one EM B treatment probe 20, at least one ultrasound scanner, at least one trackable anesthesia needle 300, and at least one controller unit for at least partially automating the treatment process.

Abstract: An Imaging, guidance, planning and treatment system integrated into a single unit or assembly of components, and a method for using same, that can be safely and effectively deployed to treat re-stenosis from m intra vascular location in various medical settings, including in a hospital or in an outpatient setting. The system utilizes the novel process of Radio-Frequency Electrical Membrane Breakdown (“EMB” or “RFEMB”) to destroy the cellular membranes of unwanted tissue without denaturing the intracellular contents of the cells comprising the tissue, thus preventing or alleviating re-stenosis after an angioplasty-type procedure. The system preferably comprises at least one EMB treatment catheter-type probe 20, at least one temperature sensor 7, and at least one controller unit for at least partially automating the treatment process.

Abstract: A method of non-thermally ablating undesirable tissue in the body by application of pulsed, bipolar, instant charge reversal electrical fields of sufficient energy to cause complete and immediate cell membrane rupture and destruction. Energy is delivered through radio frequency pulses of particular frequencies, wave characteristics, pulse widths and pulse numbers, such that enhanced physical stresses are placed on the cell membrane to cause its immediate and complete destruction thereby spilling the entire cell content and membrane constituents into, the extracellular space without denaturing proteins so as to enable an immunological response to destroy and remove the target tissue and similarly marked tissue elsewhere in the subject.

Abstract: A method of non-thermally ablating undesirable tissue in the body by application of pulsed, bi-polar, instant charge reversal electrical fields of sufficient energy to cause complete and immediate cell membrane rupture and destruction. Energy is delivered through radio frequency pulses of particular frequencies, wave characteristics, pulse widths and pulse numbers, such that enhanced physical stresses are placed on the cell membrane to cause its immediate and complete destruction thereby spilling the entire cell content and membrane constituents into the extracellular space without denaturing proteins so as to enable animmunological response to destroy and remove the target tissue and similarly marked tissue elsewhere in the subject.

Abstract: A system is provided for supporting a patient during computed axial tomography imaging. The system includes a movable platform formed of a radiolucent material, a discrete attachment region in the platform, and a curvilinear articulating arm coupled to the platform at the discrete attachment region. A method for supporting a patient during a plurality of procedures also is provided. The method includes: disposing the patient on a movable platform formed of a radiolucent material; positioning a device with respect to the patient, the device being disposed on a curvilinear articulating arm coupled to the platform; placing the platform, positioned device, and patient in a computed axial tomography imaging system and performing an imaging procedure.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a combined electrosurgical-cryosurgical instrument for tissue ablation. The instrument comprises a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end being electrically and thermally conductive; a radiofrequency insulation sheath surrounding the outer surface of the shaft; a cryo-insulation sheath surrounding a surface of the shaft; a radiofrequency power supply source; a cryogen supply tube within the shaft; and a cryogen supply source connected to the cryogen supply tube. The power source provides electrical energy to the distal end of the shaft, and the cryogen supply tube provides a cryogen to the distal end of the shaft.

Abstract: A surgical suction cutting instrument is provided with a suction port. A guard is mounted at the suction port to permit material to enter the suction port while preventing vital structures such as nerves, vessels and dura from entering the port and being damaged during the cutting operation.

Abstract: A grasping forceps in the form of a rongeur having the teeth of its jaws displaced inwardly to create a rim between the outer edge of each jaw and its teeth which acts as a barrier for pushing the dura or tissue away from the teeth during the closing of the jaws. In other embodiments the barrier may take the form of guide members such as springs mounted to each jaw. In one such embodiment the guide members may comprise a guide member interconnecting the jaws at their distal end with guide members also interconnecting the jaws on each side of the jaws inwardly of the distal end. In a further variation each guide member may be mounted to a respective jaw peripherally around and outwardly of the jaw.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are presented here which allow for easy quantitative determination of a position on a patient's skin as seen in CT scanner images. It is based on a device which is a lattice of fiducial rods that can be placed on or near the patient's skin. The images from this device then enable specific points on the skin itself to be readily identified by the operator. It requires a minimum of complication or calculation, and can be used in a variety of procedures which involve placing a probe through the patient's skin to a target, such as a tumor, as seen on the CT scan. The localizaing ladder, as it will be called, can be quickly placed in an aligned fashion on the patient's body, and, depending on several embodiments of the invention, coordinate points on the skin can be determined thereafter by either CT scanner software output, a simple off-line numerical calculation, or, even simpler, counting of the ladder localizer points.

Abstract: The method and apparatus are presented which allow for CT guided biopsies of the body. The method is based on the finding of a reference point on the patient's body that exactly correlates to a point on the CT scan. This is accomplished by means of a localization device placed on the patient's skin which can be identified in cross section on the CT scan. Measurements of the localization device on CT scan can then be correlated to the device on the patient.