Abstract: Ultrasound systems, devices, and methods for removing heat from within an ultrasound transducer probe are provided herein. An ultrasound transducer probe may include an imaging surface having one or more transducer elements, electronic circuitry, a heat exchanger and a housing. The housing at least partially surrounds the imaging surface, electronic circuitry and heat exchanger or the heat exchanger may simply be operatively coupled to the probe. The electronic circuitry may include processing circuitry that controls transmission of an ultrasound signal from the one or more transducer elements, and driving circuitry operatively coupled to the one or more transducer elements and the processing circuitry. The driving circuitry is configured to drive the transmission of the ultrasound signal by the one or more transducer elements in response to a control signal received from the processing circuitry. The heat exchanger includes a conduit for containing a flow of cooling fluid.

Abstract: An ultrasound system comprising a portable ultrasound probe and a docking station provides enhanced ultrasound functionality. One or more first transducer elements transmit an ultrasound signal toward a target structure in a region of interest. Processing circuitry controls transmission of the ultrasound signal, while driving circuitry that is operatively coupled to the one or more first transducer elements and the processing circuitry drives the transmission of the ultrasound signal. The ultrasound probe further includes one or more second transducer elements that receive echo signals returning from the target structure in response to transmission of the ultrasound signal, and a power supply that provides power to the driving circuitry for transmission of the ultrasound signal. The docking station includes an interface that is couplable to the ultrasound probe and circuitry that electrically couples to the ultrasound probe via the interface and enhances the ultrasound functionality of the ultrasound probe.

Abstract: Systems and methods of transmitting heat away from an ultrasound probe are disclosed within. In one embodiment, a handheld ultrasound probe includes a transducer, electronics configured to drive the transducer, and a housing surrounding the transducer assembly and the electronics. A slot extending from a first side of the housing to a second side of the housing and can allow air to pass adjacent transducer and the electronics. The slot can be sized to inhibit accessibility of an operator's finger to an inner surface of slot.

Abstract: A medical cable that has been potentially damaged due to a severe bend, kink or other trauma, produces a visual indication of a location where the cable may have been damaged. In one embodiment, the cable is formed from a hollow tube where the walls of the tube contain dye-filled capsules or microspheres that break if subjected to trauma. The tube is formed of a transparent or semi-transparent polymer that allows the dye in the broken capsules to be seen thereby providing a visual indication of a location where the trauma has occurred.

Abstract: A tissue shaping device adapted to reshape target tissue adjacent to a lumen. In some embodiments, the device includes an expandable and contractable anchor, with the anchor having an adjustable height anchoring portion adapted to engage a wall of the lumen in at least first and second anchor heights, the anchoring portion being further adapted to be changed from the first anchor height to the second anchor height by a substantially proximally or a substantially distally directed actuation force. The invention is also a tissue shaping system including a tissue shaping device and a tool for adjusting the height of an anchor of the device. The invention also includes methods of using such tissue shaping devices and systems.

Abstract: A tissue shaping device adapted to reshape target tissue adjacent to a lumen. In some embodiments, the device includes an expandable and contractable anchor, with the anchor having an adjustable height anchoring portion adapted to engage a wall of the lumen in at least first and second anchor heights, the anchoring portion being further adapted to be changed from the first anchor height to the second anchor height by a substantially proximally or a substantially distally directed actuation force. The invention is also a tissue shaping system including a tissue shaping device and a tool for adjusting the height of an anchor of the device. The invention also includes methods of using such tissue shaping devices and systems.

Abstract: A tissue shaping device adapted to reshape target tissue adjacent to a lumen. In some embodiments, the device includes an expandable and contractable anchor, with the anchor having an adjustable height anchoring portion adapted to engage a wall of the lumen in at least first and second anchor heights, the anchoring portion being further adapted to be changed from the first anchor height to the second anchor height by a substantially proximally or a substantially distally directed actuation force. The invention is also a tissue shaping system including a tissue shaping device and a tool for adjusting the height of an anchor of the device. The invention also includes methods of using such tissue shaping devices and systems.

Abstract: A system for selectively deploying a medical device includes a cartridge that is engageable with a proximal end of a delivery catheter that is routed to a desired location in a patient's body. An advancement mechanism is provided for advancing the medical device out of the cartridge and into the delivery catheter for deploying the medical device at the desired location in the patient's body.

Abstract: A system for selectively deploying a medical device includes a cartridge that is engageable with a proximal end of a delivery catheter that is routed to a desired location in a patient's body. An advancement mechanism is provided for advancing the medical device out of the cartridge and into the delivery catheter for deploying the medical device at the desired location in the patient's body.

Abstract: The invention is a tissue shaping device. In some embodiments, the device includes an a reshaping element and an anchor adapted to anchor the device in a lumen, the anchor having a wire adapted to contact a wall of the lumen with an anchoring force when the device is deployed in the lumen and a force distribution element adapted to distribute the anchoring force more along a first anchoring axis than along a second anchoring axis. The invention is also a method of deploying a tissue shaping device in a lumen. In some embodiments the method includes the steps of placing an anchor in contact with a wall of the lumen to exert an anchoring force on the lumen wall; and distributing the anchoring force more along a first anchoring axis than along a second anchoring axis.

Abstract: A tissue shaping device adapted to reshape target tissue adjacent to a lumen. In some embodiments, the device includes an expandable and contractable anchor, with the anchor having an adjustable height anchoring portion adapted to engage a wall of the lumen in at least first and second anchor heights, the anchoring portion being further adapted to be changed from the first anchor height to the second anchor height by a substantially proximally or a substantially distally directed actuation force. The invention is also a tissue shaping system including a tissue shaping device and a tool for adjusting the height of an anchor of the device. The invention also includes methods of using such tissue shaping devices and systems.

Abstract: A system for selectively deploying a medical device includes a cartridge that is engageable with a proximal end of a delivery catheter that is routed to a desired location in a patient's body. An advancement mechanism is provided for advancing the medical device out of the cartridge and into the delivery catheter for deploying the medical device at the desired location in the patient's body.