Abstract: A percussive massage device includes a housing and a shaft configured to reciprocate linearly along a reciprocation axis. The shaft includes a distal end configured to electrically connect to a therapeutic attachment and a proximal end opposite the distal end. The percussive massage device includes a bracket that is immovable relative to the housing. The percussive massage device includes an electronics assembly including a controller located on an opposite side of the bracket from the shaft. The percussive massage device includes a coil spring extending from the bracket to the proximal end of the shaft and a cable that provides an electrical connection between the shaft and the controller. The cable includes a coil portion that follows the shape of the coil spring.

Abstract: A percussive therapy device that includes a housing, an electrical source, a motor positioned in the housing, a switch for activating the motor, a push rod assembly operatively connected to the motor and configured to provide reciprocating motion in response to activation of the motor, and a massage attachment secured to a distal end of the push rod assembly. The reciprocating motion of the push rod assembly has a user-adjustable amplitude.

Abstract: A suction assembly is described. The suction assembly includes a therapy unit with a body that can apply a supplemental therapy to a skin surface. The suction assembly also includes a cup that can be removably connected to the therapy unit and that can interface with a skin surface to define a chamber within the cup. A pump of the therapy unit can reduce a pressure within the chamber to draw the skin surface into the chamber in a cupping therapy. In response to the skin surface being drawn into the chamber, the body can move in a longitudinal direction to maintain contact with the skin surface. A wall of the cup is translucent and the suction assembly is dimensioned to provide a user with a view into the chamber through the wall of the cup that is substantially unobstructed by the housing.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising an ultrasound transducer configured for emitting ultrasound is provided. The ultrasound transducer comprises a hollow piezoelectric transducer body having a longitudinal axis and a radially inner surface, a tubular backing support member extending longitudinally through the piezoelectric transducer body and having a radially outer surface, a chamber defined between the radially inner surface of the piezoelectric transducer body and the radially outer surface of the tubular backing support member and between a first end and an opposite second end in an axial direction, wherein said ends are each formed by a conductive part and a gas-tight sealing layer of metal solder material in contact with the surface of the conductive part, which is opposite to the chamber.

Abstract: A catheter comprises a catheter shaft having a fluid channel, an ultrasound transducer and a compliant balloon mounted on the catheter shaft and having an interior in fluid communication with the fluid channel and containing the ultrasound transducer. The compliant balloon includes a balloon wall having a working section radially surrounding the ultrasound transducer. The working section has a predetermined straightness when the working section has a first diameter and when the working section has a second diameter that is at least 2 mm greater than the first diameter. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: A tissue treatment catheter and system include a catheter shaft sized and shaped for delivery through a radial artery to a blood vessel of a patient. The catheter shaft has several lumens, including a guidewire lumen, a cable lumen, and one or more fluid lumens. A stiffening web extends from the guidewire lumen and is thicker than an outer wall of the catheter shaft. The tissue treatment catheter and system include an ultrasound transducer, a balloon surrounding the ultrasound transducer, and a single electrical cable electrically connected to the ultrasound transducer to deliver sufficient electrical energy during sonication to the transducer such that the transducer thermally induces modulation of neural fibers surrounding the blood vessel sufficient to improve a measurable physiological parameter corresponding to a diagnosed condition of the patient. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: Described herein are acoustic-based tissue treatment systems, apparatuses, and methods for use therewith. Certain such apparatuses comprise a catheter sized and shaped for delivery through a radial artery including a catheter shaft having distal and proximal ends, a plurality of lumens extending longitudinally through the catheter shaft between the distal and proximal ends thereof, and an ultrasound transducer distally positioned relative to the distal end of the catheter shaft. A balloon may surround the ultrasound transducer and at least one of the plurality of lumens may be configured to provide a cooling fluid to the balloon at a pressure and flow rate sufficient to protect non-target tissue in the blood vessel wall from thermal injury.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are ultrasound transducers that are selectively insulated to thereby enable the transducers to be exposed to an electrically conductive fluid without causing a short circuit between electrodes of the transducers. Such a transducer includes a piezoelectric transducer body having a first surface and a second surface that are spaced apart from one another and do not intersect with one another. The ultrasound transducer also includes a first electrode disposed on the first surface, a second electrode disposed on the second surface, and an electrical insulator covering only one of first and second electrodes and configured to inhibit electrical conduction between the first electrode and the second electrode when the ultrasound transducer is placed within an electrically conductive fluid. Also disclosed are apparatuses and systems that include such a transducer. Related methods are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: A neuromodulation system including a catheter has a balloon along its distal end. An ultrasound transducer positioned within an interior of the balloon can be selectively activated to emit acoustic energy radially outwardly, targeting nerve tissue and other portions of the subject anatomy. Targeted nerve tissue can be heated by the application of ultrasonic energy to neuromodulate the tissue. The system may be delivered over a guidewire. A catheter enhances fluid delivery to a distal end of the catheter while reducing an overall diameter of the catheter. The catheter comprises a guidewire lumen that is eccentric relative to a center axis of the catheter.

Abstract: A neuromodulation system including a catheter having a balloon along its distal end is disclosed in several embodiments. An ultrasound transducer positioned within an interior of the balloon can be selectively activated to emit acoustic energy radially outwardly in order to target nerve tissue and other portions of the subject anatomy. In some embodiments, the system is configured to be delivered over a guidewire.

Abstract: A neuromodulation system including a catheter having a balloon along its distal end is disclosed in several embodiments. An ultrasound transducer positioned within an interior of the balloon can be selectively activated to emit acoustic energy radially outwardly in order to target nerve tissue and other portions of the subject anatomy. In some embodiments, the system is configured to be delivered over a guidewire.

Abstract: An ablation device, including a catheter and an ablation element incorporating one or more balloons at the distal end of the catheter, has a continuous passageway extending through it from the proximal end of the catheter to the distal side of the expandable ablation element. The ablation device ablates tissue by subjecting it to ultrasound energy, cryogenic energy, chemical, laser beam, microwave, or radiation energy. A probe carrying electrodes is introduced through this passageway and deploys, under the influence of its own resilience, to a structure incorporating a loop which is automatically aligned with the axis of the expandable ablation device, so that minimal manipulation is required to place the probe. Pulmonary vein potential is monitored in real time via the electrodes. The probe may have an atraumatic tip with a ball formed at the leading edge. The atraumatic tip prevents any tissue damage such as perforation of heart wall.

Abstract: A cardiac ablation device treats atrial fibrillation by directing and focusing ultrasonic waves into a ring-like ablation region (A). The device desirably is steerable and can be moved between a normal disposition, in which the ablation region lies parallel to the wall of the heart for ablating a loop-like lesion, and a canted disposition, in which the ring-like focal region is tilted relative to the wall of the heart, to ablate only a short, substantially linear lesion. The ablation device desirably includes a balloon reflector structure (18, 1310) and an ultrasonic emitter assembly (23, 1326), and can be steered and positioned without reference to engagement between the device and the pulmonary vein or ostium. A contrast medium (C) can be injected through the ablation device to facilitate imaging, so that the device can be positioned based on observation of the images.

Abstract: The invention includes a drinking straw with an inverted funnel-shaped net retained near a lower end of the straw. The net traps ice at the lower end of the straw to cool liquid drawn into the lower end of the straw.

Abstract: A cardiac ablation device treats atrial fibrillation by directing and focusing ultrasonic waves into a ring-like ablation region (A). The device desirably is steerable and can be moved between a normal disposition, in which the ablation region lies parallel to the wall of the heart for ablating a loop-like lesion, and a canted disposition, in which the ring-like focal region is tilted relative to the wall of the heart, to ablate only a short, substantially linear lesion. The ablation device desirably includes a balloon reflector structure (18, 1310) and an ultrasonic emitter assembly (23, 1326), and can be steered and positioned without reference to engagement between the device and the pulmonary vein or ostium. A contrast medium (C) can be injected through the ablation device to facilitate imaging, so that the device can be positioned based on observation of the images.

Abstract: An ablation device, including a catheter and an ablation element incorporating one or more balloons at the distal end of the catheter, has a continuous passageway extending through it from the proximal end of the catheter to the distal side of the expandable ablation element. The ablation device ablates tissue by subjecting it to ultrasound energy, cryogenic energy, chemical, laser beam, microwave, or radiation energy. A probe carrying electrodes is introduced through this passageway and deploys, under the influence of its own resilience, to a structure incorporating a loop which is automatically aligned with the axis of the expandable ablation device, so that minimal manipulation is required to place the probe. Pulmonary vein potential is monitored in real time via the electrodes. The probe may have an atraumatic tip with a ball formed at the leading edge. The atraumatic tip prevents any tissue damage such as perforation of heart wall.

Abstract: A balloon catheter is provided with a sleeve and a flexible material where, upon inflation of the balloon, the sleeve is slid over a ball joint, preventing the flexible material and tube from moving through a range of motion in order to prevent the tube from kinking and misaligning.