Abstract: The present disclosure describes devices and methods for treating disorders in a hollow body organ by ablating the tissue therein. At least one set of bipolar electrodes is deployed in the hollow body organ to contact the inner wall of the organ. In the deployed position, each positive electrode is positioned in a location substantially opposite each negative electrode. The tissue contact areas of the positive and negative electrodes are substantially the same and the electrodes are separated from one another by a distance of at least 10 times the width of each of the electrodes. The electrodes thereby produce lesions that are substantially identical to one another and also similar to those produced with monopolar electrodes. The electrodes are used to produce an ablation pattern that can electrically isolate regions of the hollow body organ, thereby treating the disorder(s).

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods to treat a urinary bladder are disclosed. An expandable member is introduced and expanded in the urinary bladder to appose one or more elongate conductors on the outer surface of the expandable member against the inner wall of the urinary bladder. The one or more elongate conductors are used to create a predetermined pattern of electrically isolated tissue regions having reduced electrical propagation such that electrical propagation through the urinary bladder as a whole is reduced. A mucus layer may be removed from the inner bladder wall prior to the ablation. Ablation may be regulated by impedance measurement with the one or more elongate conductors. The urinary bladder may be filled with a fluid to facilitate the impedance measurement.

Abstract: In examples, a method of controlling customer access to an assay system comprises (a) receiving a system identifier; (b) identifying said system identifier; and (c) utilizing information obtained from the system identifier to perform one or more operations selected from: (i) enabling full access to said system and/or a consumable used in said system; (ii) enabling partial access to said system and/or a consumable used in said system; or (iii) denying access to said system and/or a consumable used in said system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods, devices and systems for associating consumable data with an assay consumable used in a biological assay. Provided are assay systems and associated consumables, wherein the assay system adjusts one or more steps of an assay protocol based on consumable data specific for that consumable. Various types of consumable data are described, as well as methods of using such information in the conduct of an assay by an assay system.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to apparatus and methods for tightening tissue of the female genitalia by heating targeted connective tissue with radiant energy, while cooling the mucosal epithelial surface over the target tissue to protect it from the heat. Embodiments include a handle and treatment tip that has both an energy delivery element and a cooling mechanism. The handle may be a two-handed handle allowing control even while rotating and maneuvering the treatment around the genital opening. The apparatus or system may also include an integrated controller, which may confirm tissue contact without applying RF energy, based only on the temperature of the applicator and the time since the last application of energy from the applicator.

Abstract: A method of treatment of one or more articles may comprise locating a stain on an article based on a tag on the article; placing the stain on a nose of a spotting board; positioning a steam gun at least two or more inches away from the stain; simultaneously activating a steam supply and a vacuum supply of the spotting board; moving the steam gun in a defined motion relative to the stain for at least 30 seconds; simultaneously activating the vacuum supply and an air supply of the spotting board; moving the steam gun in the defined motion relative to the stain until the article is at least partially dry; and inspecting the stain.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to apparatus and methods for tightening tissue of the female genitalia by heating targeted connective tissue with radiant energy, while cooling the mucosal epithelial surface over the target tissue to protect it from the heat. Embodiments include a handle and treatment tip that has both an energy delivery element and a cooling mechanism. The handle may be a two-handed handle allowing control even while rotating and maneuvering the treatment around the genital opening. The apparatus or system may also include an integrated controller, which may confirm tissue contact without applying RF energy, based only on the temperature of the applicator and the time since the last application of energy from the applicator.

Abstract: A method of treatment of one or more articles may comprise locating a stain on an article based on a tag on the article; placing the stain on a nose of a spotting board; positioning a steam gun at least two or more inches away from the stain; simultaneously activating a steam supply and a vacuum supply of the spotting board; moving the steam gun in a defined motion relative to the stain for at least 30 seconds; simultaneously activating the vacuum supply and an air supply of the spotting board; moving the steam gun in the defined motion relative to the stain until the article is at least partially dry; and inspecting the stain.

Abstract: Ablation systems and methods include an improved approach to generating heated vapor. The vapor ablation system preferably has a controller having a user interface that receives data indicative of a time of a treatment session, a pump in data communication with the controller, and a catheter having an electrode and is in fluid communication with the pump. The controller is configured to control the pump to provide a fluid to the lumen of the catheter, cause an electrical current to be delivered to the electrode in order to heat the fluid in the lumen and convert the fluid to a heated vapor, control a delivery of the fluid and a generation of the heated vapor based on the data indicative of the time and without modifying the flow rate of the fluid or the level of voltage and/or current of the electrical current based on data from sensors positioned in or on the catheter.

Abstract: A flexible bipolar electrode is provided, with alternating poles positioned over a flexible member. A preferred embodiment may comprise two insulated conductors twisted together to form a twisted-pair, braid, or other similar structure, with the insulation removed at one or more locations along this structure, such that there exist adjacent conductors which have areas that are exposed. The one or more such locations where the insulation on each of the conductors is removed form a bipolar pair on at least one of the sides of the electrode. The exposed locations of the two conductors may form focal points, lines, or areas of alternating poles, and may be used for delivering energy to target tissue or material according to those shapes, to affect the tissue or material at those points, lines, or areas. Use of such electrode as well as additional technologies for treating GI conditions including but not limited to obesity and constipation is further described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods, devices and systems for associating consumable data with an assay consumable used in a biological assay. Provided are assay systems and associated consumables, wherein the assay system adjusts one or more steps of an assay protocol based on consumable data specific for that consumable. Various types of consumable data are described, as well as methods of using such information in the conduct of an assay by an assay system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods, devices and systems for associating consumable data with an assay consumable used in a biological assay. Provided are assay systems and associated consumables, wherein the assay system adjusts one or more steps of an assay protocol based on consumable data specific for that consumable. Various types of consumable data are described, as well as methods of using such information in the conduct of an assay by an assay system.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for treatment of tissue in a body lumen with an electrode deployment device. Embodiments typically include a device with a plurality of electrodes having a pre-selected electrode density arranged on the surface of a support. The support may comprise a non-distensible electrode backing that is spirally furled about an axis and coupled to an expansion member such as an inflatable elastic balloon. In some embodiments, the balloon is inflated to selectively expose a portion of the electrode surface while maintaining the electrode density.

Abstract: A method of treatment of one or more articles may comprise locating a stain on an article based on a tag on the article; placing the stain on a nose of a spotting board; positioning a steam gun at least two or more inches away from the stain; simultaneously activating a steam supply and a vacuum supply of the spotting board; moving the steam gun in a defined motion relative to the stain for at least 30 seconds; simultaneously activating the vacuum supply and an air supply of the spotting board; moving the steam gun in the defined motion relative to the stain until the article is at least partially dry; and inspecting the stain.

Abstract: An ablation apparatus places electrodes at the perimeter of a cavity. In an embodiment, the alternating electric field is used to expose the cavity to enough energy to ablate the cavity. In an embodiment, two modes are used to expose different regions of the cavity to different amounts of power for so that the thermal effect is more uniform. In an embodiment, the electrodes have a relatively large surface area so as to avoid charring the cavity, but are shaped so as to fit within a body orifice. For example, the diameter of the sheathed housing the electrodes during penetration may be only 5.5 mm.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods to treat a urinary bladder are disclosed. An expandable member is introduced and expanded in the urinary bladder to appose one or more elongate conductors on the outer surface of the expandable member against the inner wall of the urinary bladder. The one or more elongate conductors are used to create a predetermined pattern of electrically isolated tissue regions having reduced electrical propagation such that electrical propagation through the urinary bladder as a whole is reduced. A mucus layer may be removed from the inner bladder wall prior to the ablation. Ablation may be regulated by impedance measurement with the one or more elongate conductors. The urinary bladder may be filled with a fluid to facilitate the impedance measurement.

Abstract: An ablation apparatus places electrodes at the perimeter of a cavity. In an embodiment, the alternating electric field is used to expose the cavity to enough energy to ablate the cavity. In an embodiment, two modes are used to expose different regions of the cavity to different amounts of power so that the thermal effect is more uniform. In an embodiment, the electrodes have a relatively large surface area so as to avoid charring the cavity, but are shaped so as to fit within a body orifice.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods to treat a urinary bladder are disclosed. An expandable member is introduced and expanded in the urinary bladder to appose one or more elongate conductors on the outer surface of the expandable member against the inner wall of the urinary bladder. The one or more elongate conductors are used to create a predetermined pattern of electrically isolated tissue regions having reduced electrical propagation such that electrical propagation through the urinary bladder as a whole is reduced. A mucus layer may be removed from the inner bladder wall prior to the ablation. Ablation may be regulated by impedance measurement with the one or more elongate conductors. The urinary bladder may be filled with a fluid to facilitate the impedance measurement.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to apparatus and methods for tightening tissue of the female genitalia by heating targeted connective tissue with radiant energy, while cooling the mucosal epithelial surface over the target tissue to protect it from the heat. Embodiments include a handle and treatment tip that has both an energy delivery element and a cooling mechanism. The handle may be a two-handed handle allowing control even while rotating and maneuvering the treatment around the genital opening. The apparatus or system may also include an integrated controller, which may confirm tissue contact without applying RF energy, based only on the temperature of the applicator and the time since the last application of energy from the applicator.

Abstract: A method of treatment of one or more articles may comprise locating a stain on an article based on a tag on the article; placing the stain on a nose of a spotting board; positioning a steam gun at least two or more inches away from the stain; simultaneously activating a steam supply and a vacuum supply of the spotting board; moving the steam gun in a defined motion relative to the stain for at least 30 seconds; simultaneously activating the vacuum supply and an air supply of the spotting board; moving the steam gun in the defined motion relative to the stain until the article is at least partially dry; and inspecting the stain.