Abstract: Needles are deployed in tissue under direct ultrasonic or other imaging. To aid in deploying the needle, a visual needle guide is projected on to the image prior to needle deployment. Once the needle guide is properly aligned, the needle can be deployed. After needle deployment, a safety boundary and treatment region are projected on to the screen. After confirming that the safety boundary and treatment regions are sufficient, the patient can be treated using the needle.

Abstract: A system for imaging and treating tissue comprises a probe having a deflectable distal tip for carrying an imaging array and a delivery needle for advancement within a field of view of the imaging array. Optionally, the needle will carry a plurality of tines which may be selectively radially deployed from the needle. The imaging array will preferably be provided in a separate, removable component.

Abstract: Needles are deployed in tissue under direct ultrasonic or other imaging. To aid in deploying the needle, a visual needle guide is projected on to the image prior to needle deployment. Once the needle guide is properly aligned, the needle can be deployed. After needle deployment, a safety boundary and treatment region are projected on to the screen. After confirming that the safety boundary and treatment regions are sufficient, the patient can be treated using the needle.

Abstract: Delivery systems, and methods using the same, having an ultrasound viewing window for improved imaging and a needle for ablation treatment of target tissues. In an embodiment, the target tissue is a fibroid within a female's uterus. In an embodiment, the delivery system includes a rigid shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, and an axial passage extending through the rigid shaft. In an embodiment, the axial passage is configured for removably receiving the ultrasound imaging insert having an ultrasound array disposed a distal portion.

Abstract: Delivery systems, and methods using the same, having an ultrasound viewing window for improved imaging and a needle for ablation treatment of target tissues. In an embodiment, the target tissue is a fibroid within a female's uterus. In an embodiment the delivery system includes a rigid shaft having a proximal end, and a distal end, and an axial passage extending through the rigid shaft. In an embodiment, the axial passage is configured for removably receiving the ultrasound imaging insert having an ultrasound array disposed on a distal portion.

Abstract: A delivery system includes a rigid shaft, an imaging core, and an interventional core. The rigid delivery shaft has a proximal end, an angled distal tip, and an axial passage therethrough. The imaging core comprises an ultrasound imaging insert disposed within the axial passage. The imaging insert has an ultrasound array within a distal portion thereof, wherein the ultrasound array is tilted relative to a shaft axis. The interventional core comprises a curved ablation needle coupled to the rigid shaft. An angle of needle curvature may be inversely proportional to the ultrasound array tilt and tip angle.

Abstract: A system for imaging and treating tissue comprises a probe having a deflectable distal tip for carrying an imaging array and a delivery needle for advancement within a field of view of the imaging array. Optionally, the needle will carry a plurality of tines which may be selectively radially deployed from the needle. The imaging array will preferably be provided in a separate, removable component.

Abstract: Submucosal fibroids are selectively treated by introducing a visualization and ablation instrument into a patient's uterus. Many or all of the fibroids are visualized, and the submucosal fibroids are identified. The identified submucosal fibroids are then selectively targeted, typically using a needle on the visualization and ablation instrument. In this way, the patients can be treated for menorrhagia without prolonging the time to treat intramural and subserosal fibroids which typically aren't responsible for menorrhagia.

Abstract: Systems and devices according to the present invention providing a needle deployment and visualization device, which includes: a shaft; an ultrasound imaging transducer extendable along at least a portion of the shaft for providing an image within a field of view; and a needle coupled and deployable from the shaft within the field of view. The needle has an artifact configured to preferentially reflect at least a portion of the ultrasound energy emanating from the ultrasound transducer back to the transducer in order to enhance imaging of the needle.

Abstract: Angioplasty and other dilatation devices are provided with scoring elements. The device additionally incorporates a separate drug application membrane which is used to deliver drugs and other active substances to a body lumen, typically a blood vessel. The device functions to release drug into a region of the luminal wall as the scoring structure is radially expanded into the lumen wall.

Abstract: Needles are deployed in tissue under direct ultrasonic or other imaging. To aid in deploying the needle, a visual needle guide is projected on to the image prior to needle deployment. Once the needle guide is properly aligned, the needle can be deployed. After needle deployment, a safety boundary and treatment region are projected on to the screen. After confirming that the safety boundary and treatment regions are sufficient, the patient can be treated using the needle.

Abstract: Uterine fibroids and other tissue masses are treated using an electrode or other treatment element introduced into a potential or peri-capsular space surrounding the fibroid under ultrasonic imaging. A therapy is delivered into the potential space by the treatment element in order to reduce or eliminate blood supply to the fibroid or other tissue mass.

Abstract: Delivery systems, and methods using the same, having an ultrasound viewing window for improved imaging and a needle for ablation treatment of target tissues. In an embodiment, the target tissue is a fibroid within a female's uterus. In an embodiment the delivery system includes a rigid shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, and an axial passage extending through the rigid shaft. In an embodiment, the axial passage is configured for removably receiving the ultrasound imaging insert having an ultrasound array disposed a distal portion.

Abstract: A delivery system includes a rigid shaft, an imaging core, and an interventional core. The rigid delivery shaft has a proximal end, an angled distal tip, and an axial passage therethrough. The imaging core comprises an ultrasound imaging insert disposed within the axial passage. The imaging insert has an ultrasound array within a distal portion thereof, wherein the ultrasound array is tilted relative to a shaft axis. The interventional core comprises a curved ablation needle coupled to the rigid shaft. An angle of needle curvature may be inversely proportional to the ultrasound array tilt and tip angle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for medical imaging is described. The apparatus applies specifically to accessing and targeting tissue in a small cavity or tightly enclosed space. The medical imaging apparatus or device uses ultrasound waves with elements that act as both a transmitter and receiver in order to image body tissues. The ultrasound is an array or plurality of arrays that may be arranged on the tip on a probe or catheter for insertion into a patient's body.

Abstract: An analyte concentration monitoring system having network-based communication features which provide a link between an analyte detection system and a centralized computer. The analyte detection system has a processor that calculates analyte concentration in accordance with software executable by the processor. Under certain conditions, the software needs to be updated. Accordingly, when the analyte detection system is connected to the centralized computer, the centralized computer determines whether a software update is needed. If a software update is needed, then the centralized computer conveniently provides the software update to the analyte detection system without intervention from a user.

Abstract: An analyte concentration monitoring system having network-based communication features which provide a link between an analyte detection system and a centralized computer. The analyte detection system has a processor that calculates analyte concentration in accordance with software executable by the processor. Under certain conditions, the software needs to be updated. Accordingly, when the analyte detection system is connected to the centralized computer, the centralized computer determines whether a software update is needed. If a software update is needed, then the centralized computer conveniently provides the software update to the analyte detection system without intervention from a user.

Abstract: A system for management of a chronic medical condition generally comprises a plurality of networked physical and/or virtual elements configured to cooperate to aid in management of a chronic medical condition of a patient. The system is configured to provide a primary caregiver with current data relating to the patient's medical condition, and to allow the caregiver to provide appropriate changes to the patient's treatment via an analyte detection meter. The meter is generally configured to calculate a treatment dosage by combining a plurality of patient-affected and caregiver-affected variables. One embodiment relates to a system for management of a diabetic condition in which the primary caregiver is provided with glucose concentration data as well as other information relating to a diabetic condition. The primary caregiver can then make appropriate changes to correction factors to be implemented in an analyte detection meter which is configured to calculate an insulin dosage.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system for estimating the concentration of an analyte in a material sample. The system comprises a source of electromagnetic radiation; a detector positioned to detect radiation emitted by the source, so that the source and the detector define an optical path therebetween; and a sample element configured to be positioned in the optical path. The sample element comprises a sample chamber at least partially defined by opposed first and second windows which are substantially transmissive of at least a portion of the radiation emitted by the source, and which define an optical pathlength through the sample element. The sample chamber has an internal volume of less than 2 microliters. When the material sample is positioned in the sample chamber and the sample chamber is positioned in the optical path, the system computes estimated concentrations of the analyte in the material sample.

Abstract: An analyte detection system includes a first wearable module, a detector, and a processor. The first wearable module has an optical input through which electromagnetic radiation may enter said first wearable module. The first wearable module is configured to be worn on and engage a living wearer's body such that electromagnetic radiation omitted by the body of the wearer can enter the first wearable module via the optical input. The detector is in optical communication with the optical input. The processor is in communication with the detector. The processor is configured to estimate the concentration of an analyte in the wearer's tissue based on the emitted electromagnetic radiation.