Abstract: Apparatus for transcutaneously treating tissue beneath a skin surface using radiofrequency energy. The apparatus includes an electrode assembly supported by a handpiece. The electrode assembly includes an electrode configured to transfer the radiofrequency energy through the skin surface to the tissue. A force sensor, which is located in the handpiece, is configured to detect an amount of force applied by the electrode against the skin surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for transcutaneously treating tissue beneath a skin surface using radiofrequency energy. The apparatus includes an electrode assembly supported by a handpiece. The electrode assembly includes an electrode configured to transfer the radiofrequency energy through the skin surface to the tissue. A force sensor, which is located in the handpiece, is configured to detect an amount of force applied by the electrode against the skin surface.

Abstract: A system for measuring physiologic characteristics or treating tissue in a body lumen. The system may be used for treating abnormal mucosa in the esophagus. The system comprises an energy delivery device, such as an ablation device including an electrode support and an electrode pattern on the support. The ablation device may expand in size from a pre-deployed state to a deployed state. The system may include a sizing device having an inflatable balloon on a distal end of a catheter that is inflated with an expansion medium to expand the balloon to engage the wall of the esophagus so that the internal cross-section can be calculated or measured. The sizing device may also a controller for delivering an expansion medium and measuring the amount and pressure of the expansion medium inside the catheter. Methods of treating or diagnosing tissue are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods for creating a desired tissue effect. An RF electrode is provided that includes a conductive portion. The RF electrode is coupled to a fluid delivery member that delivers a cooling fluidic medium to a back surface of the RF electrode. A dielectric is positioned on a skin surface. The RF electrode is coupled with the dielectric. RF energy is delivered from the RF electrode and the dielectric to the skin surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating abnormal mucosa in the esophagus is disclosed, such that the depth of the treated tissue is controlled. The depth of ablation is controlled by monitoring the tissue impedance and/or the tissue temperature. A desired ablation depth is also achieved by controlling the energy density or power density, and the amount of time required for energy delivery. A method and apparatus is disclosed for measuring an inner diameter of a body lumen, where a balloon is inflated inside the body lumen at a fixed pressure.

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: 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: 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: An ablation device for denervation including a catheter delivery mechanism including an elongated tube with a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end being emplaceable within a body lumen at a target nerve region. A guide wire, at least one radiofrequency electrode, a plurality of positioning elements, and a plurality of pressing elements initially located within the tube. The electrode being deployable from the tube at the target nerve region and forming a ring-shaped structure adjacent the distal tube end. The positioning elements being deployable from the tube at the target nerve region from a position of the tube further distal than the electrode. The pressing elements being deployable from the tube more proximal than the electrode for use in pressing the deployed electrode against tissue to be ablated.

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: A system for measuring physiologic characteristics or treating tissue in a body lumen. The system may be used for treating abnormal mucosa in the esophagus. The system comprises an energy delivery device, such as an ablation device including an electrode support and an electrode pattern on the support. The ablation device may expand in size from a pre-deployed state to a deployed state. The system may include a sizing device having an inflatable balloon on a distal end of a catheter that is inflated with an expansion medium to expand the balloon to engage the wall of the esophagus so that the internal cross-section can be calculated or measured. The sizing device may also a controller for delivering an expansion medium and measuring the amount and pressure of the expansion medium inside the catheter. Methods of treating or diagnosing tissue are also disclosed.

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: A system for measuring physiologic characteristics or treating tissue in a body lumen. The system may be used for treating abnormal mucosa in the esophagus. The system comprises an energy delivery device, such as an ablation device including an electrode support and an electrode pattern on the support. The ablation device may expand in size from a pre-deployed state to a deployed state. The system may include a sizing device having an inflatable balloon on a distal end of a catheter that is inflated with an expansion medium to expand the balloon to engage the wall of the esophagus so that the internal cross-section can be calculated or measured. The sizing device may also a controller for delivering an expansion medium and measuring the amount and pressure of the expansion medium inside the catheter. Methods of treating or diagnosing tissue are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating abnormal mucosa in the esophagus is disclosed, such that the depth of the treated tissue is controlled. The depth of ablation is controlled by monitoring the tissue impedance and/or the tissue temperature. A desired ablation depth is also achieved by controlling the energy density or power density, and the amount of time required for energy delivery. A method and apparatus is disclosed for measuring an inner diameter of a body lumen, where a balloon is inflated inside the body lumen at a fixed pressure.

Abstract: The present disclosure may include a system for delivering energy to an airway wall of a lung comprising an energy delivering apparatus and a PID controller having one or more variable gain factors. The energy delivering apparatus may include a flexible elongated member and a distal expandable basket having at least one electrode for transferring energy to the airway wall and at least one temperature sensor for measuring temperature.

Abstract: The present invention includes a system for delivering energy to an airway wall of a lung comprising an energy delivering apparatus and a PID controller having one or more variable gain factors which are rest after energy deliver has begun. The energy delivering apparatus may include a flexible elongated member and a distal expandable basket having at least one electrode for transferring energy to the airway wall and at least one temperature sensor for measuring temperature. The PID controller determines a new power set point base on an error between a preset temperature and the measured temperature. The algorithm can be Pi+1=Pi+G(?ei+?ei?1+?ei?2) where ?, ? and ? are preset values and ? is from 1 to 2; ? is from ?1 to ?2; and ? is from ?0.5 to 0.5. In another variation, the controller is configured to shut down if various measured parameters are exceeded such as, for example, energy, impedance, temperature, temperature differences, activation time and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A digital topographic model of the luminal surface is generated by projecting an optical pattern on the luminal surface from the first location within the lumen. At least a portion of the projected pattern is detected from a second location within the lumen which is based apart from the first location. The dimensions of the luminal wall can be measured by triangulation in order to produce the digital topographic model of the body lumen.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating abnormal mucosa in the esophagus is disclosed, such that the depth of the treated tissue is controlled. The depth of ablation is controlled by monitoring the tissue impedance and/or the tissue temperature. A desired ablation depth is also achieved by controlling the energy density or power density, and the amount of time required for energy delivery. A method and apparatus is disclosed for measuring an inner diameter of a body lumen, where a balloon is inflated inside the body lumen at a fixed pressure.

Abstract: Methods for creating a desired tissue effect. An RF electrode is provided that includes a conductive portion. The RF electrode is coupled to a fluid delivery member that delivers a cooling fluidic medium to a back surface of the RF electrode. A dielectric is positioned on a skin surface. The RF electrode is coupled with the dielectric. RF energy is delivered from the RF electrode and the dielectric to the skin surface.

Abstract: These and other objects of the present invention are achieved in a method for creating a desired tissue effect. An RF electrode is provided that includes a conductive portion. The RF electrode is coupled to a fluid delivery member that delivers a cooling fluidic medium to a back surface of the RF electrode. A dielectric is positioned on a skin surface. The RF electrode is coupled with the dielectric. RF energy is delivered from the RF electrode and the dielectric to the skin surface.