Abstract: The present application in some embodiments relates to methods for reducing noise and/or clutter when measuring a spectrum, particularly but not only for OCT imaging. In some embodiments a light source is synchronized with a detector. For example a narrow band light source is synchronized with a narrow band detector. For example, the light source may scan over multiple frequency bands and/or the detector may be tuned to a frequency band synergetic to the band of the light source. For example the light source and detector may be tuned to overlapping narrow bands. Optionally the detector has a sensor set for each frequency band. Optionally some sensor sets are individually resettable. For example each set may have a reset circuit. For example, a sensor set for a band not currently being measured is deactivated.

Abstract: An integrated system for facilitating local treatment in an organ and capable of universally interfacing with other devices and systems is provided. The integrated system comprises an imaging system interface module configured to functionally associate with an imaging system capable of presenting to a user, through a user-interface device, parameters indicating a mode of operation of the imaging system. The imaging system interface module is configured to receive at least one of the parameters, to interpret such parameter and to allow the integrated system to assume a mode of operation according the parameter. The integrated system further comprises a treatment tool interface module, configured to receive and detect a treatment event signal from a portable treatment tool. The treatment event signal indicates a treatment event, thereby allowing establishing a time of the treatment event and thereby establishing a locality of a treatment provided to the organ by the portable treatment tool.

Abstract: The present application in some embodiments relates to methods for directing a procedure in a region of interest (ROI) using an access tube for introducing an optical coherence tomography (OCT) scanning head into the ROI and/or scanning the ROI with the scanning head. Optionally the scanning head is retracting from ROI via the access tube while the distal end of the access tube remains in the ROI and a second tool is introduced into ROI via the access tube. An access tube may include a standard cannula and/or some or all of a distal opening, a proximal opening and/or a window. All or part of an OCT engine and/or a control system (for example including a location indicator for 3D collage image composition) may be attached to the tool. In some embodiments an OCT tool, control system and/or OCT engine may be fully retractable from the access tube.

Abstract: The present application in some embodiments relates to methods for reducing noise and/or clutter when measuring a spectrum, particularly but not only for OCT imaging. In some embodiments a light source is synchronized with a detector. For example a narrow band light source is synchronized with a narrow band detector. For example, the light source may scan over multiple frequency bands and/or the detector may be tuned to a frequency band synergetic to the band of the light source. For example the light source and detector may be tuned to overlapping narrow bands. Optionally the detector has a sensor set for each frequency band. Optionally some sensor sets are individually resettable. For example each set may have a reset circuit. For example, a sensor set for a band not currently being measured is deactivated.

Abstract: A containing catheter for facilitating sequential treatment operations therethrough, is provided. The containing catheter comprises a median portion comprising an elongated, substantially tubular member, and a distal portion, comprising a distal stiff member. A catheterization apparatus is provided, comprising the containing catheter and an elongated inner catheter insertable into the containing catheter. A method of catheterization is provided, comprising providing the containing catheter, stiffening a portion of the containing catheter and inserting the stiffened containing catheter into a body conduit of a patient.

Abstract: Systems and methods for locating lesions in a prostate or other organ during a first intervention session, and for using that lesion location information during a second intervention session are presented. A module for detecting and reporting the position of a prostate in real time is disclosed. The module comprises a sensor which detects and electronic signal. An image registration system for mapping first-session 3D model information to a second-session 3D model is also presented, as is a prostate modeling facilitation tool which comprises a set of predefined 3D models of the prostate.

Abstract: Apparatus (20) for use with pancreaticobiliary secretions that enter a gastrointestinal tract of a subject at an anatomical entry location, the apparatus (20) comprising: a pancreaticobiliary secretion-diversion guide (30) configured to collect the pancreaticobiliary secretions from the anatomical entry location and deliver the pancreaticobiliary secretions to a location in the gastrointestinal tract that is distal to the anatomical entry location; and an anchoring system (40) comprising one or more helical anchors (80) located within the gastrointestinal tract and configured to apply pressure to a wall of the gastrointestinal tract in order to maintain the pancreaticobiliary secretion-diversion guide in place.

Abstract: Systems and methods for scanning an organ or other extended volumes of body tissue using one or more Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) probes are presented. Some embodiments provide equipment for managing a plurality of OCT penetrations into a tissue or organ, and provide some or all of the following: detection and/or control of OCT probe positions and orientations (and optionally, that of other imaging modalities) detecting changes in body tissue positions, registering and mapping OCT scan results and optionally input from other imaging modalities, integrating OCT scan information and/or information from other modalities and/or recorded historical information, optionally some or all of the above with reference to a common coordinate system. Some embodiments comprise a display for displaying some or all of this information. In some embodiments, inferences based on observed portions of the organ relative to non-observed portions of an organ are displayed.

Abstract: An integrated system for facilitating local treatment in an organ and capable of universally interfacing with other devices and systems is provided. The integrated system comprises an imaging system interface module configured to functionally associate with an imaging system capable of presenting to a user, through a user-interface device, parameters indicating a mode of operation of the imaging system. The imaging system interface module is configured to receive at least one of the parameters, to interpret such parameter and to allow the integrated system to assume a mode of operation according the parameter. The integrated system further comprises a treatment tool interface module, configured to receive and detect a treatment event signal from a portable treatment tool. The treatment event signal indicates a treatment event, thereby allowing establishing a time of the treatment event and thereby establishing a locality of a treatment provided to the organ by the portable treatment tool.

Abstract: A containing catheter for facilitating sequential treatment operations therethrough, is provided. The containing catheter comprises a median portion comprising an elongated, substantially tubular member, and a distal portion, comprising a distal stiff member. A catheterization apparatus is provided, comprising the containing catheter and an elongated inner catheter insertable into the containing catheter. A method of catheterization is provided, comprising providing the containing catheter, stiffening a portion of the containing catheter and inserting the stiffened containing catheter into a body conduit of a patient.

Abstract: Apparatus (200) for use with pancreaticobiliary secretions that enter a gastrointestinal tract at an anatomical location. A secretion-diversion guide (370) comprises: a proximal portion (124); a distal portion (126); first and second anchors (36/38) coupled to the proximal and distal portions which apply pressure to the tract to maintain guide (370) in place; a collection-facilitation tube (280), between the anchors, having an inner surface (245) and an outer surface (246), the inner surface defining a lumen for passage of food. The outer surface inhibits contact of the secretions with food and defines a space (7) between the outer surface and the tract. A diversion tube (290) is in communication with the space and passes secretions from the space distally, and inhibits food-secretion contact. An intragastric anchor (170/171/172) coupled to guide (370), located in the stomach, maintains the guide in place. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus (20) for use with pancreaticobiliary secretions that enter a gastrointestinal tract of a subject at an anatomical entry location, the apparatus (20) comprising: a pancreaticobiliary secretion-diversion guide (30) configured to collect the pancreaticobiliary secretions from the anatomical entry location and deliver the pancreaticobiliary secretions to a location in the gastrointestinal tract that is distal to the anatomical entry location; and an anchoring system (40) comprising one or more helical anchors (80) located within the gastrointestinal tract and configured to apply pressure to a wall of the gastrointestinal tract in order to maintain the pancreaticobiliary secretion-diversion guide in place.

Abstract: Systems and methods for locating lesions in a prostate or other organ during a first intervention session, and for using that lesion location information during a second intervention session are presented. A module for detecting and reporting the position of a prostate in real time is disclosed. The module comprises a sensor which detects and electronic signal. An image registration system for mapping first-session 3D model information to a second-session 3D model is also presented, as is a prostate modeling facilitation tool which comprises a set of predefined 3D models of the prostate.

Abstract: A cryosurgery apparatus is disclosed. The cryosurgery apparatus an introducer having a hollow and a distal portion, the distal portion being sufficiently sharp so as to penetrate into a body, the hollow of the introducer being designed and constructed for containing a plurality of cryoprobes each of the cryoprobes being for effecting cryoablation, such that each of the plurality of cryoprobes is deployable through the distal portion of the introducer when the distal portion is positioned with respect to a tissue to be cryoablated.

Abstract: The present invention is of a system and method for accurate cryoablation, useable to enhance a surgeon's ability to accurately cryoablate a selected cryoablation target and to limit cryoablation to that selected target. Presented are apparatus and method for accurately delimiting a cryoablation volume, for minimizing damage to tissues surrounding a cryoablation volume, and for real-time visualization of a border of a cryoablation volume during cryoablation. Also presented are a method for mildly heating tissues during cryoablation, cryoprobes operable to simultaneously cool first tissues while heating second tissues, and cryoprobes operable to cool tissues extending in a first lateral direction from those probes while not substantially cooling tissues extending in a second lateral direction from those probes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to devices and methods delivering a plurality of thermal ablation probes to an organic target in a body, the probes being delivered in a configuration and orientation enabling efficient and thorough ablation of a large target of complex shape. Preferred embodiments include introducers having individual probe channels shaped to direct inserted probes to diverge upon exiting the introducer, probes designed and constructed to bend in selected manner when exiting the introducer, and apparatus for stabilizing an introducer with respect to a target during insertion of treatment probes from introducer to target.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for protecting the neurovascular bundle during cryoablation of tissues of the prostate by heating the vicinity of the neurovascular bundle while cooling pathological tissues of a prostate to cryoablation temperatures, thereby cryoablating pathological tissues while protecting the neurovascular bundle from damage. A cryoprobe operable to cool a distal operating tip while heating a proximal shaft is presented.

Abstract: The present invention is of system, device, and method for detecting and localizing obstruction in a blood vessel. More particularly, the present invention is of a balloon catheter having an expandable balloon which comprises a plurality of strain gauges operable to report relative degrees of expansion of local portions of a wall of the expandable balloon. Incomplete expansion of a local portion of the balloon, under common pressure within the balloon, indicates presence of an obstruction, such as a region of plaque, within the blood vessel.

Abstract: Presented are methods and apparatus for delivering a surgical instrument to a treatment site within the body of a subject, enabling accurate placement of surgical tools in areas not directly visible to a surgeon during a surgical procedure, while reducing or eliminating need for real-time imaging modalities to guide placement of those surgical tools. A treatment tool is guided to a treatment site by placing a guiding element at a reference site within a body of a subject, the reference site having a known spatial relationship to the treatment site, and utilizing a positioning tool to guide a treatment tool to a locus so positioned with respect to that guiding element that the spatial relationship between that guiding element and that locus is substantially similar to the spatial relationship known to exist between the reference site and the treatment site, thereby positioning the treatment tool substantially at the treatment site.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for protecting the neurovascular bundle during cryoablation of tissues of the prostate by heating the vicinity of the neurovascular bundle while cooling pathological tissues of a prostate to cryoablation temperatures, thereby cryoablating pathological tissues while protecting the neurovascular bundle from damage. A cryoprobe operable to cool a distal operating tip while heating a proximal shaft is presented.