Abstract: Methods and systems for ablating target tissue, such as in or along an airway, include modulation one of power and current of an a system to achieve a treatment output or parameter. Treatment outputs can include current, power, energy delivered, percent drop in impedance, an impedance-based ratio, a percent impedance slope, and/or an airway wall impedance. Power and/or current of the system can be varied, within certain maximum thresholds, such as power, current, and/or impedance thresholds, to achieve the desired output parameter target during some or all of the treatment time. The systems and methods reduce the variability of the treatment efficacy otherwise due to variability in electrical properties of patient tissue and/or electrode contact.

Abstract: Methods and systems for ablating target tissue, such as in or along an airway, include modulation one of power and current of an a system to achieve a treatment output or parameter. Treatment outputs can include current, power, energy delivered, percent drop in impedance, an impedance-based ratio, a percent impedance slope, and/or an airway wall impedance. Power and/or current of the system can be varied, within certain maximum thresholds, such as power, current, and/or impedance thresholds, to achieve the desired output parameter target during some or all of the treatment time. The systems and methods reduce the variability of the treatment efficacy otherwise due to variability in electrical properties of patient tissue and/or electrode contact.

Abstract: A treatment system includes a fluid cooling supply system for chilling and delivering liquid coolant to a patient. The fluid cooling supply system includes a cooling device and a heat exchanger device. The heat exchanger device is biased to the cooling device and is in fluid communication with a treatment device in a patient. The fluid cooling supply system includes at least one biasing mechanism to provide a given biasing force between the heat exchanger device and the cooling device to effectuate and improve heat transfer. The liquid coolant may be circulated through an energy delivery device positioned in an airway of a patient to preserve tissue. The system is controlled to circulate liquid coolant at a given temperature and pressure for a selected amount of time during pulmonary treatment of a patient.

Abstract: A treatment system includes a fluid cooling supply system for chilling and delivering liquid coolant to a patient. The fluid cooling supply system includes a cooling device and a heat exchanger device. The heat exchanger device is biased to the cooling device and is in fluid communication with a treatment device in a patient. The fluid cooling supply system includes at least one biasing mechanism to provide a given biasing force between the heat exchanger device and the cooling device to effectuate and improve heat transfer. The liquid coolant may be circulated through an energy delivery device positioned in an airway of a patient to preserve tissue. The system is controlled to circulate liquid coolant at a given temperature and pressure for a selected amount of time during pulmonary treatment of a patient.

Abstract: A pulmonary treatment system includes a compact configuration for delivery to a first airway of a patient. An energy delivery system of the pulmonary treatment system delivers energy to target tissue in or along an airway wall of the first airway to reduce airway resistance in a second airway distal to the first airway. The pulmonary treatment system protects tissue in the airway wall of the first airway located between the target tissue and the energy delivery system by at least one of thermodynamically cooling, circulating a liquid coolant through the pulmonary treatment system, and shielding a portion of the energy delivery system.

Abstract: A treatment system includes a fluid cooling supply system for chilling and delivering liquid coolant to a patient. The fluid cooling supply system includes a cooling device and a heat exchanger device. The heat exchanger device is biased to the cooling device and is in fluid communication with a treatment device in a patient. The fluid cooling supply system includes at least one biasing mechanism to provide a given biasing force between the heat exchanger device and the cooling device to effectuate and improve heat transfer. The liquid coolant may be circulated through an energy delivery device positioned in an airway of a patient to preserve tissue. The system is controlled to circulate liquid coolant at a given temperature and pressure for a selected amount of time during pulmonary treatment of a patient.

Abstract: A treatment system includes a fluid cooling supply system for chilling and delivering liquid coolant to a patient. The fluid cooling supply system includes a cooling device and a heat exchanger device. The heat exchanger device is biased to the cooling device and is in fluid communication with a treatment device in a patient. The fluid cooling supply system includes at least one biasing mechanism to provide a given biasing force between the heat exchanger device and the cooling device to effectuate and improve heat transfer. The liquid coolant may be circulated through an energy delivery device positioned in an airway of a patient to preserve tissue. The system is controlled to circulate liquid coolant at a given temperature and pressure for a selected amount of time during pulmonary treatment of a patient.

Abstract: A treatment system includes a fluid cooling supply system for chilling and delivering liquid coolant to a patient. The fluid cooling supply system includes a cooling device and a heat exchanger device. The heat exchanger device is biased to the cooling device and is in fluid communication with a treatment device in a patient. The fluid cooling supply system includes at least one biasing mechanism to provide a given biasing force between the heat exchanger device and the cooling device to effectuate and improve heat transfer. The liquid coolant may be circulated through an energy delivery device positioned in an airway of a patient to preserve tissue. The system is controlled to circulate liquid coolant at a given temperature and pressure for a selected amount of time during pulmonary treatment of a patient.

Abstract: A pulmonary treatment system includes a compact configuration for delivery to a first airway of a patient. An energy delivery system of the pulmonary treatment system delivers energy to target tissue in or along an airway wall of the first airway to reduce airway resistance in a second airway distal to the first airway. The pulmonary treatment system protects tissue in the airway wall of the first airway located between the target tissue and the energy delivery system by at least one of thermodynamically cooling, circulating a liquid coolant through the pulmonary treatment system, and shielding a portion of the energy delivery system.

Abstract: Systems and methods for directing valves that control a vacuum applied to a patient are disclosed. A method in accordance with one embodiment includes receiving a first input to apply vacuum to an orifice of a device positioned within a patient, and in response to the first input, automatically directing a first valve coupled between the orifice and a vacuum source to move from a closed state to an open state. The method can further include receiving a second input to cease applying the vacuum to the orifice, and in response to the second input, automatically directing the first valve to move from the open state to the closed state, automatically directing a second valve coupled between the orifice and atmospheric pressure to move from a closed state to an open state, and automatically directing the second valve to move back from the open state to the closed state.

Abstract: Systems and methods for applying vacuum to a patient, including a disposable liquid collection unit, are disclosed. A system in accordance with one embodiment includes a valve unit having at least one actuator that is changeable between a first configuration and a second configuration. The valve unit can have a first receiving portion with a first registration feature. The system can further include a disposable collection unit removably carried by the valve unit and including a liquid collection vessel and an interface unit carried by the liquid collection vessel. The interface unit can have a second receiving portion with a second registration feature positioned to be removably engaged with the first registration feature. The interface unit can carry a conduit that is coupleable to a patient device and that is positioned to be acted upon by the actuator, with the conduit generally closed when the actuator has the first configuration, and generally open when the actuator has the second configuration.

Abstract: Systems and methods for securing cardiovascular tissue, including via asymmetric electrodes, are disclosed. A device in accordance with one embodiment includes a catheter having a proximal end and a distal end, with a working portion positioned toward the distal end and being elongated along a terminal axis. The device can further include an energy transmitter (e.g., an electrode) at the working portion of the catheter, with the energy transmitter tapered inwardly toward the terminal axis in a distal direction. The energy transmitter can be asymmetric relative to the terminal axis. In further particular embodiments, other components of the catheter (e.g., an inflatable member, guidewire conduit, and/or catheter bend angle) can also be asymmetric relative to the terminal axis, and in still further particular embodiments, some or all of the foregoing elements can have particular alignments relative to each other.

Abstract: Control systems for patient devices, including devices for securing cardiovascular tissue, and associated methods, are disclosed. A system in accordance with one embodiment includes a controller coupleable to an energy transmitter configured to be introduced into a patient's body. The controller can have a power delivery component that is configured to automatically deliver and automatically terminate a full dose of energy to the energy transmitter at only a single predetermined energy level that is not user changeable. The controller can further include an activation device coupled to the power delivery component to initiate delivery of the energy.

Abstract: An intravascular device and methods for forming multiple percutaneous myocardial revascularization (PMR) holes in a heart chamber wall simultaneously. One device includes a basket formed of flexible arms carrying cutting probes over their length. The basket arms are outwardly arcuately biased so as to assume an outwardly bowed, arcuate shape when unconstrained. The device includes an inner shaft distally secured to a proximal portion of the basket and slidably disposed within an outer shaft. The inner shaft and collapsed basket can be retracted within the outer shaft, delivered intravascularly to the left ventricle, and distally advanced, forcing the basket to assume the bowed shape. Radio frequency current supplied to the electrical cutting probes burn holes into the ventricle wall and myocardium. One embodiment has high pressure fluid jet cutting means. Another embodiment uses a basket as an anchor to position a steerable cutting probe.

Abstract: A combination catheter includes an ultrasound transducer and RF ablation electrode. The ultrasound transducer transmits ultrasound signals into and receives echo signals from a vessel. The echo signals are processed and used to produce an image of the tissue surrounding the catheter. A driveshaft rotates the ultrasound transducer to obtain a 360° view of the vessel wall. At the distal end of the driveshaft is an electrode. An RF generator is electrically coupled to the driveshaft to deliver RF energy to the electrode at the distal end of the driveshaft to ablate occluding material in the vessel. The electrode may have a variety of tip shapes including concave, roughened, or expandable configurations, depending on the size of the vessel and composition of the occluding material to be ablated.

Abstract: Methods and devices for performing percutaneous myocardial revascularization without disrupting the blood pumping activity of the heart. A percutaneous myocardial revascularization system including an active electrode disposed at the end of a catheter and a radio frequency generator coupled to the active electrode for delivering radio frequency energy thereto. Radio frequency energy is selectively applied to the active electrode when the active electrode is properly positioned and when the heart is not in a vulnerable stage of the cardiac rhythm.

Abstract: A combination catheter includes an ultrasound transducer and RF ablation electrode. The ultrasound transducer transmits ultrasound signals into and receives echo signals from a vessel. The echo signals are processed and used to produce an image of the tissue surrounding the catheter. A driveshaft rotates the ultrasound transducer to obtain a 360° view of the vessel wall. At the distal end of the driveshaft is an electrode. An RF generator is electrically coupled to the driveshaft to deliver RF energy to the electrode at the distal end of the driveshaft to ablate occluding material in the vessel. The electrode may have a variety of tip shapes including concave, roughened, or expandable configurations, depending on the size of the vessel and composition of the occluding material to be ablated. Alternatively, the RF ablation energy may be delivered to a guidewire that is used to route the ultrasound catheter through a patient's vasculature.

Abstract: A combination catheter includes an ultrasound transducer and RF ablation electrode. The ultrasound transducer transmits ultrasound signals into and receives echo signals from a vessel. The echo signals are processed and used to produce an image of the tissue surrounding the catheter. A driveshaft rotates the ultrasound transducer to obtain a 360° view of the vessel wall. At the distal end of the driveshaft is an electrode. An RF generator is electrically coupled to the driveshaft to deliver RF energy to the electrode at the distal end of the driveshaft to ablate occluding material in the vessel. The electrode may have a variety of tip shapes including concave, roughened, or expandable configurations, depending on the size of the vessel and composition of the occluding material to be ablated. Alternatively, the RF ablation energy may be delivered to a guidewire that is used to route the ultrasound catheter through a patient's vasculature.

Abstract: Methods and devices for performing percutaneous myocardial revascularization without disrupting the blood pumping activity of the heart. A percutaneous myocardial revascularization system including an active electrode disposed at the end of a catheter and a radio frequency generator coupled to the active electrode for delivering radio frequency energy thereto. Radio frequency energy is selectively applied to the active electrode when the active electrode is properly positioned and when the heart is not in a vulnerable stage of the cardiac rhythm.

Abstract: An intravascular device and methods for forming multiple percutaneous myocardial revascularization (PMR) holes in a heart chamber wall simultaneously. One device includes a basket formed of flexible arms carrying cutting probes over their length. The basket arms are outwardly arcuately biased so as to assume an outwardly bowed, arcuate shape when unconstrained. The device includes an inner shaft distally secured to a proximal portion of the basket and slidably disposed within an outer shaft. The inner shaft and collapsed basket can be retracted within the outer shaft, delivered intravascularly to the left ventricle, and distally advanced, forcing the basket to assume the bowed shape. Radio frequency current supplied to the electrical cutting probes burn holes into the ventricle wall and myocardium. One embodiment has high pressure fluid jet cutting means. Another embodiment uses a basket as an anchor to position a steerable cutting probe.