Abstract: A medical device for diagnosis or treatment of tissue is disclosed. The device includes an electronically-controlled tool configured for diagnosis or treatment, an electrical connector, and a computer readable memory. The electrical connector is configured for connection with an electronic control unit and configured to receive control signals, including signals concerning the operation of the tool, from the electronic control unit. The computer readable memory is accessible through the connector. The memory can include a set of programming instructions for control of the tool, and the programming instructions can be configured to be downloadable from the memory upon connection of the electrical connector with the electronic control unit. A system is also disclosed in which the electronic control unit is configured to transmit a data log from memory in the electronic control unit to the memory in the medical device upon the occurrence or detection of a predetermined event.

Abstract: A medical device for diagnosis or treatment of tissue is disclosed. The device includes an electronically-controlled tool configured for diagnosis or treatment, an electrical connector, and a computer readable memory. The electrical connector is configured for connection with an electronic control unit and configured to receive control signals, including signals concerning the operation of the tool, from the electronic control unit. The computer readable memory is accessible through the connector. The memory can include a set of programming instructions for control of the tool, and the programming instructions can be configured to be downloadable from the memory upon connection of the electrical connector with the electronic control unit. A system is also disclosed in which the electronic control unit is configured to transmit a data log from memory in the electronic control unit to the memory in the medical device upon the occurrence or detection of a predetermined event.

Abstract: A medical device for diagnosis or treatment of tissue is disclosed. The device includes an electronically-controlled tool configured for diagnosis or treatment, an electrical connector, and a computer readable memory. The electrical connector is configured for connection with an electronic control unit and configured to receive control signals, including signals concerning the operation of the tool, from the electronic control unit. The computer readable memory is accessible through the connector. The memory can include a set of programming instructions for control of the tool, and the programming instructions can be configured to be downloadable from the memory upon connection of the electrical connector with the electronic control unit. A system is also disclosed in which the electronic control unit is configured to transmit a data log from memory in the electronic control unit to the memory in the medical device upon the occurrence or detection of a predetermined event.

Abstract: A medical device for diagnosis or treatment of tissue is disclosed. The device includes an electronically-controlled tool configured for diagnosis or treatment, an electrical connector, and a computer readable memory. The electrical connector is configured for connection with an electronic control unit and configured to receive control signals, including signals concerning the operation of the tool, from the electronic control unit. The computer readable memory is accessible through the connector. The memory can include a set of programming instructions for control of the tool, and the programming instructions can be configured to be downloadable from the memory upon connection of the electrical connector with the electronic control unit. A system is also disclosed in which the electronic control unit is configured to transmit a data log from memory in the electronic control unit to the memory in the medical device upon the occurrence or detection of a predetermined event.

Abstract: A leadless pacemaker for pacing a heart of a human includes a hermetic housing and at least two electrodes on or near the hermetic housing. The at least two electrodes are configured to deliver energy to stimulate the heart and to transfer information to or from at least one external device.

Abstract: An ablating device has a cover which holds an interface material such as a gel. The cover contains the interface material during initial placement of the device. The ablating device may also have a removable tip or a membrane filled with fluid. In still another aspect, the ablating device may be submerged in liquid during operation.

Abstract: A leadless pacemaker for pacing a heart of a human includes a hermetic housing and at least two electrodes on or near the hermetic housing. The at least two electrodes are configured to deliver energy to stimulate the heart and to transfer information to or from at least one external device.

Abstract: A medical device for diagnosis or treatment of tissue is disclosed. The device includes an electronically-controlled tool configured for diagnosis or treatment, an electrical connector, and a computer readable memory. The electrical connector is configured for connection with an electronic control unit and configured to receive control signals, including signals concerning the operation of the tool, from the electronic control unit. The computer readable memory is accessible through the connector. The memory can include a set of programming instructions for control of the tool, and the programming instructions can be configured to be downloadable from the memory upon connection of the electrical connector with the electronic control unit. A system is also disclosed in which the electronic control unit is configured to transmit a data log from memory in the electronic control unit to the memory in the medical device upon the occurrence or detection of a predetermined event.

Abstract: A system and method for using a common subchannel to assess operating characteristics of one of a plurality of transducers coupled to said subchannel is disclosed. The transducers are divided into subsets, with each subset is coupled to a subchannel. The system is configured to activate a selected transducer on the subchannel and the subchannel delivers operational information on the activated transducer. The present invention reduces the number of subchannels required to collect information on the plurality of transducers. The present invention permits a more compact ablation device to be constructed based on the invention's ability to reduce the total number of subchannels required to collect transducer information.

Abstract: A medical device for diagnosis or treatment of tissue is disclosed. The device includes an electronically-controlled tool configured for diagnosis or treatment, an electrical connector, and a computer readable memory. The electrical connector is configured for connection with an electronic control unit and configured to receive control signals, including signals concerning the operation of the tool, from the electronic control unit. The computer readable memory is accessible through the connector. The memory can include a set of programming instructions for control of the tool, and the programming instructions can be configured to be downloadable from the memory upon connection of the electrical connector with the electronic control unit. A system is also disclosed in which the electronic control unit is configured to transmit a data log from memory in the electronic control unit to the memory in the medical device upon the occurrence or detection of a predetermined event.

Abstract: A high intensity focused ultrasound transducer includes an ultrasonic emitter having a surface that emits ultrasonic energy along a beam path, at least one low attenuation polymeric ultrasonic lens acoustically coupled to the surface in the beam path of the ultrasonic energy, such that the lens can direct the ultrasonic energy in at least one direction, and at least one stress mitigation feature, such as a kerf, a heat sink, or an acoustic matching layer, to mitigate thermal expansion mismatch stresses within the transducer. For manufacturing simplicity, the first surface is typically either flat or monotonically curvilinear. The lens may take a variety of shapes, including Fresnel features, and may focus, collimate, or defocus the ultrasonic energy. Any orientation and positioning of the at least one ultrasonic lens relative to the first ultrasonic emitter is contemplated. Manufacture is further simplified by molding, casting, or thermoforming the lens.

Abstract: A control system alters one or more characteristics of an ablating element to ablate tissue. In one aspect, the control system delivers energy nearer to the surface of the tissue by changing the frequency or power. In another aspect, the ablating element delivers focused ultrasound which is focused in at least one dimension. The ablating device may also have a number of ablating elements with different characteristics such as focal length.

Abstract: A system and method for using a common subchannel to assess operating characteristics of one of a plurality of transducers coupled to said subchannel is disclosed. The of transducers are divided into subsets, with each subset is coupled to a subchannel. The system is configured to activate a selected transducer on the subchannel and the subchannel delivers operational information on the activated transducer. The present invention reduces the number of subchannels required to collect information on the plurality of transducers. The present invention permits a more compact ablation device to be constructed based on the invention's ability to reduce the total number of subchannels required to collect transducer information.

Abstract: A system and method for using a common subchannel to assess operating characteristics of one of a plurality of transducers that are coupled to said subchannel is disclosed. The plurality of transducers are divided into subsets and each subset is coupled to a subchannel. The system is configured to activate a selected transducer on the subchannel and the subchannel delivers operational information on the activated transducer. The present invention reduces the number of subchannels required to collect information on the plurality of transducers. The present invention may utilize one or more loading conditions to take at least one measurement, which at least one measurement is then used to derive operational information on the transducer. In one configuration, information on the amount of energy being delivered to the transducer is collected simultaneously with information on the operating temperature. In another embodiment only the temperature is measured.

Abstract: A leadless pacemaker for pacing a heart of a human includes a hermetic housing and at least two electrodes on or near the hermetic housing. The at least two electrodes are configured to deliver energy to stimulate the heart and to transfer information to or from at least one external device.

Abstract: A high intensity focused ultrasound transducer includes an ultrasonic emitter having a surface that emits ultrasonic energy along a beam path, at least one low attenuation polymeric ultrasonic lens acoustically coupled to the surface in the beam path of the ultrasonic energy, such that the lens can direct the ultrasonic energy in at least one direction, and at least one stress mitigation feature, such as a kerf, a heat sink, or an acoustic matching layer, to mitigate thermal expansion mismatch stresses within the transducer. For manufacturing simplicity, the first surface is typically either flat or monotonically curvilinear. The lens may take a variety of shapes, including Fresnel features, and may focus, collimate, or defocus the ultrasonic energy. Any orientation and positioning of the at least one ultrasonic lens relative to the first ultrasonic emitter is contemplated. Manufacture is further simplified by molding, casting, or thermoforming the lens.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention controlling power distribution in an ablation control apparatus or the like. In one embodiment, a power switching apparatus comprises a first switch assembly having an input end to receive a power input signal, the first switch assembly having a plurality of output channels; a second switch assembly coupled to the output channels of the first switch assembly; a plurality of power receiving members coupled to the second switch assembly; and a controller controlling the first switch assembly to selectively transmit the power input signal to the output channels one at a time in a cyclical manner according to a first switching rate.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention controlling power distribution in an ablation control apparatus or the like. In one embodiment, a power switching apparatus comprises a first switch assembly having an input end to receive a power input signal, the first switch assembly having a plurality of output channels; a second switch assembly coupled to the output channels of the first switch assembly; a plurality of power receiving members coupled to the second switch assembly; and a controller controlling the first switch assembly to selectively transmit the power input signal to the output channels one at a time in a cyclical manner according to a first switching rate.

Abstract: A medical device for diagnosis or treatment of tissue is disclosed. The device includes an electronically-controlled tool configured for diagnosis or treatment, an electrical connector, and a computer readable memory. The electrical connector is configured for connection with an electronic control unit and configured to receive control signals, including signals concerning the operation of the tool, from the electronic control unit. The computer readable memory is accessible through the connector. The memory can include a set of programming instructions for control of the tool, and the programming instructions can be configured to be downloadable from the memory upon connection of the electrical connector with the electronic control unit. A system is also disclosed in which the electronic control unit is configured to transmit a data log from memory in the electronic control unit to the memory in the medical device upon the occurrence or detection of a predetermined event.

Abstract: A system and method for using a common subchannel to assess operating characteristics of one of a plurality of transducers that are coupled to said subchannel is disclosed. The plurality of transducers are divided into subsets and each subset is coupled to a subchannel. The system is configured to activate a selected transducer on the subchannel and the subchannel delivers operational information on the activated transducer. The present invention reduces the number of subchannels required to collect information on the plurality of transducers. The present invention may utilize one or more loading conditions to take at least one measurement, which at least one measurement is then used to derive operational information on the transducer. In one configuration, information on the amount of energy being delivered to the transducer is collected simultaneously with information on the operating temperature. In another embodiment only the temperature is measured.