Abstract: Various embodiments, described herein, provide methods and systems for the treatment of plantar fascia. In some embodiments, a method of non-invasive treatment of plantar fasciacan include the steps of identifying a damage location comprising a planter fascia; directing a conformal distribution of ultrasound energy to the plantar fascia at the damage location; creating a plurality of micro lesions in the plantar fascia at the damage location; initiating healing of a plurality of micro tears in the plantar fascia at the damage location; and sparing intervening tissue between the plantar fascia and a surface of a sole of a foot.

Abstract: An electrosurgical system may comprise an RF current generator, a handle body, an end effector have a first jaw including a first energizing surface electrically contacting a first terminal of the RF generator, and a second jaw including a second energizing surface electrically contacting a second terminal of the RF current generator, in which the two jaws form a jaw angle. The system may also comprise a shunt impedance circuit including a shunt impedance element having a pre-determined impedance value, in which the shunt impedance element is reversibly placed electrically in parallel with the first and second energizing surfaces when the jaw angle is at least a pre-determined angle. The system may also comprise an impedance detector in electrical communication with the first and second energizing surfaces. The system may be used to measure an impedance between the first and second energizing surfaces by the impedance detector.

Abstract: Systems and methods disclosed herein provide efficacious pain management therapies based on delivery of physical medicine(s) via computer-implemented systems. Patient information comprising patient pain symptoms, patient physiological measurements, patient demographics, and other information is received at a pain therapy device. The patient information is compared with pain analytics data compiled on a plurality of individuals to determine a personalized pain management therapy. The personalized pain management therapy is applied via a combination of thermoceuticals, electroceuticals, ultrasound, and several other forms of physical medicine. Sensors coupled to the pain therapy device measure changes in physiological data resulting from the pain management therapy. The personalized pain management therapy can be adjusted based on the changes in the physiological data and/or patient feedback.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical blade with improved cutting and coagulation features is disclosed. The blade includes a solid body, a longitudinal portion having a proximal end configured to couple to an ultrasonic transmission waveguide and a transverse portion extending crosswise from the distal end of the longitudinal portion. At least one dissection edge and at least one hemostasis surface is provided on the blade. The transverse portion defines a hook having a free end configured to pull and dissect tissue. Also disclosed is an ultrasonic surgical blade that also includes a sharp central ridge and an end mass for acoustic balance.

Abstract: An ultrasonic signal processing method includes: acquiring pieces of element data output from each element included in an ultrasonic probe including multiple elements configured to transmit an ultrasonic wave to a subject, receive an ultrasonic wave reflected by the subject and output an ultrasonic detection signal; determining element data to be preserved, according to depth information on a reception echo at an acquisition time of the element data, among the pieces of element data of each of the acquired elements; and preserving the element data determined to be preserved.

Abstract: A method of forming an implant in the tissue can include: providing an injectable composition having a neat liquid carrier, wherein the neat liquid carrier is substantially liquid at room temperature and/or about body temperature; and injecting the neat liquid solution into the tissue at the rate of 10-12000 injections per minute and/or at an amount of 1.0E-02 ml to 1.0E-16 ml per needle per injection. The neat liquid carrier can be polymeric or non-polymeric. The neat liquid carrier can be biodegradable. The neat liquid carrier can include a viscosity-modifying agent. The injecting can form an implant with area greater than or equal to 5 mm2. The neat liquid carrier can be injected at a depth of 10 microns to 5 mm. The neat liquid solution can include a drug or other agent.

Abstract: Systems and methods for non-invasive brain stimulation using focused ultrasound are provided. An exemplary method of non-invasive brain stimulation in the brain of a subject can include securing the subject in a fixed position relative to an ultrasound source and providing a focused ultrasound having one or more ultrasound parameters to a location in the brain of the subject, the location and the one or more ultrasound parameters selected to evoke a physical response of the subject, and measuring the physical response of the subject.

Abstract: Sub-performing elements of an ultrasound transducer array are detected. The power, such as current, used by or provided to the transmit driver is measured. By driving each element or group of elements separately, defective elements or groups of elements are detected from the amount of power used.

Abstract: A medical imaging and therapy device is provided that may include any of a number of features. The device may include a Histotripsy transducer, a generator and controller configured to deliver Histotripsy energy from the transducer to target tissue, and an imaging system. In some embodiments, a method of treating tissue with Histotripsy energy comprises positioning a focus of a histotripsy transducer on a target tissue, delivering histotripsy energy from the histotripsy transducer through a bone aberrator, forming a histotripsy bubble cloud on the focus, and preventing the formation of secondary histotripsy bubble clouds without implementing an aberration correction algorithm.

Abstract: Described is system for mapping user behavior to brain regions of interest. Using a cognitive-behavior model, a behavioral task is selected that is suited for a desired brain state. Using a functional-anatomical model coupled to the cognitive-behavior model, a set of high-definition neurostimulations is selected to be applied to the user during performance of the selected behavioral task. The selected set of high-definition neurostimulations targets specific regions of the user's brain. Changes in the user's brain state are sensed during application of the set of high-definition neurostimulations and performance of the selected behavioral task using at least one brain monitoring technique. The coupled functional-anatomical and cognitive-behavior models are adapted until the desired brain state is reached.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a generator including a control module that is operably coupled to a power module. The power module is configured to produce an electronic signal to be received by an ultrasonic energy delivery assembly. The ultrasonic energy delivery assembly is characterized by a natural frequency, and the electronic signal is characterized by a frequency. The control module is configured to send a control signal to the power module to randomly vary the frequency of the electronic signal within a range defined at least in part by the natural frequency.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for real-time, transcranial monitoring of safe blood-brain barrier opening include determining an approach angle for targeted blood-brain barrier opening proximate a predetermined region in a brain of a patient, and positioning an ultrasound transducer to generate a focused ultrasound signal at the determined approach angle to the predetermined region in the brain.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods for current monitoring in ultrasound powered neurostimulation. The apparatus may include an ultrasound transmitter configured to emit an ultrasound output directed at a piezoelectric device implanted in biological tissue. The apparatus may also include a detector configured to detect an induced current in response to the ultrasound output in the biological tissue. The piezoelectric device may include a piezoelectric material and a diode. The apparatus may include a feedback mechanism to control the amount of induced current in the biological tissue.

Abstract: The invention provides for a medical apparatus (300, 500, 600) comprising a high intensity focused ultrasound system (302), a memory containing instructions, and a processor. Execution of the instructions causes the processor to receive (100, 202) surface data (342) descriptive of the location of a surface (322). The surface data defines the location of the heating volume. Execution of the instructions further cause the processor to determine (102, 204) a set of transducer switching commands (344) using the heating location data and an ultrasound transducer element model (352) and control (104, 206) the high intensity focused ultrasound system with the set of transducer switching commands to heat the heating volume. The set of transducer switching commands comprises an intensity level for the multiple ultrasound transducer elements either above or below a predetermined intensity for controlling a cross sectional shape of the heating volume to encompass the surface.

Abstract: A treatment device comprising a cavity to receive body tissue, the cavity comprising a side wall, a closed end wall and an opening to admit tissue, and at least four ultrasonic transducers disposed to transmit ultrasound into the cavity.

Abstract: An inhibitor of FXII/FXIIa for the prevention of the formation and/or stabilization of thrombi during and/or after a medical procedure performed on a human or animal subject comprising contacting blood of said human or animal subject with artificial surfaces, wherein said inhibitor of FXII/FXIIa is administered before and/or during and/or after said medical procedure.

Abstract: A surgical instrument comprising a transducer configured to produce vibrations along a longitudinal axis. The surgical instrument further comprises an ultrasonic blade extending along the longitudinal axis. The ultrasonic blade is coupled to the transducer and comprises a body and a treatment region. The body comprises a proximal end, a distal end, and a bottom surface. The distal end of the body is movable relative to the longitudinal axis by the vibrations produced by the transducer. The treatment region extends from the proximal end to the distal end. The surgical instrument further comprises a protective sheath disposed adjacent to the bottom surface of the ultrasonic blade.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a substrate, a dielectric elastomer transducer electrically coupled to the substrate, and a compliant electrically conductive housing coupled to the dielectric elastomer transducer. A portion of the compliant electrically conductive housing projects through an opening defined in a housing. A method is disclosed for making the apparatus.

Abstract: A dressing (2) and an apparatus (1) comprising the dressing, for cleansing the wounds (5) in which an irrigant fluid from a reservoir (12) connected to a conformable would dressing and would exudate from the dressing are moved by a device (18) (which may be a single pump or two pumps) for moving fluid through a flow Path (6, 7, 9, 10) which passes through the dressing with a means for providing simultaneous aspiration and irrigation of the wound, to provide a desired balance of fluid at a controlled nominal flow rate that removes materials deleterious to wound healing, while distributing materials that are beneficial in promoting would healing over the wound bed.

Abstract: A method for automated implantation of an implant or for an automated augmentation process of hard tissue and/or hard tissue replacement material using a sheath element is provided. The implantation apparatus includes a casing, a converter operable to generate mechanical vibrations the converter inside the casing and displaceable in a longitudinal direction relative to the casing, and a sonotrode coupled to an output location of the converter. A shaft portion with a retention structure is rotationally coupled to the casing and is equipped for cooperating with a rotationally asymmetric element of the sheath element to rotationally couple the casing to the sheath element. An axial coupling is equipped for locking the casing to the sheath element. The shaft portion, the axial coupling and the sonotrode are mutually arranged so that the distal end of the sonotrode may be introduced into a longitudinal opening of the sheath element.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an end effector having first and second jaws that cooperate to capture tissue therebetween, a movable firing member to cut the tissue, an actuator actuatable between various settings that define various output values of a characteristic of motion of the firing member, and a real-time feedback system. The real-time feedback system includes a sensor to assess a parameter of the end effector, a zone indicator adjustable between various positions inside and outside a desired zone, and a circuit to receive the sensor input from the sensor, the sensor input defining a measurement of a parameter of the end effector, and select one of various positions based upon the measurement of the parameter of the end effector, the selected position representing a status of a current output value of the characteristic of motion of the firing member, and adjust the zone indicator to the selected position.

Abstract: An apparatus for the treatment of skin tissue includes at least one ultrasound transducer for placement on the skin tissue surface; at least two drivers for driving the at least one transducer; a controller which is configured to control the at least two drivers; the controller is configured to drive the at least two drivers at different frequencies to affect different depths in the skin tissue.

Abstract: A tympanostomy tube for insertion into and residence in a tympanic membrane of a mammal, is disclosed. The tympanostomy tube includes a body including a first end portion, a second end portion, a central portion dispensed between the first and second end portions. An axially extending passageway has a first open end disposed adjacent the first end portion, and a second open end disposed adjacent the second end portion, and an axis extending between the first open end and second open end. The first end portion includes a relatively enlarged diameter, generally radially extending flange. The central portion includes a reduced diameter portion sized for extending through and residing in tissue of the tympanic membrane. The second end portion includes a relatively enlarged diameter second flange disposed adjacent the second end portion.

Abstract: A directable acoustic transducer assembly is presented for use in a medical insertion device (MID). In an embodiment, the assembly aims an acoustic signal in response to a sensed or detected force or load imposed on the MID. The directable acoustic transducer assembly includes a switch array and a plurality of directional acoustic transducer elements. The switch array responds to the force or load and activates the directional acoustic transducer elements closest to the source of the force or load. The switch array may include a plurality of switches, at least one of which responses to a force or load and may activate directional acoustic transducer elements having a target tissue in the field of view. The assembly includes embodiments that are responsive to various loads. A directable acoustic transducer assembly may be part of a diagnostic and/or therapeutic system, such as an RF ablation system.

Abstract: A medical imaging and therapy device is provided that may include any of a number of features. One feature of the device is that it can deliver Lithotripsy therapy to a patient, so as to fractionate urinary stones. Another feature of the device is that it can deliver Histotripsy therapy to a patient, so as to erode urinary stones. In some embodiments, the medical imaging and therapy device is configured to target and track urinary stones in the patient during therapy. Methods associated with use of the medical imaging and therapy device are also covered.

Abstract: A predetermined parameter is acquired during execution of an application, and a predetermined algorithm indicating at least timing and intensity for generating a vibration is set by dynamically changing the predetermined algorithm in accordance with the parameter. Then, a vibration signal is generated using a material for a vibration or a sound and the algorithm, or using a filter capable of generating the material and the algorithm.

Abstract: Methods for treating skin and subcutaneous tissue with energy such as ultrasound energy are disclosed. In various embodiments, ultrasound energy is applied at a region of interest to affect tissue by cutting, ablating, micro-ablating, coagulating, or otherwise affecting the subcutaneous tissue to conduct numerous procedures that are traditionally done invasively in a non-invasive manner. Methods of lifting sagging tissue on a face and/or neck are described. Treatment with heat is provided in several embodiments.

Abstract: An apparatus for operating on tissue comprises a shaft, an acoustic waveguide, and an end effector. The acoustic waveguide extends along the shaft and is configured to transmit ultrasonic vibration. The end effector comprises an ultrasonic blade and a clamp arm. The ultrasonic blade is in acoustic communication with the acoustic waveguide. The clamp arm is pivotable toward the ultrasonic blade. The end effector defines a first longitudinal region and a second longitudinal region. The end effector is configured to clamp tissue between the clamp arm and the ultrasonic blade in the first longitudinal region. The end effector is configured to sever tissue with the ultrasonic blade in the second longitudinal region.

Abstract: Described is a system for augmenting team performance via individual neurostimulation. An assessment is generated for each team member of a team while the team member is performing a behavioral task using neuroimaging data. A target brain state is selected in team members for team performance enhancement. The target brain state is associated with specific brain regions, and the system determines a HD-tCS neurostimulation needed to reach the specific brain regions to induce the target brain state in the team members. The determined HD-tCS neurostimulation is applied to the team members while simultaneously sensing, via real-time neuroimaging, neural activity in each team member while the team member performs a behavioral task. Team performance is enhanced by adjusting the HD-tCS neurostimulation of each team member, based on the sensed neural activity, to direct each team member toward the target brain state.

Abstract: An ultrasonic instrument comprises an ultrasonic transducer, an acoustic waveguide, and an ultrasonic blade. The blade includes a pair of obliquely extending edges. The obliquely extending edges diverge away from the longitudinal axis of the waveguide and away from each other along respective paths extending distally in relation to the waveguide. A distal portion of the blade is wider than a proximal portion of the blade along a plane. The blade further includes a curved distal edge and several laterally presented surfaces. The laterally presented surfaces may provide combinations of concave and convex curvatures. The laterally presented surfaces may be angled and/or curved along one or more orthogonal planes associated with the longitudinal axis of the waveguide.

Abstract: Methods for non-invasive fat reduction can include targeting a region of interest below a surface of skin, which contains fat and delivering ultrasound energy to the region of interest. The ultrasound energy generates a thermal lesion with said ultrasound energy on a fat cell. The lesion can create an opening in the surface of the fat cell, which allows the draining of a fluid out of the fat cell and through the opening. In addition, by applying ultrasound energy to fat cells to increase the temperature to between 43 degrees and 49 degrees, cell apoptosis can be realized, thereby resulting in reduction of fat.

Abstract: Methods for treating polycystic kidney disease with therapeutic renal neuromodulation and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. One aspect of the present technology is directed to methods that at least partially inhibit sympathetic neural activity in nerves proximate a renal artery of a kidney of a patient. One or more measurable physiological parameter corresponding to the polycystic kidney disease can thereby be reduced. Moreover, central sympathetic drive in the patient can be reduced in a manner that treats the patient for the polycystic kidney disease. Renal sympathetic nerve activity can be modulated along the afferent and/or efferent pathway. The modulation can be achieved, for example, using an intravascularly positioned catheter carrying a neuromodulation assembly, e.g., a neuromodulation assembly configured to cryotherapeutically cool the renal nerve or to deliver an energy field to the renal nerve.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument for sealing and cutting tissue is provided. The instrument includes a housing having a plurality of transducers included therein and a waveguide coupled to and extending from the housing. An end effector assembly disposed at a distal end of the waveguide includes a pair of opposing jaw members, where at least one of the jaw members includes a transducer. The transducer is configured to receive an acoustic signal from the plurality of transducers in the housing.

Abstract: The described embodiments relate to methods, systems and uses for therapeutic ultrasound, and in particular, to methods, systems and uses for therapeutic ultrasound and contact lenses for treating or alleviating eye conditions. The described embodiments relate to methods, systems and uses that involve an ultrasound device configured for treatment of an eye condition and a contact lens protects ocular tissue of the eye and forms a chamber of air.

Abstract: A method includes providing a lithotripsic device configured to break a stone into one or more fragments in a body lumen and an endoscope which is configured to obtain a captured image in the body lumen. The method further includes processing the captured image and creating a processed image for display on a monitor, and processing and displaying a track of a movement of at least one of the stone or the one or more fragments.

Abstract: An electrical skin treating appliance has an elongate hollow polymeric housing with front and rear portions. The front portion contains a reservoir for receiving and containing water. The rear portion has one or more controls. The housing contains an ultrasonic mist generator for converting the water into a fine mist and dispersing the mist from the housing. A sonically-vibratory spatula extends from the housing at a junction of the front and rear portions and is adapted to scrape the outermost surface of a user's skin. The housing contains an oscillation generator for selectively causing ultrasonic vibration of the spatula, and the one or more controls are adapted for selectively energizing, only one at a time, the mist generator and the oscillation generator.

Abstract: Disclosed are devices and methods for mitigating insulin resistance in a human subject by contacting one or more regions of the neck, the supraclavicular, and the interscapular regions of the human subject with a part of a cooling device, wherein the part of the cooling device has a temperature at about 15 or less Celsius degrees; cooling the one or more regions of the neck, the supraclavicular, and the interscapular regions of the human subject for a cooling period of at least 15 minutes; and performing previous two steps daily for about 14 or more days. The devices and methods may also be used to preventing, delaying or treating type 2 diabetes in a human subject or activating brown fat without incurring a sympathetic nerve-mediated cold feeling in a human subject.

Abstract: A gaming system is configured for dynamic and location-specific management of sound in a gaming environment. Various gaming stations, each including sound receivers and sound emitters, are disposed across multiple gaming zones. A server communicates with the gaming stations and is configured to sample ambient sounds with respect to the plurality of zones, and identify zone-specific exception sound signatures with respect to a dynamic noise threshold for at least a first of the plurality of zones, such as for example a jackpot or equivalent “hot spot” in the gaming environment. One or more gaming machines external to the first zone are directed to locally amplify sounds associated with the identified zone-specific exception sound signatures for the first zone. The server may further direct sound emitters external to the first zone to emit sound waves effective to locally suppress particular ambient sounds other than the identified zone-specific exception sound signatures.

Abstract: A cardiac ablation method including the following steps: inserting a treatment catheter into an atrium of a heart, the treatment catheter including an ultrasound emitter; positioning the ultrasound emitter to face heart tissue within the left atrium outside of a pulmonary vein; emitting ultrasound energy from the ultrasound emitter while rotating the ultrasound emitter about a rotation axis; and ablating heart tissue with the ultrasound energy to form a lesion outside of a pulmonary vein.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a device having a circuit. The circuit includes at least one boost converter receiving power from an energy source, a square wave driver in series with the boost converter, an inductor in series with the square wave driver for converting a square wave to a sinusoidal wave, and a piezoelectric transducer in series with the inductor, the piezoelectric transducer connectable to a load. The device further includes a phase-locked loop coupled to the circuit to determine a resonance frequency of the piezoelectric transducer when the piezoelectric transducer is connected to the load.

Abstract: Proposed is a bracelet-type transmission/reception device comprising: a cartilage conduction vibration source provided in a portion to be attached to a wrist; a speaker; a variable directional microphone; and a control unit which sets the directivity of the variable directional microphone to the back side of a hand when the speaker is used and sets the directivity of the variable directional microphone to the palm side of the hand when the cartilage conduction vibration source is used. The bracelet-type transmission/reception device is provided together with a display means for information relating to a transmission/reception method or a handling explanation medium or advertising medium having the information relating to the transmission/reception method. An example of a method for use thereof is to conduct the vibration of the cartilage conduction vibration source to a thumb and to bring the thumb into contact with a tragus in a state where the back of the hand faces forward.

Abstract: A steerable laser probe may include a handle, an actuation structure of the handle, a housing tube, a flexible tube, an optic fiber, and a wire having a pre-formed curve. The flexible tube may be disposed within the housing tube wherein a distal end of the flexible tube projects out from a distal end of the housing tube. The optic fiber may be disposed within an inner bore of the handle, the housing tube, and the flexible tube. The wire may be disposed within the housing tube.

Abstract: An electro-mechanical surgical device, system and/or method may include a housing, at least two opposing jaw, and at least one electrical contact associated with at least one of the jaws. The electrical contact may include at least one of a bipolar electrical contact and an ultrasonic electrical contact. The electrical contact may be a row of electrodes located on one or all of the jaws. A sensor may also be associated with any tissue located between the jaws to sense and report the temperature of that tissue. A pierceable ampulla containing fluid may also be placed on at least one of the jaws so that the fluid is releasable when the jaws are in closed position and the electrode(s) pass through the tissue into the pierceable ampulla.

Abstract: In an optics tube for an endoscope, a lens arrangement including at least one rod lens is received in the inside of the optics tube, wherein a sleeve is fixed on the at least one rod lens and at least partially encloses the rod lens, and wherein the sleeve is welded to the optics tube. The invention also relates to an endoscope having such an optics tube, and to a method for mounting at least one rod lens in the inside of an optics tube.

Abstract: An endoscopic forceps includes a housing having a shaft extending therefrom for treating tissue. A longitudinal axis is defined through the shaft. An end effector assembly is operably coupled to a distal end of the shaft and includes a pair of first and second jaw members. A rotating assembly operably coupled to the shaft is configured to rotate the shaft and the end effector about the longitudinal axis. A drive assembly is configured to selectively and releasably engage the rotating assembly. Engagement of the rotating assembly with the drive assembly couples the rotating assembly to the shaft such that the shaft is rotatable about the longitudinal axis in a predetermined direction when the rotating assembly is rotated. And, disengagement of the rotating assembly from the drive assembly uncouples the rotating assembly from the shaft such that the shaft is non-rotatable about the longitudinal axis when the rotating assembly is rotated.

Abstract: A portion of a treatment device for treating bacteria may be coupled with the bacteria through direct or indirect contact. Mechanical stress energy and electromagnetic energy are generated with the treatment device, and are transmitted from the treatment device to the bacteria during the coupling. The bacteria are treated with both the mechanical stress energy and the electromagnetic energy to produce a killing effect on the bacteria. A treatment device may include a mechanical stress energy emitting portion, an electromagnetic energy emitting portion, and a contacting portion for coupling into direct or indirect contact with the bacteria and transmitting mechanical stress energy to the bacteria during the coupling. The mechanical stress energy emitting portion and the electromagnetic energy emitting portion are operable to treat the bacteria with a combination of mechanical stress energy and electromagnetic energy to produce a killing effect on the bacteria.

Abstract: Bubble presence within a region is monitored to determine if a predetermined condition is met such as whether the presence is of sufficient magnitude, the bubbles being subject to energizing (240). In some embodiments, the energizing only occurs when time- wise preceded by the determination (S508, S510). The determining can include measuring a grayscale value (104), or assessing the energy carried by a frequency component of the echo signal, in the region in real time. The energizing may occur region-by-region, automatically and without need for user intervention, in a treatment pass (S428) over the regions. The regions (232) in the pass might be subject to respective instances of the energizing without intervening monitoring, or, in another embodiment, to both the determining and the responsive energizing. The determining can be subject to, automatically and without need for user intervention, interruption (S408) and concurrent switching to a next region.

Abstract: With respect to a forceps type treatment instrument including an ultrasound probe that protrudes from a treatment instrument main body at a position separated to a distal end side from a shaft portion, and a jaw that is displaceable between a closed state and an opened state by being linked with swing action of an clamp arm in a position separated to a distal end side from the shaft portion, stoppers are extendedly provided toward a clamp arm side from a treatment instrument main body side in a state in which edge portions at a distal end side are set to located at a distal end side from a locus of a proximal end of the jaw, and entry of a living body into a gap of the treatment instrument main body and the clamp arm is restricted.

Abstract: A deployable infection treatment system includes a cannula device comprising a cannula body having a proximal end, a flared distal end, and a lumen extending therebetween. The lumen has a longitudinal x-axis extending therethrough. A sponge or drain is provided, the sponge having a distal end and a proximal end, wherein in a non-deployed configuration, the sponge is compressed within the cannula body's lumen and in a deployed configuration the distal end of the sponge expands out of the cannula body's lumen. An integrated pump and vacuum device is provided, wherein when the sponge is in a deployed configuration, the device is in fluid communication with a therapeutic fluid source. The pump controls the delivery of the therapeutic fluid to the proximal end of the sponge. The vacuum controls the extraction of the therapeutic fluid and infectious material from the proximal end of the sponge.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a generator including a control module that is operably coupled to a power module. The power module is configured to produce an electronic signal to be received by an ultrasonic energy delivery assembly. The ultrasonic energy delivery assembly is characterized by a natural frequency, and the electronic signal is characterized by a frequency. The control module is configured to send a control signal to the power module to randomly vary the frequency of the electronic signal within a range defined at least in part by the natural frequency.