Abstract: A catheter, such as a fractional flow reserve catheter, includes an elongate shaft having a proximal end optionally coupled to a handle or luer fitting and a distal end having a distal opening. A pressure sensing wire extends to the distal portion of the elongate shaft to be coupled to a pressure sensor mounted on the distal end for measuring a pressure of a fluid within lumen of vessel. The pressure sensor wire is disposed within a pocket formed adjacent to the pressure sensor thereby minimizing the profile of the catheter. Bending or flexing stress or strain experienced by a pressure sensor mounted to a fractional flow reserve catheter when tracking the catheter through the vasculature creates a distortion of the sensor resulting in an incorrect pressure reading or bend error. In order to isolate the sensor from bending or flexing stress and strain, the sensor is mounted so that the sensor is spaced apart from the elongate shaft of the catheter.

Abstract: A handpiece for a surgical instrument having a valve position sensing circuit arranged to detect the position of a valve arranged to control the flow of fluid through the suction lumen of the instrument. The distal end of the handpiece is arranged to couple to a cutting accessory. The handpiece comprises: a housing; a suction lumen within the housing extending from the distal end of the handpiece to a proximal end of the handpiece; a valve arranged to control the flow of fluid through the suction lumen; and a valve position sensing circuit arranged to detect a position of the valve. The valve position sensing circuit can be used to alert a surgeon if the valve is closed when it would be preferable for it to be open. For example, if the motor is overheating, the in-joint temperature is too high, or the RF component is activated.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for controlling the temperature of all or part of the body of a human or animal subject.

Abstract: A needle electrode deployment shaft includes a central member and a plurality of needle electrodes. The central member has a plurality of needle advancement channels formed therein. The needle electrodes are disposed within the advancement channels and each advancement channel terminates in a ramp portion which deflects the needles radially outwardly as they are axially advanced. The ramps may be spirally or acutely configured in order to increase the distance through which the needles may be bent as they are axially advanced. Additionally, the central member may have a radially reduced distal tip in order to decrease tissue insertion forces.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a flexible cryoablation needle device resistant to a low temperature and a high pressure, a threaded part is arranged on the outer wall of a liner pipe to enhance a connection strength between the liner pipe and a flexible pipe structure. Since an annular protrusion portion is arranged on the outer wall of the liner pipe, further leakage of a gas coming from a pressure relief process is prevented and the connection strength is enhanced as well. Air tightness and connection strength are further guaranteed by radial extrusion of extruding pipes. And an inner cavity in a cutter head is directly subjected to pressure relief through a cutter head vent, a pressure relief intermediate cavity, a liner vent, a flexible pipe vent and a pressure relief gap.

Abstract: A facial beautifying and care apparatus includes a beauty bar (1) having an air supply passage (A), a negative pressure connecting hole (132), a conductive suction nozzle (15) and a first connection port (134); an EMS generation module (20) inside the beauty bar (1) electrically connected to the first connection port (134); an external negative pressure unit (6) separated from the beauty bar (1) and having a negative pressure driving control module (62) and a second connection port (637); the negative pressure driving control module (62) having an air supply tube assembly (66) with a negative pressure communicating hole (661); a communicating tube (7) communicating with the negative pressure connecting hole (132) and the negative pressure communicating hole (661); a conductive wire (8) connected to the first connecting port (134) and the second connecting port (637). Accordingly, the effects of facial skin firming, cleaning, beautifying and caring are achieved.

Abstract: Systems and methods of delivering a therapeutic session to affect a mental or an emotional state of a user include providing a wearable stimulation device having a transducer adapted to generate tactile transcutaneous vibratory output; with a user interface, obtaining data regarding an event to be experienced by the user; communicating the data regarding an event to be experienced by the user to a computer processor; with the computer processor, creating a therapeutic session parameters comprising the following steps: assigning a set of contiguous output segments for the event, and based on the event, assigning a perceived pitch of transcutaneous vibratory output and a perceived beat of transcutaneous vibratory output to each output segment; sending, from the computer processor, the therapeutic session parameters to the transducer; and generating, with the transducer, transcutaneous vibratory output for the therapeutic session based on the therapeutic session parameters.

Abstract: Methods, systems and devices for endometrial ablation. In accordance with a method, a working end of an RF ablation device is positioned in a patient uterus to contact endometrial tissue, the working end comprising a dielectric wall capable of non-expanded and expanded shapes. An indicator mechanism is operatively coupled to the wall and configured to indicate non-expanded and expanded shapes of the wall.

Abstract: A medical device that includes an expandable member, a fluid lumen, and a heating element. The expandable member has an inner expandable member and an outer expandable member. The fluid lumen is between the inner expandable member and the outer expandable member. The heating element is located inside of the fluid lumen.

Abstract: Provided are a method for adjusting an in-tank pressure of a working medium storage tank and an apparatus for the same. The method includes: acquiring a backflow temperature collected by each of first thermocouples; counting the number of target backflow paths whose backflow temperature reaches a preset temperature; and adjusting an in-tank pressure of the working medium storage tank to a target in-tank pressure corresponding to the number of the target backflow paths according to the number of the target backflow paths and a corresponding relationship between a preset number of backflow paths and the in-tank pressure. The control box determines the target in-tank pressure corresponding to the number of the target backflow paths to realize automatic adjustment of the in-tank pressure of the working medium storage tank.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for neurostimulation via vestibular stimulation are described. One example is a device for administering thermal stimulation to an ear canal of a subject. The device may include an earpiece configured to be at least partially insertable into the ear canal of the subject; a thermoelectric device thermally coupled to the earpiece and configured to heat and/or cool the earpiece to thereby heat and/or cool the ear canal of the subject; and a controller configured to administer a selected treatment plan including administering a caloric vestibular stimulation (CVS) stimulus to the ear canal of the subject in a condition-treatment effective amount during a first treatment interval. The treatment plan may be effective to produce a durable improvement in at least one symptom of the condition for a time of at least 1 week following cessation of the administering.

Abstract: Apparatus for cooling an object, space, or tissues of a patient. A vacuum chamber is designed to be placed in thermal contact with the object or space to be cooled, or against a patient to be treated. A water sprayer is configured to spray water into the vacuum chamber or against a cooling wall of the chamber. A vacuum pump and control are designed to maintain vacuum below ambient pressure in the vacuum chamber sufficient to cause accelerated evaporation of the water and cooling to a temperature desired for cooling of the object, space, or patient.

Abstract: An enclosure or plenum that supports a looped pump tube is hingedly connected to a framed thin-walled heat exchange bag through which working fluid from an intravascular heat exchange catheter flows. The frame with bag can be inserted between cold plates to exchange heat with the working fluid flowing through the bag. With the framed bag between the plates, the looped pump tube from the enclosure or plenum is receivable in the raceway of a peristaltic pump, which pumps working fluid through the system.

Abstract: A thermal control unit for delivering temperature-controlled fluid to one or more patient therapy devices (e.g. pads, blankets, etc.) that are in contact with a patient is disclosed. The thermal control unit includes a fluid circuit with an inlet and outlet, a reservoir, a heat exchanger, a pump, and a controller. The thermal control also includes any one or more of the following: (1) an air eliminator with an air filter for filtering air vented from the fluid circuit to the ambient surroundings; (2) a plug that moves in response to changing fluid levels and that fluidly isolates the air filter from the fluid; (3) a second air filter coupled to the reservoir; (4) a check valve to prevent fluid from back flowing into the reservoir; and/or (5) a liquid filter coupleable to the reservoir to filter liquid entering or exiting the reservoir.

Abstract: A system and method for providing Anal Perineal Prostate Vaginal Pelvic Floor contrast therapy are presented. The system may comprise a human interface device, fluid tubing, a pump, and a reservoir. The system may be operable to apply any combination of heat, cold, and pressurized compression to a therapy recipient and demonstrates particular utility for treating anal-prostate-perineal and vaginal areas. The system may be operable to impart a desired therapy temperature to the human interface device and to expand a membrane containing a therapy fluid. The expanded membrane may conform to the contours of a therapy site. Operation of the human interface device may be controlled using a remote-control device. The therapy recipient may be able to control the temperature of the fluid circulating through the membrane and may be able to control the pressure of the fluid within the membrane.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for accomplishing fluid drainage and localized cooling of the central nervous system broadly encompassing an intrathecal catheter assembly accomplishing drainage and cooling, and a console apparatus that may contain control, cooling, and drainage subsystems, and use thereof.

Abstract: Methods, systems and devices for applying energy to tissue, and more particularly relates to a system for ablating or modifying structures in a body with systems and methods that generate a flow of vapor at a controlled flow rate for applying energy to the body structure.

Abstract: Example devices, systems, and techniques predict renal denervation efficacy for reducing hypertension in a patient based on pulse information. For example, a system may include processing circuitry configured to obtain pulse information representative of pulses from both wrists of a patient, obtain a plurality of values representative of respective patient metrics for the patient, and apply the pulse information and the plurality of values to a deep learning model trained to represent a relationship of the pulse information and the patient metrics to an efficacy of renal denervation in reducing hypertension. In some examples, responsive to applying the pulse information and the plurality of values to the deep learning model, the processing circuitry obtains, from the deep learning model, a score indicative of renal denervation efficacy in reducing hypertension for the patient, and generates a graphical user interface comprising a graphical representation of the score for the patient.

Abstract: An organ preservation system is provided. The organ preservation system is embodied in a sleeve adapted to maintain a pre-transplant organ at a temperature lower than ambient temperature through a plurality of bladders interconnected by a deformable mesh. With the organ in the sleeve, each vessel of the organ can pass through separate, deformable holes of the mesh, facilitating ease of identification of each vessel needed for the pending vascular anastomosis.

Abstract: A medical cooling device for reducing the body core temperature of a patient and a method for operating the same are provided. The cooling process provided by the medical cooling device is based on the state or degree of shivering of the patient.

Abstract: A system and associated method for altering or destroying tissues and anatomical or other structures in medical applications for the purpose of treating diseases or disorders. In one aspect, the system includes a device configured to deploy devices for altering the lobes of a prostate.

Abstract: A fluid warming device for warming fluids and delivering the fluids to a patient comprises an electrical heating component, a temperature sensor, and a control unit. The electrical heating component warms fluid passing through a fluid-carrying tube and may be positioned along the fluid-carrying tube at a desired location or embedded in the fluid-carrying tube while the control unit is positioned such that the display and user inputs are accessible to a caregiver. The control unit activates the electrical heating component until the fluid-carrying tube is warmed to a desired temperature within a Thermal Neutral Zone (TNZ) as sensed by the temperature sensor.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and devices for making a cold slurry at a point of delivery. A point of delivery device delivers cold slurry components to a location at or near a target tissue. The components are combined to form the cold slurry at or near the point of delivery. This approach to generating a cold slurry at the point of delivery allows the characteristics of the cold slurry, such as temperature, particle shape and particle size, to be maintained and controlled.

Abstract: This invention relates to various methods and systems of using therapeutic hypothermia to treat medical conditions such as cardiac arrest, myocardial ischemia, cerebral ischemia, ischemia, stroke, traumatic brain or spinal cord injuries and hypoxic-ischemic injury.

Abstract: A portable cooler container is provided. The temperature control system cools a chamber of the container to transport temperature sensitive contents via the container. An electronic display screen on one of the lid and the container body selectively displays an electronic shipping label for the portable cooler container.

Abstract: A thermal control unit supplies temperature controlled fluid to a patient to control the patient's temperature. The thermal control unit includes a fluid outlet, fluid inlet, heat exchanger, pump, patient temperature probe port, user interface, and controller. The controller receives patient temperature readings from the patient temperature probe port and controls a temperature of the circulating fluid in a first manner when no event data is received regarding treatment of the patient. The controller controls a temperature of the circulating fluid in a second and different manner when event data is received. The event data may relate to medication and/or fluid administered to the patient. The different manners include determining a target fluid temperature in using different inputs and/or alarming in different manners. In some cases, the controller pauses the use of the patient temperature readings while continuing to deliver temperature controlled fluid to the patient.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a mouth piece for cooling of oral tissue of a patient during chemotherapy treatment. The mouth piece includes a cooling medium contained within the top element and the bottom element and able to retain a cooling environment within the mouth sufficient to reduce capillary blood flow to the patient's mouth. In one embodiment, an external chamber extends from the front of the mouth piece to house a cooling medium. The external chamber can be configured so that it is removably attached to the mouth piece. A support device can be utilized to support the external chamber during use.

Abstract: Devices and methods for cooling all or part of the body of a human or animal subject by inserting a heat exchange catheter into the subject's body and infusing into or through the catheter a heat exchange medium that contains liquid phase matter and frozen solid phase matter, wherein at least some of the solid phase matter melts while in the catheter.

Abstract: Systems, methods and devices for utilizing heat transfer parameters or energy expenditure of devices providing controlled hypothermia, normothermia or hyperthermia to detect changes, or the absence of changes, a patient's endogenous set-point temperature; which is not available during exogenously induced targeted temperature management. A particular embodiment would allow detection of fever in patients undergoing targeted temperature managed.

Abstract: A system and/or method for proactively inducing a significant drop in blood pressure during sleep is provided herein. The system includes a blood pressure monitor and a stimulating device that provides stimulation to at least a portion of the person's body. For example, the stimulating device may stimulate a portion of the person's body corresponding to the person's peripheral thermoregulatory control tissue. The stimulation increases or maintains blood flow in the person's glabrous tissue. Additionally, the stimulating device provides stimulation in response to the person's blood pressure being above a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A portable cooler container is provided. The temperature control system cools a chamber of the container to transport temperature sensitive contents via the container. An electronic display screen on one of the lid and the container body selectively displays an electronic shipping label for the portable cooler container.

Abstract: According to various implementations, a dental cleaning device includes a steam conduit and a cooling fluid conduit. The steam conduit has a distal tip with an opening defined therein that allows steam to be applied intraorally close to a dental implant to flush away bacteria that has colonized on or adjacent the dental implant. The cooling fluid conduit has a distal tip with an opening defined therein that allows a cooling fluid to be applied intraorally close to the dental implant following the application of the steam to cool the tissue and prevent overheating of the tissue and bone adjacent the dental implant. For example, the cooling fluid may be applied intermittently with the steam, or the cooling fluid may be applied continuously while the steam is applied intermittently, according to various implementations.

Abstract: A partition includes a first structure, a deformable partitioning portion connected to the first structure, and an air-environment adjusting portion disposed at at least one of the first structure and the deformable partitioning portion. The deformable partitioning portion has a first end portion on a side connected to the first structure and a second end portion on a distal side from the first end portion. The deformable partitioning portion partitions a predetermined space with respect to an adjacent space. The air-environment adjusting portion includes at least one of a cooling portion configured to cool air, a heating portion configured to heat air, and an airflow generating portion configured to generate an airflow.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes devices, systems and related methods useable for controlling a patient's body temperature by endovascular heat exchange as well as body surface heat exchange.

Abstract: A catheter is provided comprising a flexible heat transfer element provided on an outer surface of the catheter. The catheter further comprises a conduit arranged to supply an inflation fluid for inflating the flexible heat transfer element so as to form an inflated balloon, and a plurality of cooling elements arranged to cool the inflation fluid for inflating the balloon. Each cooling element comprises a first tube provided inside a second tube, wherein the first tube is substantially parallel to the second tube. The second tube is configured to receive a flow of a coolant for cooling the cooling element from the first tube.

Abstract: A thermal control unit for delivering temperature-controlled fluid to one or more patient therapy devices (e.g. pads, blankets, etc.) that are in contact with a patient is disclosed. The thermal control unit includes a fluid circuit with an inlet and outlet, a reservoir, a heat exchanger, a pump, and a controller. The thermal control also includes any one or more of the following: (1) an air eliminator with an air filter for filtering air vented from the fluid circuit to the ambient surroundings; (2) a plug that moves in response to changing fluid levels and that fluidly isolates the air filter from the fluid; (3) a second air filter coupled to the reservoir; (4) a check valve to prevent fluid from back flowing into the reservoir; and/or (5) a liquid filter coupleable to the reservoir to filter liquid entering or exiting the reservoir.

Abstract: A microwave ablation device (10) comprises a feed line (22), a microwave radiator and a device outer sheath (46) in which at least part of the feed line (22) is contained. The sheath (46) in use, allows an irrigation liquid to flow therethrough, wherein the feed line has a junction (38) with the radiator (22) has an outer conducting shield (28) terminating and insulated at the junction (38). The feed line (22) has a conductive core (32) that extends to the radiator (24). The conductive core forms a radiating element (34) electrically insulated from its surrounding environment. The radiator (24) is unbalanced.

Abstract: Devices and methods for warming or cooling blood flowing through the vasculature of a human or animal subject so as to alter or control the temperature of all or part of the subject's body. Heat exchangers are positioned within the subject's vasculature and heated or cooled heat exchange fluid is circulated through the heat exchanger. For certain therapeutic applications, the heat exchanger and associated elements of the system have sufficient power to lower the subject's body temperature by at least 3 degrees C. in less than 30 minutes.

Abstract: Medical devices, systems, and methods optionally treat dermatological and/or cosmetic defects, and/or a wide range of additional target tissues. Embodiments apply cooling with at least one small, tissue-penetrating probe, the probe often comprising a needle having a size suitable for inserting through an exposed surface of the skin of a patient without leaving a visible scar. Treatment may be applied along most or all of the insertable length of an elongate needle, optionally by introducing cryogenic cooling fluid into the needle lumen through a small, tightly-toleranced lumen of a fused silica fluid supply tube, with the supply tube lumen often metering the cooling fluid. Treatment temperature and/or time control may be enhanced using a simple pressure relief valve coupled to the needle lumen via a limited total exhaust volume space.

Abstract: A pain management system includes a spinal stabilization device and a neuromodulation device. The spinal stabilization device includes a rod, a plurality of pedicle screws each having a screw-head defining a screw-head cavity configured to receive a portion of the rod, and a corresponding plurality of inserts configured to engage with the inner wall of the cavity to secure the rod in place in the cavity. The neuromodulation device includes a therapy module comprising electronics packaged within a housing. The housing has a form factor having at least one feature configured to mate with a corresponding feature of the screw-head of one of the plurality of pedicle screws. The respective features mate in a manner that enables the therapy module to mechanically couple to and subsequently decouple from the screw-head of the pedicle screw.

Abstract: A method for cryogenically treating tissue. A connection is detected between a probe having a disposable secure processor (DSP) to a handpiece having a master control unit (MCU) and a handpiece secure processor (HSP), the probe having at least one cryogenic treatment applicator. The probe is fluidly coupled to a closed coolant supply system within the handpiece via the connection. An authentication process is initiated between the DSP and the HSP using the MCU. As a result of the authentication process, one of at least two predetermined results is determined, the at least two predetermined results being that the probe is authorized and non-authorized.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an assembly for controlling a temperature of at least a part of a person, comprising an esophagus catheter to be inserted into the esophagus of the person for controlling the temperature. The esophagus catheter extends along a longitudinal axis and comprises a proximal heat exchanger defining a first flow direction having a first axial component relative to the longitudinal axis, and a distal heat exchanger defining a second flow direction having a second axial component relative to the longitudinal axis. The esophagus catheter further comprises a plurality of coolant channels each in fluid communication with at least one of the proximal heat exchanger and the distal heat exchanger, and a coolant pump connected or connectable to at least one of the plurality of coolant channels. The assembly is configured to cause simultaneously a coolant flow through the proximal heat exchanger and the distal heat exchanger.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein for producing a model of a biological tissue, comprising a primary elastic material formed in the shape of an organ, and a secondary stiffener material embedded in the primary elastic material, wherein the secondary stiffener material is formed into a metamaterial design that increases the elastic modulus of the model in at least one predetermined direction. Models in accordance with embodiments mimic both the shape and mechanical properties of the organ they depict.

Abstract: The present invention provides a medical device that may include a catheter body having proximal and distal portions, a fluid injection lumen disposed within elongate body, and a guidewire lumen disposed within the elongate body. A tip portion defining a cavity in fluid communication with the fluid injection lumen may be coupled to the distal end of the guidewire lumen, and an expandable element may be coupled to the distal portion of the catheter body and to the tip portion, such that the expandable element is in fluid communication with the fluid injection lumen. A shaping element may at least partially surround the expandable element, where the shaping element is configurable in a first geometric configuration and a second geometric configuration.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for selective inflation of an inflatable body, such as a balloon, received through an oral cavity and into the esophagus of a patient. The inflatable body is operably coupled to a pressurized fluid source. The inflatable body has a relatively flexible portion and a relatively inflexible portion. When pressurized fluid is delivered to the body to inflate the body, the flexible portion expands more than the inflexible portion, resulting in asymmetrical expansion and movement of the esophagus away from the ablation site to avoid accidental injury while performing a procedure on the patient's left atrium. This movement may be opposite from or directly away from the heart or, alternatively, may be sideways relative to the heart to a location in which the esophagus is interposed between the ablation site and the phrenic nerve.

Abstract: Closed loop heat exchange catheters having bi-directional flow heat exchange regions and their methods of manufacture and use. The heat exchange region may be formed of expandable or non-expandable tubular conduit(s) that are configured in a series of loops or coiled configuration defining a supply flow path and a return flow path through which heat exchange medium is circulated. The individual loops of convolutions of the coiled configuration may be the same or different size. In some embodiments, the tubular conduit(s) may be passed through generally transverse bore holes formed in a catheter shaft so that the loops or convolutions of protrude from the catheter shaft.

Abstract: An intravascular heat exchange catheter has serpentine-like supply and return conduits circulating working fluid with a heat exchange system to warm or cool a patient in which the catheter is intubated.

Abstract: A method for utilizing heat transfer parameters or energy expenditure of devices providing controlled hypothermia, normothermia or hyperthermia to detect changes, or the absence of changes, a patient's endogenous set-point temperature; which is not available during exogenously induced targeted temperature management. A particular embodiment would allow detection of fever in patients undergoing targeted temperature managed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for systems and methods for focal cooling of the brain and spinal cord are disclosed. Some embodiments may be directed to a neuroprotection system that includes a cerebrospinal fluid processing platform. Embodiments may provide rapid and selective spinal cord hypothermia and drainage. Embodiments may be tailored to selective spinal cord cooling, pressure monitoring and automated drainage. Embodiments may enable local hypothermic neuroprotection, limit the stress of systemic cooling, minimize secondary neuronal damage and achieve maximal neuroprotection while at the same time improving workflow as a result of automated drainage. Embodiments may include a multi-lumen catheter, a drainage collection reservoir bag, a pump to circulate coolant, sensor hardware and controllers to modulate the flow of a heat transfer fluid for cooling to modulate therapeutic hypothermia and re-warming. Certain embodiments may include extracorporeal cooling of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).

Abstract: Disclosure includes fluid-circulating heat exchange catheters, systems and related methods useable for controlling a patient's body temperature.