Provided is a method for managing radio frequency (RF) and ultrasonic signals output by a generator that includes a surgical instrument comprising an RF energy output and an ultrasonic energy output and a circuit configured to receive a combined RF and ultrasonic signal from the generator. The method includes receiving a combined radio frequency (RF) and ultrasonic signal from a generator, generating a RF filtered signal by filtering RF frequency content from the combined signal; filtering ultrasonic frequency content from the combined signal; generating an ultrasonic filtered signal; providing the RF filtered signal to the RF energy output; and providing the ultrasonic filtered signal to the ultrasonic energy output.

The presently disclosed subject matter provides techniques for inducing collagen cross-linking in human tissue, such as cartilage, by inducing ionization of the water contained in the tissue to produce free radicals that induce chemical cross-linking in the human tissue. In an embodiment, a femtosecond laser operates at sufficiently low laser pulse energy to avoid optical breakdown of the tissue being treated. In an embodiment, the femtosecond laser operates in the infrared frequency range.

An endoscopic treatment tool, includes an elongated member having a distal end and a proximal end; a braid disposed between the distal end and the proximal end of the elongated member; a distal indicator disposed on the elongated member between a distal end and a proximal end of the braid, the distal indicator extending along a longitudinal axis of the elongated member; a proximal indicator disposed between the distal end and the proximal end of the braid on the elongated member at a more proximal side of the elongated member than the distal indicator, the proximal indicator extending along the longitudinal axis; and a pre-curved shape portion formed in a curved shape, wherein each of the distal indicator and the proximal indicator has a width less than half of an outer circumferential surface of the elongated member in a circumferential direction of the elongated member, respectively.

A computer-implemented method includes accessing electrophysiological data and generating an electroanatomic map for a surface of interest based on the electrophysiological data acquired during or after application of a first intervention to temporarily perturb electrical properties of a region of interest on or within the patient’s heart. The method also includes determining changes in the map or information derived from the map responsive to application of a first intervention. The first intervention can include including applying a non-lethal energy and/or a bioactive agent to induce or inhibit conduction of electrical activity for the region of interest. The method also includes controlling a second intervention to permanently alter the electrical properties of the region of interest based on the determination indicating a desired change in cardiac electrical activity responsive to the first intervention.

A computer-implemented method includes accessing electrophysiological data and generating an electroanatomic map for a surface of interest based on the electrophysiological data acquired during or after application of a first intervention to temporarily perturb electrical properties of a region of interest on or within the patient’s heart. The method also includes determining changes in the map or information derived from the map responsive to application of a first intervention. The first intervention can include including applying a non-lethal energy and/or a bioactive agent to induce or inhibit conduction of electrical activity for the region of interest. The method also includes controlling a second intervention to permanently alter the electrical properties of the region of interest based on the determination indicating a desired change in cardiac electrical activity responsive to the first intervention.

The methods, procedures, kits, and devices described herein assist with the healing process of tissue that was previously or simultaneously treated for a therapeutic or cosmetic effect. The methods, procedures, kits, and devices described herein can also provide temporary simulated results of a cosmetic procedure to allow for visual assessment to select the type of procedure or for treatment planning in advance of the surgical procedure.

An ablation system comprises: an ablation catheter and a console. The ablation catheter comprises: a shaft including a proximal end, a distal portion and a distal end; an ablation element configured to deliver energy to tissue; and a force maintenance assembly comprising a force maintenance element and configured to control and/or assess contact force between the ablation element and cardiac tissue. The console is configured to operably attach to the ablation catheter and comprises: an energy delivery assembly configured to provide energy to the ablation element. Methods of ablating tissue are also provided.

An ablation system comprises: an ablation catheter and a console. The ablation catheter comprises: a shaft including a proximal end, a distal portion and a distal end; an ablation element configured to deliver energy to tissue; and a force maintenance assembly comprising a force maintenance element and configured to control and/or assess contact force between the ablation element and cardiac tissue. The console is configured to operably attach to the ablation catheter and comprises: an energy delivery assembly configured to provide energy to the ablation element. Methods of ablating tissue are also provided.

The present invention uses one or more radiation-emitting devices in combination with a topical radiation block to ablate the skin and remove topographic variations in the skin surface. The energy pathway may be guided by a computer. The device might also include a treatment plate or window to be placed against the skin in order to flatten the skin surface during treatment. The purpose of the topical radiation block is to manage the areas to which the radiation is applied to the skin by allowing the radiation to reach some portions of the skin, while limiting or preventing the radiation from reaching other portions of the skin. In the case of atrophic scarring, for example, the block may be deposited selectively into the atrophic indentations, such that the block limits or prevents the radiation from reaching (and thereby ablating) the indentations, but allows the radiation to reach (and thereby ablate) the surrounding skin tissue. By ablating only the surrounding tissue, the z of the surrounding tissue is reduced, eventually minimizing or eliminating differences in the skin's topography between the indentations and the surrounding tissue. In the case of hypertrophic scarring, the block may be applied selectively to the surrounding tissue, such that the block limits or prevents the radiation from reaching (and thereby ablating) the scars, but allows the radiation to reach (and thereby ablate) the scars. By ablating only the scars, the z of the scars is reduced, eventually minimizing or eliminating differences in the skin's topography between the scars and the surrounding tissue.

A DC-to-DC voltage regulator circuit comprising: an output node; a pull-up switch and a pull-down switch with an output node coupled between them; a reactive circuit element coupled to the output node; a pull-up setting voltage circuit coupled to provide a pull-up setting voltage that is a function of a voltage at the output node; a pull-down setting voltage circuit coupled to provide a pull-down setting voltage that is a function of the voltage at the output node; a first comparator coupled to cause the pull-up switch to transition between open switch state and its closed switch state based upon a comparison of the pull-up setting voltage and a control voltage; and a second comparator coupled to cause the pull-down switch to transition between its open switch state and its closed switch state.