The present disclosure relates to the field of endoscopy. Specifically, the present disclosure relates to delivery systems and methods for coagulating sites of bleeding within mucosal tissues, and in particular, for eradicating esophageal varices.

Methods, systems, and computer readable media for utilizing a therapeutic ultrasound device to perform mitral valve decalcification are disclosed. One method includes acquiring, via an ultrasound imaging component, imaging data of a mitral valve in real-time, defining a therapeutic region of interest corresponding to the mitral valve, and utilizing, by a system controller engine, imaging data from the ultrasound imaging component to determine an interval period of minimal mitral annular movement. The method further includes defining a sequence of therapeutic targets within the region of interest of the mitral valve, utilizing the imaging data acquired in real-time by the ultrasound imaging component to provide a therapeutic ultrasound transducer array with a location and depth of an intra-annular focal zone within the mitral valve, and emitting a high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) pulse wave from the therapeutic ultrasound transducer array to each of the therapeutic targets of the mitral valve during the determined interval period and in accordance with the defined sequence.

A medical apparatus for mitigating formation of kidney stones in a human patient can include or use a turbulence generator deployable into a renal pelvis of a human kidney, the generator comprising an element configured to produce an acoustic wave in a medium within the renal pelvis, and an actuator configured such as to manipulate the turbulence generator; wherein one of the turbulence generator or the actuator can be configured for coupling with a source of power.

The present disclosure provides a system for delivery of therapeutic energy. The system includes an energy unit configured to convert the acoustic energy signals transmitted to therapeutic ultrasound directed to fragment tumors and carcinogenic tissue in the body. The system also includes an energy unit configured to convert the acoustic energy signal transmitted from the energy unit to ultrasonic energy to image and monitor the treatment site with ultrasound. The system also includes a control unit including a computer for data storage and display.

A path preparation system for preparing a path for a device. The path preparation system includes an ultrasound transmitter and a tracking system. The tracking system is configured to determine a current position of the device on the path. The ultrasound transmitter is configured to focus an ultrasound wave onto a focus position that lies in front of the device in the direction of the path, in spatial relation to the current position of the device.

An ultrasonic probe assembly includes a handle configured to be handheld, and has a housing that defines a chamber. A carriage is slidably coupled to the housing. The carriage has an operator arm configured to be operable by a user to move the carriage between a first position and a second position. An ultrasonic catheter has a catheter sheath and an ultrasonic core wire. The ultrasonic catheter has a proximal end portion and a distal end portion. An ultrasonic transducer is positioned in the chamber of the housing. The ultrasonic transducer is connected to the proximal end portion of the ultrasonic catheter, and the ultrasonic transducer is connected to the carriage. The ultrasonic transducer is configured to longitudinally move in the chamber of the housing between a retracted position and an extended position coincident with a corresponding longitudinal movement of the carriage.

Described herein are shock wave devices and methods for the treatment of calcified heart valves. One variation of a shock wave device may comprise an elongated flexible tube carried by a sheath. The tube may have a fluid input end, which may be located near a proximal end of the sheath. The tube may include a loop portion. The loop portion may be configured to be at least partially accommodated within a cusp of the heart valve. The tube may be fillable with a conductive fluid. In some variations, the shock wave device may include an array of electrode pairs associated with a plurality of wires positioned within the loop portion of a tube. The electrode pairs may be electrically connectable to a voltage source and configured to generate shock waves in the conductive fluid in response to voltage pulses.

An insertable device is designed to control uterine hemorrhaging after birth by facilitating contractile movement of the uterus. An insertable device comprises a tube having a connecting portion and a suction portion and a seal positioned along the length of the connecting portion proximal to the suction portion. Upon insertion of the suction portion and seal into the uterus, the seal abuts a vaginal canal and forms a seal between a vaginal opening and the uterus. The suction portion comprises a first loop having an opening that is oriented away from an interior wall of the uterus when inserted into the uterus. The connecting portion of the tube couples to a pump that when actuated generates a negative pressure within the uterus, resulting in a uniform mechanical stimulus to the uterine wall in order to facilitate tamponade and contractile movement of the tissue.

A method for making a vibrational catheter device includes providing a transition connector comprising a proximal portion, a distal portion, and a tapered portion that defines a tapered outer surface of the transition connector, the proximal portion being wider than the distal portion, and the transition connector having a bore disposed within the tapered portion; inserting a proximal end of an ultrasound transmission member into the bore; and deforming at least part of the transition connector at the tapered outer surface so as to apply greater force to the wider proximal portion than to the distal portion to secure the proximal end of the ultrasound transmission member within the bore.

Apparatuses and methods utilizing tactile transducers to create mechanical waves that travel through an individual's body to the kidneys to dislodge kidney stones. Embodiments include a structural member with at least one tactile transducer, an amplifier, and a controller. The tactile transducer(s) produce mechanical waves, and the structural member enables projection of the mechanical waves produced by the tactile transducer(s) toward at least one kidney to dislodge kidney stones. The amplifier is electronically coupled to the at least one tactile transducer, and the controller is electronically coupled to the amplifier and configured to determine the mechanical waves produced by the at least one tactile transducer.