An intravascular catheter is provided, including a flexible elongate body; an expandable element positioned on the elongate body; a substantially linear thermal segment located proximally of the expandable element, the thermal segment defining a first flexibility, where the thermal segment is positioned between two portions of the catheter body each including a flexibility less than that of the thermal segment; a first fluid flow path in fluid communication with the expandable element; and a second fluid flow path in fluid communication with the thermal segment.

Embodiments include cryogenic systems and methods for treating pain or spasm associated with a nerve of a patient. A target nerve may be located and a distal end of a cryogenic system needle may be inserted into a tissue at a desired location in proximity to the target nerve. The needle includes an outer lumen and an inner lumen extending distally within the outer lumen, the inner lumen including a distal opening that is open to the outer lumen. A cooling fluid may be delivered from a cooling fluid source to the needle via a fluidic pathway, the fluidic pathway including the cooling fluid source, the inner lumen, and the outer lumen, wherein a flow of the cooling fluid cools the needle so that the needle cools the target nerve at the desired location sufficiently such that the pain or spasm is inhibited.

An intravascular catheter is provided, including a flexible elongate body; an expandable element positioned on the elongate body; a substantially linear thermal segment located proximally of the expandable element, the thermal segment defining a first flexibility, where the thermal segment is positioned between two portions of the catheter body each including a flexibility less than that of the thermal segment; a first fluid flow path in fluid communication with the expandable element; and a second fluid flow path in fluid communication with the thermal segment.

The present invention generally relates to devices for harvesting a skin graft(s). The present invention provides a blister raising device integrated with a member for cutting the blister.

A system for ablating surface tissue of a patient is provided. The system includes a console and an ablation catheter fluidly attached to the console. The console includes an ablative fluid supply, a neutralizing fluid supply, an injectate fluid supply, a pump assembly, and a vacuum supply. The ablation catheter includes an expandable functional assembly, a tissue expansion subsystem for expanding sub-surface tissue in the intestine of the patient, and a tissue ablation subsystem for ablating surface tissue in the intestine of the patient. Methods of ablating surface tissue are also provided.

Devices and methods for controlling ablation therapy are provided herein. In one embodiment, an ablation device is provided that includes an elongate body having proximal and distal ends, and an inner lumen extending therethrough. The inner lumen can be configured to receive fluid therein and to deliver fluid to the distal end of the elongate body. The device can also include an ablation element positioned at a distal end of the elongate body that is configured to heat surrounding tissue, and a heater element disposed within the inner lumen adjacent to a distal end of thereof, the heater element being configured to heat fluid flowing through the inner lumen.

Apparatus and methods for regulating cryogenic treatments are disclosed which comprise devices and methods for delivering controlled treatment of a cryoablative agent. In one variation, such devices may generally comprise an elongate probe having a distal tip and a flexible length, at least one infusion lumen positioned through or along the elongate probe, wherein the infusion lumen defines one or more openings along its length, and a liner expandably enclosing the probe. An inflow reservoir or canister valve may be fluidly coupled with a reservoir or canister containing the cryoablative agent and a modulation control unit may also be fluidly coupled with the inflow reservoir or canister valve and in fluid communication with the at least one infusion lumen. Additionally, a warming element may also be thermally coupled with the reservoir or canister.

Devices and methods for monitoring the temperature of tissue at various locations in a treatment volume during fluid enhanced ablation therapy are provided. In one embodiment, an ablation device is provided having an elongate body, at least one ablation element, and at least one temperature sensor. The elongate body includes a proximal and distal end, an inner lumen, and at least one outlet port to allow fluid to be delivered to tissue surrounding the elongate body. The at least one ablation element is configured to heat tissue surrounding the at least one ablation element. The at least one temperature sensor can be positioned a distance away from the at least one ablation element and can be effective to output a measured temperature of tissue spaced a distance apart from the at least one ablation element such that the measured temperature indicates whether tissue is being heating to a therapeutic level.

Aspects of the present invention provide miniaturized cryoprobes having shaft diameters up to 2 mm and including a stiffening element that may act as a grip for manipulation of the cryoprobe.

Various aspects of the present disclosure are generally directed towards apparatuses, systems, and methods that may include a cryoprobe: In certain instances, the cryoprobe may include an elongate shaft and an operating head having an expansion chamber. The elongate shaft may include a first passageway configured to provide high pressure gas to the expansion chamber, a second passageway for evacuating gas from the expansion chamber, and a vacuum chamber coaxially arranged around the first passageway and the second passageway.

Methods, apparatuses and systems are provided for non-invasive delivery of microwave therapy. Microwave energy may be applied to epidermal, dermal and subdermal tissue of a patient to achieve various therapeutic and/or aesthetic results. In one embodiment, the microwave energy is applied to a target tissue via an energy delivery applicator connected to an energy generator. The energy delivery applicator may comprise one or more antennas, including monopole, dipole, slot and/or waveguide antennas (among others) that are used to direct the microwave energy to the target tissue. The energy delivery applicator may also comprise a cooling element for avoiding thermal destruction to non-target tissue and/or a suction device to localize thermal treatment at specific portions of a skin fold.