A vapor delivery needle is provided that may include any of a number of features. One feature of the energy delivery probe is that it can apply condensable vapor energy to tissue, such as a prostrate, to shrink, damage, or denature tissues of the prostate. Methods associated with use of the energy delivery probe are also covered.

An applicator comprising multiple laser assemblies connected to a power supply and a controller that switches each pulse to a different one of the laser assemblies. Each laser assembly deposits a laser spot on the skin and the result is to produce a large aggregate spot without requiring extra power or extra lasers. In one embodiment, each pulse serves as a trigger to switch the next pulse to the next laser assembly.

An injection needle has an opening at a distal end thereof the injection needle and defines a hole. An optical fiber is configured to output a light from a light source and inserted in the hole. The optical fiber has a distal end positioned on an inner side of the opening. A protector is configured to transmit the light and is positioned further towards an opening side of the injection needle than the distal end. The protector is configured to prevent adherence of tissue to the optical fiber. The light emitted from the optical fiber is configured to irradiated onto a treatment target in a state in which the injection needle is inserted into skin, the distal end is positioned on an inner side of the opening, and the protector is positioned further towards the opening side of the injection needle than the distal end.

A method of treating abnormal tissue within a patient includes positioning a delivery cannula within the patient, the delivery cannula having a first electrode disposed on its distal end; introducing an ablation probe through the cannula and out an open distal end thereof, so that a second ablation electrode carried on the ablation probe contacts abnormal tissue within the patient; conveying ablation energy between the first and second ablation electrodes to ablate the abnormal tissue; and introducing a separate medical element, whether a device or a therapeutic agent, through the cannula before or after the ablation process.

Catheter apparatuses, systems, and methods for achieving renal neuromodulation by intravascular access are disclosed herein. One aspect of the present application, for example, is directed to apparatuses, systems, and methods that incorporate a catheter treatment device comprising an elongated shaft. The elongated shaft is sized and configured to deliver an energy delivery element to a renal artery via an intravascular path. Thermal or electrical renal neuromodulation may be achieved via direct and/or via indirect application of thermal and/or electrical energy to heat or cool, or otherwise electrically modulate, neural fibers that contribute to renal function, or of vascular structures that feed or perfuse the neural fibers.

Provided herein is a multifunctional aesthetic system including a housing, an electromagnetic array situated in the housing and having a plurality of electromagnetic radiation (EMR) sources, each EMR source configured to generate an EMR beam having a wavelength different than that of an EMR beam generated by another of the EMR sources, a controller in electronic communication with the array to operate two or more of the EMR sources to direct the EMR beam to a treatment area, and a sensor in electronic communication with the controller for providing feedback to the controller based on defined parameters to allow the controller to adjust at least one operating condition of the multifunctional system in response to the feedback.

Methods and devices to treat discogenic lumbar back pain are disclosed. Electrodes are implanted within the anterior epidural space of the patient. A pulse generator that is connected to the electrodes delivers electrical impulses to sympathetic nerves located within the posterior longitudinal ligament (PLL) of the lumbar spine and outer posterior annulus fibrosus of the intervertebral disc. In alternate embodiments, energy directed to nerves in the PLL may be from light or mechanical vibrations, or the nerves may be cooled. The electrodes may also be used diagnostically to correlate spontaneous nerve activity with spinal movement, fluctuations in autonomic tone and the patient's experience of pain. The electrodes may also be used to generate diagnostic evoked potentials. The diagnostic data are used to devise parameters for the therapeutic nerve stimulation. Automatic analysis of the data may be incorporated into a closed-loop system that performs the nerve stimulation automatically.

Embodiments are directed to systems and methods for combined magnetic and optical treatments, for example by combined applications of optical waves and magnetic fields. An optical waves generating device may be used to provide optical waves for optical treatment. Magnetic field generating devices may be used to provides time-varying magnetic fields for magnetic treatment.

In one aspect, embodiments relate to a system for performing preventative dental laser treatment. The system includes, a code reader configured to read a machine readable code, a processor configured to verify the machine readable code and prevent future verification of the machine readable code, and a laser treatment system configured to perform a laser treatment, based upon the verified machine readable code. The laser treatment system includes a laser arrangement configured to generate a laser beam, an optical arrangement configured to direct the laser beam toward a dental hard tissue, and a laser controller configured to control a parameter of the laser beam in order to heat at least a portion of a surface of the dental hard tissue to a temperature above 400 Celsius.

A hand-held skin treatment device comprises a source of electromagnetic radiation, an energy supply electrically coupled to the source and a controller arranged to control the energy supplied to the source of electromagnetic radiation. The source, the energy supply and the controller are enclosed in a watertight housing allowing use of the hand-held skin treatment device in a wet environment. To provide sufficient cooling of the source, the device comprises an internal heat exchanger in heat conducting relation with the source, an external heat exchanger outside of the watertight housing, and a heat path from the internal heat exchanger to the external heat exchanger that passes hermetically through a wall of the watertight housing. With this device, users can conveniently integrate their skin treatment activities with the daily washing routine in a shower or bath. The device is especially useful in the context of hair removal.