The present invention relates to Fiber Feedback (FFB) technology, and provides a method and system for estimating distance between a fiber end and a target. The method includes illuminating, by a Light Emitting, Transmitting and Detecting (LETD) system, the target with laser light of different wavelengths having low and high-water absorption coefficients, using different laser light sources, as well as receiving a returned signal corresponding to the incident laser light of different wavelengths, and detecting the returned signal to measure intensity values of the returned signal of a specific wavelength. Using the measured intensity values, a processing unit may estimate distance between the fiber end and the target. The present invention enables accurate estimation of distance between a fiber end and a target, and also provides a robust distance estimation technique which is compatible with different types of targets.

A system for controlled sympathectomy procedures is disclosed. A system for controlled micro ablation procedures is disclosed. Methods for performing a controlled surgical procedure are disclosed. A system for performing controlled surgical procedures in a minimally invasive manner is disclosed. An implantable device for monitoring and/or performing a neuromodulation procedure is disclosed.

A method of reducing retro-repulsion of a stone during a laser lithotripsy procedure involves the use of a spacer tip or standoff sleeve to create a passage between the tip of a fiber and a stone, and to prevent collapse of a bubble formed by vaporization of and/or gas pressure on liquid present in the passage. The laser radiation may consist of continuous or quasi-continuous wave radiation that is relatively low in power compared to the therapeutic pulses, or may consist of the therapeutic pulses if the pulse frequency is high enough to prevent collapse of the bubble between pulses. The spacer tip or standoff sleeve further prevents collapse of the bubble and ingress of liquid into the laser path. The spacer tip or standoff sleeve may be a generally-cylindrical protective cap that is fitted to an end of the optical fiber and that extends beyond the fiber tip to provide a predetermined spacing or standoff between the fiber tip and the stone when the protective cap is in contact with the stone. Alternatively, the spacer tip or standoff sleeve may be a catheter sleeve that permits axial adjustment of fiber position within the sleeve.

This invention relates to a device for mapping and ablating the renal nerves distributed on the renal artery, said device comprising a guide catheter, a mapping-ablation catheter, a handle and a connector. The guide catheter has at least one lumen and a distal end with adjustable curvature. The mapping-ablation catheter is housed in one of the lumens of the guide catheter and its distal end has one or more electrodes and one or more detecting devices. The distal end of the mapping-ablation catheter is curved, rotatable, and can be extended out of or retracted into the guide catheter. The handle connects the guide catheter and mapping-ablation catheter, and comprises one or more controlling components for controlling the movement of the guide catheter and mapping-ablation catheter. The connector is designed to supply energy to the electrodes.

A surgical radiofrequency instruments such as resectoscopes, for example, are used for removing or manipulating body tissue. A particular disadvantage of known instruments has been that the arrangement of an electrode instrument in an inner shaft can influence a flow behavior of an irrigation liquid. The invention makes available an electrode instrument by which the irrigation liquid is not disturbed. This is achieved by the fact that an electrode instrument has two electrode carriers which are arranged parallel to each other and are connected to each other by at least one guide element, and this at least one guide element extends, at least in part, convexly away from a longitudinal axis.

The present disclosure is related to field of Fiber Feedback (FFB) technology, and provides a method and system for estimating the distance between a fiber end and a target. The method includes illuminating, by a Light Emitting, Transmitting and Detecting (LETD) system, the target with laser light of different wavelengths having low and high water absorption coefficients, using different laser light sources, as well as receiving a returned signal corresponding to the incident laser light of different wavelengths, and detecting the returned signal to measure intensity values of the returned signal of a specific wavelength. Using the measured intensity values, a processing unit may estimate distance between the fiber end and the target. The present disclosure enables accurate estimation of distance between a fiber end and the target. The present disclosure also provides a robust distance estimation technique which is compatible with different types of targets.

Medical devices for renal nerve ablation are disclosed. An example medical device for renal nerve ablation may include a catheter shaft having a distal region. The device may include an expandable member coupled to the distal region, a flexible circuit assembly coupled to the expandable member, and a pressure sensor disposed along the expandable member and positioned adjacent to the flexible circuit assembly. The flexible circuit assembly may include one or more pairs of bipolar electrodes and a temperature sensor.

Catheter apparatuses, systems, and methods for achieving renal neuromodulation by intravascular access are disclosed herein. One aspect of the present technology, for example, is directed to a treatment device having a multi-electrode array configured to be delivered to a renal blood vessel. The array is selectively transformable between a delivery or low-profile state (e.g., a generally straight shape) and a deployed state (e.g., a radially expanded, generally helical shape). The multi-electrode array is sized and shaped so that the electrodes or energy delivery elements contact an interior wall of the renal blood vessel when the array is in the deployed (e.g., helical) state. The electrodes or energy delivery elements are configured for direct and/or indirect application of thermal and/or electrical energy to heat or otherwise electrically modulate neural fibers that contribute to renal function or of vascular structures that feed or perfuse the neural fibers.

Catheters, sheaths, or other tubular devices are provided that include a proximal end, a distal end sized for introduction into a patient's body, and a steerable distal portion carrying a plurality of electrodes. The tubular device includes a primary lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends; a steering element lumen adjacent the primary lumen; a plurality of wires extending proximally from the electrodes, and reinforcement members including windings extending helically along at least the distal portion, at least some of the windings passing between the primary and steering element lumens and wires, and at least some of the windings surrounding the primary lumen and one or both of the steering element lumen and the wires. In one embodiment, a steering element is slidably disposed within the auxiliary lumen. Apparatus and methods for making such tubular devices are also provided.

A method for the treatment of a patient for the purpose of lowering blood pressure and/or treating other medical conditions such as cardiac arrhythmias. A catheter having an ablation element is placed inside the body of a patient and is directed to a targeted location either on in the abdominal aorta where the right or left renal arteries branch from the aorta at or near the superior junction or ostia or on the inside of the inferior vena cava near the junction with the right renal vein or in the left renal vein at a position spatially near where the left renal artery branches from the abdominal aorta. Catheters designed for use in the method where these targeted locations are also disclosed and claimed.