A device for monitoring temperature adjacent to an ablation site, the device having an expandable component and a shaft that includes a lumen, at least one fluid port in communication with the lumen, and a plurality of flexible elements having a first end connected to the shaft and a second end having a temperature sensor mounted thereon.

A non-linear ablation device includes two opposing surfaces, which are associated with two overlying and separate compartments. A first compartment of the two overlying and separate compartments is configured to emit or resorb energy. A second compartment of the two overlying and separate compartments is configured to either resorb or emit energy to oppose a direction of energy transfer of the first compartment. Other embodiments of the non-linear ablation device are further disclosed.

A non-linear ablation device includes two opposing surfaces, which are associated with two overlying and separate compartments. A first compartment of the two overlying and separate compartments is configured to emit or resorb energy. A second compartment of the two overlying and separate compartments is configured to either resorb or emit energy to oppose a direction of energy transfer of the first compartment. Other embodiments of the non-linear ablation device are further disclosed.

An ocular protection device and treatment methods are disclosed. The device has a corneal shield with an attached handle. The handle may be used to move the corneal shield to better protect the eye from various treatment modalities. The handle may also be used to place tension on the eyelid to counteract the forces imposed by a treatment handpiece. A procedure for treating the eye is disclosed where multiple passes with a treatment handpiece cause a gradual increase in the temperature of an eyelid up to a treatment temperature. Once the treatment temperature has been met, occlusions in the Meibomian glands of the eyelid may be expressed. The procedure may be repeated recursively until a desired level of expression has been achieved.

An apparatus for tissue ablation according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes an ultrasound output unit to output focused ultrasound, and a control unit to control an intensity of the focused ultrasound, wherein the control unit may be configured to control the intensity of the focused ultrasound below a setting value, when a first condition in which a vapor bubble is formed in a tissue or a second condition in which a temperature of the tissue reaches a threshold is accomplished during the output of the focused ultrasound to the tissue. According to this embodiment, it is possible to precisely control vapor bubble dynamics without generating the shockwave scattering effect by instantaneously controlling the acoustic pressure and the intensity of the focused ultrasound, and prevent damage to a tissue other than a lesion to be removed.

A device (1) for therapeutic treatment of a target (2) comprising at least one ultrasound transducer (3) for generating and transmitting ultrasound pulses to the target and at least one detector (4) to detect ultrasound waves (6) backscattered from structures. The device (1) comprises a signal processing unit (8) to select an output of the at least one detector (4) caused by backscattered waves (6). The selected output has a frequency around an even harmonics of the emitted frequency (f) of the ultrasound pulses. The device (1) comprises a processor (7) to provide an output of the selected signal indicative of a parameter of the backscattered waves (6) in the frequency band around the even harmonics. The processor calculates if the parameter of the backscattered waves (6) in the frequency band is above a preset threshold (13), and provides an alert signal (9) when the parameter exceeds the threshold (13).

According to embodiments, a membrane with a flat or curved surface is provided for protection of intraocular tissues. The membrane can be used to cover the cornea for protecting corneal endothelial cells, to cover the anterior and posterior surface of the iris, or to cover the surface of the posterior capsule for separating the intraocular tissues. The membrane has a layered structure, which is composed of a collagen and a hydrophilic biopolymer or an organic polymer material. In particular, the membrane has high transparency and high water retention in a wet state.

An apparatus comprises a body, a shaft assembly, an end effector, and a shield member. The shaft assembly extends distally from the body. The end effector is located at a distal end of the shaft assembly. The end effector comprises an ultrasonic blade and a clamp arm. The ultrasonic blade is configured to vibrate at an ultrasonic frequency. The clamp arm is movable toward the ultrasonic blade to compress tissue against the ultrasonic blade. The shield member is selectively movable from a first position to a second position in response to movement of the clamp arm toward the ultrasonic blade. The shield member is configured cover at least a first portion of the ultrasonic blade in the first position. The shield member is configured to uncover the first portion of the ultrasonic blade in the second position.

A method of controlling injection of a contrast medium by a contrast injector includes delivering, by a fluid transfer unit of a tissue treatment system, inflation fluid at an inflation pressure to a balloon. The method includes injecting, by a contrast injector of the tissue treatment system, contrast medium at an injection pressure into a vessel containing the balloon. The method includes determining one or more of the inflation pressure or the injection pressure. The method includes stopping, based on one or more of the inflation pressure or the injection pressure, injection of the contrast medium. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

A probe including a shaft on which an ultrasound element is mounted, an outer sheath and an acoustic membrane surrounding the shaft and the ultrasound element such that the shaft and ultrasound element are rotatable therein. Passages may supply a cooling and acoustic coupling fluid to an inlet and outlet adjacent the acoustic element to cool the acoustic element and fill a volume between the acoustic element and the acoustic sheath with the fluid. A balloon may be mounted on the probe to be selectively inflated to fix a position of the probe. A drain for urine and other bodily fluids may be provided through the probe.