The invention is directed to a mouth piece for cooling of oral tissue of a patient during chemotherapy treatment. The mouth piece includes a cooling medium contained within the top element and the bottom element and able to retain a cooling environment within the mouth sufficient to reduce capillary blood flow to the patient's mouth. In one embodiment, an external chamber extends from the front of the mouth piece to house a cooling medium. A bladder is positioned inside the external chamber for storing a solution having a freezing temperature above the freezing point temperature of the cooling medium to assist in cooling the cooling medium.

The invention disclosed here generally relates to devices that can modify a property of a nerve. Specifically, the subject invention is contemplated to modify the posterior nasal nerve signal conduction in such a way so as to reduce the signals transmitted to the nasal cavity. Reduction or interruption of the nerve signals results in the reduction of the distal organ activity. In particular, embodiments of the present invention allow for increased lateral contact or apposition of the target tissue region having at least one posterior nasal nerve with the end effector surface by lateral and/or longitudinal translation of the end effector relative to the surgical probe shaft. This improved lateral surface contact has several benefits, including improved patient outcomes and patient safety as the end effector is adequately in contact with target tissue for subsequent ablation therapy.

A method for treating the lung during an acute episode of reversible chronic obstructive pulmonary disease such as an asthma attack. The method comprises transferring energy to an airway wall of an airway such that a diameter of the airway is increased. The energy may be transferred to the airway wall prior to, during or after an asthma attack. The energy may be transferred in an amount sufficient to temporarily or permanently increase the diameter of the airway. The method may be performed while the airway is open, closed or partially closed.

Devices and methods for accessing and treating bodily vessels and cavities are disclosed. The devices can have everting balloon catheters that can deliver heating or cooling to biological vessels.

A system for disrupting a biofilm on a medical device that comprises an implantable medical device; a magnetically-sensitive coating on the surface of the implantable device comprising a polymer and magnetic particles embedded within the polymer; and a coil element capable of generating an alternating magnetic field, wherein the coil element is constructed and arranged to be capable of applying an alternating magnetic field to induce heating of the surface of the implantable device.

A system for treating uterine atony, and promoting contraction of a uterus includes a heat transference article having a chilled surface in contact with an inner or outer surface of the uterus for a length of time sufficient to promote contraction while avoiding tissue damage. A heat transference medium such as a chilled saline solution, or cold gel is introduced to the article by injection, pre-filling, immersion or other suitable means, and is circulating or non-circulating.

Catheter devices and methods for intravascular heating and/or cooling of human or veterinary patients. The catheter devices generally comprise catheters having inflow and outflow lumens and at least one curvilinear balloon connected to the inflow and outflow lumens such that heat exchange fluid may be circulated through the balloon(s). The catheter is inserted into the vasculature and heated or cooled fluid is circulated through the balloon(s) to heat or cool blood flowing in heat-exchange proximity to the balloon(s), thereby effecting heating or cooling of all or a portion of the patient's body.

A catheter is disclosed comprising a catheter shaft including a proximal end and a distal end. A flexible framework can be connected to the distal end of the catheter shaft, wherein the flexible framework includes a plurality of heating electrodes and a temperature sensor. The plurality of heating electrodes can be configured to be heated to a first temperature, the first temperature being lower than which radio frequency ablation is performed. The plurality of heating electrodes can be configured to be heated to a second temperature, the second temperature being a temperature at which radio frequency ablation is performed.

This relates to methods and devices for achieving contact between the wall of a cavity or passageway and a medical device when used in tortuous anatomy.

Methods and apparatus for the treatment of a body cavity or lumen are described where a heated fluid and/or gas may be introduced through a catheter and into treatment area within the body contained between one or more inflatable/expandable members. The catheter may also have optional pressure and temperature sensing elements which may allow for control of the pressure and temperature within the treatment zone and also prevent the pressure from exceeding a pressure of the inflatable/expandable members to thereby contain the treatment area between these inflatable/expandable members. Optionally, a chilled, room temperature, or warmed fluid such as water may then be used to rapidly terminate the treatment session.