Methods of using pulsed focused ultrasound (pFUS) therapy to treat pancreatic disorders such as type 1 diabetes, pancreatitis, and pancreatic cancer are provided. The methods utilize pulsed focused ultrasound (pFUS) therapy either by itself or in combination with islet transplantation and/or stem cell therapy to promote regeneration of damaged pancreatic tissue, increase insulin secretion in response to glucose, or improve engraftment and revascularization of transplanted islets or beta cells. Additionally, methods of using pFUS are provided for modulating paracrine secretion in the pancreas, islets, beta cells, or stem cells, or at a transplantation site to therapeutically alter levels of various factors including, without limitation, cytokines, growth factors, angiogenic factors, and cell adhesion molecules.

Methods and related apparatus for real-time process monitoring during laser-based refractive index modification of an intraocular lens. During in situ laser treatment of the IOL to modify the refractive index of the IOL material, a signal from the IOL is measured to determine the processing effect of the refractive index modification, and based on the determination, to adjust the laser system parameters to achieve intended processing result. The signal measured from the IOL may be a fluorescent signal induced by the treatment laser, a fluorescent signal induced by an external illumination source, a temporary photodarkening effect, a color change, or a refractive index change directly measured by phase stabilized OCT.

A system that breaks calcium in a liquid includes a catheter including first and second electrodes arranged to receive there-across a high electrical voltage at an initial low current. The high electrical voltage causes an electrical arc to form across the electrodes creating a gas bubble within the liquid, a high current to flow through the electrodes, and a mechanical shock wave. A power source provides the electrodes with the high electrical voltage at the initial current and terminates the high electrical voltage in response to the high current flow through the electrodes.

The present invention relates to a system and methods generally aimed at surgery. More particularly, the present invention is directed at a system and related methods for performing surgical procedures and assessments involving the use of neurophysiology.

An aspiration catheter is provided including a proximal section and a distal section extendable through the proximal section. A vacuum transfer tool may be coupled to a proximal end of the proximal section. The vacuum transfer tool may include a proximal transfer tube and a distal transfer tube, each having an aspiration port in communication with a vacuum source. The proximal transfer tube may be removably received within a proximal end of the distal transfer tube. The proximal transfer tube may maintain a vacuum around the proximal end of the distal section of the catheter such that when the distal section is removed by decoupling the proximal and distal transfer tubes, the vacuum within the distal transfer tube and proximal section of the catheter is maintained, preventing the escape of any clots.

The invention provides a system for treating an occlusion within a body lumen. The system may comprise an insulated outer sheath; an elongated conductive tube, wherein the insulated outer sheath is circumferentially mounted around the elongated conductive tube; and an insulated wire having a helically coiled portion at a distal end of the insulated wire. The coiled portion includes an exposed distal tip, and a distal portion of the elongated conductive tube is circumferentially mounted around the distal coiled portion of the insulated wire. When a voltage is applied across the insulated wire and the elongated conductive tube, a current is configured to flow from the exposed distal tip of the insulated wire to the elongated conductive tube to generate a plurality of cavitation bubbles. In an alternate embodiment, an elongated central electrode is used in place of the conductive tube.

Retrieval of material from vessel lumens can be improved by electrically enhancing attachment of the material to the removal device. The removal device can have a core assembly that includes a hypotube coupled to a first electrical terminal and a pushwire coupled to a second electrical terminal, the pushwire extending through the hypotube lumen. An insulating layer separates the hypotube and the pushwire, and an interventional element is coupled to a distal end of the pushwire. The interventional element can be disposed adjacent to a thrombus. An electrical signal is delivered to the interventional element to promote adhesion of the thrombus to the interventional element. The electrical signal can optionally be a periodic waveform, and the total energy delivered can be between 0.75-24,000 mJ and the peak current delivered via the electrical signal can be between 0.5-5 mA.

An ablation probe tip 100 having a shaft 102 with an insertion end 104 and an annular aperture 120 near the insertion end 104. A center of ablation 124 is located within the shaft 102 and surrounded by the annular aperture shaft 102. The ablation probe tip 100 may be part of an ablation probe system 50 that includes an ablation source 60 that provides ablation means 62 to the ablation probe tip 100. The center of ablation 124 is a focal region from which the ablation means 62 radiates through the annular aperture 120 to form an ablation zone 150, 160, 170. The system 50 has at least one intra-operative control selected from the group of: ablation zone positioning control, ablation zone shaping control, ablation center control, ablation zone temperature control, guided ablation volume/diameter control, and power loading control.

A medical apparatus includes a probe configured for insertion into a body of a patient. The probe includes electrodes configured to contact tissue within the body. The medical apparatus further includes an electrical signal generator configured to apply between pairs of the electrodes signals of first and second types in alternation. The signals of the first type include a sequence of bipolar pulses having an amplitude sufficient to cause irreversible electrophoresis (IRE) in the tissue contacted by the electrodes. The signals of the second type include a radio-frequency (RF) signal having a power sufficient to thermally ablate the tissue contacted by the electrodes.

A device for enhancement of visual appearance including a first applicator to be coupled to a first area of a body region, with a first magnetic field generating device and a first radiofrequency electrode, a second applicator to be coupled to a second area of the body region, with a second magnetic field generating device. The device further includes a first energy storage device, a second energy storage device, and a first switching device to discharge energy from the first energy storage device to the first magnetic field generating to generate a first time-varying magnetic field to cause muscle contraction, and a second switching to discharge energy from the second energy storage device to the second magnetic field generating device to generate a second time-varying magnetic field. The first radiofrequency electrode may provide first radiofrequency waves causing heating of tissue within the first area of the body region.