An ultrasound calibration phantom comprises a portion including at least one fiducial structure having a selected geometric arrangement; a portion adapted for mechanical coupling of the ultrasound calibration phantom to a transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) stepper; and a guide for at least one surgical instrument, the guide being mechanically coupled to the fiducial structure and/or to the TRUS stepper at a selected pose relative to the fiducial structure. A calibration method uses the calibration phantom and provides automatic, intraoperative calibration of ultrasound imaging systems. The invention is useful in ultrasound-guided clinical procedures.

A medical system includes a sheath and an acoustic reflective element that is capable of amplifying acoustic energy. Methods of using a medical system are also provided herein.

An apparatus is configured to provide hemostasis with tissue removal in order to inhibit one or more of blood loss or tissue drainage. In many embodiments, a nozzle releases a liquid jet in a liquid medium in order to provide cavitation and a plurality of shedding pulses. The liquid jet, its cavitation and the plurality of shedding pulses can affect vascular tissue in order to promote clotting in order to inhibit bleeding. In many embodiments, vessels of the vascular tissue are affected at a distance from a region where cavitation of the water jet contacts the tissue. In many embodiments, the cavitation and plurality of shedding pules are related to a pulsatile shear wave propagating along the blood vessel that is related to clot promoting changes of the blood vessel.

The invention relates to a method for determining the position of a surgical tool relative to a target volume inside an animal body according to a pre-plan comprising the steps of i) obtaining a plurality of two-dimensional images of said target volume using imaging means, each 2D-image being represented by an image data slice I(x,y,z); ii) reconstructing from said plurality of image data slices I(x,y,z) a three-dimensional image of said target volume using transformation means, said 3D-image being represented by a volumetric image data array V(x,y,z); iii) displaying said three-dimensional image of said target volume to an user using displaying means.

An apparatus for transferring mechanical energy in a handle to a cartridge to manipulate tissue or anatomical structures within the body of a human or animal subject for the purpose of treating diseases or disorders.

A cryosurgical system including a computer system programmed with software configured to perform the following steps: a) capturing at least one first view of a region of interest in a human body; b) capturing at least one second view of the region of interest; c) outlining the region of interest and at least one area outside the region of interest with the assistance of an operator; d) constructing a 3-dimensional model of the region of interest and the at least one area outside the region of interest utilizing the at least one first view and the at least one second view of the region of interest; and e) utilizing the 3-dimensional model of the region of interest and the at least one area outside the region of interest to determine at least one cryosurgical probe placement location.

The disclosed system includes a probe for mechanically cutting tissue Other components of the system include a luminally protective sheath, a microscopic end cauterizing probe, a surgical console, an identification-sensitive self-sealed cassette, and a plurality of flexible tubing lines with pinch valves thereon.

A system for planning and performing a guided and free-handed transperineal prostate biopsy includes a transrectal ultrasound probe, an access needle configured to perforate a perineal access site of a patient, a biopsy gun, and a guide. The guide includes a sliding platform, stabilization bars, upper and lower mounts, and fasteners. The system and guide apparatus is used for locating a target area using the ultrasound probe, positioning the ultrasound and the access needle at respective designated points, precisely measuring the distance to a designated point, and obtaining specimens from a precise point in the prostate, wherein the method is performed free-handed, and multiple tissue or cell specimens may be obtained from the prostate through an initial access needle.

According to an aspect of the present invention, a medical device is provided, which comprises the following: (a) a hollow elongate body (e.g., a elongate cylinder, such as a needle) having distal and proximal ends; and (b) a rotatable member comprising a tissue morselizer and an elongate shaft (e.g., an auger-like tissue-drilling bit). In the devices of the present invention, the elongate shaft is disposed within the hollow elongate body and cooperates with the hollow elongate body to (i) advance material (e.g., morselated tissue) toward the proximal end of the hollow elongate body when the shaft is rotated in a first direction, and (ii) advance material (e.g., a therapeutic agent and/or a bulking agent) toward the distal end of the hollow elongate body when the shaft is rotated in a second direction that is opposite the first direction. According to another aspect of the invention a method of treatment is provided that comprises: (a) inserting the a medical device like that above into the tissue of a patient; (b) morselizing and removing tissue from within the patient while rotating the shaft in a first direction, thereby creating a void within the patient; and (c) introducing a therapeutic agent and/or a bulking agent into the void.

Methods and systems for delivering electrical energy and controlled, mild hyperthermia to a prostate tissue of a patient for destruction of cancerous and/or hyperplastic tissue. A method includes positioning a plurality of electrodes in a target tissue region comprising the prostate tissue, and establishing an alternating electrical current flow through a volume of the prostate tissue to induce mild heating and destruction of cancerous cells in the volume.