Methods and apparatuses (systems, devices, etc.) for treating biological tissue to evoke one or more desirable biological and/or physiological effects using pulsed electric fields in the sub-microsecond range at very low electric field strength (e.g., less than 1 kV/cm) but at high (e.g., megahertz) frequencies.

A system to treat a patient comprises a user interface that allows a physician to view an image of tissue to be treated in order to develop a treatment plan to resect tissue with a predefined removal profile. The image may comprise a plurality of images, and the planned treatment is shown on the images. The treatment probe may comprise an anchor, and the image shown on the screen may have a reference image marker shown on the screen corresponding to the anchor. The planned tissue removal profile can be displayed and scaled to the image of the target tissue of an organ such as the prostate, and the physician can adjust the treatment profile based on the scaled images to provide a treatment profile in three dimensions. The images shown on the display may comprise segmented images of the patient with treatment plan overlaid on the images.

Medical devices utilizing shape memory alloys and associated methods are disclosed herein. One aspect of the present technology, for example, is directed toward a treatment element configured to be positioned within a body lumen and coupled to an energy source. At least a portion of the treatment element may be made of a shape memory alloy, and wherein application of thermal energy to the treatment element from the energy source transforms the treatment element from the martensitic state to the austenitic state in which the treatment element is configured to cut, ablate, resect, and/or cauterize tissue.

An example assembly for use with a vacuum system and an esophageal positioning device esophageal positioning device includes an introducer, in which the esophageal positioning device includes a handle, a first segment, a second segment and an articulation driving mechanism. The first segment being coupled to the handle. The second segment being pivotally connected to the first segment. The articulation driving mechanism being configured to pivot the second segment about the first segment upon articulation.

Ablation catheters and systems include flexible catheter tips with a distal needle or ports for delivery of an ablative agent to a target tissue. Pressure monitoring during ablation ensure operation is performed within safe limits and with desired efficacy. Positioning elements help maintain the devices in the proper position with respect to the target tissue and also prevent the passage of ablative agent to normal tissues.

An esophageal ablation system including a positioner, an elongated, flexible shaft extending from the positioner, and a microwave emitter assembly disposed near the distal end of the shaft. The emitter assembly includes one or more microwave antennae and a balloon for spacing the antennae relative to target tissue. The device may have an inner balloon for deploying the antenna. The systems, devices and methods disclosed are useful for treating Barrett's Esophagus, Esophageal Adenocarcinoma, and Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

A method and apparatus are disclosed for preventing injury to an esophagus caused by heat or cold being delivered to the left atrium, the method including altering a heat exchange device from an insertable configuration to a heat exchanging configuration which has an inflated generally flattened cross section (e.g. capsule-shaped, elliptical) corresponding with the cross section of the inside of the esophagus such that the esophagus is maintained in its natural shape and location. In some embodiments the heat exchange device has a heat exchanger which is inflated to be in the heat exchanging configuration.

An esophageal ablation system including a positioner, an elongated, flexible shaft extending from the positioner, and a microwave emitter assembly disposed near the distal end of the shaft. The emitter assembly includes one or more microwave antennas and a balloon for spacing the antennas relative to target tissue. The device may have an inner balloon for deploying the antenna. The systems, devices and methods disclosed are useful for treating Barrett's Esophagus, Esophageal Adenocarcinoma, and Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

There is provided with a method of treating cancer. A chemokine is administered in combination with performing a hyperthermia on the cancer. This improves an effect of the hyperthermia on the cancer. Performing the hyperthermia includes locally heating the cancer.

A fluid source on a carrier is configured to rotate relative to a probe to direct a fluid stream from the source toward an opening of an evacuation lumen. This may help to remove material that may collect near the opening, such as blood clots and tissue. Also, directing the fluid stream toward the evacuation lumen can draw flowable material from the surgical site toward the evacuation lumen to improve removal of material from the surgical site.