A method for treating pelvic pain and or chronic prostatitis, and or overactive bladder symptoms. Energy, preferably in the form of infrared or near infrared wavelength light may be applied across the vaginal tissue or rectal tissue to treat pelvic pain and or chronic prostatitis. This method of energy application may cause local heating, alteration of cellular respiration, and alterations of local blood flow resulting in decreased muscle spasm, and or decreased pain, and or decreased overactive bladder symptoms. The method of the present invention may effectively treat chronic pelvic pain and or the symptoms of chronic prostatitis. The method of the invention may combine massaging of tissue with irradiation of same.

Disclosed herein is a surgical tool (10, 10) for use in surgical removal of hemorrhoidal tissue (50). The surgical tool includes an anoscope (51, 51) with a proximal end (55, 55) and a distal end (57). The anoscope (51 51) has a slot (53) near the distal end (57) to receive the hemorrhoidal tissue (50). The surgical tool also includes a probe (16) for delivering electrical current to the hemorrhoidal tissue (50). The probe (16) includes a base (48) with a distal end and a proximal end and elongated probe electrodes (36, 38) extending from the distal end of the base. The probe (16) is removably attached to the anoscope (51, 51) such that distal ends (37, 39) of the elongated probe electrodes (36, 38) are positioned within the slot (53) for electricity-conducting engagement with said hemorrhoidal tissue (50).

The present invention relates to an endoscope (2) having first conduction means configured to transmit electromagnetic waves between an illumination device (40) for illuminating an observation area (41) and a distal end (5) of the endoscope (2), and second conduction means configured to transmit electromagnetic waves between a therapy device (42) for treating a therapy area (43) within the observation area (41) and the distal end (5) of the endoscope (82). The endoscope is characterized by a third conduction means configured to transmit electromagnetic waves between an optical coherence tomography device (37) by means of which depth information about said area can be obtained during treatment of the therapy area (43) and the distal end (5) of the endoscope (2).

A surgical instrument includes a hollow member having a sidewall provided with a window and a closure member movably connected to the hollow member for alternately covering and uncovering the window. The hollow member has a first clamping surface along an edge of the window, while the closure member has a second clamping surface opposing the first clamping surface and disposable substantially adjacent thereto in a clamping or closure configuration of the instrument. The instrument additionally comprises a tissue occlusion component mounted to at least one of the hollow member and the closure member for acting on tissues gripped between the first clamping surface and the second clamping surface, to couple the tissues to each other.

The invention relates to the radiation treatment of colorectal cancerous tissue in the rectum of a human or animal subject. In particular the invention relates to an endorectal probe device for effecting radiation treatment of colorectal cancerous tissue in the rectum of a human or animal subject. Furthermore the invention relates to an afterloading apparatus for effecting radiation treatment of colorectal cancerous tissue in the rectum of a human or animal subject using an endorectal probe device according to the invention. Moreover the invention relates to a method for effecting radiation treatment of colorectal cancerous tissue in the rectum of a human or animal subject, wherein the method implements the endorectal probe device according to the invention.

An ablation device of a non-invasive radio-frequency ablation system includes a substrate having a first surface; a first electrode disposed on the first surface; a second electrode disposed on the first surface and adjacent to the first electrode; a moving unit electrically connected to the second electrode for moving the second electrode to regulate the distance between the second electrode and the first electrode; and a radio frequency generator connected to the ablation device for providing a radio frequency current to the first electrode and the second electrode. According to a method using the ablation device, the first and second electrodes are brought into contact with a third surface belonging to a subject in need of treatment, and the radio frequency current is applied to the electrodes to carry out a treatment procedure. The treatment depth and area are adjusted by changing the relative distance between the electrodes.

An ablation device of a non-invasive radio-frequency ablation system includes a substrate having a first surface; a first electrode disposed on the first surface; a second electrode disposed on the first surface and adjacent to the first electrode; a moving unit electrically connected to the second electrode for moving the second electrode to regulate the distance between the second electrode and the first electrode; and a radio frequency generator connected to the ablation device for providing a radio frequency current to the first electrode and the second electrode. According to a method using the ablation device, the first and second electrodes are brought into contact with a third surface belonging to a subject in need of treatment, and the radio frequency current is applied to the electrodes to carry out a treatment procedure. The treatment depth and area are adjusted by changing the relative distance between the electrodes.

Tissue ablation devices and methods including needle injectors that deliver flowable thermal treatment media into an interface with tissue and that can provide a single dose of ablative energy.

Disclosed is a cryogenic catheter probe, cryogenic ablation system, and use thereof for performing cryogenic ablation of mucosal tissue and/or of both mucosal tissue and submucosal tissue in the gastrointestinal tract of a subject. The cryogenic catheter probe includes a chamber and a channel assembly housed within the chamber. The channel assembly includes a central rail, at least one cryogenic fluid delivery channel, a delivery channel guide, and a sprayer guide. The at least one cryogenic fluid delivery channel has a fluid delivery channel portion and a sprayer connected to the fluid delivery channel portion, and is mounted on the central rail for longitudinal movement along the central rail. The sprayer is configured to release cryogenic spray in at least one treatment zone along the hollow body portion of the chamber.

The present invention discloses medical systems and methods adapted for the delivery of various medical components such as microwave antennas within or on a body for performing one or more medical procedures. Several embodiments herein disclose medical systems comprising a combination of one or more medical components and one or more elongate steerable or non-steerable arms that are adapted to mechanically manipulate the one or more medical components. Several embodiments of microwave antennas are disclosed that comprise an additional diagnostic or therapeutic modality located on or in the vicinity of the microwave antennas.