Disclosed herein are systems and methods for locating and identifying nerves innervating the wall of arteries such as the renal artery. The present invention identifies areas on vessel walls that are innervated with nerves; provides indication on whether energy is delivered accurately to a targeted nerve; and provides immediate post-procedural assessment of the effect of energy delivered to the nerve. The methods includes evaluating a change in physiological parameters after energy is delivered to an arterial wall; and determining the type of nerve that the energy was directed to (sympathetic or parasympathetic or none) based on the evaluated results. The system includes at least a device for delivering energy to the wall of blood vessel; sensors for detecting physiological signals from a subject; and indicators to display results obtained using said method. Also provided are catheters for performing the mapping and ablating functions.

A balloon-type electrode catheter according to the present invention includes an outer tube, an energizing connector, a balloon including neck portions on both ends of an expansion portion, an inner tube, a distal end tip, strip electrodes formed on an outer surface of the balloon, a metal ring attached to the distal end side neck portion with a distal end portion of each of the strip electrodes secured to an outer circumferential surface of the metal ring, and a lead wire electrically connecting each of the strip electrodes and the energizing connector with a distal end of the lead wire fixed to an inner circumferential surface of the metal ring and with a proximal end of the lead wire fixed to the energizing connector.

Various example embodiments relate to guiding a user of a medical laser device by voice based on monitored treatment data. In addition, a voice control procedure for operating the medical laser device with improved safety is provided. Improved usage of the medical laser device is enabled also in situations where there is a limited visual and physical access to control the device. An apparatus, a method, a theranostic system and a computer program are disclosed.

Pulmonary vein isolation catheters and associated devices, systems, and methods are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a pulmonary vein isolation catheter includes a tip section having an expandable portion and a deployment member. The expandable portion includes a plurality of mesh electrode panels that are electrically insulated from one another. The expandable portion is mechanically coupled to (i) the deployment member at a distalmost portion of the tip section and (ii) a distal end portion of a catheter shaft. The expandable portion is expandable and compressible via proximal and distal movement, respectively, of the deployment member. In some embodiments, the expandable portion in a deployed state is pear- or onion-shaped and includes a nose portion and/or an active body portion. The nose portion can be insulated and/or configured to fit within a pulmonary vein and position the active body portion against tissue about the ostium of the pulmonary vein.

An ultrasonic device may include an electromechanical ultrasonic system defined by a predetermined resonant frequency, in which the system may include an ultrasonic transducer coupled to an ultrasonic blade. A method of estimating a state of an end effector of the ultrasonic device may include applying a drive signal defined by a magnitude and a frequency to the ultrasonic transducer, sweeping the frequency of the drive signal from below a first resonance to above the first resonance of the electromagnetic ultrasonic system, measuring and recording, impedance/admittance circle variables R.sub.e, G.sub.e, X.sub.e, and B.sub.e, comparing, the measured impedance/admittance circle variables R.sub.e, G.sub.e, X.sub.e, and B.sub.e to reference impedance/admittance circle variables R.sub.ref, G.sub.ref, X.sub.ref, and B.sub.ref, and determining, a state or condition of the end effector based on the result of the comparison. An electromechanical ultrasonic system may include a control circuit to effect the method.

Ablation catheters and systems include coaxial catheter shafts with an inner lumen for delivering an ablative agent and an outer lumen for circulation of a cooling element about the catheter. Induction heating is used to heat a chamber and vaporize a fluid within by wrapping a coil about a ferromagnetic chamber and providing an alternating current to the coil. A magnetic field is created in the area surrounding the chamber which induces electric current flow in the chamber, heating the chamber and vaporizing the fluid inside. Positioning elements help maintain the device in the proper position with respect to the target tissue and also prevent the passage of ablative agent to normal tissues.

An electrosurgical instrument comprising an end effector is disclosed. The end effector comprises a first jaw and a second jaw. At least one of the first jaw and the second jaw is movable to transition the end effector from an open configuration to a closed configuration to grasp tissue therebetween. The second jaw comprises linear portions cooperating to form an angular profile and a treatment surface comprising segments extending along the angular profile. The segments comprise different geometries and different conductivities. The segments are configured to produce variable energy densities along the treatment surface.

Methods and devices for treating nasal airways are provided. Such devices and methods may improve airflow through an internal and/or external nasal valve, and comprise the use of mechanical re-shaping, energy application and other treatments to modify the shape, structure, and/or air flow characteristics of an internal nasal valve, an external nasal valve or other nasal airways.

The present invention is related to a radiofrequency treatment probe and method delivering radiofrequency for controlled heating of tissue within the vagina for the treatment of vaginal laxity. The treatment probe may include a curved, rounded disposable treatment tip that may be designed to accommodate vaginal anatomy. An electrode assembly may be coupled to the treatment tip, wherein the electrode coupled to the treatment tip may be configured to transfer radiofrequency energy through vaginal skin surface to the tissue. A temperature measuring feature may include or be coupled to the electrode assembly, wherein the electrode assembly may be configured to regulate and maintain a pre-determined skin temperature. A radiofrequency handle may be configured to connect to a disposable treatment tip. A connector may be configured to connect to the radiofrequency handle to a radiofrequency generator. A protective apparatus may be configured to protect the radiofrequency handle.

Systems and methods utilizing RF energy to treat a patient's skin (e.g., dermis and hypodermis) or other target tissue including at a depth below a tissue surface (e.g., skin surface, mucosal surfaces of the vagina or esophagus) are provided herein. In various aspects, the methods and systems described herein can provide a RF-based treatment in which the deposition of RF energy can be selectively controlled to help ensure heating uniformity during one or more of body sculpting treatment (lipolysis), skin tightening treatment (laxity improvement), cellulite treatment, vaginal laxity or rejuvenation treatment, urinary incontinence treatment, fecal incontinence treatment, all by way of non-limiting examples. In various aspects, the systems can comprise one or more sources of RF energy (e.g., a RF generator), a treatment applicator comprising one or more electrode arrays configured to be disposed in contact with a tissue surface, and a return electrode (e.g., a neutral pad) to the tissue surface.