An ablation catheter includes an elongate shaft and an inflatable ablation member. The inflatable ablation member includes a flexible circuit with a conductor in electrical communication with an ablation electrode. The flexible circuit is disposed outside of and carried by an outer surface of an inflatable balloon. The inflatable ablation member includes an ultrasound monitoring member configured for use in monitoring at least one aspect of tissue ablation with the ablation electrode.

A device for providing tactile stimulation of a subject via a pulse of compressible fluid, typically for medical diagnostic and therapeutic applications. The device preferably includes a high pressure fluid source and a low pressure fluid source. A pressure valve selectively connects the pressure sources to an outlet conduit. The outlet conduit includes an applicator for directing pulses against the skin of a subject. The pulses may be applied via one applicator or a plurality of applicators, and may be applied in one pattern or several patterns at various application sites. A method of providing tactile stimulation is also disclosed.

The invention relates to a device for treating biological tissue (19), comprising a light source (14) for sending a plurality of light pulses (15) to the tissue (19) within a treatment time period (31) in order to cause the tissue (19) to vibrate. The device comprises a vibration sensor (21), which senses the amplitude of a vibration (22) of the tissue (19) brought about by the light source (14). A control unit (16) calculates a relative value (30) by putting a current measurement value (27) of the amplitude in a ratio with an initial measurement value (26) of the amplitude. The control unit (16) processes the relative value (30) in order to generate a control signal for the light source (14).

Systems and methods for automatic detection of phrenic nerve stimulation are disclosed. A plurality of pacing pulses are delivered between an associated pair of electrodes of a plurality of electrodes. For each of the plurality of pacing pulses, a corresponding diaphragm movement during delivery of the pacing pulse is measured. For each of the plurality of pacing pulses, it is determined, based on the corresponding measured diaphragm movement, whether the pacing pulse results in phrenic nerve capture. For each pacing pulse that results in phrenic nerve capture, the pair of electrodes associated with that pacing pulse is recorded.

Systems and methods for controlled sympathectomy procedures for neuromodulation are disclosed. A system for controlled micro ablation procedures is disclosed. A guidewire including one or more sensors or electrodes for accessing and recording physiologic information from one or more anatomical sites within the parenchyma of an organ as part of a physiologic monitoring session, a diagnostic test, or a neuromodulation procedure is disclosed. A guidewire including one or more sensors and/or a means for energy delivery, for performing a neuromodulation procedure within a small vessel within a body is disclosed.

A method for ablation zone detection includes delivering microwave energy to tissue at a treatment location by way of an ablation device, delivering ultrasound energy to the tissue by way of an ultrasound device, receiving, from a plurality of respective portions of the tissue by way of the ultrasound device, a plurality of ultrasound return signals that are based on the delivered ultrasound energy, detecting, in the plurality of ultrasound return signals, a plurality of respective Doppler shifts that are based on the microwave energy delivered to the tissue, determining an ablation zone characteristic based on the plurality of Doppler shifts, and displaying, by way of a graphical user interface, an image representing at least a portion of the tissue and a representation of the ablation zone characteristic.

A system may include a stone analyzer, a controller, a laser generator, and a beam combiner. The stone analyzer may be configured to generate an output relating to a natural or resonance frequency of a kidney or bladder stone. The controller may be configured to determine the natural or resonance frequency of the stone based on the output from the stone analyzer, and match a resultant pulse repetition rate with the natural or resonance frequency. The laser generator may be configured to generate at least two laser pulse trains, with each laser pulse train including laser pulses at a pulse repetition rate. The beam combiner may be configured to combine the at least two laser pulse trains into a combined laser pulse train including laser pulses at the resultant pulse repetition rate.

Methods and systems for providing a safety mechanism for a robotically controlled surgical tool. Embodiments of the methods use sensors to detect parameters that vary by the tissue traversed by a surgical tool. The sensors detect signals arising from the interaction of the surgical tool with the tissue and provide this information to a robotic controller. For example, during drilling, the sensors may measure power, vibration, sound frequency, mechanical load, electrical impedance, and distance traversed according to preoperative measurements on a three-dimensional image set used for planning the tool trajectory. By comparing the detected output with that expected for the tool position based on the planned trajectory, identified discrepancies in output would indicate that the tool has veered from the planned trajectory. The robotic controller may then alter the tool trajectory, change the speed of the tool, or discontinue power to the tool, thereby preventing damage to underlying tissue.

Systems and methods for controlled sympathectomy procedures for neuromodulation are disclosed. A system for controlled micro ablation procedures is disclosed. A guidewire including one or more sensors or electrodes for accessing and recording physiologic information from one or more anatomical sites within the parenchyma of an organ as part of a physiologic monitoring session, a diagnostic test, or a neuromodulation procedure is disclosed. A guidewire including one or more sensors and/or a means for energy delivery, for performing a neuromodulation procedure within a small vessel within a body is disclosed.