Systems, apparatus, and methods are described for treatment of varicocele and associated conditions. In some embodiments, systems, apparatus, and methods described herein can include forming one or more fluid connections or fistulas between blood vessels such as a gonadal vein (e.g., spermatic vein, ovarian vein) and surrounding veins. In some embodiments, systems, apparatus, and methods described herein can include occluding one or more blood vessels such as a gonadal vein (e.g., spermatic vein, ovarian vein). In some embodiments, systems, apparatus and methods described herein relate to flow diverters, replacement valves, etc., e.g., for treatment of varicocele and associated conditions.

An apparatus includes an elongated medical dilator including a cautery device configured to selectively form, by cauterization, a tissue passage through a tissue portion of a living body. The elongated medical dilator also includes a dilation device configured to dilate the tissue passage once the cautery device selectively formed the tissue passage.

A suture method includes a first arrangement step of using a first treatment device including first/second grasping pieces to hook the first grasping piece to a first position of peripheral tissues of a lesion; a second arrangement step of hooking the second grasping piece to a second position of the peripheral tissues; a grasping step of grasping the first position and the second position while pressing the first position and the second position to the peripheral tissues; a retracting step of retracting the lesion site toward a proximal end side of the first treatment device while drawing the first position and the second position grasped by the first treatment device; and a suturing step of suturing a first suturing position at an external side of the first position and a second suturing position at an external side of the second position in the peripheral tissues.

A prostate therapy system is provided that may include any of a number of features. One feature of the prostate therapy system is that it can access a prostate lobe transurethrally. Another feature of the prostate therapy system is that it can deliver condensable vapor into the prostate to ablate the prostate tissue. Methods associated with use of the prostate therapy system are also covered.

A balloon catheter includes: a balloon; an outside shaft connected to a proximal end of the balloon; an inside shaft extending inside the outside shaft and into the balloon to be connected to a distal end of the balloon; and a heating member disposed in the balloon for heating a liquid in the balloon. A distance between a distal end of the outside shaft and a proximal end of the heating member is 0 mm to 5 mm.

An inflatable balloon includes a base balloon having a cylindrical section and a conical section and at least one circumferential fiber extending circumferentially around the conical section. The inflatable balloon includes a plurality of reinforcing strips in the conical section over the at least one circumferential fiber. Each reinforcing strip includes a plurality of fibers extending at an angle relative to the at least one fiber. Each reinforcing strip is positioned a set circumferential distance away from a neighboring reinforcing strip.

The present disclosure provides a medical endoscope system, comprising: a sheath device having an end portion; and an optical sensing device disposed to extend within the sheath device and fixed to the end portion. The optical sensing device has a transmission portion and transmits an optical signal received by the optical sensing device through the transmission portion.

Methods for creating and maintaining an anastomosis between two adjacent blood vessels using percutaneous techniques, for use in hemodialysis procedures are disclosed and described.

Various handheld cauterization device and/or system embodiments having safety features or components incorporated therein. In certain implementations, the device can be a retractable and deployable safety shield sized to receive any known handheld cauterization device. According to other embodiments, the device can be a handheld cauterization device with a retractable and deployable cauterization tip or a retractable and deployable safety shield.

Methods and systems for modulating intraosseous nerves (e.g., nerves within bone) are provided. For example, the methods and systems described herein may be used to modulate (e.g., denervate, ablate) basivertebral nerves within vertebrae. The modulation of the basivertebral nerves may facilitate treatment of chronic back pain. The modulation may be performed by a neuromodulation device an energy delivery device).