Systems and methods for tumor ablation with controlled precision of a temperature profile utilizing a tumor ablation probe device may include disposing a distal end of the tumor ablation probe device in a tissue, the distal end including a plurality of electrothermal modules (ETMs) on probe arm(s), each ETM including a first surface component electrically connected to a second surface component; supplying a first voltage of a first polarity or a second voltage of a second polarity to at least one ETM, and repeatedly alternating between the first polarity and the second polarity based on a time sequence cycle. When the first polarity is supplied, the ETM heats the first surface component and cools the second surface component, and when the second polarity is supplied, the ETM cools the first surface component and heats the second surface component. Each ETM and/or probe arm is configured for independent control.

A system and method are presented for treating targeted tissue using cryoablation. An introducer canula and a cryoprobe are inserted the targeted tissue. The cryoprobe is cooled and an ice ball is formed. The cryoprobe is removed while the ice ball is still frozen, and an ultrasound catheter is inserted. Ultrasound generated within the ice ball is used to determine the distance from the ultrasound catheter to a perimeter of the ice ball. This is repeated at different angles to model a slice of the ice ball. The ultrasound catheter is moved radially, and the process is repeated to create a model of at least a portion of the ice ball. The ice ball model can be displayed on a registered set of images representing the targeted tissue to ensure that the tissue lies within the treatment zone of the ice ball.

A catheter including an elongated shaft having a distal end and a proximal end, where the catheter includes a thermal element at the distal end thereof. The thermal element may be used in an ablation procedure or other procedure to heat a tissue adjacent a vessel. In some instances, the thermal element may be positioned in a first vessel and may operate to heat tissue adjacent a second vessel or adjacent an ostium between the first vessel and the second vessel. Further, the catheter may include an expandable portion on which the thermal element may be connected or positioned. The expandable portion(s) may comprise a basket or cage, a balloon, a memory shape and formable portion, and/or to other mechanical expanders.

The embodiments disclosed herein relate to various robotic and/or in vivo medical devices having compact joint configurations. Other embodiments relate to various medical device components, including forearms having grasper or cautery end effectors, that can be incorporated into certain robotic and/or in vivo medical devices.

Apparatus and methods are described for performing a capsulotomy procedure on a patient's eye. A diathermic capsulotomy tool includes a diathermic cutting element at its tip. An imaging system images the diathermic capsulotomy tool and the patient's eye. A computer processor drives a robotic unit to insert the diathermic capsulotomy tool into the patient's eye via an incision in a cornea of the patient's eye, such that the tip of the tool is disposed within the patient's eye and a remote center of motion location of the tool is disposed within the incision. The computer processor drives the robotic unit to move the cutting element in a circular motion while maintaining the remote center of motion location of the tool within the incision. Other applications are also described.

A surgical system for performing a capsulotomy of a lens capsule of an eye includes an elastic ring, a suction cup, an interface, a converter, and a control console. The elastic ring includes a conductive surface. The interface may be coupled to an air port and/or a fluid line of a phacomachine. The converter detects a pulse of air from the phacomachine via the interface, and produce an electrical signal in response. Fluid received from the phacomachine is delivered into the suction cup. The system is configured to remove the fluid from the suction cup and between the suction cup and a surface of the eye to form a suction seal. The control console is configured to, in response to receiving the electrical signal, drive a series of electrical pulses through the conductive surface of the elastic ring, causing the elastic ring to perform a tissue cutting operation.

Methods for treating a patient using therapeutic renal neuromodulation and associated devices, system, and methods are disclosed herein. One aspect of the present technology is directed to neuromodulating nerve tissue in selected anatomical regions. In one embodiment, the method can include intravascularly advancing an elongate shaft of a catheter to renal vasculature of a human patient and locating a first neuromodulation element of the catheter within a distalmost portion of a main renal artery. The method includes locating a second neuromodulation element of the catheter within a branch vessel of the renal artery distal to a bifurcation at a distal end of the main renal artery. Neuromodulation of the nerve tissue surrounding the selected anatomical treatment locations can inhibit sympathetic neural activity in nerves proximate a portion of a renal artery and/or a renal branch artery proximate a renal parenchyma.

A medical treatment apparatus includes a heat transfer portion, a heating chip, a temperature measurement unit and a control unit. The heat transfer portion comes into contact with a living tissue and transfers heat to the living tissue. The heating chip includes a heating region, is joined to the heat transfer portion, and heats the heat transfer portion by inputting energy to the heating region. The temperature measurement unit acquires a temperature of the heating region. The control unit controls a temperature of the heat transfer portion to a target temperature by controlling the temperature of the heating region to a temperature differing from the target temperature by an offset value which changes in accordance with an amount of the energy.

Methods for treating eating disorders and for reducing a risk associated with developing an eating disorder in patients via therapeutic renal neuromodulation and associated systems. Renal sympathetic nerve activity can be attenuated to improve a patient's eating disorder status or risk of developing an eating disorder. The attenuation can be achieved, for example, using an intravascularly positioned catheter carrying a therapeutic assembly configured to modulate the renal sympathetic nerve.

A working end of a catheter includes at least one therapeutic element, such as a resistive heating element, usable to deliver energy for ligating, or reducing the diameter of, a hollow anatomical structure. In certain examples, the catheter includes a lumen to accommodate a guide wire or to allow fluid delivery. In certain embodiments, a balloon is inflated to place resistive element(s) into apposition with a hollow anatomical structure and to occlude the structure. Indexing devices and methods are also disclosed for successively treating portions of the hollow anatomical structure. In certain examples, marks along the catheter shaft provide visual verification to the physician of the relative position of the therapeutic element of the catheter. Embodiments of indexing devices may include pairs of rings and/or hinged arms that move a catheter a desired indexed position between successive treatments.