Methods and systems for modifying tissue use a pressurized fluid stream carrying coherent light energy. The methods and systems may be used for resecting and debulking soft and hard biological tissues. The coherent light is focused within a stream of fluid to deliver energy to the tissue to be treated.

A method of endodontic therapy with improved disinfection and ablation characteristics may feature the use of an alcohol or polyol-based indocyanine green (ICG) solution with a laser system that emits a wavelength within the maximal absorption range of ICG. By matching the dye and laser output, radiant energy use is maximized for efficient ablation and disinfection of treated tissues. Also, the use of an alcohol or polyol as a solvent for the ICG solution increases the inherent disinfection qualities of the solution itself. In one embodiment, the prepared canal is flooded with the ICG solution and the laser activates with the laser fiber inserted into the solution. In an alternate embodiment, the solution is mostly removed prior to activation of the laser, but only after necrotic tissue has been stained.

A method of endodontic therapy with improved disinfection and ablation characteristics may feature the use of an alcohol or polyol-based indocyanine green (ICG) solution with a laser system that emits a wavelength within the maximal absorption range of ICG. By matching the dye and laser output, radiant energy use is maximized for efficient ablation and disinfection of treated tissues. Also, the use of an alcohol or polyol as a solvent for the ICG solution increases the inherent disinfection qualities of the solution itself. In one embodiment, the prepared canal is flooded with the ICG solution and the laser activates with the laser fiber inserted into the solution. In an alternate embodiment, the solution is mostly removed prior to activation of the laser, but only after necrotic tissue has been stained.

A method for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-guided interstitial thermal therapy includes receiving MRI data for tissue of a patient, generating an apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) map from the MRI data, identifying a target site for thermal therapy based on the ADC map, wherein the target site is a tumor identified by low ADC values on the ADC map, planning the thermal therapy for the target site including identifying a plurality of individual localized areas to be ablated during delivery of the thermal therapy, the plurality of individual localized areas having the lowest ADC values among the low ADC values within the target site, activating a laser to deliver the thermal therapy to the plurality of individual localized areas using a laser fiber, and monitoring progress of the thermal therapy using MR thermometry.

The present application is directed to devices, assemblies, systems and methods for targeting one or more sites with electromagnetic radiation. The devices, assemblies and systems are operationally configured to transform and convey electromagnetic radiation to one or more targeted sites. The devices, assemblies and systems may also convey one or more fluids or fluid solutions to the one or more targeted sites.

Fluidic devices, methods, and systems are disclosed. One system may comprises a sheath, a delivery module, and a removal module. The sheath includes a working lumen, a delivery lumen, and a removal lumen. The delivery module is configured to move a fluid from a fluid reservoir and into a body cavity through the delivery lumen. The removal module is configured to move the fluid and a particulate contained therein out of the body cavity through the removal lumen, through a filtration device that removes the particulate, and back into the fluid reservoir. One method comprises placing a distal end of sheath into a body cavity, energizing the working lumen to generate a particulate in the cavity, moving the fluid into the cavity to engage the particulate, and moving the fluid and the contaminant from the body cavity, through a filter for removing the contaminant, and back into the fluid source.

Embodiments of the present invention provide improved methods and apparatus of treating the prostate. In many embodiments, at least a portion of the prostate is enucleated with a water jet, in order to decrease the invasiveness of the surgery. The access to the prostate can be provided with one or more of open surgical access, percutaneous access, or urethral access. The prostate can be enucleated such that an inner portion of the prostate comprising adenomatous tissue of the prostate is separated from a portion an outer the prostate comprising the capsule. In many embodiments, the patient is treated with energy of the water jet configured to separate the capsule from the inner tissue of the prostate and to inhibit cutting of blood vessels.

A surgical instrument for operating hip joint osteoarthritis in a human patient is provided. The hip joint comprises an acetabulum, being a part of the pelvic bone, and a caput femur, being the proximal part of the femoral bone. The surgical instrument is adapted to assist in the operating of the hip joint osteoarthritis from the abdominal side of the pelvic bone of said human patient.

Laser ablation catheters and methods of using same for efficient tissue ablation are disclosed. In some cases, laser ablation catheter embodiments may include expanded distal tips that allow for beam energy expansion and reduce dead space at the distal cutting surface of the laser ablation catheter.

Outer jacket embodiments for reinforcing liquid core laser ablation catheter embodiments discussed herein may be used to improve the robustness of the laser ablation catheter embodiments. Method embodiments for making reinforced laser ablation catheters having outer jackets are also discussed.