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 MM data, identifying a target site for thermal therapy based on the ADC map, wherein the target site is identified based on an area on the ADC map with a lowest ADC value, planning the thermal therapy for the target site including identifying localized areas of the target site to be ablated first during delivery of the thermal therapy, activating a laser to deliver the thermal therapy using a laser fiber, and monitoring progress of the thermal therapy using MR thermometry.

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.

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.

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.

An ablation tool includes a trocar and cannula with a hollow shaft. The hollow shaft is configured to permit passage of the trocar therethrough and has a proximal segment and a distal segment. The distal segment includes a distal tip aligned with the hollow shaft of the cannula to permit passage of the trocar within the hollow shaft of the cannula, and has tissue-adhering irregular surfaces protruding therefrom. An auxiliary port extends from an exterior surface of the cannula and defines a hollow passageway into the hollow shaft. Notably, an insert is provided as part of the tool. The insert defines a hollow shaft and is adapted to be inserted into the hollow shaft of the cannula and includes a diameter of less than an interior diameter of the hollow shaft of the insert so as to permit passage of a laser fiber through the hollow shaft of the insert. An auxiliary port extends from an exterior surface of the insert defining a hollow passageway into the hollow shaft of the insert.

Devices and methods are discussed directed to the use of a low profile laser ablation catheter for use in laser ablation removal of arterial plaque blockages to restore blood flow in the treatment of arteriovenous fistulas. Also discussed are devices and methods directed to packaging, long term storage and sterilization of liquid core ablation catheters.

Devices and methods are discussed directed to the use of a low profile laser ablation catheter for use in laser ablation removal of arterial plaque blockages to restore blood flow in the treatment of arteriovenous fistulas. Also discussed are devices and methods directed to packaging, long term storage and sterilization of liquid core ablation catheters.

An implantable medical device for implantation in a hip joint of a human patient is provided. The medical device comprises: at least one artificial hip joint surface adapted to replace at least the surface of at least one of the caput femur and acetabulum. At least one artificial hip joint surface comprises: a positioning hole with at least one opening in said at least one artificial hip joint surface. The hole is adapted to be placed and dimensioned such that the medical device is adapted to be fitted using a positioning shaft and at least partly surround the shaft, for positioning the at least one artificial hip joint surface in a desired position in the hip joint. The hole is adapted to be fitted using the positioning shaft, when the shaft is stabilized and placed in at least one of the femoral bone and the pelvic bone for positioning said medical device inside the hip joint.

Apparatus, systems and methods for fracturing calcium in an artery of a patient. Certain embodiments include a diode laser light source and an optical fiber. In particular embodiments, the optical fiber comprises a polymer or glass optical core, a cladding surrounding the polymer or glass optical core. The optical fiber can comprise one or more emission elements configured to emit electromagnetic energy from the laser light source. The electromagnetic energy can be transmitted through a fluid in the expandable member to fracture the calcium.

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.