Flexible catheters adapted to be inserted into a body to deliver high-voltage, fast (e.g., microsecond, sub-microsecond, nanosecond, picosecond, etc.) electrical energy to target tissue may include a plurality of conductive layers, that may be coaxial. These catheters and method of using them to treat tissue are configured to reduce or avoid arcing.

Flexible catheters adapted to be inserted into a body to deliver high-voltage, fast (e.g., microsecond, sub-microsecond, nanosecond, picosecond, etc.) electrical energy to target tissue may include a plurality of conductive layers, that may be coaxial. These catheters and method of using them to treat tissue are configured to reduce or avoid arcing.

A system and method for delivering TTFields are herein described. The system comprises an electric field generator generating a signal having a frequency from 50 kHz to 1 MHz and coupled to a lead. A pad is coupled to the lead and includes a solid continuous phase material and a conductive gel. The solid continuous phase material receives the signal from the lead, has a skin-facing surface, and is constructed of a conductive material or has a conductive material attached to, absorbed into, or adsorbed onto the solid continuous phase material. Pockets intersect the skin-facing surface, the pockets sized and dimensioned to receive a hair shaft. The conductive gel is attached to, absorbed into, or adsorbed onto the skin-facing surface and positioned within some of the pockets.

A method of treating a patient includes providing an applicator to the patient to provide a treatment. The applicator includes an electrode to provide an electromagnetic field and a cavity to provide flow of air to provide pressure treatment. The electromagnetic field is applied with a frequency in a range of 0.1 MHz to 300 MHz to provide heating to the patient. The pressure treatment provides a massage to the patient.

A method of treating a patient includes providing an applicator to the patient to provide a treatment. The applicator includes an electrode to provide an electromagnetic field and a cavity to provide flow of air to provide pressure treatment. The electromagnetic field is applied with a frequency in a range of 0.1 MHz to 300 MHz to provide heating to the patient. The pressure treatment provides a massage to the patient.

Apparatus and methods for treating back pain are provided, in which an implantable stimulator is configured to communicate with an external control system, the implantable stimulator providing a neuromuscular electrical stimulation therapy designed to cause muscle contraction to rehabilitate the muscle, restore neural drive and restore spinal stability; the implantable stimulator further including one or more of a number of additional therapeutic modalities, including a module that provides analgesic stimulation; a module that monitors muscle performance and adjusts the muscle stimulation regime; and/or a module that provides longer term pain relief by selectively and repeatedly ablating nerve fibers. In an alternative embodiment, a standalone implantable RF ablation system is described.

Apparatus and methods for treating back pain are provided, in which an implantable stimulator is configured to communicate with an external control system, the implantable stimulator providing a neuromuscular electrical stimulation therapy designed to cause muscle contraction to rehabilitate the muscle, restore neural drive and restore spinal stability; the implantable stimulator further including one or more of a number of additional therapeutic modalities, including a module that provides analgesic stimulation; a module that monitors muscle performance and adjusts the muscle stimulation regime; and/or a module that provides longer term pain relief by selectively and repeatedly ablating nerve fibers. In an alternative embodiment, a standalone implantable RF ablation system is described.

Devices and methods for blocking signal transmission through neural tissue. One step of a method includes placing a therapy delivery device into electrical communication with the neural tissue. The therapy delivery device includes an electrode contact having a high charge capacity material. A multi-phase direct current (DC) can be applied to the neural tissue without damaging the neural tissue. The multi-phase DC includes a cathodic DC phase and anodic DC phase that collectively produce a neural block and reduce the charge delivered by the therapy delivery device. The DC delivery can be combined with high frequency alternating current (HFAC) block to produce a system that provides effective, safe, long term block without inducing an onset response.

Devices and methods for blocking signal transmission through neural tissue. One step of a method includes placing a therapy delivery device into electrical communication with the neural tissue. The therapy delivery device includes an electrode contact having a high charge capacity material. A multi-phase direct current (DC) can be applied to the neural tissue without damaging the neural tissue. The multi-phase DC includes a cathodic DC phase and anodic DC phase that collectively produce a neural block and reduce the charge delivered by the therapy delivery device. The DC delivery can be combined with high frequency alternating current (HFAC) block to produce a system that provides effective, safe, long term block without inducing an onset response.

A method for tissue coagulation includes using a device that has a plurality of conductive elements and a return electrode which is in the form of a grid. A moving mechanism moves the conductive elements so that the tip of each conductive element protrudes distally through the spaces of the grid of the return electrode into a tissue at a first depth. A first radiofrequency (RF) voltage is applied between the tips of each conductive element, which are at the first depth, and the return electrode. The conductive elements are then moved from the first depth to second depth of protrusion, and a second RF voltage is applied between the tips of each conductive element at the second depth and the return electrode.