Catheterization is carried out by inserting a probe having a location sensor into a body cavity, and in response to multiple location measurements identifying respective mapped regions of the body cavity. Using the location measurements, a simulated 3-dimensional surface of the body cavity is constructed. One or more unmapped regions are delineated by rotating the simulated 3-dimensional surface about an axis. The simulated 3-dimensional surface of the body cavity is configured to indicate locations of the unmapped regions based on the location measurements.

Systems and methods for controlling an energy output setting of a lithotripsy device during a lithotripsy procedure are provided. The system includes a laser or other lithotripsy device configured for facilitating the lithotripsy procedure, an irrigation system configured for supplying an irrigant such as saline to a surgical site, and a temperature sensor configured to provide temperature data associated with the irrigant. The system can modulate the energy output setting of the lithotripsy device based on an estimated temperature that is determined based at least in part on the temperature data and one or more other factors such as a current energy output setting or a flow rate of the irrigant.

An ultrasound therapy system and method is provided that provides directional, focused ultrasound to localized regions of tissue within body joints, such as spinal joints. An ultrasound emitter or transducer is delivered to a location within the body associated with the joint and heats the target region of tissue associated with the joint from the location. Such locations for ultrasound transducer placement may include for example in or around the intervertebral discs, or the bony structures such as vertebral bodies or posterior vertebral elements such as facet joints. Various modes of operation provide for selective, controlled heating at different temperature ranges to provide different intended results in the target tissue, which ranges are significantly affected by pre-stressed tissues such as in-vivo intervertebral discs. In particular, treatments above 70 degrees C., and in particular 75 degrees C., are used for structural remodeling, whereas lower temperatures achieve other responses without appreciable remodeling.

A catheter system and a method for performing body obstruction destruction are disclosed. The catheter comprises a catheter shaft comprising a proximal end and a distal end, including an outer tubular member and at least one inner tubular member disposed within the outer tubular member; a first fluid lumen defined between the inner tubular member and the outer tubular member and at least one second lumen defined by the inner tubular member; one or more fluid exit openings located at a distal end region of the catheter configured to permit fluid to exit the catheter from the first fluid lumen; fluid pressure means located external of the catheter ahead from the proximal end for delivering said fluid in the first fluid lumen at a pressure range predetermined to cause destruction of said obstruction.

The present disclosure relates to methods and devices for surgically manipulating tissue. In general, the methods and devices can include an elongate retractor shaft having a distal retractor tip that is configured to manipulate tissue, for example the tip can be configured to separate muscle and nerve fibers surrounding a vertebra. The elongate retractor shaft can include an illumination source such that at least a portion of the surgical field is illuminated by the device when the device is used in the body. A sensor can also or alternatively be included on the elongate retractor shaft, for example on the blunt retraction tip, such that the sensor can monitor physiological parameters of the tissue in or adjacent to the surgical field.

A catheter system for delivering ultrasonic energy to a treatment site within a body lumen, the catheter comprises a tubular body having a proximal end, a distal end and an energy delivery section positioned between the proximal end and the distal end and a plurality of ultrasound radiating members in the energy delivery section. The plurality of ultrasound radiating members are allocated into electrical groups comprising more than one ultrasound radiating member. Members of one electrical group are spatially interdigitated with members of another electrical group.

A medical system having a medical tool, including a handle, a shaft extending from the handle and defining a lumen, a wire attached to and extending from the handle through the lumen, expandable elements at a distal end of the wire. An electrical generator is coupled to a proximal end of the wire and supplies a first waveform to the wire and the expandable elements as the expandable elements expand from an unexpanded state to an expanded state within a tissue. The electrical generator supplies a second waveform to the wire and the expandable elements when the expandable elements are in the expanded state within the tissue. The first waveform cuts tissue, the second waveform ablates tissue using radiofrequency ablation or irreversible electroporation.

Disclosed is a system provided with cooling fluid for interstitial laser therapy that limits and/or provides control of the laser ablation zone produced by a device for interstitial laser therapy, which allows for better control of the laser ablation zone and more predictive and accurate interstitial laser therapy. The device for interstitial laser therapy includes an optical waveguide having an optical output end and an optical diffuser optically coupled to, optically associated with, or positioned about the optical output end. An irrigation tube directs cooling fluid to flow out of a distal end of the irrigation tube which directs cooling fluid to flow inside of and/or outside of the optical diffuser.

Body tissue ablation is carried out by inserting a probe into a body of a living subject, urging the probe into contact with a tissue in the body, generating energy at a power output level, and transmitting the generated energy into the tissue via the probe. While transmitting the generated energy the ablation is further carried out by determining a measured temperature of the tissue and a measured power level of the transmitted energy, and controlling the power output level responsively to a function of the measured temperature and the measured power level. Related apparatus for carrying out the ablation is also described.

A method is described herein. The method is implemented by an optimization engine executed by a processor. The optimization engine receives data that includes performance metrics of mapping and ablation procedures. In turn, the optimization generates procedure expected outcomes for the mapping and ablation procedures based on the data and success predictions for a current ablation procedure utilizing the procedure expected outcomes. The optimization engine, also, outputs an ablation recommendation based on the success predictions.