Disclosed embodiments relate to devices, systems, and methods of shaping, shrinking, opening, dilating, stiffening, or otherwise modifying a Eustachian tube and its surrounding tissue in order to improve the Eustachian tube's function. For example, patients with blocked, closed, or hypertrophic Eustachian tubes may be able to achieve improved function including easier equalization of pressure between the inner ear and environment.

A treatment apparatus which uses thermal or non-thermal plasma to treat urinary tract infections (UTIs) by destroying bacteria. The apparatus comprises an elongate probe that includes a coaxial cable for conveying radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic (EM) energy and/or microwave EM energy, a probe tip connected at the distal end of the coaxial cable for receiving the RF and/or microwave EM energy, and a gas conduit for conveying gas to the probe tip. The probe tip comprises a first electrode connected to the inner conductor of the coaxial cable, and a second electrode connected to the outer conductor of the coaxial cable, and wherein the first electrode and second electrode are arranged to produce an electric field from the received RF and/or microwave EM energy across a flow path of gas received from the gas conduit to produce a thermal or a non-thermal plasma.

A method of two-phase atherectomy for removal of plaque within an artery forming a stenosis including a first phase of rotational drilling by exerting a rotational force on a cutter to form a channel within the plaque having a diameter substantially equal to a diameter of the cutterthe cutter being rotated at a first rotational speed sufficient to maintain rotation of the cutter about a stationary rotational axisand a second phase of orbital impact by exerting a rotational force on the cutter to result in radial orbital motion of the cutter within the channel resulting in periodic impact of the cutter upon the plaque to form micro-fractures within the plaque and enlarge the diameter of the channel to a diameter substantially greater than the diameter of the cutterthe cutter being rotated at a second rotational speed to result in the radial orbital motion of the cutter.

A long-term implantable 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 effected 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 achieves other responses without appreciable remodeling.

An arthroscopic surgical temperature control system and method able to monitor and control the temperature within a surgical site during arthroscopic ablation procedures in order to prevent tissue damage is provided.

The present invention relates to surgical instruments and methods for enhancing properties of tissue repaired or joined by surgical staples and, more particularly to surgical instruments and methods designed to enhance the properties of repaired or adjoined tissue at a target surgical site, especially when sealing an anastomosis between adjacent intestinal sections to improve tissue viability under hypoxia conditions, prevent tissue inflammation, and to prevent leakage. The present invention further relates to hypothermic circular stapling instruments configured to pre-cool the tissues being joined by staples.

Disclosed herein are the systems, devices and methods for treating cancer and metastasis using low energy immune priming. The low energy immune priming includes administering immunopriming energy. The low energy immune priming can be combined with an adjunct therapy.

Apparatus, consisting of a power supply having a first electrical connection to a relatively high voltage source and connectable to ablation circuitry in a catheter via a second electrical connection. There are rechargeable first and second subsidiary power sources in the power supply. The apparatus also has a control unit, and a first switch alternately connecting the ablation circuitry to the first and second subsidiary power sources responsively to control signals from the control unit. The apparatus also has a second switch alternately connecting one of the first and second subsidiary power sources to the high voltage source for recharging thereof responsively to the control signals while the one of the first and second subsidiary power sources is disconnected from the ablation circuitry and another of the first and second subsidiary power sources is connected to the ablation circuitry by the first switch.

Disclosed embodiments relate to devices, systems, and methods of shaping, shrinking, opening, dilating, stiffening, or otherwise modifying a Eustachian tube and its surrounding tissue in order to improve the Eustachian tube's function. For example, patients with blocked, closed, or hypertrophic Eustachian tubes may be able to achieve improved function including easier equalization of pressure between the inner ear and environment.

A modular wound treatment system includes a central modular hub having a modular connection for one or more pneumatically-actuated, modular components, such as a pneumatically-actuated soft robotic gripper component configured to curve and at least partially encircle the wound when actuated and thereby apply direct pressure to the wound, and a pneumatically-actuated tourniquet component configured to apply pressure proximal to the wound to limit the flow of arterial blood to the wound. The system also includes a pressurized gas supply in pneumatic communication with the modular connection, sensors for measuring the amount of pressure being applied by the pneumatically-actuated, modular components, a display for providing system information, and a controller for controlling the system. Methods of treating a wounded subject using the system are also provided.