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.

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.

An interstitial laser therapy control system is disclosed. The control system includes a thermistor controller apparatus, a microprocessor, a storage device, at least one input device, a display, an electro-mechanical shutter switch, an electro-mechanical emergency shutoff switch, and an electro-mechanical master power switch. The microprocessor is configured to monitor temperatures detected by one or more thermistors connected to the thermistor controller. Based on the temperatures, the microprocessor determines when treatment has been successful and when application of laser energy needs to be halted. The control system also enables an operator to pause and resume treatment using the input device. The electro-mechanical shutter switch sends a signal to a laser source to close a shutter on the laser. The electro-mechanical emergency stop button causes power to be cut off to the laser source. The electro-mechanical master power switch shuts off power to all components in the interstitial laser therapy apparatus.

In order to provide a temperature sensor or a temperature measuring apparatus having a temperature sensor, which enables direct temperature measurement, in particular even during treatment, in particular even with HF surgical devices, it is proposed that the temperature sensor includes a sensor element with a medium which can be excited to luminescence, in particular fluorescence, and an optical waveguide which is optically connected to the sensor element and is intended to supply light to the medium at an excitation wavelength and/or to pick up and conduct light at a luminescence wavelength of the medium which can be excited to luminescence.

An interstitial laser therapy control system is disclosed. The control system includes a thermistor controller apparatus, a microprocessor, a storage device, at least one input device, a display, an electro-mechanical shutter switch, an electro-mechanical emergency shutoff switch, and an electro-mechanical master power switch. The microprocessor is configured to monitor temperatures detected by one or more thermistors connected to the thermistor controller. Based on the temperatures, the microprocessor determines when treatment has been successful and when application of laser energy needs to be halted. The control system also enables an operator to pause and resume treatment using the input device. The electro-mechanical shutter switch sends a signal to a laser source to close a shutter on the laser. The electro-mechanical emergency stop button causes power to be cut off to the laser source. The electro-mechanical master power switch shuts off power to all components in the interstitial laser therapy apparatus.

The present invention has for object a device (1) for detecting the temperature of the esophagus (E) in cardiac ablation treatments which device, unlike known devices, allows to more securely monitor the temperature of the esophageal lumen, thereby promptly detecting any possible criticality to which the patient (P) may be exposed due to excessively rapid temperature fluctuations.

Disclosed herein, among other things, are methods and apparatus related to ablation catheters with wireless temperature sensing. The present subject matter provides an ablation catheter system including an ablation transducer and a wireless temperature sensor. The wireless temperature sensor includes at least one temperature sensing element configured to sense a temperature-dependent parameter, circuitry configured to measure the sensed parameter and compute a temperature, a transmitter configured to wirelessly transmit a signal including at least one of the sensed parameter and the computed temperature, and a power supply. A controller is provided to coordinate timing of ablation therapy and sensing of the wireless temperature sensor, in various embodiments.

The present invention includes a medical device providing for the measurement and/or monitoring of the thermal conditions and/or environment existing across a substantial portion of a thermal element disposed on the medical device and the corresponding tissue region being treated by the device. The medical device of the present invention may generally include an elongate body having a thermal element coupled thereto for providing thermal energy to a desired tissue region, as well as a thermocouple array providing a plurality of temperature measurement positions about the thermal element. The thermocouple array may include one or more thermocouple elements arranged as a mesh or wire structure disposed about a substantial portion of the surface area of the thermal element.

A device for supply of heat to body tissue, comprising heating means and a first temperature transducer which is insertable in the body tissue, the heating means being connected with an energy supply unit governed by a control unit via a catheter for treatment which is insertable in a body cavity and said first temperature transducer being operatively connected to the control unit. The control unit is operatively connected with memory means for storage of data corresponding to the survival of cells as a function of cell temperature. An input/output means is operatively connected to control unit to enter data such as desired volume/weight of body tissue to which heat is to be supplied to such an extent that the cells of the tissue die, and the control unit being operatively connected to calculation means for determining volume and weight of such body tissue whose cells have died as a function of temperature and time in the tissue at a certain distance from heating means.

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.