Patent classifications
A61B2018/00035
Cooling systems for energy delivery devices
A reservoir for supplying a cooling fluid to a medical ablation probe includes a wall defining a chamber therein, an outlet fluid port and an inlet fluid port each in fluid communication with the chamber, cooling fluid disposed within the chamber, and a thermochromic material thermally coupled to the cooling fluid. The thermochromic material is configured to exhibit a first color when the cooling fluid is below a threshold temperature, and a second color when the cooling fluid is above the threshold temperature.
DEVICES AND METHODS FOR TREATING THE PROSTATE
Devices and methods for treating the prostate are disclosed where in one embodiment, the apparatus generally comprises a catheter which is sized for placement within a body lumen, at least one balloon positioned along a length of the catheter and defining a contact region for thermally contacting a portion of the body lumen which is in proximity to tissue to be treated, and a reservoir in fluid communication with the at least one balloon through at least one lumen defined through the length of the catheter. The at least one balloon may be configured to receive a refrigerant from the reservoir introduced through the at least one lumen until the contact region is at least partially expanded, the catheter being adjustable to selectively align the contact region against the portion of the body lumen to preferentially cool the portion relative to a remainder of the body lumen surrounding the portion.
Flow rate control for a cooled medical probe assembly
Cooling systems for medical probe assemblies are provided. For example, a cooling system comprises a pump assembly including a control unit having a controller, a motor, and a pump head driven by the motor; a fluid reservoir; a lumen for delivering a cooling fluid to the medical probe assembly distal end; tubing extending through the pump head for conveying the cooling fluid from the fluid reservoir to the lumen; and a flow sensor for sensing the cooling fluid flow rate. The pump head is disposed between the fluid reservoir and the medical probe assembly to pump the cooling fluid from the fluid reservoir to the lumen. The flow sensor is disposed between the pump head and the medical probe assembly to sense the cooling fluid flow rate. Methods for controlling fluid flow rate through a cooling circuit and systems for using a plurality of medical probe assemblies also are provided.
METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR TREATING DIABETES AND RELATED DISEASES AND DISORDERS
Systems, devices and methods treat target tissue to provide a therapeutic benefit to the patient. A tissue treatment device comprises a tissue treatment element constructed and arranged to treat target tissue, such as duodenal mucosa and/or submucosal tissue. Patients treated can safely eliminate or reduce their daily insulin intake.
Electrosurgical instrument with fluid diverter
An end effector of an electrosurgical device may include a discharge port in communication with a first fluid path, an aspiration port in communication with a second fluid path, a first and second electrode, and a diverter in mechanical communication with the two electrodes. The diverter may receive, on its surface, a fluid emitted by the discharge port, and maintain a contact of the fluid with the first and second electrodes. The diverter may be further configured to prevent an aspiration, by the aspiration port, of the fluid on its surface. An electrosurgical device may include a source port in communication with a first fluid path, an evacuation port in communication with a second fluid path, a first and second electrode, and a housing. The device may include a shaft extending distally from the housing and the end effector as described above.
Cooled Laser Fiber And Method For Improved Thermal Therapy
In one embodiment, the disclosure is directed to an integrated apparatus for delivering energy to a tissue. The integrated apparatus included a housing having a distal end and a tubular structure located within the housing forming a first annulus between the tubular structure and the housing. The tubular structure is configured to accept an energy delivery component and is configured to form a second annulus between the tubular structure and the energy delivery component. The first annulus and the second annulus are configured to communicate with each other proximate to the distal end of the housing.
Systems and methods for managing fluid and suction in electrosurgical systems
Aspects of the present disclosure include control systems of an electrosurgical system for managing the flow of fluid, such as saline, and rates of aspiration or suction, in response to various states of conditions at a surgical site. The control system(s) may monitor and adjust to impedance at the surgical site, temperature of the surgical tissue, and/or RF current of electrodes, and may account for certain undesirable conditions, such as the electrodes sticking. The control systems may include various automatic sensing scenarios, while also allowing for several manual conditions.
Methods and system for atrial fibrillation ablation using balloon based catheters and utilizing medical images (CT or MRI in segments) based cardiac mapping with optional esophageal temperature monitoring
Methods and system for atrial fibrillation ablations utilizing cardiac mapping based on medical image(s). The methods and system also adapted for any balloon based catheters including cryoballoon catheter, laser balloon catheter, or “hot balloon” catheter, as well as circular catheters. The methods and system includes overlaying of two or more images on top of each other (where the images are of various types or modalities) and aligning the images, where the transparency between the images can be adjusted for navigating and optimal placement of the balloon based catheters or circular catheters. The images include 3-dimensional (3D) volume rendered computed tomography (CT) or Magnetic Resonance (MR) in segments, where the segments represents anatomical structures in separate digital files, which can be selectively turned ON or OFF. The method and system may also comprise the ability to monitor esophageal temperature, and act on pre-determined levels.
Occlusion-activated heat suppression infusion sleeve
Described is a phacoemulsification device for eye surgery that generally comprises an ultrasonically vibrating aspiration needle that withdraws ocular material from inside of the eye. The ocular material withdrawn from the eye is equally replaced with irrigation fluid provided through irrigation ports in an irrigation sleeve surrounding the aspiration needle. In the event the aspiration needle stops withdrawing ocular material, such as if it becomes occluded with a chunk of ocular material, irrigation fluid is directed to the outside of the eye via at least one irrigation aperture to keep the eye cool where the needle is ultrasonically vibrating.
Devices for therapeutic nasal neuromodulation and associated methods and systems
Devices for therapeutic nasal neuromodulation and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. A system for therapeutic neuromodulation in a nasal region configured in accordance with embodiments of the present technology can include, for example, a shaft and a therapeutic element at a distal portion of the shaft. The shaft can locate the distal portion intraluminally at a target site inferior to a patient's sphenopalatine foramen. The therapeutic element can include an energy delivery element configured to therapeutically modulate postganglionic parasympathetic nerves at microforamina of a palatine bone of the human patient for the treatment of rhinitis or other indications. In other embodiments, the therapeutic element can be configured to therapeutically modulate nerves that innervate the frontal, ethmoidal, sphenoidal, and maxillary sinuses for the treatment of chronic sinusitis.