An isolating circuit for electrosurgical generator arranged to produce radiofrequency (RF) energy and microwave energy for treating biological tissue. The generator has an RF channel and a microwave channel which are combined at signal combiner to enable the RF energy and microwave energy to be delivered into tissue along a common feed path. The isolating circuit comprises a tunable waveguide isolator at a junction between the microwave channel and signal combiner, and can include a capacitive structure between a ground conductor of the signal combiner and a conductive input section of the waveguide isolator to inhibit coupling of the RF energy and leakage of the microwave energy. The isolating circuit can combine into a single tunable unit all the necessary components to isolate the microwave and RF channels from one another whilst providing a high withstanding voltage.

A radiofrequency guidewire includes a core wire configured to be coupled to a radiofrequency generator. The core wire includes a proximal end and a distal end with respect to the radiofrequency generator. A tip structure is coupled to the core wire proximate the distal end. The tip structure includes one or more edge surfaces. The one or more edge surfaces provide an area of reduced curvature radius on the tip structure. The area of reduced curvature radius generates a higher electric field than other areas of the tip structure during a delivery of radiofrequency energy on the tip structure. A method of ablating an occlusion utilizing the radiofrequency guidewire is also disclosed.

The present application relates to an optical system (1) comprising a plurality of optical components, a pulse generating arrangement (3) configured to generate a treatment pulse along a treatment pulse optical path through said optical components, said pulse generating arrangement also being configured to generate a probe pulse along a probe pulse optical path extending through said optical components, a sensor (8) configured to generate information indicative of an optical characteristic of said probe pulse that has passed along said probe pulse optical path through said optical components, and a controller (5) configured to control said pulse generating apparatus (3) to selectively emit said treatment pulse along said treatment pulse optical path (2), in dependence on the information generated by the sensor (8).

An apparatus for fragmenting a stone includes an endoscope, a laser fiber, a sheath and a detection feedback system. The endoscope includes a working channel. The working channel is configured to have a retrieval basket inserted therethrough. The sheath may include a first lumen and a second lumen. A first one of the lumen is connected to the endoscope with a shaft of the endoscope extending through the first lumen. A second one of the lumen is spaced from the shaft of the endoscope providing a channel proximate an exterior side of the shaft. The second lumen has the laser fiber inserted therethrough. The detection feedback system is configured to deliver a low energy check pulse from the laser fiber and detect a response, and configured to at least partially control delivery of a high energy laser pulse from the laser fiber to cause the stone to fragment.

A catheter system for ablation of tissue around a blood vessel, e.g., the pulmonary artery, to reduce neural activity of nerves surrounding the blood vessel. The catheter system includes an elongate shaft having a proximal portion coupled to a handle, and a distal portion. The distal portion includes a transducer and an expandable anchor, which may be actuated to transition between a collapsed delivery state and an expanded deployed state where the anchor centralizes the transducer within the blood vessel. The transducer may be actuated to emit energy to reduce neural activity of the nerves surrounding the blood vessel. Systems and method are further provided for confirming that neural activity of the nerves surround the blood vessel has been sufficiently reduced.

A device for enhancement of visual appearance including a first applicator to be coupled to a first area of a body region, with a first magnetic field generating device and a first radiofrequency electrode, a second applicator to be coupled to a second area of the body region, with a second magnetic field generating device. The device further includes a first energy storage device, a second energy storage device, and a first switching device to discharge energy from the first energy storage device to the first magnetic field generating to generate a first time-varying magnetic field to cause muscle contraction, and a second switching to discharge energy from the second energy storage device to the second magnetic field generating device to generate a second time-varying magnetic field. The first radiofrequency electrode may provide first radiofrequency waves causing heating of tissue within the first area of the body region.

A catheter system for treating a treatment site within or adjacent to a vessel wall or a heart valve, includes a light source, a balloon, a light guide and an optical analyzer assembly. The light source generates first light energy. The balloon is positionable substantially adjacent to the treatment site. The balloon has a balloon wall that defines a balloon interior that receives a balloon fluid. The light guide receives the first light energy and guides the first light energy in a first direction from a guide proximal end toward a guide distal end positioned within the balloon interior. The optical analyzer assembly optically analyzes a second light energy from the light guide that moves in a second direction that is opposite the first direction. The optical analyzer assembly includes a safety shutdown system to inhibit the first light energy from being received by the guide proximal end of the light guide.

An unattended approach can increase the reproducibility and safety of the treatment as the chance of over/under treating of a certain area is significantly decreased. On the other hand, unattended treatment of uneven or rugged areas can be challenging in terms of maintaining proper distance or contact with the treated tissue, mostly on areas which tend to differ from patient to patient (e.g. facial area). Delivering energy via a system of active elements embedded in a flexible pad adhesively attached to the skin offers a possible solution. The unattended approach may include delivering of multiple energies to enhance a visual appearance.

Various aspects of the present invention are directed towards apparatuses, systems, and method that may include a tissue ablation system. The tissue ablation system may include an ablation device, an ablation generator, and a controller configured to initiate a pre-ablation procedure in a medium, and during the pre-ablation procedure monitor temperature data and/or power data.

Systems for enabling delivery of very high peak power laser pulses through optical fibers for use in ablation procedures preferably in contact mode. Such lasers advantageously emit at 355 nm wavelength. Other systems enable selective removal of undesired tissue within a blood vessel, while minimizing the risk of damaging the blood vessel itself, based on the use of the ablative properties of short laser pulses of 320 to 400 nm laser wavelength, with selected parameters of the mechanical walls of the tubes constituting the catheter, of the laser fluence and of the force that is applied by the catheter on the tissues. Additionally, a novel method of calibrating such catheters is disclosed, which also enables real time monitoring of the ablation process. Additionally, novel methods of protecting the fibers exit facets are disclosed.