According to an aspect, there is provided a handheld device (2) for applying energy pulses to skin (17) of a subject to perform a treatment operation as the handheld device is moved across the skin, the handheld device comprising: an aperture (6) that is to be placed adjacent to the skin; at least one energy source (8) for generating an energy pulse and for providing the energy pulse through the aperture to perform the treatment operation on 5 skin adjacent the aperture, wherein the at least one energy source has a minimum pulse repetition period following the generation of an energy pulse before a subsequent energy pulse can be generated; a first skin property sensor (14) for measuring a skin property and for outputting a first measurement signal representing measurements of the skin property at a first sensing position (24), wherein the skin property is a property that changes in response to the application of an energy pulse to the skin, and wherein the first sensing position is in front of the aperture relative to an intended motion direction of the handheld device over the skin; a second skin property sensor (16) for measuring the skin property and for outputting a second measurement signal representing measurements of the skin property at a second sensing position (26), wherein the second sensing position is behind the aperture relative to the intended motion direction; a memory unit (56); and a control unit (10) that is coupled to the at least one energy source to control the generation of energy pulses by the at least one energy source, and coupled to the first skin property sensor and the second skin property sensor to obtain the first measurement signal and the second measurement signal, wherein the control unit is configured to store a profile of at least the first measurement signal in the memory unit; wherein the control unit is further configured to, when the handheld device is moving in the intended motion direction over the skin: analyse the profile of the first measurement signal to determine if the first skin property sensor is passing over a previously treated area of skin; on detecting that the first skin property sensor is not passing over a previously treated area of skin, control the at least one energy source to generate an energy pulse if, or once, the minimum pulse repetition period following the generation of a previous energy pulse has expired; on detecting that the first skin property sensor is passing over a previously treated area of skin, performing the consecutive operations of: preventing the generation of an energy pulse, even if the minimum pulse repet

Catheter systems of the invention involve guided and informed dissolution of occlusions in blood vessels. According to certain aspects, a catheter system of the invention includes an elongate body defining a first lumen and comprising a distal portion, an inner member configured for insertion into the first lumen, the inner member comprising an energy source configured to deliver therapeutic energy to a treatment site, and an imaging assembly located at the distal portion of the elongate body. In some embodiments, the catheter system includes a functional flow sensor in addition to or as an alternative to the imaging assembly.

A photo-thermal targeted treatment system for damaging a target embedded in a medium includes a controller and a photo-thermal treatment unit including a light source. The controller is configured for administering a treatment protocol using the light source at a preset power setting and a preset pulse timing setting. Also, a method for automatically initiating a treatment protocol using a photo-thermal targeted treatment system includes administering a cooling mechanism at a treatment location, monitoring a skin surface temperature at the treatment location and, when the skin surface temperature reaches a preset threshold, automatically initiating the photo-thermal treatment protocol. Further, a method for automatically terminating a treatment protocol using includes, during administration of the treatment protocol at a treatment area, monitoring a skin surface temperature at the treatment location, and when the skin surface temperature reaches a preset threshold, automatically terminating the treatment protocol.

Surgical devices, systems and methods for treating tissue are provided. Also provided are systems for treating tissue and methods of treating tissue. An exemplary surgical device comprises a handle (20a) having a proximal end and a distal end; a shaft extending distally beyond the distal end of the handle, the shaft having a proximal end and a distal end; an electrode tip (45), at least a portion of the electrode tip extending distally beyond the distal end of the shaft, the electrode tip extending distally beyond the distal end of the shaft comprising a spherical end surface portion (25) and a cylindrical side surface portion, the spherical end surface portion located distal to the cylindrical side surface portion and comprising at least a portion of the distal end surface of the surgical device; and a fluid passage directed to provide a fluid towards the cylindrical side portion of the electrode tip.

An apparatus for the treatment of a soft tissue injury (eg a soft tissue injury that may be the cause, or contributes to, acute or chronic pain such. as sciatica) comprising; a thermal imaging arrangement to scan, a least a portion of a patient to provide a thermal image; a processing arrangement to review the thermal image to determine a point or region of thermal anomaly on the patient; a laser treatment device to provide a laser beam (eg for low-level laser treatment); and a guidance arrangement for the laser treatment device to guide the laser beam to the point or region of thermal anomaly on the patient as determined by the processing arrangement; to thereby treat the patient.

Polymers, hydrogels, and thermochromic agents, including products embodying them, methods of using them, and processes for making them. In certain embodiments, temperature therapy packs which utilize thermochromic agents integrated into solid, semi-solid, or liquid hydrogels. In preferred (but optional) embodiments, the thermochromic agents are integrated into the composition used as the temperature exchange material of the therapy pack. In certain other embodiments, methods of using the thermochromic integrated temperature exchange materials, or processes for manufacturing such thermochromic integrated temperature exchange materials and/or methods or processes for manufacturing or using thermal packs embodying such materials. In certain particularly preferred embodiments, novel polymer compositions and/or processes for making polymers, which improve product durability or longevity and/or which improve use cycles or usage times.

Methods for treating a patient using time varying magnetic field are described. The treatment methods combine various approaches for aesthetic treatment. The methods are focused on enhancing a visual appearance of the patient.

An apparatus is configured to operate on tissue. The apparatus includes an end effector with an upper jaw and a lower jaw. The upper jaw is configured to pivot relative to the lower jaw. The apparatus also includes an electrode cap coupled to either the upper or lower jaw. The electrode cap includes a first electrode surface configured at a first polarity and a second electrode surface configured at a second polarity. The second polarity is opposite to the first polarity. The electrode cap is configured to be applied to tissue such that the electrode cap is operable to deliver bipolar RF energy to the tissue. The electrode cap may be used to selectively weld bleeding tissue in a localized fashion, without having to place the tissue between the jaws, and without having to use an instrument separate from the jaws.

Devices, systems, and methods for degassing fluid prior to applying fluid to a treatment site during ablation therapy are provided. In one embodiment, an ablation system can include an elongate body, an ablation element, a heating assembly, and a fluid source. Fluid in the fluid source can be at least partially degassed prior to being provided as part of the system, or, in some embodiments, a degassing apparatus can be provided that can be configured to degas fluid within the system prior to applying the fluid to the treatment site. The degassing apparatus can include one or more gas-permeable and fluid-impermeable tubes disposed therein, which can allow gas to be removed from fluid passing through the apparatus. Other exemplary devices, systems, and methods are also provided.

A system and method are provided for minimally-invasive selective fat removal from a target area by injecting the area with a solution of photo-absorbing nanoparticles and irradiating the injected area with a beam of near infrared (NIR) light. The NIR emission wavelength excites the nanoparticles to melt fat within the target area so that the liquefied fat can be aspirated from the target area. The nanoparticles may be gold nanorods having aspect ratios selected to produce surface plasmon resonance when irradiated with NIR light around 800 nm.