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.

Devices and methods for controlling ablation therapy are provided herein. In one embodiment, an ablation device is provided that includes an elongate body having proximal and distal ends, and an inner lumen extending therethrough. The inner lumen can be configured to receive fluid therein and to deliver fluid to the distal end of the elongate body. The device can also include an ablation element positioned at a distal end of the elongate body that is configured to heat surrounding tissue, and a heater element disposed within the inner lumen adjacent to a distal end of thereof, the heater element being configured to heat fluid flowing through the inner lumen.

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.

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.

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.

The invention provides for a medical instrument (100) comprising: a high intensity focused ultrasound system (122) for sonicating a target region (139) within a subject (118); a light source (158) for exciting a temperature sensitive fluorescent dye, wherein the light source is configured for coupling to an optical fiber cable (148) of a urinary catheter (140); a light source (160) for measuring fluorescence (190) emitted by the temperature sensitive fluorescent dye, wherein the light source is configured for coupling to the optical fiber cable; a memory (178) for storing machine executable instructions (180); and a processor (174) for controlling the medical instrument. Execution of the machine executable instructions cause the processor to: receive (200) a sonication plan (188) descriptive of a sonication of the target region; measure (202) the fluorescence using the light sensor; calculate (204) a bladder temperature (192) using the fluorescence; and generate (206) sonication commands (194) using the sonication plan and the bladder temperature, wherein the sonication commands are adapted for controlling the high intensity focused ultrasound system to sonicate the target region.

The present is directed to improved systems and methods for skin cooling treatments. A skin cooling treatment system can include a mechanical arm that can have a proximal end and an distal end. The system can include a processor that can control the mechanical arm, and a cryospray applicator. The cryospray applicator can be coupled to the distal end of the mechanical arm and can be moveable by the mechanical arm to deliver a spray of cryogen to a portion of an area of skin tissue for treatment. The cryospray applicator can include an array of orifices through which the cryogen can be sprayed.

A method for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-guided interstitial thermal therapy includes receiving MRI data for tissue of a patient, generating an apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) map from the MM data, identifying a target site for thermal therapy based on the ADC map, wherein the target site is identified based on an area on the ADC map with a lowest ADC value, planning the thermal therapy for the target site including identifying localized areas of the target site to be ablated first during delivery of the thermal therapy, activating a laser to deliver the thermal therapy using a laser fiber, and monitoring progress of the thermal therapy using MR thermometry.

Skin treatment apparatus comprising an energy applicator structure configured to establish heating or ablation at a predetermined and controllable (i.e. selectable) depth below a surface of skin tissue with which it is in contact. The applicator structure may receive a cooling medium and microwave frequency electromagnetic energy, which provide a combined treatment effect that results in heating or ablation in a zone beneath the skin surface. The applicator may be a waveguide (e.g. waveguide horn antenna) with internal shielding configured to provide a substantially uniform heating effect. The applicator may include a thermal camera to monitor treatment.

A system of temperature measurement and control in which temperature of the medical fluid being conveyed through a medical device is indirectly measured and controlled via sensed color change of an of an inexpensive injected molded or extruded thermochromic flow chamber.