A base member includes: a base member having a longitudinal direction; a first linear member extending in the longitudinal direction; and a second linear member extending in the longitudinal direction. The first linear member is fixed to the base member at a first position, and is movable with respect to the base member in the longitudinal direction, on one side of the first position in the longitudinal direction. The second linear member is fixed to the base member at a second position, and is movable with respect to the base member in the longitudinal direction, on the one side of the second position in the longitudinal direction. The base member is capable of detecting curvature of the base member between the first position and the second fixed position based on change in a relative position between the first linear member and the second linear member.

A balloon catheter includes: a balloon; an outside shaft connected to a proximal end of the balloon; an inside shaft extending inside the outside shaft and into the balloon to be connected to a distal end of the balloon; and a heating member disposed in the balloon for heating a liquid in the balloon. A distance between a distal end of the outside shaft and a proximal end of the heating member is 0 mm to 5 mm.

A method, system, and device for predicting lesion quality. Specifically, lesion quality may be predicted based on an assessment of pulmonary vein occlusion using injection of an impedance-modifying agent and evaluation of changes in impedance measurements recorded by an electrode located distal to an occlusion element of the treatment device used to inject the impedance-modifying agent. The quality of the occlusion may be rated based on the changes in impedance over time within the pulmonary vein. For example, the quality of the occlusion may be rated as being good, fair, or poor. This assessment may be quickly and easily communicated to an operator.

Methods and systems for modulating intraosseous nerves (e.g., nerves within bone) are provided. For example, the methods and systems described herein may be used to modulate (e.g., denervate, ablate) basivertebral nerves within vertebrae. The modulation of the basivertebral nerves may facilitate treatment of chronic back pain. The modulation may be performed by a neuromodulation device an energy delivery device).

Disclosed is a device for interstitial laser therapy. The device comprises an optical waveguide extending about a central longitudinal axis and having an optical output end; an optical diffuser optically coupled to, optically associate with, or positioned about the optical output end, wherein the optical diffuser comprises a housing having an open end for receiving the optical output end and a first longitudinal portion of the optical waveguide; and a temperature sensor interposed, positioned or located between the central longitudinal axis and an exterior surface of the housing, and preferably within the longitudinal extent of the first longitudinal portion of the optical waveguide. The optical diffuser can be provided with one or more holes, one or more slits, one or more openings, and/or one or more vents. The device can also include a second temperature sensor. Also disclosed is a system for interstitial laser therapy.

Apparatus, consisting of a probe, containing a lumen and having a distal end configured to contact tissue of a living subject. A temperature sensor is located at the distal end, and a pump, having a pump motor, is coupled to deliver a cryogenic fluid through the lumen to the distal end of the probe and to receive the cryogenic fluid returning from the probe. There is a separator, coupled to separate the returning cryogenic fluid into a returning cryogenic liquid and a returning cryogenic gas, and a flow meter, coupled to measure a rate of flow of the returning cryogenic gas. A processor is configured to control a rate of pumping of the pump motor in response to a temperature measured by the temperature sensor and the rate of flow of the returning cryogenic gas.

Methods and devices for treating nasal airways are provided. Such devices and methods may improve airflow through an internal and/or external nasal valve, and comprise the use of mechanical re-shaping, energy application and other treatments to modify the shape, structure, and/or air flow characteristics of an internal nasal valve, an external nasal valve or other nasal airways.

An electrode assembly including an elongate body, a proximal emitter, and a distal emitter. A discharge port may be in fluid communication with a lumen of the elongate body. The proximal and distal emitters are formed by plating a metal an outer surface of the elongate body that is polymeric. A portion of the elongate body forms an insulative spacer between the proximal and distal emitters. A distal cap may be coupled to the elongate body, formed from conductive material, and arranged in electrical communication with the distal emitter. A distal lead, a thermocouple, and/or a hypotube may be disposed within the lumen to form an electrical pathway with the distal cap. A sheath may be disposed over a portion of the proximal emitter, and a radiopaque marker may be coupled to the proximal emitter. Methods of fabricating the electrode assembly are also disclosed.

A medical apparatus includes a probe configured for insertion into a body of a patient. The probe includes electrodes configured to contact tissue within the body. The medical apparatus further includes an electrical signal generator configured to apply between pairs of the electrodes signals of first and second types in alternation. The signals of the first type include a sequence of bipolar pulses having an amplitude sufficient to cause irreversible electrophoresis (IRE) in the tissue contacted by the electrodes. The signals of the second type include a radio-frequency (RF) signal having a power sufficient to thermally ablate the tissue contacted by the electrodes.

Described herein are various implementations of systems and methods for accessing and modulating tissue (for example, systems and methods for accessing and ablating nerves or other tissue within or surrounding a vertebral body to treat chronic lower back pain). Assessment of vertebral endplate degeneration or defects (e.g., pre-Modic changes) to facilitate identification of treatment sites and protocols are also provided in several embodiments. Several embodiments comprise the use of biomarkers to confirm or otherwise assess ablation, pain relief, efficacy of treatment, etc. Some embodiments include robotic elements for, as an example, facilitating robotically controlled access, navigation, imaging, and/or treatment.