A fiber optic probe includes a first diffuse reflectance spectroscopy fiber, a second diffuse reflectance spectroscopy fiber, and a temperature sensor at a distal end of a temperature sensor fiber. Other embodiments further include a treatment fiber for delivering a high optical power density of light to a tumor and a dosimetry fiber for monitoring the light flux of the treatment fiber. Other embodiments utilize an image-guidance step in a method of using the fiber optic probe.

Embodiments of an apparatus and method for sealing and cutting of tissue during surgeries, especially in general, endoscopic, laparoscopic and robotic, are described. In one aspect, an apparatus comprises a laser system and a laser beam delivery unit. The laser unit is configured to emit a laser beam suitable for tissue sealing and cutting. The laser beam delivery unit is detachably coupled to the laser unit, and is configured to guide and direct the laser beam to seal and cut tissue. Use of optical fiber guided sensors described herein further enhances the safety and efficacy of the apparatus.

Improvements for use with tissue expanders are provided. A tissue expander includes: a selectively inflatable and deflatable shell that is configured to be implanted; and an access port for selectively inflating and deflating the shell, the access port comprising a sidewall, a base at a first end, and a membrane at a second end opposite the first end wherein the sidewall and the base of the access port are constructed of a material that is non-reactive with a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machine; and a structure of the access port is composed of a material that has a rate of temperature change lower than that of human tissue.

A method of directing energy to tissue includes the initial steps of determining target tissue location and/or target tissue margins, positioning an ablation device for delivery of energy to target tissue, and positioning one or more heat-sensitive optical probes into a tissue region to be monitored. Each heat-sensitive optical probe is adapted to utilize spectral properties of light to access one or more optical fiber portions of the heat-sensitive optical probe in response to heat. The method also includes the steps of applying energy to the ablation device, continuing ablation while size and/or position of ablated zone which received heat above a threshold value is displayed on a monitor using one or more electrical signals generated by the one or more heat-sensitive optical probes, and determining whether the ablated zone displayed on the monitor is larger than the target tissue margins.

An exemplary ablation system is provided. The system is designed for safe and efficacious energy delivery into tissue by, for example, emitting energy in a controlled, repeatable manner that allows for feedback and energy emission titration based on sensed parameters (e.g., tissue temperature) measured during ablation. The system may include a switching antenna for both heating of target tissue and radiometry to monitor the temperature of the heated tissue. For example, the switching antenna may include a monopole formed by proximal and distal radiating elements, such that the proximal radiating element includes a short to defeat a choke action of the proximal radiating element. The system further includes a processor for calculating the temperature of the target tissue and estimating volume of the ablation lesion based on the target tissue temperature.

An exemplary ablation system is provided. The system is designed for safe and efficacious energy delivery into tissue by, for example, emitting energy in a controlled, repeatable manner that allows for feedback and energy emission titration based on sensed parameters (e.g., tissue temperature) measured during ablation. The system may include a switching antenna for both heating of target tissue and radiometry to monitor the temperature of the heated tissue. For example, the switching antenna may include a monopole formed by proximal and distal radiating elements, such that the proximal radiating element includes a short to defeat a choke action of the proximal radiating element. The system further includes a processor for calculating the temperature of the target tissue and estimating volume of the ablation lesion based on the target tissue temperature.

A fiber optic probe includes a first diffuse reflectance spectroscopy fiber, a second diffuse reflectance spectroscopy fiber, and a temperature sensor at a distal end of a temperature sensor fiber. Other embodiments further include a treatment fiber for delivering a high optical power density of light to a tumor and a dosimetry fiber for monitoring the light flux of the treatment fiber. Other embodiments utilize an image-guidance step in a method of using the fiber optic probe.

Dermatological systems and methods for providing a therapeutic laser treatment using a handpiece delivering one or more therapeutic laser pulses to a target skin area along a first optical path, and sensing the temperature of the target skin area based on infrared energy radiating from the target skin area along a second optical path generally counterdirectional to the first optical path, and sharing a common optical axis with the first optical path for at least a portion of the first and second optical paths. The handpiece may also provide contact cooling for a first skin area comprising the target skin area.

An arrangement including an air conveying device and a suction device guiding an air flow across a site for a duration of a process. The direction of air flowing towards the surface and a tangent to the surface at the ablation site intersect at an angle. A flow velocity of the air flow is controlled. A direction of air flowing away from the surface and the tangent at the site intersect. The flow velocity is selectable, within a specified range. A flow velocity is variable.