Methods and systems are disclosed for removing a tattoo from a subject's skin by application of radiation to a target region of a subject's tattooed dermis, mobilization of tattoo ink particles, and extraction of the tattoo ink particles from the tattooed dermis. In certain embodiments, the invention can further include induction of a plasma, e.g., a cold atmospheric plasma, at the target region to assist in the degradation, dislodgement and/or mobilization of the tattoo ink particles.

A medical device includes an elongate shaft extending between a proximal portion and a distal portion defining a distal end. The shaft includes a puncture device having a puncturing tip at the distal end, a distally facing camera in the distal portion, and a lighting system comprising distally facing light emitter in the distal portion.

Systems and methods are provided for modeling and for providing a graphical representation of tissue heating and electric field distributions for medical treatment devices that apply electrical treatment energy through one or a plurality of electrodes. In embodiments, methods comprise: providing one or more parameters of a treatment protocol for delivering one or more electrical pulses to tissue through a plurality of electrodes; modeling electric and heat distribution in the tissue based on the parameters; and displaying a graphical representation of the modeled electric and heat distribution. In another embodiment, a treatment planning module is adapted to generate an estimated target ablation zone based on a combination of one or more parameters for an irreversible electroporation protocol and one or more tissue-specific conductivity parameters.

An energy delivery probe is provided that may include any of a number of features. One feature of the energy delivery probe is that it can apply energy to tissue, such as a prostrate, to shrink, damage, denaturate the prostate. In some embodiments, the energy can be applied with a vapor media. The energy delivery probe can include a vapor delivery member configured to extend into a transition zone prostate tissue. A condensable vapor media can be delivered from the vapor delivery member into the transition zone tissue, wherein the condensable vapor media can propagate interstitially in the transition zone tissue and be confined in the transition zone tissue by boundary tissue adjacent to the transition zone tissue. Methods associated with use of the energy delivery probe are also covered.

Embodiments of medical devices and methods are disclosed. The medical devices typically comprises a needle with a rigid proximal shaft, a flexible distal shaft and a distal tip. The distal tip includes an electrode for delivering energy to puncture a tissue. In some embodiments, the distal shaft comprises a superelastic material. In other embodiments, the distal shaft is comprised of both a superelastic material and a non-superelastic material.

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.

A robotic platform system having a lower stage with a motorized cartesian carriage, an upper stage, and a needle insertion module that connects both stages together.

An apparatus and method for sending test signals to an instrument, and checking the resultant and subsequently arriving echo signals in order to detect specific properties and changes of properties on the line, the instrument, the tissue or also on a fluid body, e.g., plasma body, present on an electrode of the instrument, and to control the operation of the supply arrangement accordingly.

A wall of a catheter (a) includes a braided portion having an outer surface, an inner surface, and a braided interior between the outer and inner surfaces, and (b) is shaped to define first and second longitudinally-running channels therethrough. A distal portion of the catheter is shaped to define first and second lateral openings. An angle between (a) a first line running between the first and second lateral openings, and (b) a second line that is parallel to a central longitudinal axis of the catheter when the catheter is straight, is between 30 and 150 degrees. A flexible longitudinal member passes from a proximal portion of the catheter to the distal portion via the first channel, out of the first channel via the first lateral opening, into the second channel via the second lateral opening, and from the distal portion to the proximal portion via the second channel.

Disclosed herein is an RF ablation system including a plurality of electrodes, a ground pad, and a signal generator. The electrodes are positioned at respective tissue sites within a patient's body, and the ground pad is positioned on the patient's body. The signal generator is coupled to the ground pad and the electrodes via corresponding channels including a selected channel and unselected channels. The signal generator commutates switching circuits for the corresponding channels to close the selected channel and to open the unselected channels, and measures a first impedance over the selected channel. The signal generator commutates the switching circuits to close the selected channel and the unselected channels, and then measures a second impedance. The signal generator computes a difference between the first and second impedances, and determines the ground pad has at least a poor electrical connection to the patient's body when the difference exceeds a threshold.