Apparatus (20) for treating an intervertebral disc (30) of a subject is provided. The apparatus (20) includes at least three intra-pulposus exposed electrode surfaces (40), which are configured to be implanted within a nucleus pulposus (42) of the disc (30), at different respective locations; and one or more extra-pulposus exposed electrode surfaces (44), which are configured to be implanted outside the nucleus pulposus (42), in electrical communication with the disc (30). Control circuitry (50) is configured to (a) configure the intra-pulposus exposed electrode surfaces (40) to be cathodes, and the one or more extra-pulposus exposed electrode surfaces (44) to be one or more anodes, and (b) drive the intra-pulposus exposed electrode surfaces (40) and the one or more extra-pulposus exposed electrode surfaces (44) to electroosmotically drive fluid into the nucleus pulposus (40) to increase pressure in the disc (30).

Systems and methods that deliver a continuous partial nerve conduction block are described. A waveform generator can configure one or more direct current (DC) waveforms to provide a continuous partial nerve conduction block. One or more electrodes can deliver the one or more DC waveforms to provide the partial block to the neural structure. Feedback can be provided to the waveform generator related to the partial block. The feedback includes monitoring a property associated with the partial block and altering a parameter associated with the one or more direct current waveforms in response to the property associated with the partial block.

Disclosed herein are systems and methods for nerve conduction block. The systems and methods can utilize at least one renewable electrode. The methods can include delivering a first direct current with a first polarity to an electrode proximate nervous tissue sufficient to block conduction in the nervous tissue. Delivering the first direct current can place the nervous tissue in a hypersuppressed state at least partially preventing conduction of the nervous tissue after cessation of delivering of the first direct current. The nervous tissue can be maintained in the hypersuppressed state for a desired period, such as at least about 1 minute.

A method for targeted drug delivery. The method includes injecting a drug composition into a cancer patient's body including forming an ion of an anticancer agent of the drug composition in bloodstream of the cancer patient, placing an electrically conductive element in a region next to a tumor location inside the cancer patient's body, and delivering the drug composition to the tumor location. Delivering the drug composition to the tumor location includes electrostatically trapping the drug composition within the tumor location by applying an electrostatic field with an opposite sign of electric charge to a sign of electric charge of the ion of the anticancer agent to the electrically conductive element.

Devices and methods can be used to treat of heart conditions, hypertension, and other medical disorders. For example, devices and methods for treating atrial fibrillation by performing thoracic vein ablation procedures, including pulmonary vein myocardium ablation are described herein. In some embodiments, the ablation is performed in coordination with the delivery a pharmacological agent that can abate the formation of tissue stenosis or neointimal hyperplasia caused by the ablation.

A method of creating a drug eluting system for hernia repair in a patient is provided. The includes providing an implantable mesh for hernia repair comprised of at least one of polytetrafluoroethylene fibers or polytetrafluoroethylene filaments, wherein the at least one of the polytetrafluoroethylene fibers or polytetrafluoroethylene filaments is at least one of directionally or non-directionally oriented, positioning a pharmaceutical agent on the implantable mesh, and coating at least a portion of the at least one of the polytetrafluoroethylene fibers or polytetrafluoroethylene filaments and the pharmaceutical agent with a polymer, wherein the implantable mesh is configured to be positioned in the body of the patient during the repair of the hernia and the pharmaceutical agent elutes from the implantable mesh into the body of the patient at the site of the hernia repair.

A dermatological skin treatment device is provided. The device comprises a handpiece and a cutting tool, wherein the tool is inserted through the conduit and percutaneously inserted into a tissue disposed within a recessed area of the handpiece. The device and method cut the fibrous structures under the skin that cause cellulite at an angle substantially parallel to the surface of the skin and replace these structures with a non-cellulite forming structure by deploying a highly fibrous mesh through a single needle hole to create a highly fibrous layer directly or through wound healing processes.

An ablation system including a first probe extending through a first longitudinal lumen from a proximal end to beyond a distal end of a flexible shaft, a first electrode coupled to a distal end of the first probe, and a first conductor electrically coupled to the first electrode. The ablation system further includes a second probe extending through a second longitudinal lumen from the proximal end to beyond the distal end of the flexible shaft, a second electrode coupled to a distal end of the second probe, and a second conductor electrically coupled to the second electrode. The first and second probes are rotatable and translatable within the first and second longitudinal lumens respectively. Furthermore, the first electrode and the second electrode are rotatably and translatably positionable with respect to one another, via the first probe and the second probe respectively, to define a region therebetween.

Systems and methods are provided for sealing an ear canal for retaining a solution in the ear canal. Adhesive earplugs are provided through which the solution can be delivered, and which, following delivery, retain the fluid in the ear canal. The systems and methods may also be useful for delivering an anesthetizing solution to the ear canal of a human patient and for maintaining the solution therein for use with an iontophoresis system for anesthetizing the tympanic membrane.

This document provides devices and methods for the treatment of heart conditions, hypertension, and other medical disorders. For example, this document provides devices and methods for treating atrial fibrillation by performing thoracic vein ablation procedures, including pulmonary vein myocardium ablation. In some embodiments, the ablation is performed in coordination with the delivery a pharmacological agent that can abate the formation of tissue stenosis or neointimal hyperplasia caused by the ablation.