Described herein are devices, systems and methods for treating target tissue in a patient's spine. In general, the methods include the steps of advancing a wire into the patient from a first location, through a neural foramen, and out of the patient from a second location; connecting a tissue modification device to the wire; positioning the tissue modification device through the neural foramen using the wire; modifying target tissue in the spine by moving the tissue modification device against the target tissue; and delivering an agent to modified target tissue, wherein the agent is configured to inhibit blood flow from the modified target tissue. In some embodiments, the step of modifying target tissue comprises removing target tissue located ventral to the superior articular process while avoiding non-target tissue located lateral to the superior articular process.

A positioning device configured for introduction within a body lumen. Some embodiments include a catheter shaft with a longitudinal axis; an expandable element coupled along a length of the shaft, the expandable element being substantially thin and flexible in an unexpanded state and exerting a gentle outward force in an expanded state; and a deflection mechanism located within the shaft, wherein the deflection mechanism is flexible when in a non-deflected state and wherein, in the deflected state, the deflection curves in a predetermined lateral direction such that the positioning device laterally deflects the body lumen. In some embodiments, the deflection is a lateral curve that moves the body lumen away from a surgical site, such as a cardiac ablation site.

An X-ray system is described with a scatter radiation shielding device to be mounted underneath an operating table. The shielding device (10) comprises one or more layers of a radiation blocking material (6) and a cut-out (8) in the one or more layers. The cut-out extends from a point in or near a center of the one or more layers towards an edge to allow radiation transmission to pass. The shielding device is rotatable around a rotation axis. The shielding device substantially reduces the scatter radiation originating from the patient.

A system (20) includes a radiation source (48) and a controller (44), configured to display a live sequence of images of an eye (25) of a patient (22), while displaying the sequence of images, cause the radiation source to irradiate the eye with one or more aiming beams (84), which are visible in the images, subsequently to causing the radiation source to irradiate the eye with the aiming beams, receive a confirmation input from a user, and in response to receiving the confirmation input, treat the eye by causing the radiation source to irradiate respective target regions of the eye with a plurality of treatment beams. Other embodiments are also described.

In general, thermal debriding tools and methods of using thermal debriding tools are provided. In an exemplary embodiment, a thermal debriding tool is configured to be advanced minimally invasively, e.g., arthroscopically, into a patient and to cut tissue using electrical energy. The thermal debriding tool includes a heating element configured to be positioned in contact with tissue and to be heated. The heated heating element is configured to cut the tissue so as to allow the thermal debriding tool to cut the tissue using electrical energy. The heating element can be a resistive heating element that is configured to become hot when a current is delivered to the heating element. The thermal debriding tool can include an actuator configured to be actuated to cause the current to be delivered to the heating element, thereby allowing the heating element to be heated on demand.

An example assembly for use with a vacuum system and an esophageal positioning device esophageal positioning device includes an introducer, in which the esophageal positioning device includes a first segment and a second segment. The second segment is pivotally connected to the first segment. A gap portion of an outer tube of the introducer is defined along a longitudinal axis between a tube tip of the introducer and the distal end of the second segment of the esophageal positioning device when the esophageal positioning device is disposed within the introducer. The gap portion defines one or more radial vacuum holes.

Systems, devices, and methods for identifying a target in vivo are disclosed. A target identification system for use in electrosurgery includes a probe, an optical splitter, and a spectroscopy system. The probe includes an optical pathway to pass a first optical signal to an anatomical target and at least a portion of a second optical signal from the anatomical target. The optical splitter includes a first port to direct the first optical signal to the optical pathway and to receive the at least a portion of the second optical signal from the optical pathway, a second port to receive the first optical signal, and a parabolic reflector to redirect the portion of the second optical signal. The spectroscopy system can identify a characteristic of the anatomical target based on the redirected at least a portion of the second optical signal.

A surgical kit for providing a cryoprotective composition configured to be applied during cryotreatment of a patient includes: a first container containing a predetermined amount or volume of a biodegradable and/or bioerodible fluid agent; and a second container containing a predetermined amount or volume of a non-toxic cryoprotectant agent. The predetermined amount or volume of the of biodegradable and/or bioerodible fluid agent and the predetermined amount or volume of a non-toxic cryoprotectant agent are configured to be mixed together to form the cryoprotective composition in which a therapeutically effective amount of the cryoprotective composition deposited in a body space of the patient in proximity to the cryotreatment remains within at least a portion of the body space for a duration of the cryotreatment and at least a portion of a body tissue proximate to the body space is viable after the cryotreatment.

This invention provides a nasal guard, which can be constructed according to various manufacturing techniques (e.g. molding. 3D printing, etc.) for use during nasal sinus and skull base surgery to reduce aerosolized transmission to protect surgical staff, conserve the volatile supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) and reduce the introduction of particles into the operating room. The novel nasal guard, according to embodiments of this invention, can be readily applied to the patient's nose/nasal region during surgery and, while exposing the nostrils for access by surgical procedures, reduces aerosol emission from the nares. This allows for an adequate seal on a variety of face sizes/shapes without impeding access for surgical tools and/or does not otherwise interfere with surgical approach. The nasal guard herein is also compatible with standard suction equipment. The nasal guard is easy-to-use and ergonomic, and can be (is) constructed from biocompatible materials.

A pedicle access system including a cannula, a stylet, and a removable T-handle. The pedicle access system may be used to percutaneously approach the pedicle, initiate pilot hole formation, and conduct a stimulation signal to the target site for the purposes of performing a pedicle integrity assessment during the pilot hole formation. To do this, the cannula and stylet are locked in combination and inserted through an operating corridor to the pedicle target site, using the T-handle to facilitate easy movement and positioning of the cannula/stylet combination. A stimulation signal may be applied during pilot hole formation to conduct the pedicle integrity assessment. In a significant aspect, the T-handle may be detached from the cannula/stylet combination to facilitate the use of various surgical tools as necessary.