Methods and apparatuses for speeding the softening of the cervix (cervical ripening) by way of application of ultrasound energy. A vaginal transducer may be used to emit pulse-modulated ultrasound energy directed to the cervix. Focused ultrasound energy may be applied transabdominally and directed at the cervix.

A process for heat treating biological tissue includes providing a plurality of energy emitters formed into an array. Treatment energy is generated from the plurality of emitters and applied to target tissue. The treatment energy has energy and application parameters selected so as to raise the target tissue temperature sufficiently to create a therapeutic effect while maintaining an average temperature of the target tissue over several minutes at or below a predetermined temperature so as not to destroy or permanently damage the target tissue.

A catheter is disclosed that may be used in a minimally invasive internal treatment (e.g., sonodynamic therapy). The catheter can include a housing, a portion of which may be positioned in contact with internal tissue of a patient during a minimally invasive sonodynamic or photo-sonodynamic therapy procedure. The catheter may include multiple electrically independent ultrasound transducers. The ultrasound transducers can be configured to emit ultrasound energy into the internal tissue of the patient. The ultrasound energy that is emitted from the catheter may reach a target tissue depth at a relatively low temporal average intensity (e.g., less than 50 W/cm2). Such ultrasound energy may activate the sensitizer.

Systems, devices and methods treat target tissue to provide a therapeutic benefit to the patient. A tissue treatment device comprises a tissue treatment element constructed and arranged to treat target tissue, such as duodenal mucosa and/or submucosal tissue. Patients treated can safely eliminate or reduce their daily insulin intake.

The present invention, in some embodiments thereof, relates to a devices and methods for intravascular denervation and assessment thereof and, more particularly, but not exclusively, to devices and methods for renal denervation. Some embodiments of the invention relate to an intravascular catheter configured for ultrasonic ablation of the tissue, comprising a plurality of piezoelectric transceivers. In some embodiments, an intravascular distancing device is provided, the device adapted for obtaining at least a minimal distance between an ultrasound emitting element and a tissue, such as the blood vessel wall. Some embodiments of the invention relate to assessment of renal sympathetic denervation (RSD) treatment effectiveness. Some embodiments of the invention relate to processing echo of signals, such as processing of signals to characterize physical and/or mechanical properties of the blood vessel.

The present disclosure relates to the field of endoscopy. In particular, the present disclosure relates to systems and methods suitable for resecting or dissecting large areas of mucosal or submucosal tissue. The system may apply tension to and continuously manipulate mucosal tissue such that large lesions may be resected or dissected by a cutting element disposed at the distal end of an endoscope.

An ultrasonic device for treatment of atherosclerosis. The device includes a sonotrode, a transmission wire and a tip, said sonotrode comprising a transducer and a horn, the transducer being coupled to the horn. The transmission wire is coupled on one end with the horn and on the opposite end with the tip, so that when the transducer vibrates, said vibration are amplified by the horn and transmitted to the transmission wire that displaces accordingly, said displacements of the wire inducing vibrations of the tip generating an acoustic field from said tip. The device comprises n sonotrode, n transmission wire, and at least one tip, n being superior or equal to two. The device further comprises a control module being arranged for controlling the amplitude of displacement of each transmission wire so as to set up the emitted acoustic field generated from said tip.

A process for heat treating biological tissue includes repeatedly applying a pulsed energy to a target tissue over a period of time so as to controllably raise a temperature of the target tissue to create a therapeutic effect to the target tissue without destroying or permanently damaging the target tissue. After the first treatment is concluded the application of the pulsed energy to the target tissue is halted for an interval of time. Within a single treatment session a second treatment is performed on the target tissue after the interval of time by repeatedly reapplying the pulsed energy to the target tissue so as to controllably raise the temperature of the target tissue to therapeutically treat the target tissue without destroying or permanently damaging the target tissue.

Systems, devices and methods for occluding the left atrial appendage (LAA). The device excludes the LAA from blood flow. The implantable device is delivered via transcatheter delivery into the LAA and secured within the LAA. The implant comprises an expandable and compliant frame and an expandable and conformable tubular foam body. A delivery and tether retraction system includes a handle for controlling a pusher and tether. The pusher may be moved a distance away from the implant without changing the orientation of the implant, while the tether is still attached to the implant. Severing the tether and proximally retracting a control on the hand piece by a distance causes the severed end to advance distally by at least about twice that distance. A loader includes a conical portion with guides and a reservoir for submerging the foam prior to loading and delivery.

Implantable bio-heating and intrabody communication systems use arrays of piezoelectric micromachined ultrasonic transducers (pMUTs) to provide ultrasound-based diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions. Systems involving one or more pMUT arrays can be implanted into the body or integrating into smart ingestible pills to enable monitoring of a medical condition and/or continuous or intermittent application of hyperthermia and other treatments.