Described here are methods and systems for the manipulation of ovarian tissues. The methods and systems may be used in the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The systems and methods may be useful in the treatment of infertility associated with PCOS.

Disclosed herein are ultrasound transducers that are selectively insulated to thereby enable the transducers to be exposed to an electrically conductive fluid without causing a short circuit between electrodes of the transducers. Such a transducer includes a piezoelectric transducer body having a first surface and a second surface that are spaced apart from one another and do not intersect with one another. The ultrasound transducer also includes a first electrode disposed on the first surface, a second electrode disposed on the second surface, and an electrical insulator covering only one of first and second electrodes and configured to inhibit electrical conduction between the first electrode and the second electrode when the ultrasound transducer is placed within an electrically conductive fluid. Also disclosed are apparatuses and systems that include such a transducer. Related methods are also disclosed herein.

Apparatus and methods for creating tissue necrosis include an energy delivery apparatus that can be positioned adjacent a target treatment site such as a vessel without direct contact with the treatment site tissue. Collimated energy is then directed to the vessel to create necrotic regions in the tissue. Exemplary use in renal vessels creates necrotic regions in adjacent nerves which can alleviate hypertension in a patient.

Systems for nerve and tissue modulation are disclosed. An illustrative system may include an intravascular nerve modulation system including a catheter shaft, a first flexible mount, and a cylindrical ablation transducer. The ablation transducer may be affixed to the catheter shaft through the flexible mount to allow an infusion fluid to pass through a lumen of the transducer. Another illustrative system may include an intravascular nerve modulation system including an expandable basket for centering an ablation tra7nsducer within a lumen.

A process for preventing or treating myopia includes applying a pulsed energy, such as a pulsed laser beam, to tissue of an eye having myopia or a risk of having myopia. The source of pulsed energy has energy parameters including wavelength or frequency, duty cycle and pulse train duration, which are selected so as to raise an eye tissue temperature up to eleven degrees Celsius to achieve therapeutic or prophylactic effect, such as stimulating heat shock protein activation in the eye tissue. The average temperature rise of the eye tissue over several minutes is maintained at or below a predetermined level so as not to permanently damage the eye tissue.

Methods and systems for delivering toxin and toxin fragments to a patient's nasal cavity provide for both release of the toxin and delivery of energy which selectively porates target cells to enhance uptake of the toxin. The use of energy-mediated delivery is particularly advantageous with light chain fragment toxins which lack cell binding capacity.

A catheter and methods for luminal therapy are provided wherein a catheter includes an elongated catheter shaft having a proximal end and a distal region, a first inflation lumen and a second inflation lumen extending from the proximal end to the distal region; a fluid impermeable balloon affixed to the distal region; an intermediate balloon affixed to the distal region to envelop the fluid impermeable balloon, the intermediate balloon having a first multiplicity of through-wall apertures; and an outer balloon affixed to the distal region to envelop the intermediate balloon, the exterior surface of the outer balloon comprising a coating of an agent; wherein the first inflation lumen is coupled to a first space enclosed by the fluid impermeable balloon, the second inflation lumen is coupled to a second space defined by the fluid impermeable balloon and the intermediate balloon, wherein the fluid impermeable balloon is configured to contact and expand the intermediate balloon against the outer balloon, and to expand the outer balloon such that the coating is in contact with a luminal wall. The outer balloon also may include a multiplicity of through-wall apertures.

An apparatus for medical diagnosis and/or treatment is provides. The apparatus includes a flexible substrate forming an inflatable body and a plurality of force sensing elements disposed on the flexible substrate. The plurality of force sensing elements are disposed about the inflatable body such that the force sensing elements are disposed at areas of minimal curvature of the inflatable body in a deflated state.

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.

Provided are products of manufacture and methods for the removal and/or destruction of a biofilm in situ, e.g., a gastro-luminal biofilm, and for the treatment or amelioration of biofilm-associated diseases, infections and conditions, including and GI luminal infections. Provided are devices and apparatus, and methods for using them, for the removal, disruption and/or destruction of a biofilm in situ, e.g., a gastro-luminal biofilm. In alternative embodiments, provided are devices and apparatus, and methods, for enhancing biofilm dissolving or disrupting agents, or for administering biofilm dissolving or disrupting agents, where in alternative embodiments the biofilm comprises a gastro-luminal ‘unstirred layer’, adherent layer or gastro-luminal mucus layer; or the biofilm comprises a matrix or a DNA-containing layer, or alternatively the biofilm comprises a polysaccharide gastro-luminal peripheral layer.