Provided herein are methods for treating nephrolithiasis and protecting the urothelium and inner lining of the kidney from thermal damage during lithotripsy by use of a thermosensitive bio-adhesive hydrogel. The described method dramatically improved the efficiency and effectiveness of stone clearance compared to conventional techniques while providing protection to the urothelium from potentially damaging temperature spikes.

Provided herein are methods for treating nephrolithiasis and protecting the urothelium and inner lining of the kidney from thermal damage during lithotripsy by use of a thermosensitive bio-adhesive hydrogel. The described method dramatically improved the efficiency and effectiveness of stone clearance compared to conventional techniques while providing protection to the urothelium from potentially damaging temperature spikes.

A method treating a root canal in a tooth by introducing into the pulp chamber of a tooth and pulsing a laser light into the fluid reservoir so as to disintegrate pulp within the root canal without generation of any significant heat in said liquid fluid so as to avoid elevating the temperature of any of the dentin, tooth, or other adjacent tissue more than about 5″ C.

A method treating a root canal in a tooth by introducing into the pulp chamber of a tooth and pulsing a laser light into the fluid reservoir so as to disintegrate pulp within the root canal without generation of any significant heat in said liquid fluid so as to avoid elevating the temperature of any of the dentin, tooth, or other adjacent tissue more than about 5″ C.

A catheter system for treating a treatment site within or adjacent to a vessel wall or a heart valve includes an energy source, a balloon, an energy guide, and an electrical analyzer assembly. The energy source generates energy. The balloon is positionable substantially adjacent to the treatment site. The balloon has a balloon wall that defines a balloon interior that receives a balloon fluid. The energy guide is configured to receive energy from the energy source and guide the energy into the balloon interior. The electrical analyzer assembly is configured to monitor a balloon condition during use of the catheter system. The electrical analyzer assembly can include a first electrode, a second electrode, and an impedance detector that is electrically coupled to the first electrode and the second electrode. The impedance detector is configured to detect impedance between the first electrode and the second electrode.

An intracellular delivery system and method are provided. The intracellular delivery system comprises a laser-activated surface and cells positioned at a distance from the laser-activated surface. A laser provided a laser pulse that is used to porate membranes of the cells to deliver or extract cargo from the cells into a liquid surrounding the cells. The method of intracellular delivery comprises positioning a laser-activated surface at a distance from cells and applying a laser pulse from the laser to the surface to porate membranes of the cells to deliver or extract cargo from the cells into a liquid surrounding the cells.

An intracellular delivery system and method are provided. The intracellular delivery system comprises a laser-activated surface and cells positioned at a distance from the laser-activated surface. A laser provided a laser pulse that is used to porate membranes of the cells to deliver or extract cargo from the cells into a liquid surrounding the cells. The method of intracellular delivery comprises positioning a laser-activated surface at a distance from cells and applying a laser pulse from the laser to the surface to porate membranes of the cells to deliver or extract cargo from the cells into a liquid surrounding the cells.

A catheter system (100) for treating one or more treatment sites (106) within or adjacent to a vessel wall (108) or a heart valve includes an energy source (124), an energy guide (122A), and a plasma generator (133). The energy source (124) is configured to generate (i) an energizing pulse, and (ii) a conditioning pulse that alternately generates a lower energy than the energizing pulse. The energy source (124) includes a source adjuster (224A) that conditions the energy source (124). The energy guide (122A) is configured to selectively receive energy. The energy guide (122A) includes a guide proximal end (122P) and a guide distal end (122D). The energy source (124) is coupled to the guide proximal end (122P). The plasma generator (133) is coupled to the guide distal end (122D). The plasma generator (133) includes a generator target (233T) having a target surface (233S).

A catheter system (100) for treating one or more treatment sites (106) within or adjacent to a vessel wall (108) or a heart valve includes an energy source (124), an energy guide (122A), and a plasma generator (133). The energy source (124) is configured to generate (i) an energizing pulse, and (ii) a conditioning pulse that alternately generates a lower energy than the energizing pulse. The energy source (124) includes a source adjuster (224A) that conditions the energy source (124). The energy guide (122A) is configured to selectively receive energy. The energy guide (122A) includes a guide proximal end (122P) and a guide distal end (122D). The energy source (124) is coupled to the guide proximal end (122P). The plasma generator (133) is coupled to the guide distal end (122D). The plasma generator (133) includes a generator target (233T) having a target surface (233S).

A catheter that fits within a blood vessel wall includes electrodes aligned along a longitudinal axis of the catheter that produce unfocused shock waves that propagate radially toward the blood vessel wall for treatment.