An improved gastric tube for displacing a section of an esophagus during cardiac ablation procedures is disclosed. The improved gastric tube is an elongated flexible tube designed to be inserted in the esophagus of a patient and extended past the portion of the esophagus which overlies the heart. The improved gastric tube includes a first lumen extending the length of the tube which receives a control wire, plastic stylet, or other apparatus which would function for displacement of the portion of the esophagus overlying the heart. A second lumen is included which extends to the operative section of the gastric tube, where the esophagus overlies the heart, so that contrast liquid or cooling liquid can be injected into the esophagus at that location. A temperature sensor can also be included to measure the temperature of the esophageal wall, as well as electrodes to connect to a three-dimensional mapping system.

The various inventions relate to robotic surgical devices, consoles for operating such surgical devices, operating theaters in which the various devices can be used, insertion systems for inserting and using the surgical devices, and related methods.

Medical devices and related methods for transforming bone, other tissue, or other material are disclosed herein. According to an aspect, a cutting device includes a static casing having a width of substantially a first distance. The cutting device also includes a blade working body including a first end and a second end. The first end is configured to operatively connect to a source of movement. The second end includes a cutting component. The blade working body has a width of substantially a second distance, wherein the second distance is greater than the first distance.

A long-term implantable ultrasound therapy system and method is provided that provides directional, focused ultrasound to localized regions of tissue within body joints, such as spinal joints. An ultrasound emitter or transducer is delivered to a location within the body associated with the joint and heats the target region of tissue associated with the joint from the location. Such locations for ultrasound transducer placement may include for example in or around the intervertebral discs, or the bony structures such as vertebral bodies or posterior vertebral elements such as facet joints.

Provided in accordance with the present disclosure is a microwave ablation system including a microwave ablation probe configured to deliver energy to a target volume of tissue during an ablation procedure, at least one temperature sensor configured to determine a temperature of the target volume of tissue at a plurality of points in time during the ablation procedure, and a computing device operably coupled to the microwave ablation probe and the at least one temperature sensor. The computing device includes a processor and a memory storing instructions, which causes the computing device to load a temperature accumulation profile corresponding to the target volume of tissue, and dynamically control the microwave ablation probe in accordance with the temperature of the target volume of tissue at each of the points in time such that the temperature of the target volume of tissue follows the temperature accumulation profile during the ablation procedure.

Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to flexible catheters for both electrophysiology mapping and ablation using a high-density array of electrodes. These catheters may be used to detect electrophysiological characteristics of tissue in contact with the electrodes, and conduct monopolar and bipolar ablations of the tissue.

Skin treatment apparatus comprising an energy applicator structure configured to establish heating or ablation at a predetermined and controllable (i.e. selectable) depth below a surface of skin tissue with which it is in contact. The applicator structure may receive a cooling medium and microwave frequency electromagnetic energy, which provide a combined treatment effect that results in heating or ablation in a zone beneath the skin surface. The applicator may be a waveguide (e.g. waveguide horn antenna) with internal shielding configured to provide a substantially uniform heating effect. The applicator may include a thermal camera to monitor treatment.

An ultrasound therapy system and method is provided that provides directional, focused ultrasound to localized regions of tissue within body joints, such as spinal joints. An ultrasound emitter or transducer is delivered to a location within the body associated with the joint and heats the target region of tissue associated with the joint from the location. Such locations for ultrasound transducer placement may include for example in or around the intervertebral discs, or the bony structures such as vertebral bodies or posterior vertebral elements such as facet joints. Various modes of operation provide for selective, controlled heating at different temperature ranges to provide different intended results in the target tissue, which ranges are significantly affected by pre-stressed tissues such as in-vivo intervertebral discs. In particular, treatments above 70 degrees C., and in particular 75 degrees C., are used for structural remodeling, whereas lower temperatures achieve other responses without appreciable remodeling.

The various inventions relate to robotic surgical devices, consoles for operating such surgical devices, operating theaters in which the various devices can be used, insertion systems for inserting and using the surgical devices, and related methods.

The various inventions relate to robotic surgical devices, consoles for operating such surgical devices, operating theaters in which the various devices can be used, insertion systems for inserting and using the surgical devices, and related methods.