A vapor delivery system and method is provided that is adapted for treating prostate tissue. The vapor delivery system includes a vapor delivery needle configured to deliver condensable vapor energy to tissue. In one method, the vapor delivery system is advanced transurethrally into the patient to access the prostate tissue. The vapor delivery system includes a generator unit and an inductive heating system to produce a high quality vapor for delivery to tissue. Methods of use are also provided.

An insertable catheter device includes a shaft including a proximal end and a distal end, an expandable balloon, and an actuator configured to expand and retract the expandable balloon. The actuator includes a fluid conduit that extends through the shaft and is coupled with the expandable balloon to enable inflation and retraction of the expandable balloon via injection or withdrawal of a fluid to or from the expandable balloon via the fluid conduit. The expandable balloon is displaceably retractable into the shaft and extendable from the shaft. A fluid pump is coupled with the fluid conduit to pump the fluid through the fluid conduit. A patch is positioned to be displaced by the expandable balloon when the expandable balloon is inflated, and the expandable balloon is displaceably retractable into the shaft and displaceably extendable from the shaft.

A system to treat a patient comprises a user interface that allows a physician to view an image of tissue to be treated in order to develop a treatment plan to resect tissue with a predefined removal profile. The image may comprise a plurality of images, and the planned treatment is shown on the images. The treatment probe may comprise an anchor, and the image shown on the screen may have a reference image marker shown on the screen corresponding to the anchor. The planned tissue removal profile can be displayed and scaled to the image of the target tissue of an organ such as the prostate, and the physician can adjust the treatment profile based on the scaled images to provide a treatment profile in three dimensions. The images shown on the display may comprise segmented images of the patient with treatment plan overlaid on the images.

A smooth muscle stimulation device is intended for use with any one of a variety of electrosurgical units (ESU's) of the type used in tissue resection and other procedures that risk damage to non-target tissues. The smooth muscle stimulation devices typically include an enclosure with stimulation circuitry configured to generate a stimulatory electrical signal which when delivered to a target anatomy induces an observable response in the target anatomy during a medical procedure. An input connector on the enclosure detachably couples to a power output of the ESU, and an output connector on the enclosure detachably couples to an electrosurgical tool. Switching circuitry within the enclosure selectively connects either the power output of the ESU or the stimulatory electrical signal of the stimulation circuitry to the output connector in response to user input.

A system and method for providing relative positional information of a therapeutic or diagnostic device during the treatment of urinary tract diseases and conditions.

Flexible instruments and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a flexible instrument comprises an elongate device having an inner conductor, an outer conductor surrounding the inner conductor, and a dielectric layer insulating the inner conductor from the outer conductor. The flexible instrument further includes a recess formed in the outer conductor. An insert is positioned within the recess and about the inner conductor.

A fluid stream is directed toward tissue to generate a plurality of shedding clouds. The fluid stream can be scanned such that the plurality of shedding clouds arrive a different overlapping locations. Each of the plurality of shedding clouds can remove a portion of the tissue. In many embodiments, an apparatus to ablate tissue comprises a source of pressurized fluid, and a nozzle coupled to the source of pressurized fluid to release a fluid stream, in which the fluid stream generates a plurality of shedding clouds.

Methods and systems for surfactant enhanced laser-induced vapor bubbles for use in laser lithotripsy. Urinary tract stone disease is a common and costly disease that effects approximately 10% of the United States population. A preferred minimally invasive method for treatment of urinary tract stones is laser lithotripsy, which involves insertion of a flexible ureteroscope through the urinary tract to the stone's location, and then transmission of infrared (IR) laser energy through a flexible optical fiber, which is in turn placed through the single working channel of the ureteroscope. The IR laser energy is used for ablation of the urinary tract stone which is then removed. In order to have a more efficient ablation, the ureteroscope is fed with a surfactant composition which is flowed into the ureter and/or kidney of the subject. The laser causes larger bubbles to form in the surfactant composition, making a robust and longer lasting bubble.

The present technology relates to endoscope devices and methods of use for said endoscope devices. In one embodiment, the device comprises a semicircular aspiration channel with a blocking bar disposed at an outlet of the semicircular aspiration channel to prevent clogging of said channel. The endoscope devices of the present invention may further comprise a plurality of working channels, an image sensor, and a light source. In addition, for work within the ureter, a force sensor is incorporated to ensure safe passage of the largest flexible ureteroscope.

Apparatus for performing electrosurgical tissue resections, such as transurethral resection of the include motor-driven cutters which drive both a shaft of the cutter and a cutter electrode, either or selectively. The systems often include controllers which coordinate movements of the shaft, electrodes, and other external components. The apparatus may include integrated imaging and light illumination systems. The apparatus may include integrated tissue filter and collection traps.