Various example embodiments relate to guiding a user of a medical laser device by voice based on monitored treatment data. In addition, a voice control procedure for operating the medical laser device with improved safety is provided. Improved usage of the medical laser device is enabled also in situations where there is a limited visual and physical access to control the device. An apparatus, a method, a theranostic system and a computer program are disclosed.

A theranostic laser system for light-activated drug delivery and monitoring. The system includes a light source, a light receiver and a coupler for simultaneously coupling a first optical delivery fiber to the light source for transmitting one or more first downstream light signals from the light source to the first optical delivery fiber and to the light receiver for transmitting one or more first upstream light signals from the first optical delivery fiber to the light receiver.

Various embodiments provide an electrosurgical instrument for delivering electromagnetic (EM) energy and ultrasonic vibrations for treating biological tissue. The electrosurgical instrument comprises: an instrument shaft arranged to convey EM energy and an electrical signal for driving a magnetostrictive ultrasound transducer; a distal end assembly arranged at a distal end of the instrument shaft to receive the EM energy from the instrument shaft and deliver the EM energy from the distal end assembly for tissue treatment; and a magnetostrictive ultrasound transducer arranged to receive the electrical signal from the instrument shaft and generate ultrasonic vibrations around the distal end assembly for tissue treatment. Other embodiments provide an electrosurgical generator, and an electrosurgical apparatus comprising the instrument and generator.

An electrosurgical apparatus and method for performing thermal treatment in the gastrointestinal tract, e.g. to ablate duodenal mucosal tissue. The apparatus comprises an instrument having a flexible cable and an applicator suitable for use with a gastroscope, which can be deployed within a patient to delivery energy in a targeted or otherwise controllable manner. The applicator can deliver microwave energy by radiation. The direct and depth-limited nature of microwave energy can be make it more effective than treatments that rely on thermal conduction. The applicator may include a radially extendable portion arranged to move an microwave energy delivery structure into contact with duodenal mucosal tissue at the treatment region. The applicator may comprise any of a balloon, bipolar radiator, movable paddle, and rotatable roller element.

The present invention relates to systems for use for radio frequency ablation. The systems can include one or more of an ablation tool, power source for use with the ablation tool and a backstop for use in conjunction with the ablation tool during surgical procedures. Preferred ablation tools comprise a series of three or more blade-shaped electrodes disposed in a linear, curved, curvilinear or circular array. The backstops are useful for reducing direct physical and thermal heat transfer injuries to the patient or surgeon during procedures using radiofrequency (RF) ablation devices.

Methods, Apparatuses, and Systems of operating a laser atherectomy system to perform an endoscopic atherectomy procedure within a vessel at a therapeutic region of an anatomical condition by use of an atherectomy laser device coupled to an ultrasound imaging probe. The atherectomy laser device operates to generate photoacoustic signals from a light source of the atherectomy laser device to for guidance within the vessel and to characterize tissue about the therapeutic region by delivery of pulsed wavelengths within the vessel, and to perform operations of tissue ablation directed to the anatomical condition. This enables guidance of the atherectomy laser device by feedback from the viewing of photoacoustic images based on photoacoustic signals generated the atherectomy laser device and created in response to changes in acoustic intensity due to changes of optical wavelength monitored by the ultrasound imaging probe.

The presently disclosed subject matter provides techniques for inducing collagen cross-linking in human tissue, such as cartilage, by inducing ionization of the water contained in the tissue to produce free radicals that induce chemical cross-linking in the human tissue. In an embodiment, a femtosecond laser operates at sufficiently low laser pulse energy to avoid optical breakdown of the tissue being treated. In an embodiment, the femtosecond laser operates in the infrared frequency range.

A catheter system for ablation of tissue around a blood vessel, e.g., the pulmonary artery, to reduce neural activity of nerves surrounding the blood vessel. The catheter system includes an elongate shaft having a proximal portion coupled to a handle, and a distal portion. The distal portion includes a transducer and an expandable anchor, which may be actuated to transition between a collapsed delivery state and an expanded deployed state where the anchor centralizes the transducer within the blood vessel. The transducer may be actuated to emit energy to reduce neural activity of the nerves surrounding the blood vessel. Systems and method are further provided for confirming that neural activity of the nerves surround the blood vessel has been sufficiently reduced.

An optical probe includes: an optical fiber; a reflecting portion; and a traveling direction changing portion changing a traveling direction of a laser beam of a first wavelength that has transmitted through the reflecting portion to a direction different from a traveling direction before transmitting through the reflecting portion. Further, the traveling direction changing portion is configured by a bending structure having a structure in which a portion on a distal end side of the optical fiber is bent, and the reflecting portion is provided closer to a proximal end side of the optical fiber than the bending structure.

Systems and methods for laser catheter treatment in a vessel lumen. The method includes inserting the laser catheter within the vessel lumen to a location of a treatment area; presenting an image of the treatment area within the vessel lumen based on using an ultrasound (US) imaging system; and, detecting, in real-time, a bubble cloud that is a function of the laser catheter operation (at a prescribed speed and controlling a fluence and a pulse rate) in the treatment area. The method determines a vessel diameter, a real-time location and measurements of the bubble cloud, and estimates a dwell position and dwell time. A dynamic displayed image that is indicative of a progression of the laser catheter treatment is presented, and commands may be generated to modify the laser catheter parameters responsive to the estimated dwell position, the estimated dwell time, and a recommended treatment protocol.