A vapor delivery system is provided that may include any of a number of features. One feature of the vapor delivery system is that it can apply condensable vapor energy to tissue, such as a prostrate, to shrink, damage, or denature the prostate. In some embodiments, the vapor delivery system can include safety features including prostate capsule detection, needle tracking, and treatment tracking. Methods for safe and effective treatment of prostate tissues are presented.

Systems and methods for cardiac pacing are provided, where a pacing lead is placed at or near the bundle of His. A method for pacing a heart of a patient comprises: introducing a sheath to vasculature of the patient; steering the sheath within a coronary sinus in the heart to lodge a distal end of the sheath to a target location proximal to the bundle of His above a septum separating a left ventricle and a right ventricle of the heart; advancing a pacing lead through a lumen of the sheath to the target location; coupling the pacing lead to cardiac tissue at the target location; removing the sheath; and electrically pacing the bundle of His using the pacing lead.

The following relates generally to systems and methods of trans-esophageal echocardiography (TEE) automation. Some aspects relate to a TEE probe with ultrasonic transducers on a distal end of the TEE probe. In some implementations, if a target is in a field of view (FOV) of the ultrasonic transducers, an electronic beam steering of the probe is adjusted; if the target is at an edge of the FOV, both the electronic beam steering and mechanical joints of the probe are adjusted; and if the target is not in the FOV, only the mechanical joints of the probe are adjusted.

Methods and systems for improving the competency of a venous valve wherein one or more compressor(s) (e.g., space occupying material(s) or implantable device(s)) is/are delivered to one or more location(s) adjacent to a venous valve to compress the venous valve in a manner that causes one or both leaflets of the valve to move toward the other, thereby improving closure or coaptation of the valve leaflets. The compressor(s) may be delivered by an open surgical approach, by a direct percutaneous approach or by a transluminal catheter-based approach.

A catheter-based imaging system comprises a catheter having a telescoping proximal end, a distal end having a distal sheath and a distal lumen, a working lumen, and an ultrasonic imaging core. The ultrasonic imaging core is arranged for rotation and linear translation. The system further includes a patient interface module including a catheter interface, a rotational motion control system that imparts controlled rotation to the ultrasonic imaging core, a linear translation control system that imparts controlled linear translation to the ultrasonic imaging core, and an ultrasonic energy generator and receiver coupled to the ultrasonic imaging core. The system further comprises an image generator coupled to the ultrasonic energy receiver that generates an image.

The cannula (1) comprises a tube (2) with a front end (4) at which there is provided at least one suction opening (10), and with a back end (3) intended to be connected to a source of vacuum; in the tube (2) there being defined at least one longitudinal flow conduit (8, 9) for the aspirated material; and an imaging apparatus (11, 12) capable of supplying first signals or data allowing the generation of a visual representation of the environment in close proximity to the front end of the tube (2) of the cannula (1) down to a first depth or distance, and second signals or data allowing the generation of a visual representation of the environment around the front end of the tube (2) of the cannula (1) down to a second depth or distance, greater than the said first depth or distance.

The present invention relates to a monitoring apparatus for monitoring an ablation procedure. The monitoring apparatus comprises an ultrasound signal providing unit for providing an ultrasound signal that depends on received echo series of an object that is ablated. The monitoring apparatus further comprises an ablation depth determination unit for determining an ablation depth from the provided ultrasound signal. The ablation depth can be determined directly from the ultrasound signal and is an important parameter while performing an ablation procedure. For example, it can be used for determining the progress of ablation within the object and for determining when the ablation has reached a desired progression.

Apparatuses and methods are disclosed for the perforation of a communication between the aorta and left atrium. The method includes introducing the apparatus, positioning the apparatus at a location along the aorta, and energizing the apparatus to create a perforation. For example, one method may include: introducing a flexible wire into the left atrium, advancing a dilator along the flexible wire to position the flexible wire adjacent a selected location along the aorta and energizing the flexible wire to create a perforation from the left atrium into the aorta.

A needle electrode deployment shaft includes a central member and a plurality of needle electrodes. The central member has a plurality of needle advancement channels formed therein. The needle electrodes are disposed within the advancement channels and each advancement channel terminates in a ramp portion which deflects the needles radially outwardly as they are axially advanced. The ramps may be spirally or acutely configured in order to increase the distance through which the needles may be bent as they are axially advanced. Additionally, the central member may have a radially reduced distal tip in order to decrease tissue insertion forces.

Described herein are methods and systems for performing a procedure for ovarian rebalancing. The methods and systems may be used in the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The systems and methods may also be useful in the treatment of infertility associated with PCOS.