A stimulation device includes an adapter component to increase the usability of the stimulation device. The adapter may be a bipolar adapter arranged to connect to the housing of the stimulation device. The adapter may include a clip having a first channel configured to receive an operative element therein and a second channel having a return operative element therein. The return operative element is in electrical communication with an electrical circuit of said stimulation control device. Alternatively, the adapter may be a percutaneous adapter comprising a connector configured to connect to an operative element of a stimulation device and a lead wire connected to the connector. A needle may be connected to the lead wire to deliver a electrical stimulation signal to a target tissue located beneath the skin of a subject patient.

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.

Aspects of embodiments pertain to a perineal protection device for reducing the risk or preventing perineal tear during birth. The device may comprise a reinforcement shield that is releasably connectable to a female perineum of a subject, the reinforcement shield having a surface geometry substantially corresponding to an underlying perineal muscle structure and being configured to reduce deformation of the perineum during childbirth. Optionally, the perineal protection device further comprises a fastener arrangement for releasably securing the reinforcement shield to the female perineum. The fastener arrangement may comprise a support pad that is adhesively engageable with the subject and/or straps for strapping the reinforcement shield to the subject.

Prosthetic capsular devices (e.g., bag, bowl, housing, structure, cage, frame) include technology devices such as a computer, virtual reality device, display device, WiFi/internet access device, image receiving device, biometric sensor device, game device, image viewers or senders, GPSs, e-mail devices, combinations thereof, and/or the like. The technology devices can be used in combination with an intraocular lens. The output from the technology device(s) can be fed to the retina of the user to provide a visual image, can be otherwise connected to the user, and/or can be used to control the properties of the intraocular lens or of the prosthetic capsular device. Wearable technology that provides biometric data, such as blood glucose levels, body temperature, electrolyte balance, heart rate, EKG, EEG, intraocular pressure, sensing ciliary muscle contraction for accommodation stimulus, dynamic pupil change and retinal prostheses, combinations thereof, and the like can assist in technology-assisted health care functions.

A severed nerve may be surgically rejoined and severed axons fused via sequential administrations of solutions. The solutions may include a priming solution comprising methylene blue in a Ca.sup.2+-free saline solution, a fusion solution comprising about 50% (w/w) PEG, and a sealing solution comprising Ca.sup.2+-containing saline. The PEG fusion solution may be applied in a nerve treatment device configured to isolate the injured segment of the nerve. The device may include a containment chamber for creating a fluid containment field around the anastomosis. The device may have slits, slots, and/or apertures in opposing endwalls of the device designed to receive the nerve. The device may have an open bath configuration or may include separable lower and upper bodies to create a closed bath configuration. The device may include one or more fluid ports in fluid communication with the containment chamber for introducing and/or removing fluid.

A deflection system for deflecting a body lumen that includes a deflection mechanism, wherein the deflection mechanism includes: a beam having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the beam includes a neutral position and a deflected position, a pull wire coupled to the distal end of the beam, wherein the beam is configured to be placed in the deflected position when a tension force is applied to the pull wire, and wherein at least a portion of the pull wire is configured to move to a displacement distance away from the beam when the tension force is applied to the pull wire, and one or more constraint members operatively coupled to the beam, wherein each one of the one or more constraint members is configured to limit the displacement distance of the pull wire from the beam when the tension force is applied to the pull wire.

A tool for installing and/or removing a protective cover of an instrument includes a body portion having an open end and a closed end. The open end defines an interior passage that extends into the body portion along a longitudinal axis of the body portion toward the closed end of the body portion. The interior passage is configured to receive at least a portion of the protective cover in the interior passage. One or more members are connected to the body portion, and each of the one or more members includes a free end movable relative to the body portion. Systems and methods relate to tools for installing and/or removing protective covers of instruments.

Various embodiments provide an introducer for introducing an electrosurgical instrument into a body of a patient. The introducer comprises: a tubular member defining a lumen through which the electrosurgical instrument is insertable; and a cooling assembly configured to remove heat from the tubular member. Other embodiments provide an electrosurgical system comprising an electrosurgical instrument and an introducer.

A system for creating separation between biological surfaces may comprise a hollow body configured for delivery of a fluid to a target location, a fluid supply in fluid-communication with the hollow body, a control element configured to control the delivery of a fluid through the hollow body, at least one first sensor configured to measure at least one parameter of the fluid flowing through the hollow body, at least one second sensor configured to measure at least one parameter of an environment of the hollow body, a feedback control module configured to receive information from one or more of the at least one first sensor or the at least one of the second sensor to control at least one operational function of the system.

Treatment systems, methods, and apparatuses for improving the appearance of skin or other target regions are described. Aspects of the technology are directed to improving the appearance of skin by tightening the skin, improving skin tone or texture, eliminating or reducing wrinkles, increasing skin smoothness, or improving the appearance sites with cellulite. Treatments can include cooling a surface of a patient's skin and detecting freezing in the cooled skin. The tissue can be cooled after the freeze event is detected so to maintain the frozen state of the tissue to improve the appearance of the treatment site.