The present invention provides a cold solution and method for treating obstructive sleep apnea. The cold solution can comprise liquid and/or solid ice particles. In one embodiment, the method comprises delivering a cold solution to target tissue where the target tissue can be fat tissue located in one or more of an airway, a neck, a thorax, a diaphragm, a face, or an abdomen.

Selectively controllable apparatus for insertion into an ear canal, and related methods of use and operation for behavioral control. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a body configured for insertion into an ear canal. In one variant, the body includes one or more thermal mechanisms which enable selective increase or decrease of temperature of at least portions of the ear canal so as to implement behavioral control of the user, such as to mitigate cravings for food, alcohol, narcotics, or other potentially deleterious substances. In one variant, a mild nausea or pre-nausea condition is created within the user according to a time-temperature profile so as to induce the aforementioned behavioral modification.

The present invention provides methods and devices for controlling a cold slurry that is delivered to a target tissue and for limiting heat transferring from surrounding tissue to the target tissue. In particular, a balloon structure is deployed at or near a point of delivery to act as a physical and/or thermal barrier. In some instances, the balloon structure can act as a pressure device obstructing the flow of warm blood into a treatment area, which can melt the cold slurry.

A system for laparoscopic thermal treatment of visceral fat includes an elongate cooling probe configured for placement through a trocar, the probe including an elongate shaft having a proximal end and a distal end and having a maximum transverse dimension, and an expandable endpiece having a proximal end and a distal end, and including a collapsed state configured for placement through a channel of the trocar and an expanded state, the expanded state having a maximum outer diameter, the maximum outer diameter at least about twice the maximum transverse dimension of the shaft, wherein the proximal end of the endpiece is sealingly coupled to the distal end of the shaft, and a heat exchanger coupled to the cooling probe and configured to remove heat from the endpiece such that adipose tissue placed in contact with the endpiece can be cooled to a temperature of between about 2° C. and about .sup.+1° C.

A heat exchanger is disclosed for causing cryolysis of adipose tissue of a human tongue. The heat exchanger includes a body having cooling channels for circulating fluids therein. The body forms a contact surface that contacts a portion of the dorsal surface of the tongue and a portion of the base of the tongue. The heat exchanger includes a pair of side walls extending from the body and forming a pair of side contact surfaces that are dimensioned so that they contact the dorsal and lateral surfaces of the tongue in a manner so as to constrict the tongue when the contact surface is in contact with the tongue. A method of treatment for apnea using the heat exchanger and/or administering a chemical adipolysis formulation/vasoconstriction agent is also disclosed.

A treatment system includes a generator and a fluid transfer cartridge. The fluid transfer cartridge includes a cartridge shell defining a cartridge cavity between a front face and a rear face. The front face includes an opening, and the cartridge cavity is visibly exposed through the opening. The fluid transfer cartridge includes a syringe barrel disposed within the cartridge cavity, and a handle that extends from the front face over the opening. The syringe barrel can be visibly exposed on a side of the handle. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Relatively non-invasive devices and methods for heating or cooling a patient's body are disclosed. Devices and methods for treating ischemic conditions by inducing therapeutic hypothermia are disclosed. Devices and methods for inducing therapeutic hypothermia through esophageal cooling are disclosed. Devices and methods for operative temperature management are disclosed.

A device for therapeutic neuromodulation in a nasal region can include, for example, a shaft and a therapeutic element at a distal portion of the shaft. The shaft can locate the distal portion intraluminally at a target site inferior to a patient's sphenopalatine foramen. The therapeutic element can include an energy delivery element configured to therapeutically modulate postganglionic parasympathetic nerves at microforamina of a palatine bone of the human patient for the treatment of rhinitis or other indications. In other embodiments, the therapeutic element can be configured to therapeutically modulate nerves that innervate the frontal, ethmoidal, sphenoidal, and maxillary sinuses for the treatment of chronic sinusitis.

A heat exchanger is disclosed for causing cryolysis of adipose tissue of a human tongue. The heat exchanger includes a body having cooling channels for circulating fluids therein. The body forms a contact surface that contacts a portion of the dorsal surface of the tongue and a portion of the base of the tongue. The heat exchanger includes a pair of side walls extending from the body and forming a pair of side contact surfaces that are dimensioned so that they contact the dorsal and lateral surfaces of the tongue in a manner so as to constrict the tongue when the contact surface is in contact with the tongue. A method of treatment for apnea using the heat exchanger and/or administering a chemical adipolysis formulation/vasoconstriction agent is also disclosed.

An apparatus and method use a catheter for specific and discriminate treatment of central nervous system disease. With the catheter, selective hypothermia to the brain and/or the spinal cord for injury protection can be achieved without the need for systemic cooling. The catheter is also capable of draining excess cerebrospinal fluid.