Abstract:
A medical device for the treatment by radio frequency ablation of a target volume in tissue of a prostate comprising an elongate probe member having proximal and distal extremities and having a passage therein extending from the proximal extremity to the distal extremity. The elongate probe member is sized so that it can be introduced into the urethra. At least one guide tube having proximal and distal extremities is mounted in the passage of the elongate probe member for nonlongitudinal movement therein. The at least one guide tube has a lumen extending therethrough from the proximal extremity to the distal extremity. A radio frequency conductive electrode is disposed in the lumen. A handle is coupled to the proximal extremity of the elongate probe member and includes a finger actuatable mechanism secured to the radio frequency electrode for advancing and retracting the radio frequency electrode with respect to the at least one guide tube. The distal extremity of the at least one guide tube has a curved surface for directing the radio frequency electrode sidewise of the longitudinal axis into the tissue of the prostate.
Abstract:
An electrode assembly for use in interventricular cardiac mapping includes one or more elongated splines each of which carries a plurality of spaced apart electrodes thereon. The body of each spline is formed of a plurality of alternating electrically conductive layers and the electrically non-conductive layers. A separate electrically conductive pathway is provided to connect each of the electrodes to a different one of the conductive layers. Each of the layers is electrically connnected to an electrical signal processing device so that signals provided by each of the electrodes can be processed.
Abstract:
Systems and method ablate motor nerve tissue by inserting an operative element connectable to an ablation energy generator into a defined percutaneous tissue region. The systems and methods apply stimulant energy in the defined percutaneous tissue region to stimulate targeted motor nerve tissue prior to ablation by the operative element. Application of the nerve ablation energy can permanently eliminate the function of a targeted motor nerve branch, to thereby inactivate a selected muscle. The muscle inactivation may, e.g., treat dystonias and other hyperfunction neuromuscular dysfunctions in the face and neck, such as torticollis, blepharospasm, and uncontrolled grimacing. The muscle inactivation may also provide cosmetic results, to eliminate or prevent aesthetically displeasing skin furrows, frowning wrinkles, or neck bands, which can arise from normal muscle contraction or prolonged exposure of the face to the sun.
Abstract:
A cardiac ablation catheter has an energy emitting surface for thermally destroying tissue. The surface normally presents a compact, low profile for introduction into the heart. Once introduced, the energy emitting surface can be significantly enlarged. The enlarged surface emits ablation energy sufficient to create a lesion that is significantly larger in terms of volume and geometry than the surface's initial low profile would provide.
Abstract:
A tissue ablation apparatus includes a delivery catheter with distal and proximal ends. A handle is attached to the proximal end of the delivery catheter. At least partially positioned in the delivery catheter is an electrode deployment device. The electrode deployment devices includes a plurality of retractable electrodes. Each electrode has a non-deployed state when it is positioned in the delivery catheter. Additionally, each electrode has a distended deployed state when it is advanced out of the delivery catheter distal end. The deployed electrodes define an ablation volume. Each deployed electrode has a first section with a first radius of curvature. The first section is located near the distal end of the delivery catheter. A second section of the deployed electrode extends beyond the first section, ad has a second radius of curvature, or a substantially linear geometry.
Abstract:
A fenestrated stent formed in a body lumen is provided which includes an article shaped to provide support to a section of a body lumen and allow biological material which would otherwise flow through the body lumen to flow through the article, the article being formed with fenestrations bydelivering a fluent pre-stent composition to a mold space defined by a section of a body lumen and a fluent pre-stent composition delivery device having members which define the fenestrations, andtransforming the fluent pre-stent composition to a non-fluent stent composition within the mold space.
Abstract:
An antenna assembly has an energy propagating region that is encapsulated in a material having a high dielectric constant for minimizing the loss of energy while having a high thermal conductivity for dissipating conductive heat patterns about the energy propagating region.
Abstract:
An apparatus ablates at least a portion of an interior of a body structure with a reduced chance of body structure infection. A catheter is provided with a catheter tissue interface surface and a port formed in the catheter tissue interface surface. An electrode is at least partially positioned in the interior of the catheter and is configured to be advanced and retracted in and out of the port. The electrode includes an electrode electromagmetic energy delivery surface. A disinfectant medium introduction member coupled to a source of a disinfectant medium and includes a distal end that is configured to extend into an oral cavity. An electrode advancement and retraction device is at least partially positioned in the interior of the catheter. A cable is coupled to the electrode.
Abstract:
An ablation apparatus has an introducer including an introducer lumen, a proximal portion and a distal portion. A handpiece with a proximal portion and a distal portion is coupled to the introducer proximal portion. Two or more electrodes are at least partially positioned in the introducer lumen. Each electrode is configured to be advanced from the introducer distal portion in a deployed state into a selected tissue site to define a volumetric ablation volume. A fluid delivery member is positioned on at least a portion of an exterior of one of the electrodes. The fluid delivery member is configured to be coupled to a fluid medium source. A cable is coupled to the electrodes.
Abstract:
An apparatus is provided for ablating at least a portion of a nasal concha. By ablating at least a portion of a nasal concha, the size of the nasal concha is reduced. The three nasal concha in the body (inferior, middle and superior nasal concha) form at least a portion of the three nasal meatus (inferior, middle and superior nasal meatus) in the body. By reducing the size of a nasal concha, obstruction of a nasal meatus is reduced or eliminated. As a result, air flow through the nasal meatus is improved. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a catheter having a distal portion with a dimension configured for positioning the catheter distal portion through a nostril of a patient into a nasal meatus adjacent a surface of a nasal concha and a means at the catheter distal portion for delivering sufficient ablative energy to the nasal concha to ablate at least a portion of the nasal concha through heating without penetrating the surface of the nasal concha with an element of the apparatus.