摘要:
This invention relates generally to apparatus and methods for tightening tissue of the female genitalia by heating targeted connective tissue with radiant energy, while cooling the mucosal epithelial surface over the target tissue to protect it from the heat. Embodiments include a handle and treatment tip that has both an energy delivery element and a cooling mechanism. The handle may be a two-handed handle allowing control even while rotating and maneuvering the treatment around the genital opening. The apparatus or system may also include an integrated controller, which may confirm tissue contact without applying RF energy, based only on the temperature of the applicator and the time since the last application of energy from the applicator.
摘要:
Devices, systems, and methods for diagnosing and/or treating urinary incontinence can accurately and reliably monitor both a vesicle pressure and a maximum urethral pressure of a patient during an abdominal pressure pulse so as to determine relationships between these pressures. Alignment between the location of maximum urethral pressure and a pressure sensor of a catheter can be maintained using an anchoring structure having a surface which engages a tissue surface along the bladder neck, urethra, or external meatus, which move with the urethra during abdominal pressure pulses. A pressuregram is generated graphically showing an increase in urethral pressure relative to an increase in vesicle pressure, and is often displayed in real time to a system operator adjacent the patient. Quantitative and/or qualitative diagnostic output allow selective remodeling of the patient's support structure so that the incontinence is inhibited.
摘要:
A capacitive discharge (CD) welder includes a charging circuit, a capacitor bank, an insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT), a pulse transformer and a secondary circuit. The charging circuit takes incoming electricity and charges a capacitor bank. The capacitor bank stores energy. The IGBT electrically connects and disconnects the capacitor bank to the pulse transformer. The pulse transformer reduces voltage from that stored in the capacitor bank to the desired welding voltage. The secondary circuit electrically connected to the pulse transformer provides a welding current corresponding to the output to the material being welded.
摘要:
Systems and methods are disclosed for therapeutically heating a target zone of a collagenous support tissue within a patient body. In exemplary embodiments, the present invention provides electronically determining an acceptable or unacceptable contact condition between an energy source and a first tissue layer disposed proximally to the target zone. Upon determining an acceptable contact condition, the target zone is irradiated or otherwise heated for a finite time period with energy. A determination of an unacceptable contact condition causes cessation of irradiating.
摘要:
The present invention enhances the effectiveness of treatment of support tissue structures. Generally, such tissue structures support organs and hold the organs in their proper position for appropriate functioning. When such tissue structures become weak, hyper-elastic, and/or excessively lengthy, the organs of are no longer supported in their proper position. This often leads to physical manifestations such as incontinence, hernias, and the like. Remedies often involve thermal treatment of the support tissue structures, such as thermally inducted controlled shrinkage, contraction, or stiffening of the support tissue structure. To enhance such thermal treatment and diminish the possibility of undesirable heating and damage to nearby tissue surfaces, vasoconstrictive agents are used.
摘要:
Devices and methods for aligning a probe body and electrodes adjacent a target tissue. A guide shaft can be coupled to the probe body for entering a first body orifice. The probe body can be positioned in a second body orifice such that coupling of the probe body and guide shaft positions the electrodes adjacent the target tissue. In exemplary embodiments, the guide shaft is coupled at an offset angular alignment from the probe body.
摘要:
Apparatus for measuring the volumetric flow of a liquid in a vessel having a wall and having an axis extending longitudinally of the vessel parallel to the vessel wall. A flexible catheter is provided which has a longitudinal axis adapted to be disposed in the vessel. The catheter has front and back sides. First, second, third and fourth transducers are carried by the catheter. The first, second and fourth transducers are disposed on the front side of the catheter and the third transducer is positioned on the back side of the catheter. The second and fourth transducers are spaced apart a predetermined distance. The first, second and third transducers comprise a first set of transducers and the first, third and fourth transducers comprise a second set of transducers. Instrumentation is connected to the first, second, third and fourth transducers. The instrumentation causes the first, second, third and fourth transducers to emit ultrasonic energy beams therefrom. The first transducer is positioned on the catheter to emit an ultrasonic energy beam at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the catheter. The second and third transducers are positioned in the catheter to emit ultrasonic beams extending generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the catheter. The fourth transducer is positioned so that it emits an ultrasonic beam. The instrumentation receives the signals from the first, second, third and fourth transducers and measures the velocity of profile of the flow of liquid in the vessel by Doppler shift and ascertains the diameter of the vessel in the vicinity of the transducers. The instrumentation is capable of ascertaining which of said first and second sets of transducers provides more accurate velocity profile and diameter measurements of the vessel.
摘要:
This invention relates generally to apparatus and methods for tightening tissue of the female genitalia by heating targeted connective tissue with radiant energy, while cooling the mucosal epithelial surface over the target tissue to protect it from the heat. Embodiments include a handle and treatment tip that has both an energy delivery element and a cooling mechanism. The handle may be a two-handed handle allowing control even while rotating and maneuvering the treatment around the genital opening. The apparatus or system may also include an integrated controller, which may confirm tissue contact without applying RF energy, based only on the temperature of the applicator and the time since the last application of energy from the applicator.
摘要:
Systems and methods are disclosed for therapeutically heating a target zone of a collagenous support tissue within a patient body. In exemplary embodiments, the present invention provides electronically determining an acceptable or unacceptable contact condition between an energy source and a first tissue layer disposed proximally to the target zone. Upon determining an acceptable contact condition, the target zone is irradiated or otherwise heated for a finite time period with energy. A determination of an unacceptable contact condition causes cessation of irradiating.
摘要:
Incontinence systems and methods for directing treatment to a target tissue of a patient comprise a guide having a first palpation member and a probe body having a treatment zone and a second palpation member. The guide is configured to be inserted into a urethra of the patient. The first palpation member is positioned in a fixed relationship to an anatomical landmark, such as a bladder neck. The probe body is configured to be inserted into a vagina of the patient. The second palpation member is registered proximal the first palpation member so as to position the treatment zone of the probe adjacent the target tissue of the patient and away from the nerves and/or tissues in the area of the bladder neck and bladder.