43 results about "Goals treatment" patented technology

An electrosurgical medical device and technique for creating thermal welds in engaged tissue that provides very high compressive forces. In one exemplary embodiment, at least one jaw of the instrument defines a tissue engagement plane carrying first and second surface portions that comprise (i) an electrically conductive material and (ii) a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) material having a selected increased resistance that differs at each selected increased temperature over a targeted treatment range. One type of PTC material is a doped ceramic that can be engineered to exhibit a selected positively sloped temperature-resistance curve over about 37° C. to 100° C. The 70° C. to 100° C. range can bracket a targeted “thermal treatment range” at which tissue welded can be accomplished. The engineered resistance of the PTC matrix at the upper end of the temperature range will terminate current flow through the matrix. In one mode of operation, the engagement plane cause ohmic heating within tissue from Rf energy delivery tissue PTC matrix is heated to exceed the treatment range. Thereafter, energy density in the engaged tissue will be modulated as the conductivity of the second portion hovers within the targeted treatment range to thereby provide optical tissue heating for purposes of tissue welding.

An electrosurgical medical device and method for creating thermal welds in engaged tissue. In one embodiment, at least one jaw of the instrument defines a tissue engagement plane carrying a conductive-resistive matrix of a conductively-doped non-conductive elastomer. The engagement surface portions thus can be described as a positive temperature coefficient material that has a unique selected decreased electrical conductance at each selected increased temperature thereof over a targeted treatment range. The conductive-resistive matrix can be engineered to bracket a targeted thermal treatment range, for example about 60° C. to 80° C., at which tissue welding can be accomplished. In one mode of operation, the engagement plane will automatically modulate and spatially localize ohmic heating within the engaged tissue from Rf energy application—across micron-scale portions of the engagement surface.

An electrosurgical medical device and method for creating thermal welds in engaged tissue. In one embodiment, at least one jaw of the instrument defines a tissue engagement plane carrying a variable resistive body of a positive temperature coefficient material that has a selected decreased electrical conductance at each selected increased temperature thereof over a targeted treatment range. The variable resistive body can be engineered to bracket a targeted thermal treatment range, for example about 60° C. to 80° C., at which tissue welding can be accomplished. In one mode of operation, the engagement plane will automatically modulate and spatially localize ohmic heating within the engaged tissue from Rf energy application across micron-scale portions of the engagement surface. In another mode of operation, a variable resistive body will focus conductive heating in a selected portion of the engagement surface.

An electrosurgical medical device and method for creating thermal welds in engaged tissue. In one embodiment, at least one jaw of the instrument defines a tissue engagement plane carrying a conductive-resistive matrix of a conductively-doped non-conductive elastomer. The engagement surface portions thus can be described as a positive temperature coefficient material that has a unique selected decreased electrical conductance at each selected increased temperature thereof over a targeted treatment range. The conductive-resistive matrix can be engineered to bracket a targeted thermal treatment range, for example about 60° C. to 80° C., at which tissue welding can be accomplished. In one mode of operation, the engagement plane will automatically modulate and spatially localize ohmic heating within the engaged tissue from Rf energy application—across micron-scale portions of the engagement surface. In another mode of operation, a conductive-resistive matrix can induce a “wave” of Rf energy density to sweep across the tissue to thereby weld tissue.

The invention provides an at least partially non-invasive method for treatment of a non-tumorous lung, often for treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or the lung. In a first aspect, a method for treatment of a non lung of a patient comprises directing radiation from outside the patient toward one or more target treatment regions of the lung so as to inhibit the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

A non-polymeric or biological coating applied to porous radially expandable interventional medical devices provides uniform drug distribution and permeation of the coating and any therapeutic agents mixed therewith into a targeted treatment area within the body. The coating is sterile, and is capable of being carried by a sterile medical device to a targeted tissue location within the body following radial expansion. The therapeutic coating transfers off the medical device due in part to a biological attraction with the tissue and in part to a physical transference from the medical device to the targeted tissue location in contact with the medical device. Thus, atraumatic local tissue transference delivery is achieved for uniform therapeutic agent distribution and controlled bio-absorption into the tissue after placement within a patient's body with a non-inflammatory coating.

The invention provides a non-invasive method for treatment of arrhythmia. In a first aspect, a method for treatment of atrial fibrillation in a heart of a patient comprises directing radiation from outside the patient toward one or more target treatment regions of the heart so as to inhibit the atrial fibrillation. The radiation may induce isolation of a pulmonary vein.

A system, method and related devices for monitoring and improving the training and social eye contact and communication skills of developmentally challenged individuals such as autistic individuals and other individuals with special needs in improving their interpersonal communicating and other skills. A so called, TeachMe component of the system allows the defining of a students/patients long-term behavior or academic or social goal treatment in a hierarchical relationship of skills in treatment plans. It captures behavioral event within a ‘behavioral stream’ and in real time stores the ‘behavioral stream’ in a centralized database that can be accessed anywhere and anytime using the Internet. Procedures and materials used during the treatment are identified and data is stored in a central depository and can be displayed in a therapist's handheld device. The WatchMe component of the system and method monitors and obtains qualitative and quantitative information about the eye contact habits of a subject being trained or interviewed. It provides stimuli that promotes and encourages improvements in the eye contact habits of the subject.

An interluminal medical treatment device configured to treat a targeted treatment site within a body lumen is provided. The interluminal medical treatment device can include an elongated generally tubular outer member. The outer member can include an expandable distal portion, an expandable proximal portion, and a central portion of limited expandability. The interluminal medical treatment device can include at least one membrane. The outer member and at least one membrane may define a housing area positioned between the proximal portion and distal portion of the outer member. The outer member and at least one membrane can be configured to redirect fluid flow within a body lumen away from the housing area inner member or inner passageway.

The invention provides a method and system for introducing cool fluid to a targeted treatment site, such as, for example, a stroke-affected brain hemisphere. In one approach, the method generally includes introducing a catheter into a branch artery of the external carotid artery, and introducing fluid into the ipsilateral internal carotid artery. In one approach, a balloon is used to occlude the external carotid artery during introduction of the fluid into the internal carotid artery.

A method and system for preventing phrenic nerve injury during a cardiac ablation procedure. The method generally includes stimulating a phrenic nerve with a pacing electrode at a location proximate a target treatment location, ablating tissue at the target treatment location with a treatment element, obtaining a heart audio signal with an audio sensor positioned proximate the target treatment location, and determining whether phrenic nerve stimulation (PNS) is present based as least in part on the obtained heart audio signal. A processor may be used to compare an amplitude of the obtained heart audio signal to a predetermined threshold amplitude. The processor may determine that PNS is present if the amplitude of the obtained audio signal is greater than the threshold amplitude. If PNS is present, ablation of the tissue may continue at the current or greater energy level and/or at the current treatment location without injuring the phrenic nerve.

A method for treating obesity comprises anchoring at a first target site within a body a first therapeutic agent delivery device including a first therapeutic agent reservoir coupled to a first outlet which, when the first device is anchored at the first target site, is positioned adjacent to a first target treatment location within a GI tract of a patient and releasing a first therapeutic agent from the first reservoir via the first outlet.

The present invention relates to devices and methods for altering the tissue in and around an intervertebral disc through localized hypothermia therapy to restore function of the disc and reduce pain. Hypothermia therapy is defined as the reduction of tissue temperature to below that of the equilibrium temperature. Target therapeutic temperatures and times are varied according to the desired treatment effect. Intended effects of hypothermia of the intervertebral disc include cellular disruption leading to cell death and or structural and chemical denaturation within the anulus fibrosus, nucleus pulposus, or nerve fibers, temporary or permanent deadening of the nerves within or surrounding the disc, induction of a healing response, angiogenesis, or accelerated degeneration and/or drying of the nucleus pulposus and/or anulus fibrosus. Various effects can be achieved by reaching different temperatures for differing periods of time or by the proximity of the hypothermia therapy device to the treatment target. Accordingly, it is an object of one or more the embodiments of the invention to provide hypothermic therapy to selected locations within an intervertebral disc utilizing a flexible and guidable cryogenic device.

The present invention provides a method of inhibiting or preventing corrosion of reinforced steel in concrete by eliminating the differences in surface potentials that result in the total pasivation of corrosion activity and create an environment in the steel that does not allow corrosion. The method, optimally includes measuring the active non-uniform surface potential in the steel and passing a DC voltage through the concrete and steel to stop corrosion providing a substantially uniform potential on the reinforced steel. The current is controlled and adjusted to send pre-determined amounts of electrical energy to individual areas targeted for treatment. A corrosion potential survey may be conducted to determine the energy requirements necessary for the corrosion condition or a reference electrode may be strategically placed on the concrete structure. The amount of energy passed is sufficient to polarize the reinforcing steel sufficiently to stop corrosion and establish substantially uniform surface potentials on all the reinforcing steel. The invention also includes changing conditions on the surface of steel from a condition of non-uniform surface potential to a condition of substantially uniform surface potential.

A portable, handheld device for manual percussive respiratory therapy in infants and young children having a pear-shaped dome for proper position of the device over various sizes of target treatment anatomy, an ergonomic handle for maximum efficacy in implementation by a range of users, a cushioned sealing mechanism for softening the impact on a young patient, and indicator means to indicate proper positioning and engagement of the device during use. The device is optimal for use by parents and other caregivers with little or no medical training.

A method for dry treating a sputter target using a plasma to significantly reduce burn-in time of the target by removing surface contaminants and also a minimal thickness of the deformed layer characteristics of a machined surface, the target so produced, and apparatus used for the target treatment.