Methods of treatment of tissue with electromagnetic radiation (EMR) to produce lattices of EMR-treated islets in the tissue are disclosed. Also disclosed are devices and systems for producing lattices of EMR-treated islets in tissue, and cosmetic and medical applications of such devices and systems.

Methods and products for producing lattices of EMR-treated islets in tissues, and uses therefor

Photocosmetic device for use in medical or non-medical environments (e.g., a home, barbershop, or spa), which can be used for a variety of tissue treatments. Radiation is delivered to the tissue via optical systems designed to pattern the radiation and project the radiation to a particular depth. The device has a variety of cooling systems including phase change cooling solids and liquids to cool treated skin and the radiation sources. Contact sensors and motion sensor may be used to enhance treatment. The device may be modular to facilitate manufacture and replacement of parts.

Cooling System For A Photocosmetic Device

The present invention relates generally to devices and methods for delivering medical devices, such as implants, to desired tissue sites, such as the intervertebral disc. In one aspect, an intervertebral disc repair and diagnostic device that is minimally invasive and that provides precise access to the desired site is provided. In some aspects, the device and method are adapted to deliver, position and expand implants that are initially oriented and compressed for minimally invasive, yet precise and effective implantation.

Device for delivering an implant through an annular defect in an intervertebral disc

The present invention provides method and apparatus for treating tissue in a region at depth by applying optical radiation thereto of a wavelength able to reach the depth of the region and of a selected relatively low power for a duration sufficient for the radiation to effect the desired treatment while concurrently cooling tissue above the selected region to protect such tissue. Treatment may be enhanced by applying mechanical, acoustic or electrical stimulation to the region.

Method and apparatus for photothermal treatment of tissue at depth

The present invention provides method and apparatus for treating tissue in a region at depth while protecting non­targeted tissue by cyclically applying cooling to the patients skin, and preferably to the region, and by applying radiation to the patient's skin above the region to selectively heat tissue during and/or after cooling is applied. At least one of cooling and radiation my be applied by successivly passing a continuous output applicator over the patient's skin. Treatment may also be enhanced by applying mechanical, acoustic or electrical stimulation to the region.

Method and apparatus for treatment of cutaneous and subcutaneous conditions

A method of controllably heating the annulus of an intervertebral disc is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of forming an access channel through the annulus, inserting a light source into the intervertebral disc, activating the light source to emit diffuse light, optically measuring the temperature of tissue near the light source, and modifying the intensity of the light emitted from the source according to the measured temperature.

Method of treating intervertebral discs using optical energy and optical temperature feeback

A method of controllably heating the annulus of an intervertebral disc is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of forming an access channel through the annulus of an intervertebral disc while avoiding the nucleus of the intervertebral disc, inserting a light-emitting diffuser into the annulus, and activating the light-emitting diffuser to emit diffuse light while maintaining the light-emitting diffuser within the access channel to raise the temperature of the annulus to a value sufficient to cause a change in the characteristics of the annulus.

Method of treating intervertebral discs by inserting a diffuser directly into the annulus

OBJECTIVE: Current endoscopic transection devices are not optimized to meet the unique challenges posed by the task of vessel transection in difficult-to-access locations within the pleural cavity. The ECHELON FLEX™ powered vascular stapler (PVS) has been designed with four rows of staples instead of six, to decrease its size and enable more precise placement on fragile pulmonary vessels, using a narrower anvil than other commercially available transecting devices. This study was performed to determine whether the reduced number of staple rows affects haemostasis, and to assess surgeons’ initial impression of the smaller stapler during in vivo usage. METHODS: The new four-row stapler was compared with commercially available six-row articulating staplers via expert graders using a validated scale of haemostasis in vivo after application on porcine gastroepiploic pedicles and other thin- and thick-walled vessels. The new stapler was then compared with current products by practising thoracic surgeons (n=27) duringin vivo usage of simulated pulmonary procedures in a porcine model. The surgeons were also surveyed on the key attributes of the four-row stapler in relation to the six-row predicates. RESULTS: Haemostasis evaluated on an ordered scale was clinically equivalent between the test and predicate staplers, and was deemed acceptable for all thin- and thick-vascular tissue applications. Surgeons found no difference in haemostasis between the four- and six-row staplers (P=0.486), and judged the four-row stapler superior in terms of access, reduced need for dissection, reduced stress of surgeon and precise control (P<0.001 forall). CONCLUSIONS: The new ECHELON FLEX™ PVS provides haemostasis equivalent to six-row staplers. With a smaller anvil, narrower shaft and wider angle of articulation, the PVS demonstrated improved access capability for pulmonary vessel procedures.

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A novel narrow profile articulating powered vascular stapler provides superior access and haemostasis equivalent to conventional devices

Background: Although the assessment of hemostasis is frequently performed during stapling procedures, and is necessary during product development, there is currently no widely-accepted scoring system for its e valuation. In order to better measure stapler performance, we developed a 5-point Likert-type scale to evaluate intra -operative bleeding in stapling applications. Methods: The scale was evaluated internally by novice and experienced appraisers, and then used by 154 surgeons that viewed video segments of stapling in pig that displayed varying levels of hemostasis. Results:Reproducibility and repeatability of the scale among internal appraisers, as well

Reproducible, Repeatable and Clinically-relevant Hemostasis Scoring

Despite the prevalence of endometriosis in the human population, there is a shortage of animal models for studying it. The authors describe the development of a swine model of endometriosis that allows researchers to evaluate laparoscopic techniques and instruments for diagnosing and treating the condition.

Julianne M. Siegel

Papers

Method of treating intervertebral discs using optical energy and optical temperature feeback

Method of treating intervertebral discs by inserting a diffuser directly into the annulus

A novel narrow profile articulating powered vascular stapler provides superior access and haemostasis equivalent to conventional devices

Reproducible, Repeatable and Clinically-relevant Hemostasis Scoring

Endometriosis model development swine.