CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The following commonly assigned patent applications are incorporated herein by reference, each in its entirety:

U.S. Pat. App. Ser. No. 61/980,995 (Sutermeister et al), entitled DEVICES

AND METHODS FOR THERAPEUTIC HEAT TREATMENT, filed on April 17, 2104.

U.S. Pat. App. Ser. No. 61/980,952 (Sutermeister et al), entitled MEDICAL DEVICES FOR THERAPEUTIC HEAT TREATMENTS, filed on April 17, 2014; and

U.S. Pat. App. Ser. No. 61/981,003 (Sutermeister et al), entitled

COMPOSITIONS FOR THERAPEUTIC HEAT DELIVERY, filed on April 17, 2014 and

U.S. Pat. App. Ser. No. 61/980,936 (Sutermeister et al), entitled DEVICES AND METHODS FOR THERAPEUTIC HEAT TREATMENT, filed on April 17, 2104.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure pertains to medical devices, systems, and methods for using the medical devices. More particularly, the present disclosure pertains to medical devices that can provide a therapeutic treatment using heat.

BACKGROUND

Therapeutic heat treatment can be used to treat a wide variety of medical conditions such as tumors, fungal growth, etc. Heat treatments can be used for treating medical conditions alongside other therapeutic approaches or as a standalone therapy. Heat treatment provides localized heating and thus lacks any cumulative toxicity in contrast to other treatment methods such as drug-based therapy, for example.

Known heat treatments, however, suffer from certain drawbacks. For example, using known treatments, it can be difficult to control the amount of heat delivered to a target area, which can cause undesired damage. Also, known treatment methods can be less focused, leading to damage of surrounding healthy tissue.

Therefore, a need remains to develop devices and methods for providing homogeneous and more controlled therapeutic heat treatments.

SUMMARY

In at least one embodiment, a topical product comprises a base emulsion and a plurality of nanoparticles. Desirably, the nanoparticles are homogeneously distributed within the base emulsion to comprise at least 2% of the product by weight. The nanoparticles have a Curie temperature between 37° and 60° Celsius.

In at least one embodiment, a medical device coating comprises a polymeric base and a plurality of nanoparticles. The nanoparticles are homogeneously distributed within the polymeric base and comprise less than 10% of the coating by weight. The nanoparticles have a Curie temperature between 37° and 140° Celsius.

In at least one embodiment, an expandable balloon catheter has an elongate shaft including a distal end region and an expandable balloon coupled to the distal end region of the elongate shaft. One or more cutting members are attached to the expandable balloon, wherein at least a portion of each of the one or more cutting members comprises a Curie material having a Curie temperature between 60° and 400° Celsius.

The above summary of some embodiments is not intended to describe each disclosed embodiment or every implementation of the present disclosure. The Figures and Detailed Description, which follow, more particularly exemplify these embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A detailed description of the invention is hereafter described with specific reference being made to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a body surface that is being treated with an embodiment of a topical product.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a coated medical device.

FIG. 3 is a partial view of an embodiment of an embodiment of a coagulation device. FIG. 3 A is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 3.

FIG. 4 illustrates a method of treating a tumor using the coagulation device of FIGs. 3 and 3A.

FIG. 5 a side view of a portion of another illustrative coagulation device. While the disclosure is amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit the invention to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Definitions are provided for the following defined terms. It is intended that these definitions be applied, unless the context indicates otherwise.

The recitation of numerical ranges by endpoints includes all numbers within that range (e.g., 1 to 5 includes 1, 1.5, 2, 2.75, 3, 3.80, 4, and 5).

As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" include plural references unless the context clearly evidences or indicates otherwise. As used herein, the term "or" is generally employed in its sense including "and/or" unless the context clearly evidences or indicates otherwise.

References herein to "an embodiment," "some embodiments," "other embodiments," etc., indicate that an embodiment includes a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment (or more embodiments), it should be understood that such feature, structure, or characteristic may also be used in connection with other embodiments, whether or not explicitly described, unless clearly evidenced or stated to the contrary.

"Curie temperature" is defined as the temperature at which permanent magnetic properties of a material convert into induced magnetic properties, or vice versa.

"Curie materials" refer to those metals or metal alloys that exhibit magnetic properties based on selected Curie temperatures. Curie temperature of a Curie material may be altered by using composite materials, which may or may not be ferromagnetic. Changes in doping, additives, composites, alloying, size, and density of Curie materials can alter the structure and behavior of the Curie material and alter the Curie temperature.

The following detailed description should be read with reference to the drawings in which similar elements in different drawings are numbered the same. The drawings, which are not necessarily to scale, depict illustrative embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view depicting a body surface 100 with a topical product 102 applied to it. In some embodiments, the body surface 100 may include any external or internal surface of a patient such as skin, fingernail, toenail, mucus membranes, etc. As illustrated, the topical product 102 is applied to a treatment area 101 on the body surface 100, for example to treat a skin disease such as fungal infection, or the like. The topical product 102, which may be formulated as creams, foams, gels, lotions, ointments, or other suitable formulations, in turn, provides a therapeutic heat treatment to the treatment area 101, as discussed in greater detail below.

In some embodiments, the topical product 102 includes a base emulsion 104 and plurality of nanoparticles 106. For simplicity, a single nanoparticle 106 is labeled in the drawings, however, it should be understood that the topical product 102 may comprise any suitable number of nanoparticles 106 such as two, four, six, eight, twenty, forty, one hundred, one thousand, more than one thousand, or any number therebetween. In some embodiments, the percentage of nanoparticles 106 in the base emulsion 104 (e.g., by weight percent) may depend on a variety of factors, for example: (1) the type of treatment, (2) the amount of heat required for treatment, (3) the type of body surface 100, etc. In some embodiments, the nanoparticles 106 comprise at least 2% of the topical product 102 by weight. In some embodiments, however, the nanoparticles 106 comprise at least 3% of the topical product 102 by weight. Other suitable percentages of the nanoparticles 106 in the topical product 102 may include at least 4%, 5%, 8%, 15%, or more, by weight. It should be noted that any other suitable percentage of the nanoparticles 106 may also be contemplated, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

In some embodiments, the nanoparticles 106 are homogeneously distributed within the base emulsion 104. The homogenous distribution of the nanoparticles 106 in the base emulsion 104 may be used to achieve a homogeneous mixture forming the topical product 102. The homogeneous distribution of the product 102 may provide ease of application on the treatment area 101. However, this is not required.

In some embodiments, the base emulsion 104 is an oil-based or water-based emulsion. In some embodiments, the base emulsion 104 includes petroleum jelly and/or polyethylene glycol.

In some embodiments, the nanoparticles 106 are made from Curie materials having magnetic properties. Under influence of a desired electric or magnetic field, the nanoparticles 106 deliver heat therapy to the body surface 100 (e.g., skin, nails, etc.). In some embodiments, the nanoparticles 106 are heated to their Curie temperature. In particular, in some embodiments, the magnetic nanoparticles 106 are subjected to an alternating field. Upon application of the alternating field, the magnetic nanoparticles 106 begin to heat. Generally, at temperatures less than the Curie temperature (T<T _C ), the magnetic nanoparticles 106 (and/or compositions thereof) are ferro- (or ferri-) magnetic and transition into paramagnetic phase upon reaching the Curie temperature (T _c ). Also upon reaching the Curie temperature, however, an applied AC field no longer induces a temperature rise due to the loss of magnetic susceptibility at the Curie temperature. Thus, the temperature of the nanoparticles 106 is stabilized to within a small temperature range at or near the predetermined Curie temperature.

Further, the heating of the topical product 102 may be controlled by controlling intensity, frequency, or other related parameters of the electro-magnetic field applied to the topical product 102 or more specifically to the magnetic nanoparticles 106. Once the temperature of nanoparticles 106 reaches its Curie temperature, heating stops, avoiding any unwanted damage to the treatment area 101.

In some embodiments, the magnetic nanoparticles 106 have a composition such that the Curie temperature (T _c ) is in the range between about 37° Celsius to about 60° Celsius. In some embodiments, the Curie temperature is in the range between about 40° Celsius to about 50° Celsius. And, in some embodiments, the Curie temperature is 43° Celsius to about 48° Celsius, for example.

Therapeutic heat treatments in one or more embodiments may be performed using magnetic nanoparticles 106 having Curie temperatures between about 37° Celsius to about 60° Celsius. Such nanoparticles 106 are configured to treat the body surface 102, such as skin and/or nails, without causing inadvertent damage to the non- target body regions. In some embodiments, the Curie material may include GaMnN (gallium manganese nitride) and/or ZnO (zinc oxide) or other materials. Other examples of suitable materials include Manganese Arsenide having a Curie temperature about 45° Celsius.

The topical product 102 can be used to treat a wide variety of ailments. For example, the topical product 102 may be used to treat warts, lesions, parasitic infections, skin cancer, or the like. In some embodiments, the treatment area 101 is an area with a fungal infection beneath a finger nail and the treatment area is to be heated at a temperature ranging between about 40° Celsius to about 60° Celsius in order to disrupt fungal growth. In some embodiments, the topical product 102 is in the form of a nail polish that can be applied to the nail by the patient in their home. Upon application of the topical product 102 to the nail surface, it can be used to disrupt fungal grown underneath the nail upon application of a suitable electric or magnetic field. The target temperature for heat treatment may be in the range of about 37° Celsius to about 60 ⁰ Celsius.

In some embodiments, the topical product 102 is applied to a mucous membrane of the patient to treat a variety of diseases. For instance, the topical product 102 may be applied to the mucosal wall of trachea or other regions of the respiratory tract such as bronchus, nasal cavity, bronchioles, etc. In some embodiments, the product 102 is used as a mucolytic agent to heat treat excess mucous production. Further, in some embodiments, the topical product is employed to treat one or more other symptoms of airway related diseases such as chronic pulmonary obstructive disease (COPD).

In some embodiments, the nanoparticles 106 include a therapeutic drug. Such drug may be selected to treat a particular ailment. For example, drugs, including antifungal agents such as salicylic acid, polyenes, imidazoles, triazoles, thiazoles, etc. may be incorporated. Those skilled in the art may select the appropriate one or more drugs for a particular patient or ailment. In some embodiments, the drug is released as disclosed in the co-filed Application entitled, "DEVICES AND METHODS FOR THERAPEUTIC HEAT TREATMENT", U.S. Pat. App. Ser. No. 61/980,936 (Sutermeister et al), filed on April 17, 2014, which is herein incorporated by reference. Additionally, the contents of the co-filed Application entitled,

"COMPOSITIONS FOR THERAPEUTIC HEAT DELIVERY", U.S. Pat. App. Ser. No. 61/981,003 (Sutermeister et al), also filed on April 17, 2014 , are herein incorporated by reference.

One or more medical devices may also incorporate Curie nanoparticles for delivering therapeutic heat treatment. For example, FIG. 2 shows a medical device 200 coated with Curie nanoparticles in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the medical device 200 includes an elongated member 202 having a coating 204 applied on its outer surface 205. In some embodiments, the elongated member 202 comprises an inflatable medical balloon. However the elongated member 202 can further comprise any other suitable device adapted to be introduced inside a patient's body such as, but not limited to a stent, inflatable medical balloon, catheter, basket, or the like. The coating 204 may be applied to a portion of the outer surface 205 of the elongated member 202 or over the entire outer surface of the elongated member 202. In some embodiments, the elongated member 202 has a distal end region 201 and a proximal end region 203.

In some embodiments, the elongated member 202 has a long, thin, flexible tubular structure. A person skilled in the art will appreciate that other suitable structures exist such as, but not limited to, rectangular, oval, irregular, or the like. In some embodiments, the elongated member 202 is sized and configured to

accommodate passage through the intravascular path, which leads from a

percutaneous access site in, for example, the femoral, brachial, or radial artery, to a targeted treatment site. In other embodiments, the elongated member 202 may be sized and configured to pass through other portions of the anatomy, such as, but not limited to, the respiratory system, gastrointestinal, urological, gynecological, etc.

In some embodiments, the medical device coating 204 includes a polymeric base 206 and a plurality of magnetic nanoparticles 208. In an example, the nanoparticles 208 are mixed with the polymeric base 206 to create a homogenous mixture. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that any suitable method may be employed to combine the polymeric base 206 and the nanoparticles 208 to form the coating 204, for example, conventional methods such as encapsulation. Once formed, the coating 204 may be applied to the medical device 200 by various methods such as spraying, painting, etching, etc. The coating 204 may be applied to a variety of medical devices, including, but not limited to a stent, inflatable medical balloon, catheter, basket, cutting members, such as cutting members 512 described below, coagulation elements, such as coagulation elements 306 described below, or the like The polymeric base 206 may comprise a suitable polymer such as polyurethane, styrene isobutylene styrene, or other polymers known to the art. In some embodiments, the polymeric base 206 comprises one or more biodegradable polymers, which may be designed to degrade within the body. Suitable examples include Polylactides (PLA), Polyglycolides (PGA), Poly(lactide-co-glycolides)

(PLGA), Polyanhydrides, Polyorthoesters, Polycyanoacrylates, Polycaprolactone, or the like. In some embodiments, these degradable polymers are broken down into biologically acceptable molecules to be metabolized and removed from the body via normal metabolic pathways.

In some embodiments, the nanoparticles 208 comprise magnetic nanoparticles having a selected Curie temperature. In some embodiments, the magnetic nanoparticles 208 have Curie temperatures falling in the range between about 37° Celsius to about 140° Celsius. However, it should be noted that any suitable Curie material having a suitable Curie temperature may also be used in the coating 206, which may be dictated by the temperature range required to heat and/or treat a body tissue or region.

In some embodiments, the magnetic nanoparticles 208 may comprise less than 10% of the coating 204 by weight. The nanoparticles 208 may comprise any suitable percentage in the coating 204 such as, but not limited to, 4%, 8%, 12%, 24%, 48%, or more. The percentage of the nanoparticles 208 may vary depending on various factors, for example - a) the amount of heat required for the therapy, and b) the Curie temperature of the magnetic nanoparticles 208 used to form the coating 204.

In some embodiments, the medical device 200 is navigated through a patient's body to reach a treatment region. In some instances, the medical device 200 is an inflatable medical balloon having a coating 204 disposed on its outer surface 205. Upon reaching the treatment region, the medical device 200 is inflated using a conventional inflation mechanism (e.g., inflation fluid such as saline) such that the coating 204, in particular the nanoparticles 208, come into contact with the surrounding body tissue. Further, inflation of the balloon allows the nanoparticles 208 to come in close proximity with a desired treatment area. At this point, a suitable electric or magnetic external field may be applied, allowing the magnetic

nanoparticles 208 to heat. Alternatively, or additionally, the electric or magnetic field may be applied from within the medical device 200, as will be described in more detail with respect to FIG. 5. Once the temperature of the magnetic nanoparticles 208 reaches its Curie temperature, the nanoparticles 208 stop heating until the temperature again falls below the Curie temperature.

Some embodiments may be used to treat varicose veins. Such veins may become enlarged and/or tortuous due to one or more pathological conditions. For treatment purposes, the medical device 200 having a balloon-shaped structure may be employed. In some embodiments, the balloon has the coating 204 applied to its outer surface. The balloon may be used to constrict or occlude the varicose vein by heating it at about 120° Celsius, for example. To accomplish this, in some embodiments, the balloon is inserted within the patient's body to reach a target area just adjacent to or inside the varicose vein. Once the target area is reached, RF energy or a magnetic field is applied from an external or internal source, for example, heating the magnetic nanoparticles 208 disposed in the coating 204. The heat may thus occlude the varicose vein. In such an example, the magnetic nanoparticles 208 may have a Curie temperature of about 120° Celsius.

Further, in some embodiments, the medical device 200 is used for nerve treatment for denervation of renal artery, carotid sinus, splanchnic nerves, bronchial nerves, pulmonary artery denervation, etc. Furthermore, the device 200 may be used for tissue ablation, pain mitigation, muscle pacing or relaxation, etc.

In some embodiments, the nanoparticles 208 include two different types of nanoparticles, each type having its own Curie temperature. In some embodiments, the nanoparticles having a lower Curie temperature have a higher concentration than the nanoparticles having a higher Curie temperature. Such an arrangement permits the medical device 200 to have two Curie temperatures. In this way, using a lower power alternating current field, for example, the temperature can be raised to the Curie temperature of the first type of nanoparticles. Using a higher power AC field, for example, the temperature can be raised to the second, higher, Curie temperature, which is associated with the second type of nanoparticles. In some embodiments, the first type of nanoparticles has a Curie temperature of 40 degrees Celsius and the second type of nanoparticles has a Curie temperature of 60 degrees Celsius. An embodiment of a medical device 200 utilizing two such types of nanoparticles may comprise a polymeric implant which is deformed at the lower Curie temperature and it is heat-set upon reaching the higher Curie temperature, thereby fixing the shape of the polymeric implant. Another embodiment utilizing two such types of nanoparticles may identify the medical device 200 at the first Curie temperature via magnetic resonance; and, the medical device 200 can then be raised to the second Curie temperature once the position within the patient's body is as intended. For example, a lumen or bodily structure can be ablated at the second Curie temperature.

It will be appreciated that nanoparticles having a third Curie temperature can also be included in yet another concentration, for example. Each of the two or more types of nanoparticles can thusly take on a different functionality, such as drug release and drug destruction, imaging and ablation, deformation (e.g., weakening) and heat shape setting.

FIGS. 3 and 3 A depict partial and cross-sectional views, respectively, of a coagulation or cutting device 360. In some embodiments, the coagulation device 360 comprises a medical balloon 300, which is adapted to be introduced inside a patient's body, in a similar way as the medical device 200 of FIG. 2.

In some embodiments, the coagulation device 360 is employed to cut, cauterize, and/or coagulate the surrounding body tissue, upon reaching a treatment region within the patient's body. For instance, the coagulation device 360 may be employed to cut the tumor 402 (FIG. 4), cauterize a tissue such as to occlude and/or seal a vessel (e.g., artery or vein), or cut a lesion or stenosis. In some embodiments, the coagulation device 360 (e.g., medical balloon 300) includes a central region 302, a thermal insulator 304, and a coagulation element 306, which, in some embodiments is a cutting member. In some embodiments, however, the thermal insulator 304 is not required. In some instances, the thermal insulator 304 may also function as a bonding pad configured to attach the coagulation element 306 to the balloon 300.

In some embodiments, the central region 302 forms the body of the medical balloon 300. In the illustrated embodiment, the central region 302 has a substantially tubular geometry with circular cross-section. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the central region 302 may have any suitable cross-sectional shape such as, but not limited to, rectangular, oval, irregular, or the like, however. In some

embodiments, the thermal insulator 304 is attached to at least a portion of the central region 302. According to one or more embodiments, the thermal insulator 304 includes a pad, chip, layer, or other suitable structure capable of being attached to at least a portion of the central region 302. In the illustrated embodiment, the thermal insulator 304 has a pad-shaped structure, which may be attached to an outer surface 301 of the central region 302. Some embodiments employ an adhesive to attach the thermal insulator 304 to the central region 302. The thermal insulator 304 and/or coagulation element 306 can also be attached via an adhesive pad, glue, mechanical coupling, injection molded thermopolymer or thermoset pad, overmolding of the coagulation element 306, via a composite pad having a polymer or urethane and a ceramic or other thermo-insulating material, or other suitable mechanism to attach the structures, such as a dovetail or keyway slide-in lock or tongue-in-groove. In some embodiments, a polymeric adhesive pad is employed to attach the thermal insulator 304 to the central region 302. Such an adhesive pad may be thermally insulating and thus may be made from a suitable material. For example, an adhesive pad may be made of polyolefin, PET, polyimide, silicone, refractory ceramic fiber, or the like.

In some embodiments, the coagulation device 360 includes coagulation element 306, which may be attached to the thermal insulator. In some embodiments, the coagulation device 360 may include a plurality of coagulation elements 306. For example, the coagulation device 360 may include three cutting members 306, which may be attached to the three thermal insulators 304 at three portions of the central region 302 of the medical balloon 300, for example. The coagulation device 360 (e.g., medical balloon 300) may comprise any suitable number of coagulation elements 306 (e.g., cutting members) such as one, two, four, six, or more.

In some embodiments, the coagulation element 306 has a substantially triangular shape having a sharp edge and/or tip 309. Some embodiments may include other suitable shapes of the coagulation element 306 such as rectangular, or the like.

In one or more embodiments, the coagulation element 306 includes a blade having a base 307 and a tip 309, where the base 307 is attached to the thermal insulator 304 and the tip 309 is adapted to cut body tissue. In some embodiments, the base 307 of the coagulation element 306 is made from ceramic or stainless steel. The coagulation element 306 may be made from any suitable material capable of coagulating and/or cutting the surrounding tissue. In some embodiments, such material should be relatively rigid and sharp. Suitable examples include ceramic, metal, bi-metal, or bi-material. Further, in some embodiments, the tip 309 comprises at least one Curie material or element 31 1. To this end, in some embodiments, the tip 309 is made of a Curie material or the tip 309 may have a coating of Curie material, for example coating 204. Such Curie material may include MnBi, MnSb, CrCte, MnOFe202, Nickel, or the like, either in combination or alone. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that any other suitable Curie material and/or element may also be employed. When the coagulation device is suitably deployed adjacent to the desired treatment region, a suitable electric or magnetic external field may be applied, allowing the Curie material 311 to heat. Alternatively, or additionally, the electric or magnetic field may be applied from within the coagulation device 360, as will be described in more detail with respect to FIG. 5. Once the temperature of the Curie material 311 reaches its Curie temperature, the Curie material 31 1 stops heating until the temperature again falls below the Curie temperature.

Also, in some embodiments, the coagulation device 360 (e.g., medical balloon 300) includes a circulatory system 313, as shown in FIG. 4, which may be adapted to cool the coagulation device 360 during the procedure. The circulation system 313 may be configured to continuously or intermittently exchange the inflation fluid (or other fluid) within the balloon 300 for a cool fluid from, for example, a reservoir configured to remain outside the body. In some instances, the fluid may be provided at room temperature or chilled to a temperature lower than room temperature. Such a circulation system 313 may prevent damage of the coagulation device 360 as well the surrounding normal tissue (tissue not requiring treatment) from the heat of the coagulation element 306. Circulatory systems include a fluid such as cooled saline, contrast, cryogenic system, etc. In some embodiments, the circulatory system is employed to inflate and/or deflate the medical balloon 300.

FIG. 4 illustrates a method of treating a tumor 402 using a coagulation device 360 in the form of the medical balloon 300. According to the method, the medical balloon 300 is advanced through a patient's body to reach a body vessel 404. The medical balloon 300 may be advanced through the body using an introduction device such as delivery sheath or catheter (not explicitly shown). In some embodiments, an operator (e.g., a physician, clinician, etc.) retracts a portion of the catheter once the medical balloon 300 is disposed within the body vessel 404. Within the vessel 404, the medical balloon 300 is manipulated such that at least one coagulation element 306 is generally aligned with the tumor 402. The balloon 300 may be expanded such that the coagulation element comes in close proximity to the tumor 402. In some instances, expansion of the balloon 300 may also expand the body vessel 404.

Subsequently, an external field 406 (e.g., magnetic field) may be provided to activate the Curie element 31 1 of the coagulation element 306. Alternatively, or additionally, the electric or magnetic field may be applied from within the coagulation device 360, as will be described in more detail with respect to FIG. 5. Once activated, the curie element 311 begins to heat, which may be employed by the coagulation element 306 to cut and or treat the tumor 402.

In some embodiments, the Curie element 311 has a Curie temperature in the range between about 60° Celsius to about 400° Celsius and, in some embodiments, between 100° Celsius to about 400°. A temperature in these ranges may be used to successfully treat the tumor. During the procedure, in some embodiments, the medical balloon 300 is rotated by the operator through its proximal end. The rotating medical balloon 300 may be beneficial as, in some embodiments, the sharp coagulation element 306 provides mechanical cutting through its sharp tip 309. In some embodiments, however, the medical balloon 300 is not rotated during the procedure.

In addition to treating tumors, the coagulation device 360 may be used for tissue ablation to treat cysts, endometriomas, cancers, pre-cancerous cells, warts, lesions, endovascular canalization, annulation, endovascular incision for graft, interstitial fluid drainage (e.g., lymph), bacterial infection fluid release, general angioplasty, atherectomy, plaque scoring, vulnerable plaque ablation, arterial debulking, calcified disease scoring, crack initiation or propagation, etc. Other applications may include RF cutting at a controlled temperature, treatment of hemorrhoids, purposeful scarring of tissue of the cervix or sphincter bulking through scarring of the esophagus or urethra. Further, although shown in the context of medical balloon 300, the coagulation element 306 can be used on or with a surgical tool, surgical blade, needle, cut/coagulation tool, or in any other suitable medical device.

Further, in some embodiments, the coagulation device(s) 360, such as medical balloon 300, are coated with Curie materials via Ultrasonic Dispersing equipment. For example, a dispersion of polyurethane in Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK) in a solution of 0.5-0.65% Corethane 50D polyurethane, 1.0-10.0% dimethylacetamide, and balance tetrahydrofuran can be employed. Alternatively, styrene isobutylene styrene (SIBS) in toluene may be used in lieu of MEK. In some embodiments, a solution of the polymer is prepared in a solvent and is added to 10% by weight of the nanoparticles (NP) of Curie materials. To keep the Curie nanoparticles well dispensed throughout the spraying process, an ultrasonic spray system, for example,

SonicSyringe, CSP Flow and SonoFlow CSP from Sono-Tek can be employed. The balloon or other tubular devices may be sprayed using such equipment by rotating the balloon in the ultrasonic spray plume. In some embodiments, the sprayed balloon is then subjected to infrared (IR) drying to speed the process of coating the balloon with Curie materials or nanoparticles.

FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of another illustrative medical device 300 in partial cross-section. The medical device 500 may include an elongate member or catheter shaft 502, an expandable member or balloon 504 coupled to a distal end region 522 of the shaft 502, and an electromagnetic coil 506 disposed around the distal end region 522 of the elongate shaft 502 and within an interior portion of the balloon 504. Additional electromagnetic coils 506 may also be utilized either within the device 500 or at a location configured to be external to a patient's body. The electromagnetic coil 506 may be in electrical communication with a power and control unit configured to remain outside the body. The power and control unit may supply an electrical current to the coil 506 to generate a magnetic field. It is contemplated that the electrical current supplied to the coil 506 and/or the size of the coil 506 may be varied to generate the desired magnetic field. When in use, the balloon 504 may be filled with an inflation fluid such as saline to expand the balloon 504 from a collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration. The inflation fluid may be introduced through a fluid inlet 508 and evacuated through a fluid outlet 510. This may allow the fluid to be circulated within balloon 504.

In some embodiments, the device 500 may include one or more coagulation elements or cutting members 512 coupled to the balloon 504. The cutting members 512 may vary in number, position, and arrangement about the balloon 504. For example, the device 500 may include one, two, three, four, five, six, or more cutting members 512 that are disposed at any position along balloon 504 and in a regular, irregular, or any other suitable pattern.

In one or more embodiments, the cutting member 512 includes a blade having a base 514 and a tip 516. The cutting member 512 may be secured or attached to the balloon 504 through a pad 520. In some embodiments, the pad 520 may be a thermal insulator or include materials having insulating properties. For example, the pad 520 may be similar in form and function to the thermal insulator 304 described above. In some embodiments, the base 514 of the cutting member 512 is made from ceramic or stainless steel, although this is not required. The cutting member 512 may be made from any suitable material capable of coagulating and/or cutting the surrounding tissue. In some embodiments, the material should be relatively rigid and sharp. The tip 516 may comprise at least one Curie material or element 518. For example, the tip 516 may be made of a Curie material or the tip 516 may have a coating of Curie material similar to the coating 204 described above. Alternatively, the cutting member 512 may be formed entirely of a Curie material. Such Curie materials may include MnBi, MnSb, CrC , MnOFe202, nickel, or the like, either in combination or alone. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that any other suitable Curie material and/or element may also be employed.

The medical device 500 may be advanced through a patient's body to reach a target treatment region. The medical device 500 may be advanced through the body using an introduction device such as delivery sheath or catheter (not explicitly shown). In some embodiments, an operator (e.g., a physician, clinician, etc.) retracts a portion of the catheter once the medical device 500 is disposed within or adjacent to the target treatment region. Within the target treatment region, the medical device 500 may be manipulated such that at least one cutting member 512 is generally aligned with the target treatment region. The balloon 504 may be expanded such that the cutting member 512 comes in close proximity to the target treatment region. Subsequently, an electric or magnetic field may be applied from within the balloon 504 via coil 506. It is contemplated that placing the electromagnetic coil 506 in close proximity the Cure material 518 may allow for the use of weaker or smaller magnetic fields. Once activated, the Curie material 518 begins to heat, which may be employed by the cutting member to cut and or treat the target treatment region. Once the temperature of the Curie material 518 reaches its Curie temperature, the Curie material 518 stops heating until the temperature again falls below the Curie temperature.

In some embodiments, the Curie material 518 has a Curie temperature in the range between about 60° Celsius to about 400° Celsius and, in some embodiments, between 100° Celsius to about 400°. A temperature in these ranges may be used to successfully treat the tumor. During the procedure, in some embodiments, the medical device 500 is rotated by the operator through its proximal end. The rotating medical device 500 may provide mechanical cutting with the cutting member 512 through its sharp tip 516. In some embodiments, however, the medical device 500 is not rotated during the procedure.

The following documents are incorporated herein by reference, each in its entirety: Ahmad et al, "Optimization of (Gd)sSi4 based materials: A step toward self- controlled hyperthermia applications," J. Appl. Phys., 2009, 106: 064701.

Akin et al, "Nii- _x Cr _x alloy for self controlled magnetic hyperthermia," Crystal Research and Technology, 2009, 44: 386-390.

Atsarkin et al, "Solution to the bioheat equation for hyperthermia with Lai- xAgyMn03 d nanoparticles: The effect of temperature autostabilization," Int. J.

Hyperthermia, 2009 May; 25(3):240-247.

Bose et al. ("Exchange interactions and Curie temperatures in Cr-based alloys in Zinc Blende structure: volume- and composition-dependence," arXiv:0912.1760 [cond-mat.mtrl-sci], 5 Feb 2010; 16 pgs.).

Giri et al, "Investigation on Tc tuned nano particles of magnetic oxides for hyperthermia applications," Biomed. Mater. Eng., 2003, 13: 387-399.

Gomez-Polo et al, "Analysis of heating effects (magnetic hyperthermia) in FeCrSiBCuNb amorphous and nanocrystalline wires," J. Applied Phys., 2012, 111, 07A314-1 to 07A314-3. Available online 16 February 2012.

Haik et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 7,842,281, entitled "Magnetic particle composition for therapeutic hyperthermia").

Iorga et al. ("Low Curie Temperature in Fe-Cr-No-Mn Alloys," U.P.B. Sci. Bull. Series B, 2011, 73(4): 195-202).

Joshi et al, "Role of Biodegradable Polymers in Drug Delivery," Int. J.

Current Pharm. Res., 2012, 4(4): 74-81.

Kim et al. (European Pat. Publ. No. EP 2 671 570 A2, entitled "Magnetic Nanoparticle, Having A Curie Temperature Which Is Within Biocompatible

Temperature Range, And Method For Preparing Same").

Kuznetsov et al, "Local radiofrequency-induced hyperthermia using CuNi nanoparticles with therapeutically suitable Curie temperature," J. Magn. Magn.

Mater., 2007, 311 : 197-203.

Martirosyan, "Thermosensitive Magnetic Nanoparticles for Self-Controlled Hyperthermia Cancer Treatment," J. Nanomed. NanotechoL, 2012, 3(6): 1000el l2 (1- 2).

Martirosyan, "Thermosensitive nanostructured media for imaging and hyperthermia cancer treatment," Bulletin of the American Physical Society, 2001, 56: 1. McNerny et al., "Chemical synthesis of monodisperse γ-Fe-Ni magnetic nanoparticles with tunable Curie temperatures for self-regulated hyperthermia," J. Applied Phys., 2010, 107, 09A312-1 to 09A312-3. Available online 2010 April 19.

Miller et al, "Fe-Co-Cr nanocomposites for application in self-regulated rf heating," J. Applied Phys., 2010, 107, 09 A313-1 to 09A313-3. Available online 2010 April 19.

Pham et al, "A simple approach for immobilization of gold nanoparticles on graphene oxide sheets by covalent bonding," Appl. Surface Sci., 2011, 257, 3350- 3357. Available online Nov. 19, 2010.

Prasad et al, "TC-Tuned biocompatible suspension of Lao.73Sro.27Mn03 for magnetic hyperthermia," J. Biomed. Mater. Res. B Appl. Biomater., 2008, 85: 409- 416

Prasad et al. "Gd substituted NiCa ferrite/poly vinyl alcohol nanocomposite," J. Magn. Magn. Mater., 2012, 324: 869-872).

Shahil et al, "Graphene-Based Nanocomposites as Highly Efficient Thermal

Interface Materials," arXiv preprint, arXiv: 1201.0796, 2012 (available online at http://arxiv.0rg/ftp/arxiv/papers/l 201 /1201.0796.pdf; last accessed Dec. 19, 2013).

Shahil et al, "Thermal properties of graphene and multilayer graphene:

Applications in thermal interface materials," Solid State Communications, 2012, 152: 1331-1340. Available online 25 April 2012.

Shimizu et al, "Ferromagnetic exchange interaction and Curie temperature of Mgl+xFe2-2xTix04 (x=0-0.5) system," J. Magn. Magn. Mater., 2007, 310: 1835- 1837.

Singh et al, "Polymer-Graphene Nanocomposites: Preparation,

Characterization, Properties, and Applications," Chapter 3 in "Nanocomposites - New Trends and Developments," InTech, Rijeka, Croatia, Ed. Ebrahimi, ISBN 978-953-51- 0762-0, Published: September 27, 2012, pp.37-71.

Skomski et al, "Curie temperature of multiphase nanostructures," J. Applied Phys., 2000 May 1, 87(9): 4756-4758.

Sperling et al, "Surface modification, functionalization and bioconjugation of colloidal inorganic nanoparticles," Phil. Trans. R. Soc. A, 28 March 2010, 368(1915): 1333-1383. Wang et al, "Graphene-Based Nanocomposites," Chapter 8 in "Physics and Applications of Graphene - Experiments," InTech, Rijeka, Croatia, Ed. Mikhailov, ISBN 978-953-307-217-3, Published: April 19, 2011, pp.135-168.

Wang et al, "Reversible room-temperature magnetocaloric effect with large temperature span in antiperovskite compounds Gal-xCMn3+x (x=0, 0.06, 0.07, and 0.08)," J. Appl. Phys., 2009, 105, 083907-1 to 083907-5.

A description of some embodiments of the heat treatments is contained in one or more of the following numbered statements:

Statement 1. A coagulation device comprising:

a central region;

a thermal insulator attached to at least a portion of the central region; and a coagulation element attached to the thermal insulator, at least a portion of the coagulation element formed from a Curie material having a Curie temperature between 60° and 400° Celsius.

Statement 2. The coagulation device of statement 1, wherein the coagulation element is configured as a cutting member.

Statement 3. The coagulation device of any one of the preceding statements, wherein the Curie material has a Curie temperature between 100° and 400° Celsius. Statement 4. The coagulation device of any one of the preceding statements, wherein the Curie material is selected from the group consisting of MnBi, MnSb, CrC , MnOFe202, Nickel, and combinations thereof.

Statement 5. The coagulation device of any one of the preceding statements, wherein the coagulation element has a coating, the coating comprising the Curie material.

Statement 6. The coagulation device of statement 5, wherein the coating includes a polymeric base and a plurality of nanoparticles.

Statement 7. The coagulation device of statement 6, wherein the nanoparticles comprise less than 10% of the coating by weight.

Statement 8. The coagulation device of any one of the preceding statements, wherein the coagulation element defines a base and a tip, the tip comprising the Curie material.

Statement 9. The coagulation device of statement 8, wherein the base of the coagulation element is ceramic or stainless steel. Statement 10. The coagulation device of any one of the preceding statements further comprising an adhesive pad disposed between the thermal insulator and the central region, the adhesive pad attaching the thermal insulator to the central region.

Statement 1 1. The coagulation device of any one of the preceding statements further comprising a circulatory system, the circulator system configured to cool the coagulation device.

Statement 12. The coagulation device of statement 2, wherein the cutting member comprises at least three cutting members.

Statement 13. The coagulation device of any one of the preceding statements, wherein the thermal insulator is adhesively attached to the at least a portion of the central region.

Statement 14. The coagulation device of any one of the preceding statements, wherein the coagulation device comprises a medical balloon.

Statement 15. The coagulation device of statement 14, wherein medical balloon has three thermal insulators, each of the thermal insulators having a cutting member attached thereto.

Statement 16. A topical product comprising:

a base emulsion; and

a plurality of nanoparticles homogeneously distributed within the base emulsion, the nanoparticles having a Curie temperature between 37° and 60° Celsius, wherein the nanoparticles comprise at least 2% of the product by weight.

Statement 17. The topical product of statement 16, wherein the nanoparticles comprise at least 3% of the product by weight.

Statement 18. The topical product of statement 17, wherein the nanoparticles comprise at least 5% of the product by weight.

Statement 19. The topical product of statement 18, wherein the nanoparticles comprise less than 15% of the product by weight.

Statement 20. The topical product of statement 18, wherein the nanoparticles comprise less than 8% of the product by weight.

Statement 21. A medical device coating comprising:

a polymeric base; and

a plurality of nanoparticles homogeneously distributed within the polymeric base, the nanoparticles having a Curie temperature between 37° and 140° Celsius, wherein the nanoparticles comprise less than 10% of the coating by weight. Statement 22. The medical device coating of statement 21 in combination with a stent.

Statement 23. The medical device coating of statement 21 in combination with an inflatable medical balloon.

Statement 24. The medical device coating of statement 21 in combination with a catheter.

Statement 25. The medical device coating of statement 21, wherein the polymeric base includes polyurethane.

Statement 26. The medical device coating of statement 21, wherein the polymeric base includes styrene isobutylene styrene.

Statement 27. A coagulation device comprising:

a central region;

a thermal insulator attached to at least a portion of the central region; and a coagulation element attached to the thermal insulator, at least a portion of the coagulation element formed from a Curie material having a Curie temperature between 100° and 400° Celsius.

Statement 28. The coagulation device of statement 27, wherein the Curie material is selected from the group consisting of MnBi, MnSb, CrC , MnOFe202, Nickel, and combinations thereof.

Statement 29. The coagulation device of statement 27, wherein the coagulation element has a coating, the coating comprising the Curie material.

Statement 30. The coagulation device of statement 27, wherein the coagulation element defines a base and a tip, the tip comprising the Curie material.

Statement 31. The coagulation device of statement 30, wherein the base of the coagulation element is selected from the group consisting of ceramic or stainless steel.

Statement 32. The coagulation device of statement 27 further comprising an adhesive pad disposed between the thermal insulator and the central region, the adhesive pad attaching the thermal insulator to the central region.

Statement 33. The coagulation device of statement 32, wherein the adhesive pad is polymeric.

Statement 34. The coagulation device of statement 27 further comprising a circulatory system, the circulator system configured to cool the coagulation device. Statement 35. The coagulation device of statement 27, wherein the coagulation element comprises at least three cutting members. It should be understood that this disclosure is, in many respects, only illustrative. Changes may be made in details, particularly in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of steps without exceeding the scope of the disclosure. This may include, to the extent that it is appropriate, the use of any of the features of one example embodiment being used in other embodiments. The invention's scope is, of course, defined in the language in which the appended claims are expressed.