A system and method for providing greater control over the temperature of a thermal treatment element of a medical device, enabling an operator to extend a thawing period of a cryoablation procedure. The system may include a fluid flow path that bypasses a subcooler, giving the operator selective control over the temperature of refrigerant delivered to the treatment element and, therefore, treatment element temperature. Additionally or alternatively, the system may include a fluid delivery conduit that is in communication with a liquid refrigerant and a gaseous refrigerant. Adjustment of the ratio of liquid to gaseous refrigerant also offers control over the treatment element temperature. Additionally or alternatively, the system may include one or more valves and/or heating elements in the fluid delivery and recovery conduits to control the treatment element temperature.

A balloon is provided for selectively moving an esophagus away from an ablation site. The balloon is received through an oral cavity and into the esophagus of a patient. A deflecting member is provided in the tube, the balloon, or both, to selectively distort to bend the balloon and/or the tube to move the esophagus away from the ablation site. The deflecting member may comprise at least one of a strip made of a shape memory material that is responsive to the receipt of a stimulus to deflect to a predetermined shape, a strip that is made of or contains a ferrous material and that deflects in response to the presence of a magnetic field, and a selectively tensionable cable, wire, or string. The deflecting member may be supplemented by a stiffening strip that is located in the balloon and that causes the balloon to expand circumferentially and asymmetrically when inflated.

A microwave ablation probe (200; 300; 400), comprising: an applicator (202; 302; 402) arranged to apply microwave radiation to heat surrounding tissue; a feeding cable (204; 304; 404) arranged to supply electromagnetic energy to the applicator; a coolant flow path (206) via which coolant is able to flow; and a choke arranged to reduce power reflected from the applicator (202; 302; 402) along the feeding cable (204; 304; 404). The choke comprises a choke member (208; 209; 308; 408) cooled by coolant flowing in the coolant flow path (206). The choke member (208; 209; 308; 408) extends between two points spaced apart in a direction having at least a component parallel to a longitudinal axis of the feeding cable. The choke member (208; 209; 308; 408) comprises one or more turns extending around the longitudinal axis of the feeding cable. The choke member may be a spiral member (208; 308; 408).

The present disclosure provides a device and a method for cooling living tissues for a medical purpose and other purposes. The cooling device includes a cooling medium contacting the living tissues to be cooled. The cooling medium comprises: a first fluid medicine reservoir configured to be installed outside a main body that couples with a medical cooling device and to move into the main body, wherein the first fluid medicine reservoir stores a first fluid medicine to be injected through a hole at a tip of the main body.

Ablation systems and methods of the present disclosure include a catheter including one or more image sensors. The one or more image sensors can facilitate, for example, positioning an ablation electrode at a treatment site of an anatomic structure and, additionally or alternatively, can facilitate controlling delivery of therapeutic energy to a treatment site of an anatomic structure.

Systems and methods for facilitating assessment of a nature of contact between an electrode assembly of an ablation catheter and viable body tissue are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a method comprises obtaining a first detected voltage between a first electrode and a second electrode, wherein the first and second electrodes are positioned along an electrode assembly of the ablation catheter, and wherein the first electrode is distal to the second electrode, obtaining a second detected voltage between the second electrode and a third electrode, the third electrode positioned proximal to the second electrode.

A guiding sheath assembly has an elongated shaft, and a control handle with a control knob and a shuttle configured for translation in response to manipulation of the control knob. The assembly includes a puller wire extending along the shaft and responsive to translation of the shuttle to deflect the shaft. The puller wire has a stop at its proximal end wherein a deflection sensor is affixed to stop subject to compression between to generate a signal in response to distortion between the first shuttle and the first stop. A catheter having a control handle and a control knob for manipulation of a deflection puller wire whose proximal end is affixed to a stop anchored in the control handle housing includes a strain gauge affixed to the stop configured to detect deformation resulting from actuation of the puller wire in deflecting the catheter shaft. A drip chamber.

Disclosed are a body contouring device using RF energy, a control method thereof, and a body contouring method using the same, in which a surface of tissue overheated due to the edge effect is selectively cooled while the tissue is heated with the RF energy transferred thereto, thereby having a uniform treatment effect on a treatment area, reducing pain, and preventing the tissue from being damaged.

A surgical system includes a fluid source, an ultrasonic transducer, an ultrasonic waveguide coupled to and extending distally from the ultrasonic transducer, and an ultrasonic blade disposed at a distal end of the ultrasonic waveguide and configured to receive ultrasonic energy produced by the ultrasonic transducer and transmitted along the ultrasonic waveguide to vibrate the ultrasonic blade for treating tissue therewith. The ultrasonic blade is configured to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy for conducting electrosurgical energy to tissue to treat tissue. The ultrasonic blade defines a lumen extending at least partially therethrough to at least one opening. The lumen is configured for fluid communication with a fluid source to enable the delivery of fluid from the fluid source through the lumen and out the at least one opening into a surgical site to facilitate electrosurgical tissue treatment.

Devices and methods for tissue treatment produce a mechanical stimulation therapy and electromagnetic field therapy. The mechanical stimulation therapy provides stimulation of blood circulation and stimulates treated cells. The electromagnetic field enables thermal treatment of tissue. Combination of both therapies improves soft tissue treatment, mainly connective tissue in the skin area and fat reduction.