Provided herein is an apparatus having a first tubular body, a second tubular body disposable within the first tubular body, a first plurality of fenestrations in fluid communication with a gallbladder lumen, and an expandable body disposed around the first plurality of fenestrations. The first plurality of fenestrations is configured to deliver a phase changing ablation medium by spraying the phase changing ablation medium in a spatially diffuse pattern into the space defined by the expandable body between the first plurality of fenestrations and the wall of the gallbladder. The first tubular body and the second tubular body define an annular flow path. A pressure sensor measures intraluminal pressure of the gallbladder. A control unit is coupled to the pressure sensor.

The present invention is directed to a multi-probe ablation simulation and guidance system and method for use in tissue ablation procedures. In use, the relative locations of a plurality of ablation probes capable of providing ablation energy are determined, and the effect of energy provided by the probes based on the determined locations is predicted to identify a simulated ablation volume. This simulated ablation volume is compared with a target tissue volume. The relative locations of the probes can be adjusted based on the comparison between the simulated ablation volume and the target tissue volume, and the predicted effect rerun until the simulated ablation volume encompasses the target tissue volume to be ablated and necrotized.

Apparatus, consisting of a probe, containing a lumen and having a distal end configured to contact tissue of a living subject. A temperature sensor is located at the distal end, and a pump, having a pump motor, is coupled to deliver a cryogenic fluid through the lumen to the distal end of the probe and to receive the cryogenic fluid returning from the probe. There is a separator, coupled to separate the returning cryogenic fluid into a returning cryogenic liquid and a returning cryogenic gas, and a flow meter, coupled to measure a rate of flow of the returning cryogenic gas. A processor is configured to control a rate of pumping of the pump motor in response to a temperature measured by the temperature sensor and the rate of flow of the returning cryogenic gas.

Methods, devices, and systems employ cryolysis of oropharyngeal adipose tissues to selectively remove fat cells from the tissues causing obstructive sleep apnea. In various embodiments, a chilled liquid—e.g., a liquid or air—is applied to the target tissue at a temperature and for a duration sufficient to cause cryolysis.

Cryogenic devices and methods of using and manufacturing cryogenic devices are disclosed. An exemplary cryogenic device may include an enclosed distal tip delineating a cavity in fluid communication with an egress orifice and an ingress orifice, where at least a portion of an exterior of the distal tip comprises a thermal application zone; an exhaust conduit in fluid communication with the egress orifice; a supply conduit in fluid communication with the ingress orifice, the supply conduit helically extending around at least a portion of the exhaust conduit; and/or a deformable wrap at least partially circumscribing the supply conduit and leaving exposed the thermal application zone.

A direct vision cryosurgical and methods of use are described herein where the device may generally comprise an elongated rigid structure with a distal end, a proximal end, and a central lumen. The distal end may comprise a non-coring optically transparent needle tip with at least one lateral fenestration in communication with the central lumen. The distal end may also house at least one imaging device configured for distal imaging. A proximal end of the device may comprise a handle with a means for connecting the imaging device(s) to an imaging display(s), and a means for accessing bodily tissue in the vicinity of the distal end with a cryo-ablation probe through the central lumen and the lateral fenestration(s) for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.

In certain embodiments, the present disclosure provides an anthropomorphic phantom for use with cryoneurolysis training. The anthropomorphic phantom having a body shaped to simulate a human anatomical structure. In some forms, the phantom body comprises a first material configured to simulate human soft tissue, a simulated nerve embedded within the first material, and a simulated fascial plane embedded within the first material superficial to the simulated nerve.

In one aspect, recording instruments, probes, probe sheaths, and probe sleeves may include one or more recording elements, such as one or more ECG wires, EEG wires, and/or SEEG wires. A recording element may be used for lesion localization and assessment at the time of cryotherapy, thermal therapy, or temperature modulation therapy. A recording element may be used to provide positioning and monitoring during functional neurosurgery; to apply local tissue stimulation responsive to detection of an abnormal event to regulate cellular behaviors during treatment; to effect deep brain stimulation during a neurosurgical operation; to monitor internal electrical signals and identify abnormalities. Recording instruments may be deployed in vivo for hours or days while monitoring and analyzing signals. For signal analysis, leads disposed between recording element contact surfaces and along a shaft of the recording instrument may deliver recorded signals to a controller external to the patient for analysis.

A system and method are presented for treating targeted tissue using cryoablation. An introducer canula and a cryoprobe are inserted the targeted tissue. The cryoprobe is cooled and an ice ball is formed. The cryoprobe is removed while the ice ball is still frozen, and an ultrasound catheter is inserted. Ultrasound generated within the ice ball is used to determine the distance from the ultrasound catheter to a perimeter of the ice ball. This is repeated at different angles to model a slice of the ice ball. The ultrasound catheter is moved radially, and the process is repeated to create a model of at least a portion of the ice ball. The ice ball model can be displayed on a registered set of images representing the targeted tissue to ensure that the tissue lies within the treatment zone of the ice ball.

A system and method for supporting multi-probe guidance are disclosed. The system comprises: a medical guidance apparatus comprising: a rotatable portion which is rotatable around a first axis; an arc guide attached to or integrally formed with the rotatable portion, and a probe holder movably mounted on the arc guide. The probe holder is rotatable around a second axis perpendicular to the first axis by being translated along an arcuate path defined by the shape of the arc guide. In one embodiment, the probe holder includes a plurality of probe channels to guide a corresponding plurality of probes parallel to each other towards a subject. In other embodiment, the probe holder includes a single probe channel which is offset from a center point of the guidance apparatus by a fixed distance such that each probe can be inserted sequentially through a different insertion point without colliding at the center point.