A novel catheter is disclosed comprising an electrode array that is capable of switching between a sensing configuration for sensing electrical signals of biological tissue and an ablation configuration for delivery of ablation energy at a region of interest. Irrigation ports are interlaced within the electrode array to vent irrigant during an ablation procedure to; prevent excessive heating, charring of tissue, coagulation of blood, and allow for efficient delivery of ablation therapy for maximum therapy efficacy. The novel catheter includes a plurality of splines with linear portions wherein the electrodes of the electrode array are disposed. The splines are connected by connectors which include one or more bends capable of storing potential energy when the bends are elastically deformed, enabling collapse and expansion of the catheter in a sheath. Software logic associated with this catheter analyzes sensing signals to diagnose critical regions of the biological rhythm disorder, and enables directional guidance to move the catheter to critical regions for therapy.

A method for use with an intra-body probe, a distal end of which includes an ablation electrode and a temperature sensor, is described. While (i) the ablation electrode is driving an ablating current into tissue of a subject, and (ii) fluid is passed from the distal end of the intra-body probe at a fluid-flow rate, a processor receives a temperature sensed by the temperature sensor. The processor estimates a temperature of the tissue, based at least on the sensed temperature and at least one parameter selected from the group consisting of: the fluid-flow rate, and a parameter of the ablating current. The processor generates an output in response to the estimated temperature. Other embodiments are also described.

Pulmonary vein isolation catheters and associated devices, systems, and methods are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a pulmonary vein isolation catheter includes a tip section having an expandable portion and a deployment member. The expandable portion includes a plurality of mesh electrode panels that are electrically insulated from one another. The expandable portion is mechanically coupled to (i) the deployment member at a distalmost portion of the tip section and (ii) a distal end portion of a catheter shaft. The expandable portion is expandable and compressible via proximal and distal movement, respectively, of the deployment member. In some embodiments, the expandable portion in a deployed state is pear- or onion-shaped and includes a nose portion and/or an active body portion. The nose portion can be insulated and/or configured to fit within a pulmonary vein and position the active body portion against tissue about the ostium of the pulmonary vein.

The disclosure relates to a nozzle for a device for the dermo-cosmetic treatment of dark skin spots by cyto-selective cryotherapy comprising a spray jet supplied by a tank of pressurised liquified cryogenic gas. The nozzle comprises an upper ring for connecting to a shell, extended by a central body of which the side wall which narrows downwards has longitudinal openings and delimits a gas expansion chamber communicating with a frustoconical dispersal conduit arranged inside an end piece to be applied to the skin and opening to the outside through a discharge port.

Certain aspects relate to systems, devices and techniques for vessel sealing and cutting. In particular, an instrument is provided that is capable of performing multiple functions, including sealing and cutting. The instrument can be robotically controlled, and can include a shaft, a multi-DOF wrist, and an end effector. The end effector is capable of generating and delivering heat via different energy modalities to perform the various functions at different temperatures.

Ablation catheters and systems include coaxial catheter shafts with an inner lumen for delivering an ablative agent and an outer lumen for circulation of a cooling element about the catheter. Induction heating is used to heat a chamber and vaporize a fluid within by wrapping a coil about a ferromagnetic chamber and providing an alternating current to the coil. A magnetic field is created in the area surrounding the chamber which induces electric current flow in the chamber, heating the chamber and vaporizing the fluid inside. Positioning elements help maintain the device in the proper position with respect to the target tissue and also prevent the passage of ablative agent to normal tissues.

A probe for ablating tissue comprises an electrosurgical working end configured to provide a first plasma about a first surface location and a second plasma about a second surface location, the first plasma having first ablation parameters and the second plasma having second ablation parameters. The probe has a working end with a thickness below 3 mm and produces a low temperature plasma.

Described here are methods and systems for the manipulation of ovarian tissues. The methods and systems may be used in the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The systems and methods may be useful in the treatment of infertility associated with PCOS.

Ablation electrode assemblies include an inner core member and an outer shell surrounding the inner core member. The inner core member and the outer shell define a space or separation region therebetween. The inner core member is constructed from a thermally insulative material having a reduced thermal conductivity. In an embodiment, the space is a sealed or evacuated region. In other embodiments, irrigation fluid flows within the space. The ablation electrode assembly further includes at least one thermal sensor in some embodiments. Methods for providing irrigation fluid during cardiac ablation of targeted tissue are disclosed that include calculating the energy delivered to irrigation fluid as it flows within the ablation electrode assembly through temperature measurement of the irrigation fluid. Pulsatile flow of irrigation fluid can be utilized in some embodiments of the disclosure.

Neuromodulation catheter systems with controlled irrigation capabilities and methods for using such systems are disclosed herein. One such method includes, for example, positioning an irrigated neuromodulation catheter at a treatment site within a renal blood vessel of a human patient, delivering neuromodulation energy at the treatment site, and delivering irrigation fluid to the treatment site having characteristics coordinated with the delivered energy. The characteristics can be adjusted to maintain an energy delivery element and/or tissue of the blood vessel at a constant temperature as power is increased. The method can further include monitoring at least one parameter of the tissue and/or of the energy delivery element, and adjusting the neuromodulation energy and/or the characteristics of the irrigation fluid if the at least one parameter falls outside of a treatment range of values.