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.

An irradiator includes: a first electrode to which a voltage is applied for generating a plasma; and a holding member holding the first electrode; wherein: the holding member has a first member and a second member that are in contact with each other to constitute an accommodation space accommodating the first electrode; and a contact surface between the first member and the second member includes a non-perpendicular contact surface that is non-perpendicular to an axis of the first electrode.

An image analysis device is capable of outputting evaluation information for use in the balloon catheter treatment for subjects, in real time during a procedure using a balloon catheter. The image analysis device includes: an input unit configured to input captured image data of a two-dimensional captured image of a balloon catheter inserted into an organ of the subject and pressed against an inner surface of the organ; a processing unit configured to obtain evaluation image data of the two-dimensional evaluation image, by executing an image processing on the captured image based on the captured image data input by the input unit, and configured to obtain evaluation information regarding a state of the balloon catheter pressed against the inner surface of the organ based on the evaluation image data; and an output unit configured to output the evaluation information acquired by the processing unit.

Flexible instruments and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a flexible instrument comprises an elongate device having an inner conductor, an outer conductor surrounding the inner conductor, and a dielectric layer insulating the inner conductor from the outer conductor. The flexible instrument further includes a recess formed in the outer conductor. An insert is positioned within the recess and about the inner conductor.

Apparatus and methods for tissue excision. In certain aspects, the apparatus and methods include an annular converging laser beam. The annular converging laser beam can be directed to a surface of a tissue and displace a portion of the tissue in a single or multiple laser pulses. In particular aspects, the dosimetry of the laser beam (e.g. the beam shape, pulse energy and pulse duration) can be controlled to eject the portion of the tissue in a manner to reduce damage to the displaced tissue and the surrounding tissue.

Systems and methods for dynamically modulating aspiration in response to sensed conditions. An aspiration system can include a catheter configured to be inserted within a vasculature of the subject, a canister coupled to the catheter, a pressure source that generates a vacuum pressure through the catheter for aspirating the fluid, a sensor configured to sense a parameter associated with at least one of the catheter, the canister, or the pressure source, and a computer system coupled to the sensor. The computer can cause the pressure source to initiate the vacuum pressure throughout the catheter, receive a measurement of the parameter from the sensor, determine whether the measurement violates a threshold associated with the parameter, and modulate the vacuum pressure at the catheter tip in response to a determination that the measurement violates the threshold.

Apparatus, consisting of a probe configured to be inserted into contact with a myocardium, and an electrode attached to the probe. A temperature sensor, incorporated in the probe, is configured to output a temperature signal. A pump irrigates the myocardium, via the probe, with an irrigation fluid at a controllable rate, and a radiofrequency (RF) signal generator applies RF power via the electrode to the myocardium, so as to ablate the myocardium. The apparatus also has processing circuitry that measures a temperature of the probe, based on the temperature signal, while the RF power is applied and, when the measured temperature exceeds a preset target temperature, iteratively reduces the RF power applied by the signal generator and concurrently iteratively varies a rate of irrigation of the irrigation fluid provided by the pump, until the measured temperature is reduced to the preset target temperature.

An electrophysiology catheter has an elongated catheter shaft and a distal assembly with a flex circuit and a support member on which the flex circuit is supported in a generally cylindrical form. The support member has a post extending longitudinally through the cylindrical form of the flex circuit which delivers irrigation fluid into the cylindrical form. The post can be configured to define multiple irrigation chambers within the distal assembly. One or more flow directors movable in the post selectively direct irrigation fluid within the distal assembly. Apertures in the flex circuit allow the irrigation fluid to exit to outside the distal assembly.

The present invention relates to comprehensive systems, devices and methods for delivering energy to tissue for a wide variety of applications, including medical procedures (e.g., tissue ablation, resection, cautery, vascular thrombosis, treatment of cardiac arrhythmias and dysrhythmias, electrosurgery, tissue harvest, etc.). In certain embodiments, systems, devices, and methods are provided for delivering energy to difficult to access tissue regions (e.g. peripheral lung tissues), and/or reducing the amount of undesired heat given off during energy delivery.

Systems and methods deploy a therapeutic or diagnostic element into contact with a body tissue region. The systems and methods can sense position of the therapeutic or diagnostic element relative to a targeted tissue region without direct or indirect visualization, by sensing fluid pressure in a fluid path having an outlet located at or near the therapeutic or diagnostic element. The systems and methods can also inflate the therapeutic or diagnostic element during use, while taking steps to avoid over-inflation and/or while dynamically monitoring the pressure conditions within the expanded element.