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.

Various example embodiments relate to guiding a user of a medical laser device by voice based on monitored treatment data. In addition, a voice control procedure for operating the medical laser device with improved safety is provided. Improved usage of the medical laser device is enabled also in situations where there is a limited visual and physical access to control the device. An apparatus, a method, a theranostic system and a computer program are disclosed.

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.

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.

A method and system for assessing lesion formation in tissue is provided. The system includes an electronic control unit (ECU). The ECU is configured to acquire values for first and second components of a complex impedance between the electrode and the tissue, and to calculate an index responsive to the first and second values. The ECU is further configured to process the ECI to assess lesion formation in the tissue.

A surgical instrument includes a housing, an elongated shaft assembly extending from the housing, and an end effector extending from the elongated shaft assembly. An inner shaft of the assembly defines proximal and distal portions and a longitudinal lumen. The proximal portion inhibits passage of gas while the distal portion permits passage of gas. An intermediate collar is disposed about the inner shaft between the proximal and distal portions. An outer sleeve of the assembly is disposed about the inner shaft and the intermediate collar to define a proximal area therebetween proximally of the intermediate collar and a distal annular area therebetween distally of the intermediate collar. The outer sleeve includes a proximal portion surrounding the proximal annular area and a distal portion surrounding the distal annular area. The proximal portion permits passage of gas while the distal portion inhibits passage of gas.

A system includes a processor circuit configured to receive an endovascular flow measurement obtained by an endovascular flow measurement positioned within a blood vessel of a patient. The system controls a nerve stimulation device to stimulate a nerve of the patient and receives an additional endovascular flow measurement while the nerve is stimulated. The processor circuit then performs a comparison of the two flow measurements received and provides an output based on the comparison.

A treatment system includes a generator and a fluid transfer cartridge. The fluid transfer cartridge includes a cartridge shell defining a cartridge cavity between a front face and a rear face. The front face includes an opening, and the cartridge cavity is visibly exposed through the opening. The fluid transfer cartridge includes a syringe barrel disposed within the cartridge cavity, and a handle that extends from the front face over the opening. The syringe barrel can be visibly exposed on a side of the handle. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Transducer-based systems can be configured to display a graphical representation of a transducer-based device, the graphical representation including graphical elements corresponding to transducers of the transducer-based device, and also including between graphical elements respectively associated with a set of the transducers and respectively associated with a region of space between the transducers of the transducer-based device. Selection of graphical elements and/or between graphical elements can cause activation of the set of transducers associated with the selected elements. Selection of a plurality of graphical elements and/or between graphical elements can cause visual display of a corresponding activation path in the graphical representation. Visual characteristics of graphical elements and between graphical elements can change based on an activation-status of the corresponding transducers. Activation requests for a set of transducers can be denied if it is determined that a transducer in the set of transducers is unacceptable for activation.

In one embodiment, a medical system includes a catheter configured to be inserted into a cavity of a body of a living subject, and including an inflatable balloon comprising electrodes, the inflatable balloon being configured to press the electrodes against tissue of the cavity and at least partially block blood flow in the cavity, an ultrasound probe configured to provide velocity measurements of the blood flow in the cavity over time, a processor configured to assess a quality of contact of the electrodes with the tissue responsively to at least one of the velocity measurements of the blood flow in the cavity, and output an indication of the quality of contact to an output device, and a power supply configured to provide at least one electrical signal to the electrodes in order to ablate the tissue of the cavity.