A method includes generating an ablation programming language, which defines commands for (i) setting ablation protocol parameters and respective values, (ii) setting a configuration of an ablation system, (iii) applying automatic logic that relates the ablation protocol parameters and the values to the configuration of the ablation system, and (iv) generating one or more graphical user interfaces (GUIs) showing one or more of the parameters of the ablation protocol and the system configuration. The ablation programming language is provided for subsequent use with the ablation system.

Systems and methods for electroporation are provided. An electroporation system includes a catheter including a plurality of electrodes, and a pulse generator coupled to the catheter, the pulse generator configured to generate a waveform to be delivered using at least one of the plurality of electrodes. The waveform includes a first pulse having a first polarity, a first pulse amplitude, and a first pulse width, and a second pulse having a second polarity, a second pulse amplitude, and a second pulse width, wherein the first and second pulses are separated by an interpulse delay, and wherein at least one of i) the first pulse amplitude is different than the second pulse amplitude and ii) the first pulse width is different than the second pulse width.

In one embodiment, an ablation system includes a catheter including at least one electrode, and configured to be inserted into a chamber of a heart of a living subject, an ablation power generator configured to apply an electrical signal to the at least one electrode to ablate tissue of the chamber, at least one body surface patch configured to be applied to a body surface of the living subject, and provide at least one position signal, and a processor configured to compute an index of a measurement of diaphragm movement responsively to the at least one position signal, and perform an action responsively to the computed index.

A robotic system includes an electrosurgical instrument having an instrument housing having a shaft with an end effector assembly and first and second jaw members attached thereto movable to grasp tissue. An input is operably coupled to the instrument housing and is configured to move the jaw members. A handle is remotely disposed relative to the instrument housing and is configured to communicate with the input for controlling the jaw members, the handle having a lever configured to cooperate with the input to control the jaw members relative to movement of the lever. The lever moves between a homing position and a first position correlating to the jaw members closing with a pressure therebetween in the range of about 0.1 kg/cm.sup.2 to about 2 kg/cm.sup.2. The lever further movable to a seal position correlating to the jaw members closing about tissue with a pressure between about 3 kg/cm.sup.2 to about 16 kg/cm.sup.2 for sealing.

A catheter, consisting of an insertion probe, having a distal end configured for insertion into a lumen of a human subject. The catheter also has a resilient tube, extending distally from the distal end of the insertion probe and having, when unconstrained, a planar serpentine shape contained within a plane that contains a longitudinal axis of the distal end of the insertion probe. A plurality of electrodes are fixedly attached to the resilient tube and are configured to transfer ablation energy to the human subject. Other shapes for the insertion tube are also provided.

A catheter, consisting of an insertion probe, having a distal end configured for insertion into a lumen of a human subject. The catheter also has a resilient tube, extending distally from the distal end of the insertion probe and having, when unconstrained, a planar serpentine shape contained within a plane that contains a longitudinal axis of the distal end of the insertion probe. A plurality of electrodes are fixedly attached to the resilient tube and are configured to transfer ablation energy to the human subject. Other shapes for the insertion tube are also provided.

A robotic system includes an electrosurgical instrument having an instrument housing having a shaft with an end effector assembly and first and second jaw members attached thereto movable to grasp tissue. An input is configured to move the jaw members and is configured to operably couple to a torque sensor that measures the torque of the input during rotation thereof. A handle is remotely disposed relative to the instrument housing and is configured to communicate with the input for controlling the movement of the jaw members. A housing having a lever operably coupled thereto, houses components therein configured to operably connect to the input such that movement of the lever correlates to movement of the jaw members. The components are configured to regulate the resistance of the lever in response to the feedback from the torque sensor.

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.

The procedure instrument includes an end effector for treating biological tissue by grasping biological tissue by opening and closing and imparting treatment energy to biological tissue, a fixed handle grasped by an operator, a movable handle for opening and closing the end effector by moving in a direction close to and away from the fixed handle, respectively, and a first switch provided inside the fixed handle and receiving a user operation for imparting treatment energy to the biological tissue from the end effector in response to the movement of the movable handle, and a second switch provided in a state of being exposed outside the fixed handle and receiving a user operation in response to the movement of the movable handle.

A method of ablating tissue includes positioning a treatment device proximate to a target tissue area. The treatment device has an expandable treatment element. The expandable treatment element is inflated with a refrigerant during an inflation phase such that at least a portion of the expandable treatment element is in contact with the target tissue area. A first pressure measurement of the inflated expandable treatment element is recorded and compared to a predetermined pressure threshold. The refrigerant is circulated within the expandable treatment element during an ablation phase to reduce a temperature of the target tissue area to a temperature sufficient to cryoablate the target tissue area. A second pressure measurement of the expandable treatment element is recorded during the ablation phase and compared to the predetermined pressure threshold.