Body tissue ablation is carried out by inserting a probe into a body of a living subject, urging the probe into contact with a tissue in the body, generating energy at a power output level, and transmitting the generated energy into the tissue via the probe. While transmitting the generated energy the ablation is further carried out by determining a measured temperature of the tissue and a measured power level of the transmitted energy, and controlling the power output level responsively to a function of the measured temperature and the measured power level. Related apparatus for carrying out the ablation is also described.

A reinforced arthroscope comprising external ribs to provide for a number of separate fluid channels, such as inflow, outflow and interstitial tissue drainage, when the arthroscope is slipped into a disposable external sheath. The external sheath includes projections that fit closely on either side of one or more of the external ribs to lock the sheath in place circumferentially relative to the arthroscope. The arthroscope is constructed to be sufficiently rigid so as to penetrate and move within a joint without damaging the rod optics inside. The externality of the arthroscope channels allow for cleaning and sterilizing the scope between uses.

A catheter system and a method for performing body obstruction destruction are disclosed. The catheter comprises a catheter shaft comprising a proximal end and a distal end, including an outer tubular member and at least one inner tubular member disposed within the outer tubular member; a first fluid lumen defined between the inner tubular member and the outer tubular member and at least one second lumen defined by the inner tubular member; one or more fluid exit openings located at a distal end region of the catheter configured to permit fluid to exit the catheter from the first fluid lumen; fluid pressure means located external of the catheter ahead from the proximal end for delivering said fluid in the first fluid lumen at a pressure range predetermined to cause destruction of said obstruction.

An irrigated ablation catheter includes a shaft and an electrode assembly affixed to a distal end of the shaft. The distal electrode assembly includes a manifold and an ablation electrode affixed together and extending along a center axis. The electrode has a distal irrigation passageway extending therethrough to an opening at a distal tip of the electrode. The opening of the irrigation passageway is offset in distance from the center axis, and allows a thermal sensor such as a thermocouple to be located in a sensor cavity in the electrode on or near the center axis. One variation involves providing a pair of distal irrigation passageways through the electrode where both of the openings of the passageways are offset from the center axis. The thermal sensor in this variation is located in the sensor cavity substantially on the center axis.

An ablation catheter system for drug refractory symptomatic paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF). The system can include an elongated body; an electrode assembly comprising a shell configured with an inner chamber and a wall defining a proximal portion and a distal portion, the wall of the distal portion having at least one aperture; and a micro-element extending through the inner chamber between the proximal portion and the distal portion, the micro-element having a distal end received in the at least one aperture, the distal end being at least coextensive with an outer surface of the wall. The system is configured to achieve acute procedural PVI success for all patients of a predetermined patient population suffering from PAF.

An arthroscopic surgical temperature control system and method able to monitor and control the temperature within a surgical site during arthroscopic ablation procedures in order to prevent tissue damage is provided.

Body tissue ablation is carried out by inserting a probe into a body of a living subject, urging the probe into contact with a tissue in the body, generating energy at a power output level, and transmitting the generated energy into the tissue via the probe. While transmitting the generated energy the ablation is further carried out by determining a measured temperature of the tissue and a measured power level of the transmitted energy, and controlling the power output level responsively to a function of the measured temperature and the measured power level. Related apparatus for carrying out the ablation is also described.

A device for exchanging heat with a subject having skin is provided. The device includes a heat exchanging member having a heat transfer surface configured to form a heat conducting interface with the subject's skin. The device further includes a substantially flexible sensing device disposed in the interface between the heat exchanging member and the subject's skin. The sensing device is configured to measure a parameter of the interface without substantially impeding heat transfer between the heat exchanging member and the subject's skin.

A reinforced arthroscope comprising external ribs to provide for a number of separate fluid channels, such as inflow, outflow and interstitial tissue drainage, when the arthroscope is slipped into a disposable external sheath. The arthroscope is constructed to be sufficiently rigid so as to penetrate and move within a joint without damaging the rod optics inside. The externality of the arthroscope channels allow for cleaning and sterilizing the scope between uses. Check valves are operably coupled to the inner surface of the external sheath within the fluid channels.

Devices, systems, and methods for repositioning organs, such as the rectum, during radiation therapy treatments, are described.