A surgical tool according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a proximal end; and a distal end, the distal end including a first electrode; a second electrode different from the first electrode; and a thermal bridge that is disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode and that electrically isolates the first electrode from the second electrode.

Evaluating a cardiac lesion formed by an ablation procedure, by receiving, by processing circuitry and following conclusion of delivery of ablation energy, a bioelectrical signal from an electrode proximate to a target location of cardiac tissue for the cardiac lesion; determining, by the processing circuitry, one or more characteristics of the received bioelectrical signal in a frequency band of the received bioelectrical signal; and estimating, by the processing circuitry, an efficacy of the cardiac lesion based on a comparison of the determined amplitude of the bioelectrical signal and a threshold amplitude.

A method and apparatus are disclosed for preventing injury to an esophagus caused by heat or cold being delivered to the left atrium, the method including altering a heat exchange device from an insertable configuration to a heat exchanging configuration which has an inflated generally flattened cross section (e.g. capsule-shaped, elliptical) corresponding with the cross section of the inside of the esophagus such that the esophagus is maintained in its natural shape and location. In some embodiments the heat exchange device has a heat exchanger which is inflated to be in the heat exchanging configuration.

A microwave antenna has a radiating portion connected by a feedline to a power generating source, e.g., a generator. Proximal and distal radiating portions of the antenna assembly are separated by a junction member. A reinforcing member is disposed within the junction member to increase structural rigidity.

Systems and methods for estimating tissue parameters, including mass of tissue to be treated and a thermal resistance scale factor between the tissue and an electrode of an energy delivery device, are disclosed. The method includes sensing tissue temperatures, estimating a mass of the tissue and a thermal resistance scale factor between the tissue and an electrode, and controlling an electrosurgical generator based on the estimated mass and the estimated thermal resistance scale factor. The method may be performed iteratively and non-iteratively. The iterative method may employ a gradient descent algorithm that iteratively adds a derivative step to the estimates of the mass and thermal resistance scale factor until a condition is met. The non-iterative method includes selecting maximum and minimum temperature differences and estimating the mass and the thermal resistance scale factor based on a predetermined reduction point from the maximum temperature difference to the minimum temperature difference.

Apparatus and methods for delivering electromagnetic energy to a patient's tissue and reducing pain experienced by the patient during treatment of the patient's tissue with the delivered electromagnetic energy. The tissue treatment apparatus includes a delivery device configured to transfer the electromagnetic energy through the skin surface to a region of tissue, and also includes a vibration device that is mechanically coupled with the delivery device. The vibration device is configured to transfer mechanical vibrations along an axis substantially normal to the skin surface to the region of tissue being treated.

Systems, devices and methods treat target tissue to provide a therapeutic benefit to the patient. A tissue treatment device comprises a tissue treatment element constructed and arranged to treat target tissue, such as duodenal mucosa and/or submucosal tissue. Patients treated can safely eliminate or reduce their daily insulin intake.

Medical methods and systems are provided for effecting lung volume reduction by selectively ablating segments of lung tissue.

A surgical instrument is disclosed comprising a housing and a control circuit mounted to and/or embedded in the housing.

Device, systems, and methods for cryoablation are described herein. In some implementations, the devices and systems are used to for cryoneurolysis or cryoablation of nerves. An example cryoablation probe includes a tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end. The tubular member has a probe tip arranged at the distal end. The probe also includes one or more energy elements arranged along an axial direction of the tubular member, and one or more sensor elements arranged along the axial direction of the tubular member.