Devices and methods for monitoring the temperature of tissue at various locations in a treatment volume during fluid enhanced ablation therapy are provided. In one embodiment, an ablation device is provided having an elongate body, at least one ablation element, and at least one temperature sensor. The elongate body includes a proximal and distal end, an inner lumen, and at least one outlet port to allow fluid to be delivered to tissue surrounding the elongate body. The at least one ablation element is configured to heat tissue surrounding the at least one ablation element. The at least one temperature sensor can be positioned a distance away from the at least one ablation element and can be effective to output a measured temperature of tissue spaced a distance apart from the at least one ablation element such that the measured temperature indicates whether tissue is being heating to a therapeutic level.

An energy delivery system comprises a transmission member and an antenna at a distal end of the transmission member. The antenna includes a first conductive arm, an insulator extending around the first conductive arm, and a second conductive arm. The second conductive arm includes a coil. The system also comprises a barrier layer surrounding the transmission member and antenna. The barrier layer extends from a proximal portion of the transmission member to a distal portion of the antenna. The system also comprises a jacket surrounding the barrier layer and forming a fluid channel for receipt of a cooling fluid.

A method of ablating a tissue region within a blood-filled environment comprises restraining a fluid within a visualization field in a portion of the blood-filled environment and visualizing the tissue region through the fluid within the visualization field. The method also includes transmitting ablating electrical energy from the fluid into the visualized tissue region.

Devices and methods for controlling ablation therapy are provided herein. In one embodiment, an ablation device is provided that includes an elongate body having proximal and distal ends, and an inner lumen extending therethrough. The inner lumen can be configured to receive fluid therein and to deliver fluid to the distal end of the elongate body. The device can also include an ablation element positioned at a distal end of the elongate body that is configured to heat surrounding tissue, and a heater element disposed within the inner lumen adjacent to a distal end of thereof, the heater element being configured to heat fluid flowing through the inner lumen.

The present disclosure provides, according to some embodiments, methods and systems for selectively reducing, blocking or inhibiting at least part of the neural activity in an organ of a subject. In preferred embodiments, the method and system are used for selectively blocking at least part of the neural activity in a duodenum of a subject in need thereof. According to some embodiments, the selective blocking occurs through use of laser radiation. According to some embodiments, the selective blocking occurs through use of ultrasound energy. According to some embodiments, the selective blocking comprises causing damage to at least part of sensory nerves located within a target area while maintaining functional activity of tissue surrounding the sensory nerves by means of shielding it from the effects of laser radiation. According to some embodiments, the sensory nerves include neurons configured to transmit signals triggered by food passing through the duodenum, such as, but not limited to, neurohormonal signals.

A method for performing a medical procedure in an intestine of a patient is provided. The method comprises providing a system comprising: a catheter for insertion into the intestine, the catheter comprising: an elongate shaft comprising a distal portion; and a functional assembly positioned on the shaft distal portion and comprising at least one treatment element. The catheter is introduced into the patient, and target tissue is treated with the at least one treatment element. The target tissue comprises mucosal tissue of the small intestine, and the medical procedure can be configured to treat at least one of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) or non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).

A method for determining a change of temperature of an object. The method may include heating an object and measuring scattering parameters (S-parameters) of scattered microwave electric fields from the object. A distorted Born iterative method may be used to determine a change of a dielectric property of the object based on the measured S-parameters. A change of temperature of the object may be determined based on the change of the dielectric property of the object.

A system and method of use thereof are disclosed, the system including a treatment source, such as an electrosurgical generator and a plurality of treatment devices operable to be coupled to the treatment source, one or more of the treatment devices being associated with one or more device identifiers which can be, for example, physically present on the device or contained in device software.

A method for performing a medical procedure in an intestine of a patient is provided. The method comprises providing a system comprising: a catheter for insertion into the intestine, the catheter comprising: an elongate shaft comprising a distal portion; and a functional assembly positioned on the shaft distal portion and comprising at least one treatment element. The catheter is introduced into the patient, and target tissue is treated with the at least one treatment element. The target tissue comprises mucosal tissue of the small intestine, and the medical procedure can be configured to treat polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).

An apparatus is configured to operate on tissue. The apparatus includes an end effector with an upper jaw and a lower jaw. The upper jaw is configured to pivot relative to the lower jaw. The apparatus also includes an electrode cap coupled to either the upper or lower jaw. The electrode cap includes a first electrode surface configured at a first polarity and a second electrode surface configured at a second polarity. The second polarity is opposite to the first polarity. The electrode cap is configured to be applied to tissue such that the electrode cap is operable to deliver bipolar RF energy to the tissue. The electrode cap may be used to selectively weld bleeding tissue in a localized fashion, without having to place the tissue between the jaws, and without having to use an instrument separate from the jaws.