An objective of this invention is to provide apparatus and methods to test the integrity of empty and full tanks. Another object of this invention is to provide a granular inspection of the tank. Another object of this invention is to provide precision positioning information of sample points. Another object of this invention is to provide automated inspection pattern and correction. Another object of this invention is to minimize hazardous working conditions.

A cryoneedle comprises an outer tube having a distal section with a generally central gas supply line placed within the outer tube. The gas supply line supplies a cryogas for forming an iceball on an outer surface of the outer tube over the distal section. The gas supply line terminates in an expansion chamber placed within the distal section. The cryoneedle comprises a heat exchange helix contacting the inner surface of the outer tube. The heat exchange helix has an increasing surface area per unit distance of the distal section such that the iceball has a generally symmetric shape.

A left atrial appendage (LAA) occluder and an occluding system are provided. The LAA occluder includes a sealing portion and an ablation portion arranged in the sealing portion, as well as a hollow proximal connector at a proximal end of the sealing portion. The ablation portion is connected to the proximal connector. The ablation portion is used to freeze an LAA after being injected with cryogen so as to form an annular isolation band on an inner wall of the LAA for blocking the conduction of electrical signals between the LAA and a left atrium.

Cryoablation device terminating in a linear ablation element, optionally with a slight curvature along its length. Upon advancing the linear ablation element along a longitudinal axis out of a catheter sheath, an angle selecting connector on the proximal end of the linear ablation element bends to re-orient the linear ablation element to extend radially outward from the longitudinal axis. The linear ablation element is then pressed to a lumenal tissue surface by advancing it along the longitudinal axis, rotating it around the longitudinal axis, and/or bending and/or rotating the sheath itself to reorient the longitudinal axis itself. Control degrees of freedom allow optionally placing the linear ablation element in a more distal position than it emerged from.

An adapter for putting two incompatible medical systems in fluid communication with each other. The adapter may have a continuous outer diameter and may include two segments: a first segment composed of a rigid material and including a first portion and a second portion, the first portion having a continuous outer diameter and the second portion defining one or more flanges, the first segment defining a first passage therethrough; and a second segment composed of a flexible material and coupled to the first segment, including a first portion and a second portion. The first portion of the second segment may have an inner surface configured to surround the flanges of the second portion of the first segment, and the second portion of the second segment having a tapered inner surface, the second segment defining a second passage therethrough that is continuous with the first passage.

A device for treating esophageal target tissue comprises a catheter, a balloon and a refrigerant delivery device. The catheter has a distal portion and a refrigerant delivery lumen. The balloon is mounted to and the refrigerant delivery device is coupled to the distal portion. The refrigerant delivery device comprises a chamber with the refrigerant delivery lumen opening into the chamber, a refrigerant delivery opening fluidly coupled to the balloon interior, and a distribution passageway fluidly coupling the chamber and the refrigerant delivery opening. A refrigerant is deliverable through the refrigerant delivery lumen, into the chamber, through the distribution passageway, through the refrigerant delivery opening and into the balloon interior so to place the balloon into an expanded, cooled state so that the balloon can press against and cool esophageal target tissue. The medical device may include means for sensing a leak in the balloon.

A surgical cryoablation system comprising a valve having a valve inlet and a valve outlet the valve inlet connectable to a source of cryogenic fluid at a pressure of greater than 4000 psi and the valve outlet connectable to a cryoablation probe, such that the valve outlet is in fluid communication with the cryoprobe such that the source of cryogenic fluid is in fluid communication with the valve inlet.

Apparatus and methods for treating conditions such as rhinitis are disclosed herein where a distal end of a probe shaft is introduced through the nasal cavity where the distal end has an end effector with a first configuration having a low-profile which is shaped to manipulate tissue within the nasal cavity. The distal end may be positioned into proximity of a tissue region having a post nasal nerve associated with a middle or inferior nasal turbinate. Once suitably positioned, the distal end may be reconfigured from the first configuration to a second configuration which is shaped to contact and follow the tissue region and the post nasal nerve may then be ablated via the distal end. Ablation may be performed using various mechanisms, such as cryotherapy, and optionally under direct visualization.

A cryoneedle comprises an outer tube having a distal section with a generally central gas supply line placed within the outer tube. The gas supply line supplies a cryogas for forming an iceball on an outer surface of the outer tube over the distal section. The gas supply line terminates in an expansion chamber placed within the distal section. The cryoneedle comprises a heat exchange helix contacting the inner surface of the outer tube. The heat exchange helix has an increasing surface area per unit distance of the distal section such that the iceball has a generally symmetric shape.

A medical device, including an elongate body having a proximal portion and a distal portion; a shaft at least partially disposed within the elongate body; an expandable element at the distal portion of the elongate body; and a fluid delivery conduit defining a deflectable segment movably coupled to the shaft, the deflectable segment being transitionable from a substantially linear configuration to a substantially curvilinear configuration.