Ablation systems of the present disclosure facilitate the safe formation of wide and deep lesions. For example, ablation systems of the present disclosure can allow for the flow of irrigation fluid and blood through an expandable ablation electrode, resulting in efficient and effective cooling of the ablation electrode as the ablation electrode delivers energy at a treatment site of the patient. Additionally, or alternatively, ablation systems of the present disclosure can include a deformable ablation electrode and a plurality of sensors that, in cooperation, sense the deformation of the ablation electrode, to provide a robust indication of the extent and direction of contact between the ablation electrode and tissue at a treatment site.

A puncturing device comprising: a resin tube having a distal end and a proximal end, and extending in a longitudinal direction; a metal tube disposed in a lumen of the resin tube; a metal member disposed at a distal end portion of the metal tube; and a metal tip disposed at a distal end portion of the metal member, wherein a flow path is present between an inner surface of the resin tube and an outer surface of the metal member and is in communication with a lumen of the metal tube, the resin tube further includes an opening portion through which the flow path and outside of the resin tube are in communication with each other, and the opening portion is present on a distal side relative to a distal end of the metal tube and on a proximal side relative to the proximal end of the metal tip.

Ablation systems of the present disclosure facilitate the safe formation of wide and deep lesions. For example, ablation systems of the present disclosure can allow for the flow of irrigation fluid and blood through an expandable ablation electrode, resulting in efficient and effective cooling of the ablation electrode as the ablation electrode delivers energy at a treatment site of the patient. Additionally, or alternatively, ablation systems of the present disclosure can include a deformable ablation electrode and a plurality of sensors that, in cooperation, sense the deformation of the ablation electrode, to provide a robust indication of the extent and direction of contact between the ablation electrode and tissue at a treatment site.

Ablation systems of the present disclosure facilitate the safe formation of wide and deep lesions. For example, ablation systems of the present disclosure can allow for the flow of irrigation fluid and blood through an expandable ablation electrode, resulting in efficient and effective cooling of the ablation electrode as the ablation electrode delivers energy at a treatment site of the patient. Additionally, or alternatively, ablation systems of the present disclosure can include a deformable ablation electrode and a plurality of sensors that, in cooperation, sense the deformation of the ablation electrode, to provide a robust indication of the extent and direction of contact between the ablation electrode and tissue at a treatment site.

An apparatus includes a shaft assembly and an end effector. The shaft assembly includes an outer sheath, at least one irrigation conduit, and at least one suction conduit. The end effector includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and a web. The electrodes extend distally relative to a distal end of the outer sheath. The electrodes are operable to apply bipolar RF energy to tissue. The web extends laterally between the first and second electrodes. The web is positioned distal to the distal end of the outer sheath.

A method, consisting of providing a metal wire having a wire diameter and an end, and positioning a conductor at a distance from the end of the wire. The method further includes creating an electrical discharge between the conductor and the end, while setting the distance and an electrical potential of the discharge, so as to create a bead of a predefined size on the end. The method also includes assembling the wire with the created bead into an invasive probe, so that the bead is positioned at an outer surface of the probe.

Systems and methods for facilitating assessment of a nature of contact between an electrode assembly of an ablation catheter and viable body tissue are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a method comprises obtaining a first detected voltage between a first electrode and a second electrode, wherein the first and second electrodes are positioned along an electrode assembly of the ablation catheter, and wherein the first electrode is distal to the second electrode, obtaining a second detected voltage between the second electrode and a third electrode, the third electrode positioned proximal to the second electrode.

Systems and methods for facilitating assessment of a nature of contact between an electrode assembly of an ablation catheter and viable body tissue are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a method comprises obtaining a first detected voltage between a first electrode and a second electrode, wherein the first and second electrodes are positioned along an electrode assembly of the ablation catheter, and wherein the first electrode is distal to the second electrode, obtaining a second detected voltage between the second electrode and a third electrode, the third electrode positioned proximal to the second electrode.

The invention relates to a method of reducing volume of a tissue without damaging epithelial tissue, the method comprising inserting an IRE device within a zone of a mouth or a nose, enclosing an area of interest of said tissue within a space between at least two electrodes; and applying irreversible electroporation ablation treatment.

Ablation systems of the present disclosure facilitate the safe formation of wide and deep lesions. For example, ablation systems of the present disclosure can allow for the flow of irrigation fluid and blood through an expandable ablation electrode, resulting in efficient and effective cooling of the ablation electrode as the ablation electrode delivers energy at a treatment site of the patient. Additionally, or alternatively, ablation systems of the present disclosure can include a deformable ablation electrode and a plurality of sensors that, in cooperation, sense the deformation of the ablation electrode, to provide a robust indication of the extent and direction of contact between the ablation electrode and tissue at a treatment site.