Abstract: An ablation apparatus for creating a lesion in target tissue, the ablation apparatus including a handle, an elongate shaft extending from the handle to a distal tip, where the shaft includes a first portion, an ablation portion distal to the first portion and having an outer sheath, and at least one ablation energy element disposed within the outer sheath, where a space is formed between the at least one ablation energy element and the outer sheath. The ablation apparatus further includes a thermally conductive liner disposed within the space.

Abstract: A closed refrigerant loop system for fluid communication with a treatment tool that includes a compressor to compress a gas supply of the refrigerant to an elevated pressure; a condenser to cool the compressed gas and convert it to a liquid while at least substantially maintaining the elevated pressure of the refrigerant; and a cryocooler to bring the liquid that is maintained under the elevated pressure to a working temperature for the tip of the treatment tool. The closed refrigerant loop system further comprises a check or expansion valve to receive the refrigerant from the treatment tool; and a warming heat exchanger to provide the gas supply of the refrigerant.

Abstract: An ablation apparatus for creating a lesion in target tissue, the ablation apparatus having an ablation shaft including a handle, a first portion, an ablation portion, distal tip, at least one ablation energy delivery lumen, at least one ablation energy return lumen, and a stylet lumen that extends substantially along a length of the ablation shaft from the handle to at least the ablation portion. The ablation apparatus also includes a stylet that is capable of being inserted into the stylet lumen where the stylet is made of a shape-memory material.

Abstract: Methods and devices for reducing visceral fat within the mesenteric structure of the body by cooling visceral fat within the mesentery while leaving arteries, veins, nerves and lymph nodes within the mesentery, and the mesentery membrane, undamaged, and thereafter allowing natural processes of the body to eliminate the cooled visceral fat from the body. The system comprises a pair of flat-faced cooling probes configured for insertion into the abdomen and placement on opposite sides of a section of mesentery for application of cooling power to the mesentery, at temperatures in a range which kills visceral fat cells but does not harm other tissue.

Abstract: An ablation apparatus for creating a lesion in target tissue, the ablation apparatus having an ablation shaft including a handle, a first portion, an ablation portion, distal tip, at least one ablation energy delivery lumen, at least one ablation energy return lumen, and a stylet lumen that extends substantially along a length of the ablation shaft from the handle to at least the ablation portion. The ablation apparatus also includes a stylet that is capable of being inserted into the stylet lumen where the stylet is made of a shape-memory material.

Abstract: A system for laparoscopic thermal treatment of visceral fat includes an elongate cooling probe configured for placement through a trocar, the probe including an elongate shaft having a proximal end and a distal end and having a maximum transverse dimension, and an expandable endpiece having a proximal end and a distal end, and including a collapsed state configured for placement through a channel of the trocar and an expanded state, the expanded state having a maximum outer diameter, the maximum outer diameter at least about twice the maximum transverse dimension of the shaft, wherein the proximal end of the endpiece is sealingly coupled to the distal end of the shaft, and a heat exchanger coupled to the cooling probe and configured to remove heat from the endpiece such that adipose tissue placed in contact with the endpiece can be cooled to a temperature of between about 2° C. and about +1° C.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein are directed to methods of treating visceral fat where the method includes the steps of identifying visceral fat to be treated, inserting a laparoscopic device into the visceral fat to be treated, inserting a treatment instrument into the laparoscopic device such that a distal treatment section of the treatment device is delivered into the visceral fat, cooling the distal treatment section and the visceral fat adjacent to the distal treatment section to a cooling temperature no colder than approximately ?20° C., and wanning the distal treatment section and the visceral fat adjacent to the distal treatment section to a temperature greater than the cooling temperature.

Abstract: A system for monitoring electrical activity at an ablation site where the system includes an ablation device having an elongate, flexible shaft and a distal treatment section for delivering ablation energy to target tissue, a first electrode mounted on the distal treatment section, a second electrode mounted on the distal treatment section where the second electrode is spaced from the first electrode a distance (D1), a plurality of conducting elements extending along the distal treatment section and being connected to the first electrode and the second electrode, the plurality of conducting elements for connecting the first electrode and the second electrode to an electrophysiological recording system, a processing device programmed to receive the electrical information from the ablation site from the first electrode and the second electrode, and an electrophysiological recording system.

Abstract: A system for monitoring electrical activity at an ablation site where the system includes an ablation device having an elongate, flexible shaft and a distal treatment section for delivering ablation energy to target tissue, a first electrode mounted on the distal treatment section, a second electrode mounted on the distal treatment section where the second electrode is spaced from the first electrode a distance (D1), a plurality of conducting elements extending along the distal treatment section and being connected to the first electrode and the second electrode, the plurality of conducting elements for connecting the first electrode and the second electrode to an electrophysiological recording system, a processing device programmed to receive the electrical information from the ablation site from the first electrode and the second electrode, and an electrophysiological recording system.

Abstract: A method of creating a lesion in cardiac tissue where the method includes deploying a distal treatment section of an ablation catheter into a heart chamber and manipulating the distal treatment section against the cardiac tissue and into a curved shape that encloses a plurality of vessel entries in the heart chamber. The method further includes commencing a first application of ablation energy from the distal treatment section to the cardiac tissue and halting the first application of ablation energy to the cardiac tissue. The first application of ablation energy causes formation of a first continuous lesion in the cardiac tissue that encloses the plurality of vessel entries.

Abstract: An endovascular near critical fluid based cryoablation catheter for creating an elongate lengthwise-continuous lesion in tissue comprises an elongate shaft, a flexible distal tissue treatment section, and a distal tip. A plurality of flexible tubes extend through the distal treatment section to transport a near critical fluid to and from the distal tip. The distal treatment section is controllably deployed to match the contour of an anatomical region to be treated. In embodiments the distal treatment section includes a superelastic material and can assume a plurality of different shapes based on the distance ejected from an outer sleeve member. When the catheter is activated, heat is transferred between a target tissue and the distal treatment section of the catheter thereby creating the elongate lengthwise-continuous lesion in the tissue.

Abstract: A near critical fluid based cryoablation system comprises a cryoablation catheter for creating a lesion in tissue. A cryogenic fluid is transported under pressure through the catheter. A controller adjusts the pressure from a relatively high (e.g., near critical) pressure to a substantially lower pressure based on a condition during the catheter activation. In one configuration, the pressure is modulated based on the temperature of the catheter. When the temperature of the catheter reaches a target temperature, the pressure is reduced.

Abstract: A device for monitoring temperature adjacent to an ablation site, the device having an expandable component and a shaft that includes a lumen, at least one fluid port in communication with the lumen, and a plurality of flexible elements having a first end connected to the shaft and a second end having a temperature sensor mounted thereon.

Abstract: A system for monitoring electrical activity at an ablation site where the system includes an ablation device having an elongate, flexible shaft and a distal treatment section for delivering ablation energy to target tissue, a first electrode mounted on the distal treatment section, a second electrode mounted on the distal treatment section where the second electrode is spaced from the first electrode a distance (D1), a plurality of conducting elements extending along the distal treatment section and being connected to the first electrode and the second electrode, the plurality of conducting elements for connecting the first electrode and the second electrode to an electrophysiological recording system, a processing device programmed to receive the electrical information from the ablation site from the first electrode and the second electrode, and an electrophysiological recording system.

Abstract: An ablation apparatus for creating a lesion in target tissue, the ablation apparatus having an ablation shaft including a handle, a first portion, an ablation portion, distal tip, at least one ablation energy delivery lumen, at least one ablation energy return lumen, and a stylet lumen that extends substantially along a length of the ablation shaft from the handle to at least the ablation portion. The ablation apparatus also includes a stylet that is capable of being inserted into the stylet lumen where the stylet is made of a shape-memory material.

Abstract: A cryoablation catheter for creating at least one lesion in tissue, the catheter having an elongate shaft with an intermediate section and a distal tip movable relative to the intermediate section. The catheter also includes at least one elongate control member extending along the intermediate section and secured to the distal tip where the elongate control member is movable relative to the intermediate section for causing movement of the distal tip relative to the intermediate section and at least one energy delivery member extending along the intermediate section to the distal tip where the at least one energy delivery member includes a linear first configuration and an elliptical second configuration. Manipulation of the control member adjusts the shape of the at least one energy delivery member.

Abstract: A method of creating a lesion in cardiac tissue where the method includes deploying a distal treatment section of an ablation catheter into a heart chamber and manipulating the distal treatment section against the cardiac tissue and into a curved shape that encloses a plurality of vessel entries in the heart chamber. The method further includes commencing a first application of ablation energy from the distal treatment section to the cardiac tissue and halting the first application of ablation energy to the cardiac tissue. The first application of ablation energy causes formation of a first continuous lesion in the cardiac tissue that encloses the plurality of vessel entries.

Abstract: An endovascular near critical fluid based cryoablation catheter for creating an elongate lengthwise-continuous lesion in tissue comprises an elongate shaft, a flexible distal tissue treatment section, and a distal tip. A plurality of flexible tubes extend through the distal treatment section to transport a near critical fluid to and from the distal tip. The distal treatment section is controllably deployed to match the contour of an anatomical region to be treated. In embodiments the distal treatment section includes a superelastic material and can assume a plurality of different shapes based on the distance ejected from an outer sleeve member. When the catheter is activated, heat is transferred between a target tissue and the distal treatment section of the catheter thereby creating the elongate lengthwise-continuous lesion in the tissue.

Abstract: A cryoablation apparatus includes a distal energy delivery section to facilitate energy transfer to the tissue, resulting in faster achievement of tissue target temperatures. The energy delivery section includes a first heat exchange region and a second heat exchange region having a different heat exchange efficiency than the first heat exchange region. The first heat exchange region may comprise an increased surface area along a radial portion or length of the cryoprobe in contact with surrounding tissue. The heat exchange region may include ridges, texture, threads, and microtubes which serve to increase the thermal-contacting surface area and provide enhanced cryoenergy to the tissue.

Abstract: Cryoablation balloon catheters and methods are described herein. The cryoablation balloon catheter comprises a distal end section and an inflatable balloon member disposed along the distal end section for contacting a target tissue. The balloon member may be inflated with a thermally conductive liquid. One or more cooling microtubes are positioned within the balloon and a single phase liquid coolant is transported from a liquid source, through the microtubes to the distal section, and returned to a reservoir. Cryogenic energy is transferred from the microtubes, through the conductive liquid filling the balloon, through the wall of the balloon, and to the tissue. In a cryoablation balloon catheter, a plurality of flexible microtubes are adhered to a surface of the expandable balloon. Cryoenergy from the microtubes is directly transferred to the tissue.