Abstract: A method of determining the status of a fluid cooled microwave ablation system is provided including providing an electrical current to a pump to pump fluid through an ablation system along a fluid path to cool the ablation system, measuring an electrical current drawn by the pump, and determining a status of the ablation system based on the measured electrical current. In another aspect of the disclosure, an ablation system is provided including an ablation probe defining a fluid path for circulation of fluid therethrough, a generator configured to supply energy to the ablation probe for treating tissue, a pump configured to pump fluid through the fluid path of the ablation probe to cool the ablation probe, a sensor configured to measure an electrical current drawn by the pump, and a computing device configured to determine a status of the ablation system based on the measured electrical current.

Abstract: Ablation systems and methods detect and address distortion caused by a variety of factors. A method includes measuring a temperature curve at target tissue; applying ablation energy to the target tissue; determining a peak temperature on the temperature curve; if the peak temperature is greater than the predetermined peak temperature, determining a time at which the temperature curve crosses to a lower temperature; and if the determined time is greater than a predetermined time, generating a message indicating that the target tissue was successfully ablated. Another method includes determining a distance between a remote temperature probe and an ablation probe, applying ablation energy to target tissue, measuring temperature at the remote temperature probe, estimating ablation size based on the determined distance and the temperature measured by the remote temperature probe, and determining whether the target tissue is successfully ablated based on the estimated ablation size.

Abstract: A microwave ablation device including a cable assembly configured to connect a microwave ablation device to an energy source and a feedline in electrical communication with the cable assembly. The microwave ablation device further includes a balun on an outer conductor of the feedline, and a temperature sensor on the balun sensing the temperature of the balun.

Abstract: A microwave ablation device including a cable assembly configured to connect a microwave ablation device to an energy source and a feedline in electrical communication with the cable assembly. The microwave ablation device further includes a balun on an outer conductor of the feedline, and a temperature sensor on the balun sensing the temperature of the balun.

Abstract: A method for forming a resonating structure within a body lumen, the method including advancing a flexible microwave catheter into a body lumen of a patient, the flexible microwave catheter including a radiating portion at the distal end of the flexible microwave catheter, the radiating portion configured to receive microwave energy, and at least one centering device proximate the radiating portion configured to deploy radially outward from the flexible microwave catheter; positioning the radiating portion near tissue of interest; deploying the at least one centering device radially outward from the flexible microwave catheter within the body lumen such that a longitudinal axis of the radiating portion is substantially parallel with and at a fixed distance from a longitudinal axis of the body lumen near the targeted tissue; and delivering microwave energy to the radiating portion such that a circumferentially balanced resonating structure is formed with the body lumen.

Abstract: A cable assembly includes a rigid portion, a flexible central portion, and a radiating portion. The rigid portion is configured to couple to a source of electrosurgical energy and to prevent fluid ingress towards the source of electrosurgical energy. The flexible central portion extends from the rigid portion and includes an inner conductor, a dielectric disposed about the inner conductor, and a conductive braid disposed about the dielectric. The radiating portion extends from the central portion and is configured to deliver electrosurgical energy to tissue.

Abstract: A method for displaying real-time ablation growth projections is provided. The method includes applying, by a processor, an ablation model to image data of a patient. The ablation model is based on a position of an ablation probe, and the ablation probe is coupled to the processor. The method also includes displaying, on a display coupled to the processor, a projected ablation zone on the image data. The projected ablation zone is based on ablation parameters and the position of the ablation probe. The projected ablation zone includes a margin showing a confidence level. The method further includes ablating by the ablation probe. The ablating is based on an evaluation of the projected ablation zone with respect to a target. A system for performing a microwave ablation procedure is provided. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing instructions is provided.

Abstract: A microwave antenna for ablating tissue in a patient includes a radiator configured to radiate microwave radiation. A cable is coupled to the radiator and includes a fluid inflow line and a fluid outflow line. The microwave antenna also includes a ceramic element coaxially disposed around the radiator. The ceramic element includes at least one internal channel configured to transport thermal energy away from the ceramic element.

Abstract: A surgical system includes a power supply, a power stage coupled to the power supply for converting electric energy to a power signal, an audio output device, a sensor, and a controller coupled to the power supply, the power stage, and the audio output device. The controller is operably coupled to the sensor. The power stage is configured to transmit the power signal to a surgical instrument such as an electrosurgical instrument or a microwave instrument. The sensor may be disposed on the surgical instrument. The controller causes the audio output device to output sensory feedback during operation of the surgical generator based on sensor signals received from the sensor during a surgical procedure.

Abstract: A method for forming a resonating structure within a body lumen, the method including advancing a flexible microwave catheter into a body lumen of a patient, the flexible microwave catheter including a radiating portion at the distal end of the flexible microwave catheter, the radiating portion configured to receive microwave energy, and at least one centering device proximate the radiating portion configured to deploy radially outward from the flexible microwave catheter; positioning the radiating portion near tissue of interest; deploying the at least one centering device radially outward from the flexible microwave catheter within the body lumen such that a longitudinal axis of the radiating portion is substantially parallel with and at a fixed distance from a longitudinal axis of the body lumen near the targeted tissue; and delivering microwave energy to the radiating portion such that a circumferentially balanced resonating structure is formed with the body lumen.

Abstract: A microwave generator includes a microwave signal generator configured to deliver a microwave signal to a microwave instrument coupled to the microwave generator and a generator controller storing a plurality of resistance value indicators. A device ID reader is configured to measure a resistance of the coupled microwave instrument. The generator controller is configured to compare the measured resistance of the coupled microwave instrument with the plurality of resistance value indicators to identify a type of the coupled microwave instrument. An instrument monitoring controller is configured to communicate a data request to the coupled microwave instrument based on the identified type of the coupled microwave instrument. The generator controller is configured to set at least one operating threshold of the microwave generator based on one of an operating configuration corresponding to one of the plurality of resistance value indicators or data communicated from the coupled microwave instrument.

Abstract: A system and method enabling the receipt of image data of a patient, identification of one or more locations within the image data depicting symptoms of COPD, analyzing airways and vasculature proximate the identified locations; planning a pathway to the one or more locations, navigating an extended working channel to one of the locations, positioning a microwave ablation catheter proximate the location, and energizing the microwave ablation catheter to treat the locations depicting symptoms of COPD.

Abstract: A cable assembly includes a rigid portion, a flexible central portion, and a radiating portion. The rigid portion is configured to couple to a source of electrosurgical energy and to prevent fluid ingress towards the source of electrosurgical energy. The flexible central portion extends from the rigid portion and includes an inner conductor, a dielectric disposed about the inner conductor, and a conductive braid disposed about the dielectric. The radiating portion extends from the central portion and is configured to deliver electrosurgical energy to tissue.

Abstract: A method of creating a shunt between a right atrium and a left atrium of a mammalian heart including puncturing an atrial septum between the right atrium and the left atrium to create a shunt. An ablation device having balloon is advanced at least partially through the shunt. The balloon is inflated and configured to thermally isolate the atrial septum from blood within the left atrium and the right atrium. Ablation energy is delivered to ablate the atrial septum.

Abstract: An EM device is provided that includes an antenna assembly for radiating at least one electromagnetic field for electromagnetic navigation. The EM device also includes a moving arrangement coupled to the antenna assembly and configured to either move the antenna assembly toward and away from a CT scan plane or move a patient toward and away from the antenna assembly. An operating system is provided that includes a CT scanner defining a CT scan plane, and a patient table housing an antenna assembly and a moving arrangement. A method is provided that includes engaging a moving arrangement to move a patient, activating the CT scanner, and activating the antenna of an electromagnetic navigation system.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a microwave antenna assembly is disclosed. The antenna assembly includes a feedline having an inner conductor, an outer conductor and an inner insulator disposed therebetween and a radiating portion including a dipole antenna having a proximal portion and a distal portion. The antenna assembly also comprises a sheath disposed over the feedline and the radiating portion defining a chamber around the feedline and the radiating portion. The chamber is adapted to circulate coolant fluid therethrough. The antenna assembly further includes a connection hub having cable connector coupled to the feedline, an inlet fluid port and an outlet fluid port. The connection hub includes a bypass tube configured to provide for flow of the coolant fluid from the cable connector directly to the outlet fluid port.

Abstract: A method of directing energy to tissue using a fluid-cooled antenna assembly includes the initial step of providing an energy applicator. The energy applicator includes an antenna assembly and a hub providing at least one coolant connection to the energy applicator. The method also includes the steps of providing a coolant supply system including a fluid-flow path fluidly-coupled to the hub for providing fluid flow to the energy applicator, positioning the energy applicator in tissue for the delivery of energy to tissue when the antenna assembly is energized, and providing a thermal-feedback-controlled rate of fluid flow to the antenna assembly when energized using a feedback control system operably-coupled to a flow-control device disposed in fluid communication with the fluid-flow path.

Abstract: A method of creating a shunt between a right atrium and a left atrium of a mammalian heart including puncturing an atrial septum between the right atrium and the left atrium to create a shunt. An ablation device having balloon is advanced at least partially through the shunt. The balloon is inflated and configured to thermally isolate the atrial septum from blood within the left atrium and the right atrium. Ablation energy is delivered to ablate the atrial septum.

Abstract: Microwave ablation systems and methods use a cable assembly including a signal divider device that enables use of multiple microwave antennas through a single channel of a microwave generator. The cable assembly includes a microwave transmission line, a signal divider device having multiple ports coupled to an end portion of the microwave transmission line, an electrical line, and a monitoring circuit coupled to an end portion of the electrical line. The monitoring circuit is configured to acquire information regarding multiple devices coupled to multiple respective ports of the signal divider device and convert the information regarding multiple devices to single channel information. The single channel information is inserted in a communication packet and transmitted to the microwave generator via the electrical line.

Abstract: A system and method enabling the receipt of image data of a patient, identification of one or more locations within the image data depicting symptoms of COPD, analyzing airways and vasculature proximate the identified locations; planning a pathway to the one or more locations, navigating an extended working channel to one of the locations, positioning a microwave ablation catheter proximate the location, and energizing the microwave ablation catheter to treat the locations depicting symptoms of COPD.