Abstract: A method and system for of cooling a disc mill having a rotating disc blade is disclosed. A disc mill may have a first and second material outlet positioned generally along tangents to the rotating disc blade. Air may be drawn through the first and second material outlets. A disc mill may include first and second air inlets positioned generally along tangents to the rotating disc blade. The first and second inlets may direct air streams to cool a first and second portion of the rotating disc blade and pulverized material.

Abstract: The present invention includes a device and a method for preventing injury of the esophagus during thermal ablation of the left atrium. The device has an esophageal probe with a balloon tip for insertion into the esophagus of a patient. During usage, coolant passes into the esophageal probe and then fills its balloon. The coolant, when circulating through the balloon and an external cooling machine, protects the esophageal tissue in contact with the esophageal probe from thermal damage during ablation of the posterior wall of the left atrium of the heart, or other procedure.