Abstract: A combination ablation probe includes a shell configured to be positioned at a target tissue in a patient and a conduit positioned inside the shell. The conduit is configured to supply a cryo-fluid toward a tip of the probe. The probe also includes a heater positioned radially outward of the conduit in the shell and at least one heat transfer element in thermal communication with the heater and the shell.

Abstract: A cryoprobe includes a needle defining an internal cavity, a cryogen conduit positioned in the internal cavity, an adjustable insulating sleeve positioned in the inner cavity radially outward of the cryogen conduit, and a heater configured to heat the needle to predetermined temperature.

Abstract: A cryo-treatment apparatus includes a cryoprobe assembly with a needle for insertion at a target tissue, a cryogen delivery apparatus fluidly connected to the cryoprobe assembly, and a cryo-treatment control apparatus comprising at least one processor and memory, wherein the cryo-treatment control apparatus is configured to: obtain cryoprobe operating information from one or more sensors positioned in the needle of the cryoprobe, the cryoprobe operating information characterizing one or more operating parameters of the cryoprobe, deliver a cryogen to the cryoprobe to produce a cryo-treatment zone in an area of the target tissue, the cryo-treatment zone having a treatment temperature range of about ?50 degrees C. to about ?100 degrees C., and maintain the cryo-treatment zone in the treatment temperature range for a predetermined period of time.

Abstract: A cryoprobe assembly includes a needle, a flexible conduit, and a handle portion configured to couple the needle to the flexible conduit to create a cryogen flow path. The flexible conduit includes a counterflow heat exchanger to transfer thermal energy from supply cryogen to return cryogen prior to reaching the needle in order to achieve a predetermined temperature during Joule-Thompson expansion in the needle.

Abstract: A cryoprobe includes a needle, and a handle comprising a distal portion aligned with and coupled to the needle and a proximate portion positioned adjacent to the distal portion. The proximate portion of the handle is oriented at an angle relative to the distal portion.

Abstract: An ablation probe includes an elongated needle portion comprising a distal end for positioning at a target tissue and a proximal end positioned away from the distal end and a guidance indicator positioned at the proximal end. The guidance indicator includes one or more markings or indicators to identify actual alignment of the probe relative to a preferred alignment.

Abstract: To facilitate administering thermal ablation (such as, but not limited to, cryotherapy) to a patient's target volume, a control circuit can access characterizing information for a particular thermal ablation apparatus and then generate a temperature volume histogram as a function of the characterizing information for that particular thermal ablation apparatus.

Abstract: A cryoablation apparatus includes a Dewar configured to retain a volume of cryogen and a heater assembly positioned in the Dewar. The heater assembly includes at least one heater configured to heat a targeted portion of the cryogen as the volume of cryogen in the Dewar changes. The targeted portion of the cryogen is located at or near a top surface of a liquid level of the liquid cryogen.

Abstract: An embodiment includes an artificial chordae tendineae system comprising: a first needle; a flexible first chord coupled to a proximal end portion of the first needle; a first proximal pledget coupled to a proximal end portion of the first chord; a first distal conduit coupled to the first chord between the first proximal pledget and the first needle; wherein: the first distal conduit includes first and second faces; one of the first and second faces includes a first aperture; a sidewall of the first conduit, located between the first and second faces, includes a sidewall aperture that does not directly connect to the first aperture; the sidewall aperture is configured to include a portion of the first chord when the first distal conduit is permanently implanted adjacent tissue but not when the first distal conduit is traversing the tissue before being permanently implanted adjacent the tissue.

Abstract: A cryoablation apparatus includes a Dewar defining an interior volume configured to retain a volume of cryogen, a supply tube extending into the interior volume of the Dewar, a heating assembly positioned at a distal end of the supply tube, a pump assembly positioned proximate the heating assembly, and a lid assembly coupled to the Dewar at the proximate end of the supply tube opposite to the distal end of the supply tube. The cryoablation apparatus also includes a capacitance-based cryogen liquid level sensor positioned in the Dewar.

Abstract: A cryoablation apparatus includes a Dewar, a cryogen flow path fluidly coupled to the Dewar to supply cryogen to a cryoprobe, a first pressure sensor and a second pressure sensor positioned at a first portion of the cryogen flow path and at a second portion of the cryogen flow path, respectively, a first valve and a second valve each positioned along the cryogen flow path and each configured to operate in an open position and in a closed position, and a diagnostics control operatively coupled to the first pressure sensor, the second pressure sensor, the first valve, and the second valve. The diagnostics control is configured to determine whether a blockage or leak exists in the first portion and the second portion of the cryogen flow path. The apparatus also includes a gas assembly configured to supply a cryogen gas to purge the flow path.

Abstract: An embodiment includes an artificial chordae tendineae system comprising: a first needle; a flexible first chord coupled to a proximal end portion of the first needle; a first proximal pledget coupled to a proximal end portion of the first chord; a first distal conduit coupled to the first chord between the first proximal pledget and the first needle; wherein: the first distal conduit includes first and second faces; one of the first and second faces includes a first aperture; a sidewall of the first conduit, located between the first and second faces, includes a sidewall aperture that does not directly connect to the first aperture; the sidewall aperture is configured to include a portion of the first chord when the first distal conduit is permanently implanted adjacent tissue but not when the first distal conduit is traversing the tissue before being permanently implanted adjacent the tissue.

Abstract: An embodiment includes a chordal replacement system comprising: a pledget coupled to a first suture length and at least one of a first needle and a first ferrule; a second suture length coupled to the pledget and at least a second needle; and a third suture length coupled to the pledget and at least a third needle; wherein the second and third suture lengths are not monolithic with each other and do not constitute a single suture. Other embodiments are described herein.

Abstract: A combination ablation probe includes a shell configured to be positioned at a target tissue in a patient and a conduit positioned inside the shell. The conduit is configured to supply a cryo-fluid toward a tip of the probe. The probe also includes a heater positioned radially outward of the conduit in the shell and at least one heat transfer element in thermal communication with the heater and the shell.

Abstract: An ablation probe includes a shell configured to be positioned at a target tissue in a patient and a conduit positioned inside the shell. The conduit is configured to supply a cryo-fluid toward a tip of the probe. The probe also includes a heater positioned radially outward of an outer surface of the shell that is configured to heat the probe to perform thermal ablation.

Abstract: An embodiment includes a chordal replacement system comprising: a pledget coupled to a first suture length and at least one of a first needle and a first ferrule; a second suture length coupled to the pledget and at least a second needle; and a third suture length coupled to the pledget and at least a third needle; wherein the second and third suture lengths are not monolithic with each other and do not constitute a single suture. Other embodiments are described herein.

Abstract: An ablation probe includes an elongated needle portion comprising a distal end for positioning at a target tissue and a proximal end positioned away from the distal end and a guidance indicator positioned at the proximal end. The guidance indicator includes one or more markings or indicators to identify actual alignment of the probe relative to a preferred alignment.

Abstract: An embodiment includes an artificial chordae tendineae system comprising: a first needle; a flexible first chord coupled to a proximal end portion of the first needle; a first proximal pledget coupled to a proximal end portion of the first chord; a first distal conduit coupled to the first chord between the first proximal pledget and the first needle; wherein: the first distal conduit includes first and second faces; one of the first and second faces includes a first aperture; a sidewall of the first conduit, located between the first and second faces, includes a sidewall aperture that does not directly connect to the first aperture; the sidewall aperture is configured to include a portion of the first chord when the first distal conduit is permanently implanted adjacent tissue but not when the first distal conduit is traversing the tissue before being permanently implanted adjacent the tissue.

Abstract: An embodiment includes an artificial chordae tendineae system comprising: a first needle; a flexible first chord coupled to a proximal end portion of the first needle; a first proximal pledget coupled to a proximal end portion of the first chord; a first distal conduit coupled to the first chord between the first proximal pledget and the first needle; wherein: the first distal conduit includes first and second faces; one of the first and second faces includes a first aperture; a sidewall of the first conduit, located between the first and second faces, includes a sidewall aperture that does not directly connect to the first aperture; the sidewall aperture is configured to include a portion of the first chord when the first distal conduit is permanently implanted adjacent tissue but not when the first distal conduit is traversing the tissue before being permanently implanted adjacent the tissue.

Abstract: An embodiment includes a chordal replacement system comprising: a pledget coupled to a first suture length and at least one of a first needle and a first ferrule; a second suture length coupled to the pledget and at least a second needle; and a third suture length coupled to the pledget and at least a third needle; wherein the second and third suture lengths are not monolithic with each other and do not constitute a single suture. Other embodiments are described herein.