CPC A61B 18/082 (2013.01) [A61B 18/04 (2013.01); A61B 18/1477 (2013.01); A61B 18/16 (2013.01); F04B 17/03 (2013.01); F04B 41/02 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00526 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00029 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00041 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00577 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00642 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00773 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00791 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00797 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00809 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00821 (2013.01); A61B 2018/046 (2013.01); A61B 2018/1425 (2013.01); A61B 2018/162 (2013.01); F04B 19/22 (2013.01); F04B 43/04 (2013.01); F04B 49/06 (2013.01); F04C 2270/041 (2013.01); Y10T 29/49016 (2015.01); Y10T 29/49085 (2015.01)] | 12 Claims |
1. A method of ablating tissue, comprising:
passing a catheter through an existing passageway within a body to position a blunt distal portion of an elongate body disposed at a distal end of the catheter in contact with tissue without penetrating the tissue;
delivering ablative energy to the tissue through an ablation element on the blunt distal portion of the elongate body while simultaneously delivering fluid through the catheter and the elongate body, the fluid being heated to a temperature greater than 37° C. and less than 70° C. by a heater element disposed in a distal portion of the elongate body distal to the catheter;
delivering the fluid through one or more outlet ports formed in the ablation element; and
detecting the temperature of the tissue in contact with the blunt distal portion of the elongate body using a temperature sensor disposed on the distal-most end surface of the blunt distal portion of the elongate body.
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