Recirculating cooling system for energy delivery device

Abstract

A method for cooling a medical device includes fluidly connecting a cooling fluid reservoir to a medical device. The fluid connection includes a fluid out-flow path and a fluid return path corresponding to the fluid reservoir. The cooling fluid is pumped from the fluid reservoir to the medical device. The medical device is energized and the heat generated by the energization is absorbed by the cooling fluid pumped to the medical device. The cooling fluid is received at the reservoir containing the absorbed heat. The cooling fluid transfers the absorbed heat to the cooling fluid in the reservoir and to the environment adjacent to the reservoir.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A method of cooling a medical device, the method comprising:
 fluidly connecting a fluid reservoir to a medical device by inserting an elongate member of a connector assembly entirely through a connection port and into a main volume of the fluid reservoir, the elongate member defining an outflow lumen and a return lumen that each extend into the main volume of the fluid reservoir;   pumping a cooling fluid from main volume of the fluid reservoir through the outflow lumen to the medical device;   energizing the medical device such that the pumped cooling fluid absorbs heat generated by the energized medical device; and   receiving into the main volume of the fluid reservoir the cooling fluid containing the absorbed heat through the return lumen such that the absorbed heat of the cooling fluid is transferred to cooling fluid in the main volume of the fluid reservoir and to the environment adjacent the fluid reservoir.   
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 2 , further comprising observing a fluid flow from the fluid reservoir to the medical device. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 3 , wherein observing the fluid flow includes observing the fluid flow in a drip chamber positioned between the fluid reservoir and the medical device. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 4 , wherein observing the fluid flow in the drip chamber includes viewing a spinning member disposed in the drip chamber. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein pumping a cooling fluid from main volume of the fluid reservoir includes activating a pump in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir, the pump pressurizing the cooling fluid for delivery to the medical device. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 2 , further comprising measuring the temperature of the cooling fluid within at least one of the fluid reservoir, the tubing system, or the medical device. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 7 , further comprising increasing or decreasing a flow rate of the cooling fluid in response to the temperature of the cooling fluid. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 2 , further comprising fluidly connecting a fluid tubing system to a return port of the connector assembly, the return port in fluid communication with the return lumen. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein fluidly connecting the fluid tubing system includes aligning a flange of the fluid tubing system with an elbow of the connector assembly. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein aligning the flange of the fluid tubing system includes aligning a tombstone shape of the flange with the elbow of the connector assembly.