A method and system for determining contact assessment includes the steps
of positioning a catheter at a tissue treatment site, where the catheter
has a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, the proximal end
portion defining at least one fluid inlet port and at least one fluid
outlet port, an expandable membrane defining a cooling chamber a coolant
injection lumen in fluid communication with the at least one fluid inlet
port and the cooling chamber, a coolant return lumen in fluid
communication with the at least one fluid outlet port and the cooling
chamber, the coolant injection tube, the cooling chamber, and the primary
coolant return lumen defining a fluid pathway and a temperature sensor
located near the coolant return lumen; measuring an internal temperature
of the chamber, and modifying the position of the catheter in response to
the measured temperature. The method and system can also use a measured
impedance to determine contact assessment.