1856results about "Surgical instruments using microwaves" patented technology

This invention provides a system and method that allows a therapeutic device, such as an atrial fibrillation microwave ablation catheter or ablation tip to be guided to a remote location within a body cavity and then accurately immobilized on the tissue, including that of a moving organ, such as the heart. In various embodiments, the system and method also enables accurate movement and steering along the tissue, while in engagement therewith. Such movement and engagement entails the use of vacuum or microneedle structures on at least two interconnected and articulated immobilizers that selectively engage to and release from the tissue to allow a crawling or traversing walking across the organ as the therapeutic catheter / tool tip applies treatment (AGE devices). In further embodiments that lack a movement capability (AID devices), the immobilizers allow a predetermined position for the introduced device to be maintained against the tissue while a treatment is applied to the location adjacent thereto. In the exemplary AID devices, variety of steering mechanisms and mechanisms for exposing and anchoring a catheter against the underlying tissue can be employed. In the exemplary AGE devices, a variety of articulation and steering mechanisms, including those based upon pneumatic / hydraulic bellows, lead screws and electromagnetic actuators can be employed.

The present invention provides an apparatus and a method for producing a virtual electrode within or upon a tissue to be treated with radio frequency alternating electric current, such tissues including but not limited to liver, lung, cardiac, prostate, breast, and vascular tissues and neoplasms. An apparatus in accord with the present invention includes a supply of a conductive or electrolytic fluid to be provided to the patient, an alternating current generator, and a processor for creating, maintaining, and controlling the ablation process by the interstitial or surficial delivery of the fluid to a tissue and the delivery of electric power to the tissue via the virtual electrode. A method in accord with the present invention includes delivering a conductive fluid to a predetermined tissue ablation site for a predetermined time period, applying a predetermined power level of radio frequency current to the tissue, monitoring at least one of several parameters, and adjusting either the applied power and / or the fluid flow in response to the measured parameters.

An apparatus for ablating tissue, the apparatus having first and second opposing jaws operative to compress tissue to be allayed therebetween, the first jaw having a first ablation surface directing ablative energy into the tissue and the second jaw having a second ablation surface reflecting incident ablative energy into the tissue. The ablative energy may be ultrasonic, microwave, cryoablation, radio-frequency, photodynamic, laser, and cautery energy. The instrument may also have a pointed tip for piercing tissue, allowing the instrument to clamp the tissue wall of a hollow organ before ablation. Alternately, the instrument may clamp two or more tissue layers of a hollow organ without piercing prior to clamping an ablation.

Devices, systems and methods are disclosed for the mapping of electrical signals and the ablation of tissue. Embodiments include an ablation catheter that has an array of ablation elements attached to a deployable carrier assembly. The carrier assembly can be transformed from a compact, linear configuration to a helical configuration, such as to map and ablate pulmonary vein ostia.

A radio frequency (RF) ablation catheter has a flexible distal end portion so that it can be deflected to position an antenna disposed in the distal end portion adjacent a tissue site to be treated. At least one electrical conductor is coupled to the antenna and extends through the catheter to the proximal end of the catheter to a connector at the proximal end of the catheter for connection to a power supply for the RF antenna. At least one electrode is disposed at the distal end portion of the catheter and electrically coupled to the proximal end connector for connection to a monitor. The electrode is of a flexible, electrically conductive material such as conductive polymer material. The electrode may be an electrocardiogram (ECG) electrode.

An electromagnetic surgical ablation probe having a conical hood reflector and method of manufacture thereof is disclosed. The disclosed probe includes a shaft assembly that has a coaxial feedline core having an inner conductor and an outer conductor separated by an insulating layer. A tubular catheter is disposed coaxially around the feedline and is configured to deliver coolant, such as saline or deionized water, to a coolant chamber at a distal end formed within the conical reflector. A radiating section disposed within the conical reflector may have a conical, cylindrical, or other suitable shape. A membrane disposed across a distal opening of the conical reflector seals coolant within the coolant chamber, and may conform to tissue contours during use. A resilient aperture may be included at the periphery of the conical hood. The shaft assembly may include an angled section, an adjustable section, and, additionally or alternatively, a malleable section.

Various high-strength microwave antenna assemblies are described herein. The microwave antenna has a radiating portion connected by a feedline to a power generating source, e.g., a generator. The antenna is a dipole antenna with the distal end of the radiating portion being tapered and terminating at a tip to allow for direct insertion into tissue. Antenna rigidity comes from placing distal and proximal radiating portions in a pre-stressed state, assembling them via threaded or overlapping joints, or fixedly attaching an inner conductor to the distal portion. The inner conductor is affixed to the distal portion by, e.g., welding, brazing, soldering, or by adhesives. A junction member made from a hard dielectric material, e.g., ceramic, can be placed between the two portions and can have uniform or non-uniform shapes to accommodate varying antenna designs. Electrical chokes may also be used to contain returning currents to the distal end of the antenna.

An apparatus and method for ablating tissue is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a source of microwave radiation (1), a probe (5) for directing the microwave radiation into tissue, one or more detectors for detecting the power and phase of the microwave radiation and an impedance adjuster (50) for adjusting impedance so as to minimize the amount of microwave radiation which reflected back through the probe. The detector or detectors use a local oscillator (230) to derive the phase information. A modulator for modulating the microwave radiation to a cutting frequency is also disclosed.

A microwave ablation system includes a generator including a first energy source, a second energy source and a diplexer, the diplexer multiplexes a first energy from the first energy source and a second energy from the second energy source. The system also includes a cable including a center conductor and an outer sheath where the multiplexed energy is transmitted through the center conductor. In addition an antenna is provided that is operable to receive the multiplexed energy from the center conductor and to deliver the multiplexed energy to a region of tissue. The outer sheath acts as a return path of the second energy to the second energy source. A sensor is also provided that measures at least one parameter of the second energy generated by the second energy source and the second energy returned from the region of tissue.

Methods of ablating tissue in an alimentary tract are provided. The methods include advancing an ablation structure into an alimentary tract while supporting the ablation structure with an endoscope. The methods further include a step of moving at least part of the ablation structure with respect to the endoscope and toward a tissue surface, before activating the ablation structure to ablate a tissue surface.

A mapping catheter is positioned in a heart chamber, and active electrode sites are activated to impose an electric field within the chamber. The blood volume and wall motion modulates the electric field, which is detected by passive electrode sites on the preferred catheter. Electrophysiology measurements, as well as geometry measurements, are taken from the passive electrodes and used to display a map of intrinsic heart activity.

A medical probe device comprises a catheter having a stylet guide housing with one or more stylet ports in a side wall thereof and a stylet guide for directing a flexible stylet outward through the stylet port and through intervening tissue at a preselected, adjustable angle to a target tissue. The total catheter assembly includes a stylet guide lumen communicating with the stylet port and a stylet positioned in said stylet guide lumen for longitudinal movement from the port through intervening tissue to a target tissue. The stylet can be an electrical conductor enclosed within a non-conductive layer, the electrical conductor being a radiofrequency electrode. Preferably, the non-conductive layer is a sleeve which is axially moveable on the electrical conductor to expose a selected portion of the electrical conductor surface in the target tissue. The stylet can also be a microwave antenna. The stylet can also be a hollow tube for delivering treatment fluid to the target tissue. It can also include a fiber optic cable for laser treatment. The catheter can include one or more inflatable balloons located adjacent to the stylet port for anchoring the catheter or dilation. Ultrasound transponders and temperature sensors can be attached to the probe end and / or stylet. The stylet guide can define a stylet path from an axial orientation in the catheter through a curved portion to a lateral orientation at the stylet port.

Systems, assemblies, and methods to treat pulmonary diseases are used to decrease nervous system input to distal regions of the bronchial tree within the lungs. Treatment systems damage nerve tissue to temporarily or permanently decrease nervous system input. The treatment systems are capable of heating nerve tissue, cooling the nerve tissue, delivering a flowable substance that cause trauma to the nerve tissue, puncturing the nerve tissue, tearing the nerve tissue, cutting the nerve tissue, applying pressure to the nerve tissue, applying ultrasound to the nerve tissue, applying ionizing radiation to the nerve tissue, disrupting cell membranes of nerve tissue with electrical energy, or delivering long acting nerve blocking chemicals to the nerve tissue.

Devices and methods for altering gaseous flow within a lung to improve the expiration cycle of an individual, particularly individuals having chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The methods and devices create channels in lung tissue and maintain the patency of these surgically created channels in tissue. Maintaining the patency of the channels allows air to pass directly out of the lung tissue which facilitates the exchange of oxygen ultimately into the blood and / or decompresses hyper-inflated lungs.

A method and systems for treating chronic total occlusions, particularly those that are difficult to treat, is disclosed. In this approach, recanalizing the CTO is achieved using a combined antegrade and retrograde approach. The proximal end of the occlusion is penetrated using an antegrade wire, using a traditional approach. Using collateral vessels, the distal end of the occlusion is crossed in a retrograde fashion. By appropriately maneuvering each member and applying radiofrequency energy between the proximal and distal ends of the occlusion, a continuous channel is created.

This invention is related to a tissue ablation system and method that treats atrial arrhythmia by ablating a circumferential region of tissue at a location where a pulmonary vein extends from an atrium. The system includes a circumferential ablation member with an ablation element and also includes a delivery assembly for delivering the ablation member to the location. The circumferential ablation member is generally adjustable between different configurations to allow both the delivery through a delivery sheath into the atrium and the ablative coupling between the ablation element and the circumferential region of tissue.