Surgical microwave ablation assembly

Abstract

An ablation assembly capable of ablating tissues inside the cavity of an organ is disclosed. The ablation assembly generally includes an ablative energy source and an ablative energy delivery device coupled to the ablative energy source. The ablative energy delivery device is configured for delivering ablative energy sufficiently strong to cause tissue ablation. The ablative energy delivery device generally includes a penetration end adapted to penetrate through a wall of an organ and an angular component that is used to position the device inside the organ after the device has penetrated through the wall of the organ.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to apparatus and methods for ablating biological tissues. More particularly, the present invention relates to improved ablation devices that are capable of penetrating through bodily organs. [0002] Since their introduction at the end of the 80's, medical ablation devices have become a standard tool for surgeons and electrophysiologists. For example, ablation devices utilizing DC shock, radio frequency (RF) current, ultrasound, microwave, direct heat, cryothermy or lasers have been introduced and employed to various degrees to ablate biological tissues. In some ablation procedures, however, the ablation of the targeted tissues may be difficult because of their location or the presence of physiological obstacle. For example, in some coronary applications where the ablation lines are done epicardially, the epicardium may be covered by layers of fat that can prohibit the lesion formation in the myocardial tissue. [0003] Ca...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

In some ablation procedures, however, the ablation of the targeted tissues may be difficult because of their location or the presence of physiological obstacle.

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