Method and apparatus for tissue resection

Abstract

A resection device includes an elongated probe shaft and a tissue resection member disposed at a distal end of the elongated probe shaft. The tissue resection member has a cutting surface configured for being placed in contact with tissue. In one aspect of the invention, at least one ejection port is located adjacent to the cutting surface of the tissue resection member, wherein the at least one ejection port is coupled to a source of a polymerizable hemostasis-promoting material that is delivered to the resection site of interest. In certain embodiments, polymerization of the hemostasis-promoting material may be accelerated by application of heat, radiofrequency energy, or ultra violet light.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION DATA[0001]The present application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60 / 807,815 filed Jul. 19, 2006. The foregoing application is hereby incorporated by reference into the present application in its entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The field of the invention generally relates to tissue resection devices and methods. More particularly, the field of the invention pertains to devices and methods for use in resecting tissue such as, for example, diseased organ tissue.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Electrosurgery is now a widely used surgical method for treating tissue abnormalities. One class of electrosurgical abalation devices are so-called monopolar electrosurgical devices. Typically such ablation devices include an electrosurgical probe having a first or “active” electrode extending from one end. The electrosurgical probe is electrically coupled to an electrosurgical generator, which provides a high freq...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0023]In still another aspect of the invention, a resection device includes an elongated probe shaft and a tissue resection member disposed at a distal end of the elongated probe shaft. The tissue resection member includes a cutting surface configured for being placed into contact with tissue. A porous delivery member is disposed at the distal end of the elongated probe shaft and is coupled to a source of polymerizable hemostasis-promoting material. An ultra violet light emitter is located adjacent to the porous delivery member. In order to prevent polymerization of the hemostasis-promoting material within porous delivery member, a light shield is interposed between the porous delivery member and the ultra violet light emitter.

[0024]In yet another aspect of the invention, a method of resecting tissue includes providing a resection device of the type described above. Using the probe, the tissue is cut with the cutting surface of the tissue resection member. In addition, the polymerizable hemostasis

Problems solved by technology

When used to cut tissue, the electrical arcing and corresponding current flow results in a highly intense, but localized heating, sufficient enough to break intercellular bonds, cellular membranes, and cellular contents, resulting in tissue severance.

Regardless of which modality is used, however, extensive bleeding can occur, which can obstruct the surgeon's view and lead to dangerous blood loss levels, requiring transfusion of blood, which increases the complexity, time, and expense of the resection procedure.

In the case where an organ is resected, application of RF energy divides the parenchyma, thereby skeletonizing the organ, i.e., leaving vascular tissue that is typically more difficult to cut or dissect relative to the parenchyma.

When electrosurgically resecting tissue, care must be taken to prevent the heat generated by the electrode from charring the tissue, which generates an undesirable odor, results in tissue becoming stuck on the electrosurgical probe, and most importantly, increases tissue resistance, thereby reducing the efficiency of the procedure.

As a result, if the fluid and removed tissue is not effectively aspirated from the tissue site, the electrosurgery may either be inadequately carried out, or a greater than necessary amount of energy must be applied to the electrode to perform the surgery.

Increasing the energy used during electrosurgery increases the chance that adjacent healthy tissues may be damaged.

For example, if flow of the fluid is momentarily stopped, e.g., if the tube supplying the fluid is kinked or stepped on, or the port on the fluid delivery device becomes clogged or otherwise occluded, RF energy may continue to be conveyed from the electrode, thereby resulting in a condition where tissue charring may occur.

Heat energy that is dissipated away from the application site has the potential to damage or destroy healthy tissue.

In addition, heat dissipation requires that additional energy be applied to the electrode which, as stated above, increases the probability that adjacent healthy tissues may be damaged or destroyed.

While electrosurgical resection of tissue reduces the amount of blood loss, as compared to other tissue resection modalities, it still involves a tedious process that includes painstakingly cutting / dissecting through the parenchyma and ligating and cutting though blood vessels.

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