Flexible application device for the high-frequency treatment of biological tissue

Abstract

The invention concerns a flexible application device including a tubular high-frequency catheter with a flexible shaft tube having at least one lumen passing therethrough, a head electrode arranged at the distal end of the catheter, an electric line with a connection for a generator ,and a connecting element arranged at the proximal end of the shaft tube between the shaft tube and the line. An electrically conducting traction element extends in the lumen between the head electrode and the connecting element and is fixedly connected to the head electrode on the one hand and the connecting element on the other hand in such a way and which is of such a tensile strength that all external forces which occur during a treatment and which act on the catheter can be transmitted to the connecting element by way of the head electrode and the traction element.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 920,400, filed Jan. 23, 2009, which is a 35 U.S.C. §371 national phase conversion of PCT / EP2006 / 061762, filed Apr. 21, 2006, which claims priority to German Patent Application No. 10 2005 023 303.1, filed May 13, 2005, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]The invention concerns a flexible application device for the high-frequency therapy of biological tissue. The application device includes a tubular high-frequency catheter with a preferably flexible shaft tube which has at least one lumen therethrough and which fits to or in a connecting element, and at least one head electrode arranged at the distal end of the high-frequency catheter.[0003]In particular the invention concerns an application device for endoluminal or interstitial-endoscopic use.[0004]Application devices for high-frequency therapy are known. Dur...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0027]A therapeutically effective medicament can be injected directly into the treatment location through small bores or slots at the distal end of the high-frequency catheter. It is possible to envisage here for example a chemotherapy medicament which particularly well destroys the tumor cells which are heated by means of high-frequency current or which leads to thermal sensitisation of the tumor cells and thus increases the effectiveness of the thermotherapy. It is however also possible to inject a local anaesthetic into the tissue to be treated in order to reduce the pain which occurs due to the increase in temperature of the tissue after the high-frequency current is switched on.

[0028]It is known that local destruction of tumor cells can be implemented by the injection of highly concentrated alcohol. In the case of the invention the injection can be effected through small bores or slots at the distal end of the high-frequency catheter and supplement the thermotherapy effect. The delivery of a toxic substance (such as for example high-percentage alcohol or a highly concentrated salt solution) can also be effected after the thermotherapy while the high-frequency catheter is being pulled out of the tissue in order to avoid spreading tumor cells.

[0029]Finally a mixture of electrically conducting, therapeutically effective and toxic fluids which can be adapted to the respective treatment and optimised is also possible.

[0030]Preferably the application device is in th...

Problems solved by technology

That gives rise to the risk of individual components of the high-frequency...

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