Multi-modal connectors for surgical instruments and systems

Abstract

A multi-modal connector for connecting an ablation device to a plurality of source components of a multi-modal generator includes a fluid connection, an optical connection, an electrosurgical signal connection, and a low level signal connection. The fluid connection is configured to connect a fluid tube of the ablation device to a fluid source. The optical connector is configured to connect an optical fiber of the ablation device to the light source. The electrosurgical signal connection is configured to connect a feed line of the ablation device to an electrosurgical energy source. The low level signal connection is configured to connect a low level circuit of the ablation device to at least one energy source of the plurality of energy sources.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 63 / 438,596, filed January 12, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] The present disclosure relates to surgical instruments and ablation systems. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a multimodal connector for coupling a surgical instrument to various source components of a multimodal generator. Background Art

[0003] When planning therapeutic procedures, clinicians often rely on patient data, including X-rays, computed tomography (CT) scans, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or other imaging data that allows clinicians to visualize the patient's internal anatomy. Clinicians use patient data to identify targets of interest and develop strategies for approaching them for therapeutic procedures (such as microwave ablation), for feedback during the procedure, and for post-procedure analysis.

[0004] Ablation devices generate heat in the body to provide hyperthermic temperatures for destroying tissue of interest. Existing ablation devices include multiple connectors for connecting to multiple peripheral components of the ablation system. Summary of the Invention

[0005] According to various aspects of the present disclosure, a multimodal connector for connecting an ablation device to a plurality of source components is provided. The multimodal connector includes a fluid connector, an optical connector, an electrosurgical signal connector, and a low-level signal connector. The fluid connector is configured to connect a fluid tube of the ablation device to a fluid source. The optical connector is configured to connect an optical fiber of the ablation device to a light source. The electrosurgical signal connector is configured to connect a feeder line of the ablation device to a source of electrosurgical energy. The low-level signal connector is configured to connect a low-level circuit of the ablation device to at least one of the plurality of source components.

[0006] In one aspect of the present disclosure, a fluid connection may include an inflow path for fluid to flow into an ablation device and an outflow path for fluid to flow out of the ablation device.

[0007] In another aspect of the present disclosure, an optical connection can include a first optical fiber configured to transmit light through a first optical fiber of an ablation device, and a second optical fiber configured to transmit light through a second optical fiber of the ablation device. In various aspects, the optical fibers include fiber Bragg gratings comprising a bundle of one or more active optical fibers and one or more inert optical fibers, the inert optical fibers being included to control spacing between the active optical fibers.

[0008] In another aspect of the present disclosure, the electrosurgical signal connection may be a coaxial connector including an inner conductor and an outer conductor separated by a dielectric material.

[0009] In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a low level signal connection may include a plurality of conductors configured to transmit and receive data between the low level circuit and at least one source component of the plurality of source components.

[0010] In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, at least one of the fluid connection, the optical connection, the electrosurgical signal connection, or the low-level signal connection can be spring loaded.

[0011] In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the low-level circuit stores at least one of identification data, usage count data, or operating parameters corresponding to the ablation device.

[0012] According to the present disclosure, there is also provided an ablation device, which includes a cable, a fluid tube, an optical fiber, a feeder, a low-level circuit, and a multimodal connector. The fluid tube, the optical fiber, and the feeder extend through the cable. The low-level circuit can store calibration parameters of the ablation device. The multimodal connector is provided at one end of the cable and is configured to connect the ablation device to multiple source components of a multimodal generator. The multimodal connector includes: a fluid connector configured to connect the fluid tube to a fluid source; an optical connector configured to connect the optical fiber to a light source; an electrosurgical signal connector configured to connect the feeder of the ablation device to an electrosurgical energy source; and a low-level signal connector configured to connect the low-level circuit to at least one source component of the multiple source components.

[0013] In one aspect of the present disclosure, a fluid connection may include an inflow path for fluid to flow into an ablation device and an outflow path for fluid to flow out of the ablation device.

[0014] In another aspect of the present disclosure, the optical fiber may include a first optical fiber and a second optical fiber, and the optical connector includes a first optical fiber configured to transmit light through the first optical fiber and a second optical fiber configured to transmit light through the second optical fiber. In one aspect, multiple measurements can be made by pulsing different signals at different times through a single optical fiber.

[0015] In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the feed line can be a coaxial cable and the electrosurgical signal connection can be a coaxial connector including an inner conductor and an outer conductor separated by a dielectric material.

[0016] In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, low-level circuitry may be disposed within a multimodal connector.

[0017] In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, at least one of the fluid connection, the optical connection, or the electrosurgical signal connection can be spring loaded.

[0018] In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, low-level circuitry stores use count data corresponding to an ablation device.

[0019] According to the present disclosure, an ablation system is also provided, comprising a multimodal generator and an ablation device. The multimodal generator comprises an electrosurgical energy source, a fluid source, and a light source. The ablation device comprises a feeder, a fluid tube, an optical fiber, and a multimodal connector. The multimodal connector comprises an electrosurgical signal connector coupled to a proximal end of the feeder and configured to couple the feeder to the electrosurgical energy source; a fluid connector coupled to a proximal end of the fluid tube and configured to couple the fluid tube to the fluid source; and an optical connector coupled to a proximal end of the optical fiber and configured to couple the optical fiber to the light source.

[0020] In another aspect of the present disclosure, the ablation device may further include a low-level circuit, and the multimodal connector may include a low-level signal connector coupled to the low-level circuit and configured to couple the low-level circuit to at least one of a source of electrosurgical energy, a source of fluid, or a light source. The low-level circuit may store at least one of identification data, usage count data, or operating parameters corresponding to the ablation device. The low-level circuit may include an active sensor for sensing parameters associated with the component and / or a condition of the procedure or the patient.

[0021] In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, at least one of the fluid connection, the optical connection, the electrosurgical signal connection, or the low-level signal connection can be spring loaded.

[0022] In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a fluid connection may include an inflow path for fluid to flow into the ablation device and an outflow path for fluid to flow out of the ablation device.

[0023] In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the optical fiber may include a first optical fiber and a second optical fiber, and the optical connector may include a first optical fiber configured to transmit light through the first optical fiber and a second optical fiber configured to transmit light through the second optical fiber.

[0024] Any of the above-described aspects and embodiments of the present disclosure may be combined without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] The objects and features of the connectors, systems, and methods of the present disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art when reading the description of the various embodiments of the connectors, systems, and methods of the present disclosure with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0026] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an ablation system according to an illustrative aspect of the present disclosure;

[0027] Figure 2 According to one aspect of the present disclosure Figure 1 a schematic diagram of an ablation device including a multimodal connector as part of an ablation system; and

[0028] Figure 3 According to one aspect of this disclosure Figure 2 Front view of the multimodal connector. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] The present disclosure provides a multimodal connector for coupling an ablation device to a plurality of source components of a multimodal generator to facilitate selection and delivery of various forms of energy (e.g., electricity, light, fluids including liquids and gases, etc.) from the plurality of source components to the ablation device. In various aspects of the present disclosure, the plurality of source components can be disposed in the multimodal generator, and the ablation device is connected to the multimodal generator via the multimodal connector. The term "source component" is not limited to an ablation source and can be a component configured to perform at least one of the following: generate or deliver electrosurgical ablation energy, generate or deliver liquid or gas ablation energy, deliver or circulate cooling fluid or therapeutic fluid, and / or include a sensor or processing device configured to monitor ablation progress, component status, and / or patient status.

[0030] Ablation systems are used to destroy cellular tissue structures. These structures are typically malignant and cancerous in nature; however, the presently described technology can also be used for benign applications. Ablation can include cryogenic processes achieved by applying conductive or radiant energy. These processes rely on electrical and / or thermodynamic state / phase transitions of compressed and uncompressed gases. Ablation therapy can also include chemical destruction of cells using drugs, targeted therapies, viral therapies, immunotherapies, or similar therapies.

[0031] To deliver the selected ablation modality to the target site, the treating physician guides a percutaneous or flexible probe to the area of ​​interest. These probes require a connector at their proximal end to feed a medium (electricity, light, gas, fluid, etc.) to the probe to trigger the therapeutic event. Additionally, connections within the connector enable the transmission of data related to the progress of the ablation procedure.

[0032] Although the present disclosure will be described in terms of specific illustrative embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications, rearrangements, and substitutions may be made without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. The scope of the present disclosure is defined by the appended claims.

[0033] Figure 1 The example depicts an ablation system 10 including an ablation device 200 and a multimodal generator 100. The ablation device 200 generally includes a housing 205, an elongated shaft 210 extending from the housing 205, and a cable 240 extending from the housing 205 for coupling the ablation device 200 to the multimodal generator 100. The ablation device 200 can be a multimodal ablation device capable of selectively delivering different types of ablative energy to tissue. For example, the ablation device 200 can deliver chemical fluids or gases to cause chemical ablation of tissue. In various aspects, the ablation device 200 can use drugs, targeted therapies, viral therapies, and / or immunotherapies to cause chemical destruction of cells. In various aspects, the ablation device 200 delivers electrosurgical ablation energy (e.g., microwave energy) to ablate tissue. However, the ablation device 200 can use lasers to ablate tissue. The ablation device 200 can be a rigid device configured to percutaneously penetrate tissue to access a target site, or it can be a flexible probe configured to be navigated to a target site.

[0034] As described in detail below, the multimodal generator 100 is configured to be coupled to the ablation device 200 via a multimodal connector 300 for connecting the ablation device 200 with various sources of media (e.g., electrosurgical energy, fluids including liquids and / or gases, light energy, etc.) of the multimodal generator 100.

[0035] exist Figure 1 and Figure 2 In the illustrated example, the multimodality generator 100 includes a plurality of source components, including an electrosurgical energy (e.g., microwave energy) source 122, a fluid source 124, and a light source 126. A multimodality connector 300 is used to couple the cable 240 and components of the ablation device 200 to the electrosurgical energy source 122, the fluid source 124, and the light source 126 of the multimodality generator 100 to facilitate delivery of the corresponding media (fluid, light, and electrosurgical energy) to the ablation device 200 to treat tissue, cool the ablation device 200, and / or sense parameters during an ablation procedure.

[0036] The electrosurgical energy source 122 generates ablative energy, such as microwaves, ultrasound, heat, laser, or any combination thereof, for transmission through a feeder line 225 that extends from the multimodal connector 300, through the cable 240 and the housing 205, and into the elongated shaft 210 of the ablation device 200. In particular, a distal radiating portion 225d of the feeder line 225 is disposed within the elongated shaft 210 of the ablation device 200a, and a proximal end 225p of the feeder line 225 terminates at an electrosurgical signal connector 340 ( Figure 3 ). The distal radiating portion 225d of the feed line 225 is configured to transmit electrosurgical ablation energy generated by the electrosurgical energy source 122 for treating tissue. In various aspects of the present disclosure, the feed line 225 is a coaxial cable including an inner conductor and an outer conductor separated by a dielectric material.

[0037] The fluid source 124 can be a source of cooling liquid or gas and is operably coupled to the ablation device 200 via a fluid tube 220 that facilitates delivery of fluid from the fluid source 124 to the ablation device 200 (e.g., for circulation within the elongated shaft 210, for delivery out of the elongated shaft 210 and into a surgical site, or for retrieval of fluid and gas from a surgical site). The fluid tube 220 is coupled to the generator 100 via a multimodal connector 300 and extends from the multimodal connector 300 through the cable 240 and the housing 205 and into the elongated shaft 210 of the ablation device 200. In particular, a distal end 220d of the fluid tube 220 is disposed within the elongated shaft 210, and a proximal end 220p of the fluid tube 220 terminates at a fluid connector 320 ( Figure 3 In aspects of the present disclosure, fluid source 124 can be a source of an ablative fluid (eg, a cryoablative fluid) for delivery to a target site to ablate tissue.

[0038] The light source 126 may include an optical system that calculates temperature and / or pressure changes of the ablation device 200. The light source 126 is coupled to the ablation device 200 via an optical fiber 230 that extends from the multimodal connector 300, through the cable 240, and into the housing 205 of the ablation device 200. Additionally or alternatively, the light source 126 may be a source of optical ablation energy (e.g., laser) that is delivered to the target to ablate the target. A distal end 230d of the optical fiber 230 may be disposed along the length of the elongated shaft 210 and may include a Bragg grating etched into the optical fiber 230. A proximal end 230p of the optical fiber 230 terminates at an optical connector 330 ( Figure 3 In various aspects, the optical fiber 230 can be a dual-fiber cable including a first optical fiber path 331 ( Figure 3) of the first optical fiber and connected to the second optical fiber path 332 ( Figure 3 ) of the second optical fiber. Optical fiber 230 can be a single optical fiber or can include a bundle of optical fibers. In various aspects, optical fiber 230 comprises a fiber Bragg grating having a bundle of one or more active optical fibers and one or more inert optical fibers used to control the spacing between the active optical fibers.

[0039] Light source 126 may include a fiber Bragg grating (FBG) demodulator, which uses demodulation techniques to demodulate reflected light transmitted through optical fiber 230 to obtain wavelength changes. Demodulation techniques include wavelength division multiplexing (WDM), optical time domain reflectometry (OTDM), optical frequency domain reflectometry (OFDM), and code-related techniques that combine aspects of OTDM and OFDM. According to OTDR technology, a light source generates narrow light pulses, which are transmitted through optical fiber 230 to a Bragg grating (FBG). The reflected light or backscattered light is analyzed to determine multiple remote sensing values ​​(e.g., temperature, motion properties, etc.). The position corresponding to each remote sensing value (e.g., temperature, motion properties, etc.) can be determined by monitoring the time it takes for the reflected light or backscattered light to return to a photodetector.

[0040] In various aspects of the present disclosure, the multimodal connector 300 includes low-level circuitry 250. Although illustrated as being disposed within the multimodal connector 300, it is contemplated that the low-level circuitry 250 may be disposed within the housing 205 of the ablation device 200 or within any other component of the ablation device 200 (e.g., the cable 240). The low-level circuitry 250 may store identification information, usage information, and / or operating parameters of the ablation device 200 for communication between the ablation device 200 and components of the multimodal generator 100 (e.g., the source component of the multimodal generator 100). The low-level circuitry 250 may include active sensors (not shown) for sensing parameters associated with the components and / or surgical or patient conditions. In various aspects, a communication bus or dedicated wiring is included to connect other sensors (e.g., electrical resistance imaging or temperature sensors) that may not be associated with the ablation source component (e.g., in addition to the fiber Bragg-based sensors described above).

[0041] Now refer to Figure 3 The multimodal connector 300 according to aspects of the present disclosure includes a fluid connection 320, an optical connection 330, an electrosurgical signal connection 340, and a low-level signal connection 350. The fluid connection 320 is configured to connect the proximal end 220p ( Figure 2 ) is connected to the fluid source 124 of the multi-modality generator 100. The optical connector 330 is configured to connect the proximal end 230p ( Figure 2) is connected to the light source 126 of the multimodality generator 100. The electrosurgical signal connector 340 is configured to connect the proximal end 225p ( Figure 2 ) is connected to the electrosurgical energy source 122 of the multimodality generator 100. The low level signal connection 350 is configured to connect the low level circuit 250 of the ablation device 200 to the multimodality generator 100.

[0042] Any of the fluid connection 320, the optical connection 330, the electrosurgical signal connection 340, or the low-level signal connection 350 can be spring-loaded for connection to the multimodal generator 100. In aspects of the present disclosure, the fluid connection 320 includes an inflow path 321 and an outflow path 322, and the fluid tube 220 is a dual-lumen tube with a first lumen coupled to the inflow path 321 and a second lumen coupled to the outflow path 322. The inflow path 321 can be used to facilitate the flow of fluid from the fluid source 124 into the ablation device 200, and the outflow path 322 can be used to facilitate the return of fluid from the ablation device 200 to the fluid source 124. Alternatively, the outflow path 322 can be used to aspirate fluid or gas from the surgical site.

[0043] The optical connection 330 may include a first optical fiber path 331 configured to connect to a first optical fiber of the optical fiber 230 and a second optical fiber path 332 configured to connect to a second optical fiber of the optical fiber 230. Additionally or alternatively, the electrosurgical signal connection 340 may be coaxial and include an inner conductor 341 and an outer conductor 342 separated by a dielectric material 343.

[0044] Although the embodiments have been described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings for the purpose of illustration and description, it should be understood that the processes and devices of the present invention should not be construed as being limited thereto. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made to the foregoing embodiments without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

Claims

1. A multimodal connector for connecting an ablation device to a plurality of source components, the multimodal connector comprising: a fluid connector configured to connect a fluid tube of the ablation device to a fluid source; an optical connector configured to connect an optical fiber of the ablation device to a light source; an electrosurgical signal connection configured to connect a feed line of the ablation device to a source of electrosurgical energy; as well as A low-level signal connection is configured to connect a low-level circuit of the ablation device to at least one source component of the plurality of source components.

2. The multimodal connector according to claim 1, wherein: The fluid connection includes an inflow path for fluid to flow into the ablation device and an outflow path for fluid to flow out of the ablation device.

3. The multimodal connector according to claim 1, wherein: The optical connection includes a first optical fiber configured to transmit light through a first optical fiber of the ablation device and a second optical fiber configured to transmit light through a second optical fiber of the ablation device.

4. The multimodal connector according to claim 1, wherein: The electrosurgical signal connection is a coaxial connector including an inner conductor and an outer conductor separated by a dielectric material.

5. The multimodal connector according to claim 1, wherein: The low level signal connection includes a plurality of conductors configured to transmit and receive data between the low level circuit and at least one source component of the plurality of source components.

6. The multimodal connector according to claim 1, wherein: At least one of the fluid connection, the optical connection, the electrosurgical signal connection, or the low-level signal connection is spring loaded.

7. The multimodal connector according to claim 1, wherein: The low-level circuit stores at least one of identification data, usage count data, or operating parameters corresponding to the ablation device.

8. An ablation device, comprising: cables; a fluid tube extending through the cable; an optical fiber extending through the cable; a feeder line extending through the cable; a low-level circuit storing calibration parameters of the ablation device; as well as a multimodal connector disposed at one end of the cable and configured to connect the ablation device to a plurality of source components of a multimodal generator, the multimodal connector comprising: a fluid connector configured to connect the fluid tube to a fluid source; an optical connector configured to connect the optical fiber to a light source; an electrosurgical signal connection configured to connect a feed line of the ablation device to a source of electrosurgical energy; and A low level signal connection is configured to connect the low level circuit to at least one source component of the plurality of source components.

9. The ablation device according to claim 8, wherein: The fluid connection includes an inflow path for fluid to flow into the ablation device and an outflow path for fluid to flow out of the ablation device.

10. The ablation device according to claim 8, wherein: The optical fibers include a first optical fiber and a second optical fiber, and the optical connector includes a first optical fiber configured to transmit light through the first optical fiber and a second optical fiber configured to transmit light through the second optical fiber.

11. The ablation device according to claim 8, wherein: The feed line is a coaxial cable and the electrosurgical signal connection is a coaxial connector including an inner conductor and an outer conductor separated by a dielectric material.

12. The ablation device according to claim 8, wherein: The low-level circuit is disposed within the multimodal connector.

13. The ablation device according to claim 8, wherein: At least one of the fluid connection, the optical connection, the electrosurgical signal connection, or the low-level signal connection is spring loaded.

14. The ablation device according to claim 8, wherein: The low-level circuit stores usage count data corresponding to the ablation device.

15. An ablation system comprising: a multimodal generator comprising an electrosurgical energy source, a fluid source, and a light source; as well as An ablation device comprising a feed line, a fluid tube, an optical fiber, and a multimodal connector, wherein the multimodal connector comprises: an electrosurgical signal connection coupled to a proximal end of the feeder and configured to couple the feeder to the source of electrosurgical energy; a fluid connector coupled to the proximal end of the fluid tube and configured to couple the fluid tube to the fluid source; and An optical connector is coupled to the proximal end of the optical fiber and is configured to couple the optical fiber to the light source.

16. The ablation system of claim 15, wherein: The ablation device further includes a low-level circuit, and the multimodal connector includes a low-level signal connector coupled to the low-level circuit and configured to couple the low-level circuit to at least one of the electrosurgical energy source, the fluid source, or the light source.

17. The ablation system of claim 16, wherein: The low-level circuit stores at least one of identification data, usage count data, or operating parameters corresponding to the ablation device.

18. The ablation system of claim 15, wherein: At least one of the fluid connection, the optical connection, or the electrosurgical signal connection is spring loaded.

19. The ablation system of claim 15, wherein: The fluid connection includes an inflow path for fluid to flow into the ablation device and an outflow path for fluid to flow out of the ablation device.

20. The ablation system of claim 15, wherein: The optical fibers include a first optical fiber and a second optical fiber, and the optical connector includes a first optical fiber configured to transmit light through the first optical fiber and a second optical fiber configured to transmit light through the second optical fiber.

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