589 results about "Needle electrode" patented technology

An apparatus and method for minimally invasive treatment of deep subcutaneous fat deposits in lieu of cosmetic surgery is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a high voltage pulse generator connected to two or more needle electrodes at least one of which is configured for placement deeply under the skin in a treatment site of the patient's body. High voltage pulses, delivered to the electrodes, create an electric field that kills subcutaneous fat cells.

A method for ablating tissue in or around the heart to create an enhanced lesion is provided. The distal end of a catheter including a needle electrode at its distal end is introduced into the heart. The distal end of the needle electrode is introduced into the tissue. An electrically-conductive fluid is infused through the needle electrode and into the tissue. The tissue is ablated after and / or during introduction of the fluid into the tissue. The fluid conducts ablation energy within the tissue to create a larger lesion than would be created without the introduction of the fluid.

A medical probe assembly, tissue treatment system, and method are provided for ablating tissue. The probe assembly comprises an elongated member and electrode elements mechanically coupled to the distal end of the elongated member. The electrode elements are configurable as two bipolar electrode pairs with a common electrode element. At least one of the electrode elements comprises a plurality of electrodes (such as, e.g., needle electrodes) radially extendable from the elongated member. An ablation source, such as a radio frequency source, can be connected to the probe assembly in order to convey ablation energy to the electrode pairs, either simultaneously or sequentially.

In one embodiment, the present invention provides a bipolar ablation device with multiple needle electrodes that penetrate a desired target tissue. These electrodes may be arranged in a variety of therapeutically effective arrangements, such as a comb-like shape, a multi-needle wheel, or an expanding bow design. By contacting and preferably penetrating the cardiac tissue with bipolar electrodes, a user can more precisely create ablation-induced scarring and thus electrical block at desired target locations without causing unwanted damage and related complications.

An electro-nerve stimulation apparatus includes a pulse generator, a first electrically conductive, insulated lead wire, a second electrically conductive, insulated lead wire, an electrically conductive transcutaneous electrode and an electrically conductive percutaneous needle electrode. Connected to one end of the first and second lead wires is a connector for electrically coupling with the pulse generator. The transcutaneous electrode is operably connected to the other end of the first lead wire. An electrically conductive adaptor is secured to the other end of the second lead wire for electrically coupling to the terminal end of the percutaneous needle electrode. The lead wire set includes a single-use mechanism adapted to effectively discourage reuse of the electrodes. In use, the transcutaneous electrode is adhered to the patient's skin distal from the desired internal stimulation site. The percutaneous needle electrode is inserted through the skin in proximity to the desired internal stimulation site. The pulse generator is activated to pass current pulses between the transcutaneous electrode and the percutaneous needle electrode through the internal stimulation site.

A needle electrode deployment shaft includes a central member and a plurality of needle electrodes. The central member has a plurality of needle advancement channels formed therein. The needle electrodes are disposed within the advancement channels and each advancement channel terminates in a ramp portion which deflects the needles radially outwardly as they are axially advanced. The ramps may be spirally or acutely configured in order to increase the distance through which the needles may be bent as they are axially advanced. Additionally, the central member may have a radially reduced distal tip in order to decrease tissue insertion forces.