280 results about "Thermal ablation" patented technology

A method and apparatus for carrying our thermal ablation of target tissue is disclosed. The apparatus includes an RF ablation device having a multi-electrode electrode assembly designed to be deployed in target tissue, defining a selected-volume tissue region to be ablated, and having infusion channels for infusing a liquid into the target tissue during the ablation process. A control unit in the apparatus is operably connected to an RF energy source, for controlling the RF power level supplied to the electrodes, and to an infusion device, for controlling the rate of infusion of a liquid through the device into the tissue. During both electrode deployment and tissue ablation, impedance and or temperature measurements made within the tissue are used to control the RF source and infusion device, for optimizing the time and extent of tissue ablation.

This invention relates to the destruction of pathological volumes or target structures such as cancerous tumors or aberrant functional target tissue volumes by direct thermal destruction. In the case of a tumor, the destruction is implemented in one embodiment of the invention by percutaneous insertion of one or more radiofrequency probes into the tumor and raising the temperature of the tumor volume by connection of these probes to a radiofrequency generator outside of the body so that the isotherm of tissue destruction enshrouds the tumor. The ablation isotherm may be predetermined and graded by proper choice of electrode geometry and radiofrequency (rf) power applied to the electrode with or without temperature monitoring of the ablation process. Preplanning of the rf electrode insertion can be done by imaging of the tumor by various imaging modalities and selecting the appropriate electrode tip size and temperature to satisfactorily destroy the tumor volume. Computation of the correct three-dimensional position of the electrode may be done as part of the method, and the planning and control of the process may be done using graphic displays of the imaging data and the rf ablation parameters. Specific electrode geometries with adjustable tip lengths are included in the invention to optimize the electrodes to the predetermined image tumor size.

A method of thermal ablation using high intensity focused ultrasound energy includes the steps of positioning one or more ultrasound emitting members within a patient, emitting ultrasound energy from the one or more ultrasound emitting members, focusing the ultrasound energy, ablating with the focused ultrasound energy to form an ablated tissue area and removing the ultrasound emitting member.

Steerable electrophysiology catheters for use in mapping and / or ablation of accessory pathways in myocardial tissue of the heart wall and methods of use thereof are disclosed. The catheter comprises a catheter body and handle, the catheter body having a proximal section and a distal section and manipulators that enable the deflection of a distal segment of the distal tip section with respect to the independently formed curvature of a proximal segment of the distal tip section through a bending or knuckle motion of an intermediate segment between the proximal and distal segments. A wide angular range of deflection within a very small curve or bend radius in the intermediate segment is obtained. At least one distal tip electrode is preferably confined to the distal segment which can have a straight axis extending distally from the intermediate segment. The curvature of the proximal segment and the bending angle of the intermediate segment are independently selectable. The axial alignment of the distal segment with respect to the nominal axis of the proximal shaft section of the catheter body can be varied between substantially axially aligned (0° curvature) in an abrupt knuckle bend through a range of about −90° to about +180° within a bending radius of between about 2.0 mm and 7.0 mm and preferably less than 5.0 mm. The proximal segment curve can be independently formed in a about +180° through about +270° with respect to the axis of the proximal shaft section to provide an optimum angular orientation of the distal electrode(s). The distal segment can comprise a highly flexible elongated distal segment body and electrode(s) that conform with the shape and curvature of the heart wall.

Systems and methods for non-thermal ablation of tissue are provided. A non-implantable minimally invasive system for treatment of tissue in a body via direct current ablation is provided including a catheter, a plurality of electrodes for deployment through the catheter, a power source for applying power to the electrodes, and a fixation element for maintaining the catheter in a treatment position during treatment of the tissue. A minimally invasive method for treating tissue in a body via direct current ablation is provided including inserting a catheter into the body such that a portion of the catheter remains outside of the body, deploying a fixation element to fix the catheter in a treatment position, deploying a plurality of electrodes through the catheter, applying power to the plurality of electrodes, using the electrodes to apply a current to the tissue, and removing the catheter from the body.

The present invention pertains generally to the field of cryo balloon therapy and the use of cryo balloon therapy catheters to generate cold-induced lesions. The present invention includes a cryo balloon therapy apparatus, comprising a catheter having a proximal and a distal end, a cooling member disposed at the distal end of the catheter, a pull cord coupled to the cooling member, and a sheath that couples the pull cord and the catheter. A method for causing cold-induced necrosis is also disclosed.

A system and method for heat ablation of tissue in which energy is sequentially applied to at least two electrodes inserted into tissue. The system is comprised of a radiofrequency (RF) source for supplying RF energy, at least two electrodes configured to apply RF energy to tissue, at least one return electrode for returning the RF energy to the RF source, and a controller configured to sequentially apply the RF energy to each of the at least two electrodes. The sequential delivery of energy is determined by the measured current and voltage, the calculated impedance at each of the electrodes and the timing for each electrode. An internal load may be activated with the previously activated channel and remain on until the next channel is activated to avoid the generator from having an open circuit.

Methods for simulation of heat transport phenomena applicable to the design of a near-field microwave ablation device, the design of such a device based on simulation and a patient planning and monitoring station using simulated thermal ablation of tissue are provided.

Systems and methods for non-thermal ablation of tissue are provided. A non-implantable minimally invasive system for treatment of tissue in a body via direct current ablation is provided including a catheter, a plurality of electrodes for deployment through the catheter, a power source for applying power to the electrodes, and a fixation element for maintaining the catheter in a treatment position during treatment of the tissue. A minimally invasive method for treating tissue in a body via direct current ablation is provided including inserting a catheter into the body such that a portion of the catheter remains outside of the body, deploying a fixation element to fix the catheter in a treatment position, deploying a plurality of electrodes through the catheter, applying power to the plurality of electrodes, using the electrodes to apply a current to the tissue, and removing the catheter from the body.

The present invention includes a device and a method for preventing injury of the esophagus during thermal ablation of the left atrium. The device has an esophageal probe with a balloon tip for insertion into the esophagus of a patient. During usage, coolant passes into the esophageal probe and then fills its balloon. The coolant, when circulating through the balloon and an external cooling machine, protects the esophageal tissue in contact with the esophageal probe from thermal damage during ablation of the posterior wall of the left atrium of the heart, or other procedure.

The present invention relates to apparatus and methods for thermally ablating uterine fibroids. More particularly, the present invention relates to a conduit having a plurality of channels for delivering a plurality of thermal ablation probes to an organic target such as a uterine fibroid, the probes being delivered in such configuration and orientation as to enable efficient and thorough ablation of the fibroid. In a preferred embodiment, the conduit is formed as a sleeve having a large central lumen sized to accommodate a hysteroscope, channels sized to accommodate cryoprobes are used as thermal ablation probes, and comprises thermal insulation materials serving to protect the cervix from damage by cold. The present invention further relates to bent cryoprobes usable in conjunction with such a conduit and designed to exit therefrom in a desired configuration useful for ablating a large fibroid.

A thermal ablation system is operable to perform thermal ablation using an x-ray system to measure temperature changes throughout a volume of interest in a patient. Image data sets captured by the x-ray system during a thermal ablation procedure provide temperature change information for the volume being subjected to the thermal ablation. Intermediate image data sets captured during the thermal ablation procedure may be fed into a system controller, which may modify or update a thermal ablation plan to achieve volume coagulation necrosis targets. The thermal ablation may be delivered by a variety of ablation modes including radiofrequency ablation, microwave therapy, high intensity focused ultrasound, laser ablation, and other interstitial heat delivery methods. Methods of performing thermal ablation using x-ray system temperature measurements as a feedback source are also provided.

A thermal ablation system is operable to perform thermal ablation using an x-ray system to measure temperature changes throughout a volume of interest in a patient. Image data sets captured by the x-ray system during a thermal ablation procedure provide temperature change information for the volume being subjected to the thermal ablation. Intermediate image data sets captured during the thermal ablation procedure may be fed into a system controller, which may modify or update a thermal ablation plan to achieve volume coagulation necrosis targets. The thermal ablation may be delivered by a variety of ablation modes including radiofrequency ablation, microwave therapy, high intensity focused ultrasound, laser ablation, and other interstitial heat delivery methods. Methods of performing thermal ablation using x-ray system temperature measurements as a feedback source are also provided.

This invention relates to an electrosurgical device having a hollow shaft, an electrically conductive distal tip that is also adapted for penetrating bone, and an intermediate electrically insulating spacer.

The present invention provides devices and systems, as well as methods, of electric field delivery and ablation (e.g., non-thermal ablation) of target tissues, including cancerous cells and solid tumors. A method of the present invention can include applying an alternating current to a target tissue and removing ablated or liquefied tissue from the target tissue region.

A prostatic stent is configured as a unitary body which is adapted to reside above the sphincter when in position in the subject includes an elongated tube which extends through the sphincter and outside the body of the subject. The stent is configured to allow natural operation of the sphincter when in position in the subject. The unitary body stent includes a lower inflatable portion which expands to contact tissue and help hold the stent in a desired location during a chronic use period of about 2-14 days. The stent can also include an upper and / or intermediate inflatable portions. A method of inhibiting the obstruction or closure of the prostatic urethral opening includes positioning the stent in the subject such that the unitary body of the stent is in the prostate and resides above the sphincter. A method treating BPH includes thermally ablating localized tissue in the prostate and inserting a post-treatment catheter into the prostate (preferably after an initial healing period) to allow the treated tissue to contour therearound and to maintain the urinary passage open. The stent is configured as a unitary body stent adapted to reside above the sphincter of the subject and to allow substantially normal operation of the sphincter. The stent can include a lower inflatable portion which engages, when expanded, with tissue below the localized treatment region about the membranous urethra (between the sphincter and the verumontanum). The post-treatment catheter is configured to reside in the subject for a period of about 2-14 days after delivery of the thermal ablation treatment or therapy.

An anchor mechanism includes a sleeve to fit around a structure such as a radioactive source, a thermal ablation implant, a spacer, a strand or a radiopaque marker. The sleeve has a bore that extends an entire longitudinal length of the sleeve, and through which the structure fits, such that the structure can extend out from both longitudinal ends of the sleeve. One or more protrusion extends from an outer surface of the sleeve to engage surrounding patient tissue after implantation of the structure into a patient, to thereby reduce a tendency for the structure to migrate and rotate after implantation.

Paramagnetic or superparamagnetic nanoparticle-ligand conjugates that include a recognition ligand that interacts with a component on the surface of a prostate cancer cell. Nanoparticle-ligand conjugates of the invention may be used for magnetic resonance imaging of prostate cancer, or for treatment of tumors by targeted thermal ablation.

An apparatus and method for cutting a material including conducting and non-conducting materials such as biological tissue, cellulose or plastic while the material is submerged in a conductive liquid medium. The apparatus has a cutting electrode with an elongate cutting portion having an aspect ratio (length to width) of 1 or more and a return electrode. The two electrodes are immersed in the conductive medium and a voltage is applied between them to heat the medium, thus producing a vapor cavity around the elongate cutting portion and ionizing a gas inside the vapor cavity to produce a plasma. The voltage applied between the electrodes is modulated in pulses having a modulation format selected to minimize the size of the vapor cavity, its rate of formation and heat diffusion into the material while the latter is cut with an edge of the elongate cutting portion. The modulation format includes pulses ranging in duration from 10 μs to 10 ms, as well as minipulses and micropulses, as necessary. The apparatus and method of invention allow the user to perform efficient thermal ablation and electrosurgical procedures in particular at power levels as low as 10 mW with minimal thermal and cavitation damage.

A method for treating body tissue using acoustic energy includes identifying a target focal zone of tissue to be treated, delivering a first pulse of acoustic energy from a transducer to generate bubbles in a tissue region located distally, relative to the transducer, of a focal center of the target focal zone, and delivering a second pulse of acoustic energy from the transducer in the presence of the bubbles generated by the first pulse, the second pulse focused at the focal center to generate thermal ablation energy. In a further embodiment, a method of treating body tissue using ultrasound energy includes identifying a target focal zone to be treated and delivering a plurality of pulses of acoustic ablation energy to locations distributed symmetrically in or proximate a focal plane about the focal center of the target focal zone.

An apparatus and method for causing necrosis of tissue and specifically intended for thermal ablation of the uterine cavity to cauterizing the endometrial tissue. The apparatus includes a liquid-tight, liquid filled system having a distal flexible member; a proximal flexible member; and a catheter joining and providing a liquid path between these distal and proximal members. The apparatus further includes a pressurizable pneumatic chamber into which the proximal flexible member is inserted and a means to controllably heat the contents of the pneumatic chamber. The system operates to: first withdraw substantially all of the liquid into the proximal flexible member contained within the pressurizable pneumatic chamber; second to heat this liquid to a temperature such that it can cause tissue necrosis; and third to force the heated liquid from the proximal flexible member into the distal flexible member where it is maintained for a predetermined time and at a predetermined pressure. Where this distal member has been inserted into a uterine cavity or is otherwise is in contact with living tissue, the presence of the heated liquid results in tissue necrosis and cauterization.

Systems and methods for non-thermal ablation of tissue are provided. A non-implantable minimally invasive system for treatment of tissue in a body via direct current ablation is provided. A catheter for use in such system is further provided. The catheter includes a tubular body having a proximal end, a distal end, and a tip positioned at the distal end. The tubular body is semi-flexible, bi-directionally torqueable, and chemically resistant. The tubular body includes a plurality of routing holes provided between the proximal end and the distal end for facilitating deployment of electrodes from the tubular body. The tubular body further comprises an inner sheath generally at an interior portion and an outer sheath generally at an exterior portion and being chemically resistant.