Integral electrode placement and connection systems

• US 10,111,705 B2
• Filed: 11/11/2014
• Issued: 10/30/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 10/10/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc. (Intuitive Surgical Holdings, LLC)
• Original Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc. (Intuitive Surgical Holdings, LLC)
• Inventors: Watson, Jason Paul, Tam, Edmund, Saadat, Vahid
• Primary Examiner(s): Peffley, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): Zink, Amanda
• Application Number:
  US14/538,594
• Publication Number:
  US 20150073409A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,449 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0008 characterised by distal tip features
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00087 Tools A61B17/00234 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00089 Hoods
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/012 characterised by internal passages or accessories therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/018 for receiving instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/05 characterised by the image sensor, e.g. camera, being in the distal end portion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/3137 for examination of the interior of blood vessels
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1492 having a flexible, catheter-like structure, e.g. for heart ablation A61B18/1477 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00077 high, i.e. electrically conducting
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0022 Balloons
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/05 for implantation or insertion into the body, e.g. heart electrode A61N1/06 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/06 for high-frequency therapy
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49155 Manufacturing circuit on or in base

Abstract

Electrode placement and connection systems are described which allow for the electrical connection and maintenance of one or more electrodes positioned on a substrate which is subjected to a variety of mechanical stresses. Electrodes may also be formed on flexible circuit assemblies integrated within or along the hood. The circuit assemblies may also provide structural support to the hood during delivery and/or deployment. Such a system may include an imaging hood having an aperture through which transparent fluid is flowed and one or more electrodes positioned along or about the hood. As the hood is configured between a low-profile and opened configuration, these electrodes may remain electrically coupled despite the mechanical stresses subjected to the electrodes and the connections thereto.

Claims

1. A tissue treatment assembly, comprising:

an elongate catheter extending along a longitudinal axis and terminating at a distal opening;

a fluid barrier projecting distally of the distal opening of the catheter and configurable between a low profile and a deployed profile, wherein in the deployed profile, the fluid barrier defines an open area in fluid communication with the distal opening of the catheter and with an environment external to the fluid barrier; and

a circuit portion including at least one exposed electrode disposed on the fluid barrier, wherein the at least one exposed electrode is disposed on a distal membrane of the fluid barrier, the distal membrane including a surface extending generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the catheter.

2. The tissue treatment assembly of claim 1 wherein the at least one exposed electrode is configured for direct contact with fluid or tissue in the environment external to the fluid barrier.

3. The tissue treatment assembly of claim 1 wherein the at least one exposed electrode is positioned on a flexible arm extending along the fluid barrier.

4. The tissue treatment assembly of claim 1 wherein the at least one exposed electrode is recessed with respect to a surface of the fluid barrier.

5. The tissue treatment assembly of claim 1 wherein the at least one exposed electrode is flush with a surface of the fluid barrier.

6. The tissue treatment assembly of claim 1 wherein the at least one exposed electrode is projected with respect to a surface of the fluid barrier.

7. The tissue treatment assembly of claim 1 wherein fluid barrier includes an inner surface and the exposed electrode is disposed on the inner surface.

8. The tissue treatment assembly of claim 1 wherein fluid barrier includes an outer surface and the exposed electrode is disposed on the outer surface.

9. The tissue treatment assembly of claim 1 wherein the circuit portion provides structural support for the fluid barrier.

10. A method of treating tissue, comprising:

directing an elongate catheter within a body lumen, the elongate catheter extending along a longitudinal axis and terminating at a distal opening;

deploying a fluid barrier disposed on the elongate catheter from a low profile configuration to a deployed profile configuration, wherein in the deployed profile configuration, the fluid barrier defines an open area in fluid communication with the distal opening of the catheter and with an environment external to the fluid barrier; and

conducting energy through a circuit portion to at least one exposed electrode disposed on the fluid barrier, wherein the at least one exposed electrode is disposed on a distal membrane of the fluid barrier, the distal membrane including a surface extending generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the catheter.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the at least one exposed electrode is positioned in direct contact with fluid in the body lumen.

12. The method of claim 10 wherein the at least one exposed electrode is positioned on a flexible arm extending along the fluid barrier.

13. The method of claim 10 wherein the at least one exposed electrode is recessed with respect to a surface of the fluid barrier.

14. The method of claim 10 wherein the at least one exposed electrode is flush with a surface of the fluid barrier.

15. The method of claim 10 wherein the at least one exposed electrode is projected from a surface of the fluid barrier.

16. The method of claim 10 wherein fluid barrier includes an inner surface and the exposed electrode is disposed on the inner surface.

17. The method of claim 10 wherein fluid barrier includes an outer surface and the exposed electrode is disposed on the outer surface.

18. The method of claim 10 wherein the circuit portion provides structural support for the fluid barrier.