Devices and methods for remote temperature monitoring in fluid enhanced ablation therapy
First Claim
1. An ablation device, comprising:
- an elongate body having an inner lumen configured to deliver fluid to tissue surrounding the elongate body through at least one outlet port formed in the elongate body when the elongate body is introduced into a tissue mass;
at least one ablation element configured to heat tissue within a treatment zone surrounding the elongate body;
a plurality of temperature sensors coupled to the elongate body such that each sensor contacts a sidewall of the elongate body, the plurality of temperature sensors being positioned axially along the elongate body such that each of the plurality of temperature sensors is a distance apart from the at least one ablation element and is effective to output a measured temperature of tissue spaced a distance apart from tissue adjacent to the at least one ablation element such that the measured temperature indicates whether tissue is being heating to a therapeutic level;
an insulating tube extending through the inner lumen of the elongate body, wherein the insulating tube contains the fluid flowing through the inner lumen and prevents the fluid from contacting the sidewall of the elongate body; and
a fluid heating assembly disposed within the insulating tube, the fluid heating assembly including one or two wires configured to heat surrounding fluid, the one or two wires extending through at least one spacer disposed within the insulating tube.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Devices and methods for monitoring the temperature of tissue at various locations in a treatment volume during fluid enhanced ablation therapy are provided. In one embodiment, an ablation device is provided having an elongate body, at least one ablation element, and at least one temperature sensor. The elongate body includes a proximal and distal end, an inner lumen, and at least one outlet port to allow fluid to be delivered to tissue surrounding the elongate body. The at least one ablation element is configured to heat tissue surrounding the at least one ablation element. The at least one temperature sensor can be positioned a distance away from the at least one ablation element and can be effective to output a measured temperature of tissue spaced a distance apart from the at least one ablation element such that the measured temperature indicates whether tissue is being heating to a therapeutic level.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. An ablation device, comprising:
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an elongate body having an inner lumen configured to deliver fluid to tissue surrounding the elongate body through at least one outlet port formed in the elongate body when the elongate body is introduced into a tissue mass; at least one ablation element configured to heat tissue within a treatment zone surrounding the elongate body; a plurality of temperature sensors coupled to the elongate body such that each sensor contacts a sidewall of the elongate body, the plurality of temperature sensors being positioned axially along the elongate body such that each of the plurality of temperature sensors is a distance apart from the at least one ablation element and is effective to output a measured temperature of tissue spaced a distance apart from tissue adjacent to the at least one ablation element such that the measured temperature indicates whether tissue is being heating to a therapeutic level; an insulating tube extending through the inner lumen of the elongate body, wherein the insulating tube contains the fluid flowing through the inner lumen and prevents the fluid from contacting the sidewall of the elongate body; and a fluid heating assembly disposed within the insulating tube, the fluid heating assembly including one or two wires configured to heat surrounding fluid, the one or two wires extending through at least one spacer disposed within the insulating tube. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A system for delivering saline enhanced ablation, comprising:
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an elongate body having an inner lumen and at least one outlet port; at least one ablation element configured to heat tissue adjacent to the elongate body; a fluid source in communication with the inner lumen of the elongate body and configured to deliver fluid through the inner lumen such that the fluid can flow through the at least one outlet port and be delivered to tissue; a plurality of temperature sensors coupled to the elongate body such that each sensor contacts a sidewall of the elongate body, the plurality of temperature sensors being positioned axially along the elongate body such that each of the plurality of temperature sensors is a distance apart from the at least one ablation element and is effective to measure a temperature of tissue spaced a distance apart from tissue adjacent to the at least one ablation element; an insulating tube extending through the inner lumen of the elongate body, wherein the insulating tube contains the fluid flowing through the inner lumen and prevents the fluid from contacting the sidewall of the elongate body; a fluid heating assembly disposed within the insulating tube, the fluid heating assembly including one or two wires configured to heat surrounding fluid, the one or two wires extending through at least one spacer disposed within the insulating tube; and a control unit configured to obtain a temperature of the at least one ablation element and a plurality of temperatures measured by the plurality of temperature sensors; wherein the plurality of temperatures measured by the plurality of temperature sensors indicate whether tissue within a treatment zone is being heated to a therapeutic level. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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Specification