Neurosurgical device for thermal therapy

• US 20040049250A1
• Filed: 09/11/2003
• Published: 03/11/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/05/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dan Sachs, Donald J. Lamard
• Original Assignee: Dan Sachs, Donald J. Lamard
• Inventors: Lamard, Donald J., Sachs, Dan
• Granted Patent: US 6,923,826 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/96
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00084 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0054 with a closed fluid circuit, e.g. hot water
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0056 for cooling
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0075 using a Peltier element, e.g. near the spot to be heated or cooled
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/101 for cooling organs in the body before or during surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/126 for invasive application, e.g. for introducing into blood vessels
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 7/12 Devices for heating or cooling internal body cavities
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 7/123 using a flexible balloon containing the thermal element

Abstract

A device for thermally affecting tissue of a patient includes a housing defining an interior volume that is at least partially insertable into an exterior opening in a patient. A thermal member positioned within the interior volume of the housing includes a thermal input side and a thermal output side to impart a thermal change to the tissue.

Claims

1. A device for thermally affecting tissue of a patient, comprising:

a housing, the housing defining an interior volume and being at least partially insertable into an exterior opening in the patient; and

a thermal member having a thermal input side and a thermal output side, at least a portion of the thermal member being positioned within the interior volume, one of the thermal input side and the thermal output side being arrangable to provide a temperature different than the other of the thermal input side and the thermal output side, the thermal input side imparting a thermal change to the tissue.

2. The device of claim 1, further comprising, a contact member being in thermal communication with the thermal input side of the thermal member and being in thermal communication with the tissue.

3. The device of claim 1, further comprising a thermal fluid circulation member, the thermal fluid circulation member provided to circulate thermal fluid across the thermal output side of the thermal member.

4. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a surface area expansion element, the surface area expansion element having an interior volume which can be filled with a thermally-transmissive fluid, the thermally-transmissive fluid being in thermal communication with the thermal member.

5. The device according to claim 4, wherein the surface area expansion element has a width measured at a widest part and a height measured from a top to a tissue contact area, the width being at least twice the height.

6. The device according to claim 5, further comprising a fluid circulation element, the fluid circulation element including a circulation member and a distribution member.

7. The device according to claim 6, wherein the circulation member is a pump and the distribution member is at least one injection member.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein the thermal member is configured to directly contact tissue to be treated.

9. The device according to claim 2, wherein the contact member is configured to directly contact tissue to be treated.

10. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a protective barrier, the protective barrier being disposed on and being in thermal communication with the thermal member.

11. The device according to claim 2, further comprising a protective barrier, the protective barrier being disposed on and being in thermal communication with the contact member.

12. The device according to claim 2, wherein the contact member includes an access port, the access port being in communication with the tissue.

13. The device according to claim 4, wherein the contact member includes an access port, the access port being in communication with the thermally-transmissive fluid.

14. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a pressure sensor, the pressure sensor measuring a pressure of the tissue to be treated.

15. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a temperature sensor, the temperature sensor measuring a temperature of the tissue to be treated.

16. The device of claim 1, further comprising a locator, the locator being operable to move the thermal member relative to the tissue.

17. The device according to claim 1, wherein the thermal member removes heat energy from the contact member via the thermal input side and radiates heat energy via the thermal output side.

18. The device according to claim 17, wherein the thermal member is a thermocooler.

19. The device according to claim 17, further comprising a thermal sink, the thermal sink being in thermal communication with the thermal output side of the thermal member and being operable to radiate heat energy.

20. The device according to claim 3, wherein the thermal fluid circulation member is a fan and the thermal fluid is air.

21. The device according to claim 3, wherein the thermal fluid circulation member is a pump and the thermal fluid is a liquid.

22. The device according to claim 20, wherein the thermal fluid circulation member is a fan and the thermal fluid is air, wherein the fan circulates air across the thermal sink to dissipate heat energy.

23. The device of claim 1, wherein the housing is substantially cylindrical in shape.

24. The device according to claim 23, wherein the housing includes a distal end portion at least partially insertable into the opening, at least a part of the distal end portion being threaded.

25. The device according to claim 1, wherein the housing includes a stop fastener opening and wherein the thermal member is slidable within the housing, and wherein the device further includes a stop fastener insertable into the stop fastener opening, the stop fastener being adjustable to lock the thermal member at a desired position relative to the housing.

28. The device according to claim 22, further comprising a stop fastener provided in communication with the inset housing and the thermal cartridge, the stop fastener is operable to selectively permit the thermal cartridge from sliding within the insert housing.

26. A device for thermally affecting tissue, comprising:

a thermal member having a thermal input side and a thermal output side;

a thermal cartridge, the thermal cartridge having a cartridge wall defining an interior surface for receiving the thermal member; and

an insert housing, the insert housing having an insert wall defining an inner volume configured to slidably receive the thermal cartridge and the insert housing being configured to fit within an opening in a patient.

27. The device according to claim 26, further comprising a longitudinal slot attached to the cartridge wall of the thermal cartridge and a longitudinal groove provided in the insert wall of the insert housing, the longitudinal slot configured to slidably engage the longitudinal groove when the thermal cartridge is inserted in the insert housing.

29. The device according to claim 26, further comprising a radial slot attached to the cartridge wall of the thermal cartridge and a radial groove provided in the insert wall of the insert housing, the radial slot configured to slidably engage the radial groove when the thermal cartridge is inserted in the insert housing.

30. The device according to claim 26, further comprising a contact member in thermal communication with the thermal input side of the thermal member.

31. The device according to claim 30, wherein the contact member has a concave contact surface.

32. The device according to claim 26, further comprising a thermal dissipation member in thermal communication with the thermal member.

33. The device according to claim 32, further comprising a thermal bridge provided between and in thermal communication with the thermal member and the thermal dissipation member.

34. The device according to claim 30, further comprising a thermal bridge provided between and in thermal communication with the thermal member and the contact member.

35. A method of affecting a thermal change in a tissue, the method comprising:

exposing a tissue of a body to be thermally affected;

attaching a thermal device to an anchor point of the body, the thermal device including a thermal member for imparting a thermal change to the tissue;

positioning the thermal member proximate to the tissue portion to be thermally affected; and

operating the thermal member to thermally change the temperature of the tissue.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein the tissue is dura mater and the anchor point is a skull, and wherein exposing the tissue includes creating a burr hole in the skull.

37. The method of claim 35, wherein operating the thermal member includes energizing the thermal member to create a temperature differential between a first side of the thermal member and a second side of the thermal member.