Apparatuses and methods for interstitial tissue removal

• US 20040054368A1
• Filed: 08/05/2003
• Published: 03/18/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/13/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cytyc Corporation (Hologic Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Novacept Inc. (Hologic Incorporated)
• Inventors: Truckai, Csaba, Sampson, Russel M., Hsei, Paul K.
• Granted Patent: US 7,192,430 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/41
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/082 Probes or electrodes therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/12 by passing a current through the tissue to be heated, e.g. high-frequency current
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1482 having a long rigid shaft for accessing the inner body transcutaneously in minimal invasive surgery, e.g. laparoscopy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/22 the beam being directed along or through a flexible conduit, e.g. an optical fibre; Couplings or hand-pieces therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320044 Blunt dissectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00208 actively driven, e.g. by a motor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00333 Breast
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00559 Female reproductive organs
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00577 Ablation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00625 Vaporization
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1407 Loop
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1861 with an instrument inserted into a body lumen or cavity, e.g. a catheter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2218/007 Aspiration
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2218/008 for smoke evacuation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/37 Surgical systems with images on a monitor during operation

Abstract

Apparatuses and methods for removing solid tissue from beneath a tissue surface are described. The methods rely on positioning an energy conductive element at a target site beneath the tissue surface and energizing the element so that it can vaporize tissue. The element is then moved in a pattern which provides the desired tissue removal geometry, such as spherical, ovoid, or cylindrical. Usually, the shaft is moved, typically rotated or reciprocated, and the energy conductive element is moved relative to the shaft, typically by pivoting a rigid element or bowing a flexible element.

Claims

1. A tissue ablation device comprising:

a shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen therethrough;

at least one flexible energy conductive element disposed near the distal end of the shaft;

means for bowing the element between a substantially linear profile where the element lies directly over the shaft and a series of arcuate profiles spaced progressively away from the shaft;

an aspiration connector coupled to the lumen near the proximal end of the shaft; and

a power supply connector disposed near the proximal end of the shaft and electrically coupled to the energy conductive element.

2. A device as in claim 1, wherein the shaft is substantially rigid.

3. A device as in claim 2 or 3, wherein the shaft has a diameter in the range from 0.1 mm to 20 mm and a length in the range from 0.5 cm to 50 cm.

4. A device as in claim 3, wherein the shaft is flexible and has a length in the range from 25 cm to 250 cm.

5. A device as in claim 1, further comprising a handle secured to the proximal end of the shaft.

6. A device as in claim 5, wherein the aspiration connector and/or the power supply connector are disposed on the handle.

7. A device as in claim 1, further comprising a motor attachable to the proximal end of the shaft.

8. A device as in claim 7, wherein the motor is attached to both rotate the shaft and move the energy conductive element relative to the shaft.

9. A device as in claim 1, wherein the energy conductive element comprises an electrode which conducts high frequency electrical energy.

10. A device as in claim 1, wherein the energy conductive element comprises a heating element.

11. A device as in claim 10, wherein the heating element comprises an optical fiber for delivering light energy to heat the energy conductive element.

12. A device as in claim 10, wherein the heating element comprises an electrical resistance heater.

13. A device as in claim 1, wherein the energy conductive element comprises a wire.

14. A device as in claim 1, wherein the element comprises a ribbon.

15. A device as in claim 1, comprising at least two or more energy conductive electrodes, wherein the bowing means is adapted to bow the elements at substantially the same rate.

16. A device as in claim 1, comprising at least one wire electrode and at least one ribbon electrode, wherein the electrical connector provides for connecting the wire and ribbon electrodes to opposite poles of a high frequency electrical power supply.

17. A device as in claim 16, wherein the bowing means advances the wire electrodes radially ahead of the ribbon electrodes.