System and method for indirectly ablating tissue using implanted electrode devices

• US 20040181215A1
• Filed: 03/13/2003
• Published: 09/16/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/13/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Garabedian, Robert J., Landreville, Steven K., Kelly, Amy C.
• Granted Patent: US 6,979,330 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/41
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1477 Needle-like probes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/143 multiple needles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1432 curved
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1495 Electrodes being detachable from a support structure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3987 Applicators for implanting markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/39 Markers, e.g. radio-opaque or breast lesions markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/06 for high-frequency therapy

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for ablating tissue by implanting a plurality of electrode devices within the tissue to be treated and exposing the implanted electrode devices with RF energy conveyed from a separate electrode device. In this manner, a greater region of tissue is ablated than what would normally be ablated with the separate electrode device. In addition, the implanted electrode devices can create a roadmap that allows the progress of the treatment to be managed during follow-ups. The implanted electrode devices can be variously delivered to the tissue, for example, by detaching the electrode devices from one or more delivery devices. For example, a core wire with an electrolytically detachable junction can be used to separate the electrode device from the core wire. Pusher rods with mechanically detachable junctions are also contemplated.

Claims

1. A medical probe assembly, comprising:

one or more implantable needle electrode arrays; and

an electrode delivery assembly configured for implanting the one or more needle electrode arrays into tissue.

2. The medical probe assembly of claim 1, wherein each of the needle electrode arrays everts proximally when delivered into the tissue.

3. The medical probe assembly of claim 1, wherein the one or more needle electrode arrays is detachably coupled to the delivery assembly.

4. The medical probe assembly of claim 1, wherein the one or more needle electrode arrays is coated with a therapeutic agent.

5. The medical probe assembly of claim 1, wherein the one or more needle electrode arrays comprises a single needle electrode array.

6. The medical probe assembly of claim 1, wherein the one or more needle electrode arrays comprises a plurality of needle electrode arrays.

7. The medical probe assembly of claim 6, wherein the delivery assembly is configured for sequentially delivering the needle electrode arrays into the tissue.

8. The medical probe assembly of claim 1, wherein the delivery assembly comprises:

an elongated tubular member having a lumen; and

a delivery device disposed within the lumen, wherein the one or more needle electrode arrays is detachably coupled to the delivery device.

9. The medical probe assembly of claim 8, wherein the delivery device comprises a core wire that includes one or more electrolytically detachable junctions coupled to the one or more needle electrode arrays.

10. The medical probe assembly of claim 8, wherein the delivery device comprises a pusher rod that includes one or more mechanically detachable junctions coupled to the one or more needle electrode arrays.

11. The medical probe assembly of claim 8, wherein the tubular member comprises a cannula.

12. A tissue ablation kit, comprising:

a plurality of needle electrode arrays configured for being implanted into tissue; and

an ablation probe having one or more distally located electrodes configured for conveying radio frequency (RF) energy to the implanted electrode arrays.

13. The tissue ablation kit of claim 12, wherein each of the needle electrode arrays everts proximally when delivered into the tissue.

14. The tissue ablation kit of claim 12, wherein each of the needle electrode arrays is coated with a therapeutic agent.

15. The tissue ablation kit of claim 12, further comprising an electrode delivery assembly configured for delivering the needle electrode arrays into the tissue.

16. The medical probe assembly of claim 15, wherein the needle electrode arrays are detachably coupled to the delivery assembly.

17. The medical probe assembly of claim 15, wherein the delivery assembly is configured for sequentially delivering the needle electrode arrays into the tissue.

18. The tissue ablation kit of claim 15, wherein the electrode delivery assembly comprises:

an elongated tubular member having a lumen; and

one or more delivery devices configured to be slidably disposed within the lumen of the tubular member;

wherein the needle electrode arrays are detachably coupled to the one or more delivery devices.

19. The tissue ablation kit of claim 15, wherein the one or more delivery devices comprises a single delivery device.

20. The tissue ablation kit of claim 19, wherein the single delivery device is configured for sequentially delivering the needle electrode arrays into the tissue.

21. The tissue ablation kit of claim 15, wherein the one or more delivery devices comprises a plurality of delivery devices.

22. The tissue ablation kit of claim 15, wherein the needle electrode arrays are detachably coupled to the one or more delivery devices.

23. The tissue ablation kit of claim 18, wherein each of the one or more delivery devices comprises a core wire that includes an electrolytically detachable junction, wherein the needle electrode arrays are coupled to the one or more electrolytically detachable junctions.

24. The tissue ablation kit of claim 18, wherein each of the one or more delivery devices comprises a pusher rod that includes a mechanically detachable junction, wherein the needle electrode arrays are coupled to the one or more mechanically detachable junctions.

25. The tissue ablation kit of claim 18, wherein the tubular member is a cannula.

26. The tissue ablation kit of claim 18, wherein the ablation device is configured for being slidably disposed within the tubular member.

27. The tissue ablation kit of claim 0.12, wherein the distally located one or more electrodes comprises a plurality of electrodes.

28. The tissue ablation kit of claim 12, wherein the distally located one or more electrodes comprises one or more needle electrodes.

29. The tissue ablation kit of claim 12, wherein the distally located one or more electrodes comprises a needle electrode array.

30. The tissue ablation kit of claim 12, wherein the ablation probe is an electrosurgical probe.

31. A method of ablating tissue, comprising:

implanting a plurality of electrode elements throughout the tissue;

simultaneously exposing the plurality of electrode elements to radio frequency (RF) energy to ablate the tissue adjacent the electrode elements, wherein at least one of the plurality of electrode elements is exposed to RF energy.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein the plurality of electrode elements is exposed to RF energy.

33. The method of claim 31, wherein the electrode implantation comprises:

delivering the plurality of electrode elements within the tissue using one or more delivery devices; and

detaching the plurality of electrode elements from the one or more delivery devices.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein the one or more delivery devices comprises a single delivery device.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein the electrode elements are sequentially delivered into the tissue.

36. The method of claim 33, wherein the one or more delivery devices comprises a plurality of delivery devices.

37. The method of claim 31, wherein the tissue is a tumor.

38. The method of claim 31, wherein the plurality of electrode elements comprises a plurality of needle electrode arrays.

39. The method of claim 31, wherein the plurality of electrode elements is continuously exposed to the RF energy to ablate the tissue.

40. The method of claim 31, wherein the at least one electrode element is indirectly exposed to RF energy.

41. The method of claim 40, wherein the at least one electrode element is indirectly exposed to the RF energy, at least in part, through tissue inductance.

42. The method of claim 40, wherein the at least one electrode element is indirectly exposed to the RF energy, at least in part, through inductance.

43. The method of claim 31, wherein the at least one electrode element is indirectly exposed to the RF energy through inductance and tissue conduction.

44. The method of claim 31, wherein the at least one electrode element is directly exposed to RF energy.

45. The method of claim 31, wherein the at least one electrode element is exposed to the RF energy by conveying RF energy to a separate electrode element adjacent to the at least one electrode element.

46. The method of claim 45, wherein the separate electrode element comprises a needle electrode array.

47. The method of claim 31, further comprising delivering a therapeutic agent from the electrode elements.