Anchored RF ablation device for the destruction of tissue masses
First Claim
1. An ablation element, comprising:
- (a) an elongated cannula having a proximal end and a distal end, said cannula defining an internal lumen within said cannula and a cannula axis;
(b) a plurality of conductors contained within said lumen, each of said conductors having a proximal end proximate the proximal end of said cannula, and a distal end proximate the distal end of said cannula;
(c) a plurality of ablation stylets each having a proximal end and a distal end, and each coupled at the respective proximal end of said stylet to the distal end of a respective conductor, said stylets comprising a deflectable material, said conductors together with their respective stylets being mounted for axial movement;
(d) a trocar point defined proximate the distal end of said cannula; and
(e) a deflection surface positioned between said trocar point and said proximal end of said cannula, the deflection surface being configured and positioned to deflect, in response to axial movement of said stylets in a direction from said proximate end of said cannula to said distal end of said cannula, at least some of said stylets laterally with respect to said cannula axis in different directions along substantially straight paths, said paths defining an ablation volume.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The inventive ablation element comprises an elongated cannula having a proximal end and a distal end. The cannula defines an internal lumen within the cannula and a cannula axis. A plurality of conductors contained within the lumen, each of the conductors has a proximal end proximate the proximal end of the cannula, and a distal end proximate the distal end of the cannula. A plurality of ablation stylets each has a proximal end and a distal end, and each coupled at the respective proximal end of the stylet to the distal end of a respective conductor, the stylets comprise a deflectable material, the conductors together with their respective stylets being mounted for axial movement. A trocar point defined proximate the distal end of the cannula. A deflection surface positioned between the trocar point and the proximal end of the cannula, the deflection surface being configured and positioned to deflect, in response to axial movement of the stylets in a direction from the proximate end of the cannula to the distal end of the cannula, at least some of the stylets laterally with respect to the cannula axis in different directions along substantially straight paths, the paths defining an ablation volume.
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Citations
47 Claims
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1. An ablation element, comprising:
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(a) an elongated cannula having a proximal end and a distal end, said cannula defining an internal lumen within said cannula and a cannula axis;
(b) a plurality of conductors contained within said lumen, each of said conductors having a proximal end proximate the proximal end of said cannula, and a distal end proximate the distal end of said cannula;
(c) a plurality of ablation stylets each having a proximal end and a distal end, and each coupled at the respective proximal end of said stylet to the distal end of a respective conductor, said stylets comprising a deflectable material, said conductors together with their respective stylets being mounted for axial movement;
(d) a trocar point defined proximate the distal end of said cannula; and
(e) a deflection surface positioned between said trocar point and said proximal end of said cannula, the deflection surface being configured and positioned to deflect, in response to axial movement of said stylets in a direction from said proximate end of said cannula to said distal end of said cannula, at least some of said stylets laterally with respect to said cannula axis in different directions along substantially straight paths, said paths defining an ablation volume. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An ablation element, comprising:
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(a) an elongated cannula having a proximal end and a distal end, said cannula defining an internal lumen within said cannula and a cannula axis;
(b) a plurality of conductors contained within said lumen, each of said conductors having a proximal end proximate the proximal end of said cannula, and a distal end proximate the distal end of said cannula;
(c) a plurality of ablation stylets each having a proximal end and a distal end, and each coupled at the respective proximal end of said stylet to the distal end of a respective conductor, said stylets comprising a deflectable material, said conductors together with their respective stylets being mounted for axial movement;
(d) a front end defined proximate the distal end of said cannula; and
(e) a deflection surface positioned between said front end and said proximal end of said cannula, the deflection surface being configured and positioned to deflect, in response to axial movement of said stylets in a direction from said proximate end of said cannula to said distal end of said cannula, at least some of said stylets laterally with respect to said cannula axis in different directions along substantially straight paths, said paths defining an ablation volume. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. An ablation element, comprising:
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(a) an elongated cannula having a proximal end and a distal end, said cannula defining an internal lumen within said cannula and a cannula axis;
(b) a plurality of conductors contained within said lumen, each of said conductors having a proximal end proximate the proximal end of said cannula, and a distal end proximate the distal end of said cannula;
(c) a plurality of ablation stylets each having a proximal end and a distal end, and each coupled at the respective proximal end of said stylet to the distal end of a respective conductor, said stylets comprising a deflectable material, said conductors together with their respective stylets being mounted for axial movement;
(d) a front end defined proximate the distal end of said cannula;
(e) an anchor mounted for movement between an internal position disposed within said trocar surface and an anchoring position extending laterally from said trocar surface through points external of said lumen; and
(f) a drive member disposed within said lumen and coupled to said anchor to drive said anchor between said internal position and said anchoring position, wherein said anchor comprises at least two pointed members mounted for movement in directions which have vector components which extend away from the axis or said cannula and away from each other. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. An ablation element, comprising:
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(a) an elongated cannula having a proximal end and a distal end, said cannula defining an internal lumen within said cannula and a cannula axis;
(b) a plurality of ablation stylets, each of ablation stylets having a proximal end and a distal end, said ablation stylets being joined to each other in the configuration where said distal ends of said ablation stylets are free to be deflected, said ablation stylets forming a unitary ablation stylet array, said unitary ablation stylet array being mounted for sliding movement with respect to said elongated cannula, and said ablation stylets comprising a deflectable material;
(c) an ablation stylet sliding member, said ablation stylet sliding member having a proximal end proximate the proximal end of said cannula, and a distal end positionable proximate the distal end of said cannula, said ablation stylet sliding member being mounted for sliding movement with respect to said cannula, and said ablation stylet sliding member being an effective conductor of energy; and
(d) a trocar point assembly defining a trocar point, said trocar point assembly being secured to said cannula proximate the distal end of said cannula, said trocar point assembly comprising;
(i) a plurality of tracks for receiving and guiding sliding movement of said ablation stylets; and
(ii) a plurality of stylet deflection surfaces positioned between said trocar point and said proximal end of said cannula, the stylet deflection surfaces being configured and positioned to deflect, in response to axial movement of said stylets in a direction from said proximate end of said cannula to said distal end of said cannula, at least one of said stylets away from said cannula axis and in different directions along substantially straight paths, said straight paths defining an ablation volume. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47)
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Specification