CATHETER FOR DELIVERY OF ENERGY TO A SURGICAL SITE

• US 20080058707A1
• Filed: 10/31/2007
• Published: 03/06/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/23/1996
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: NeuroTherm, Inc. (Abbott Laboratories)
• Original Assignee: Oratec Interventions Incorporated (Smith & Nephew PLC)
• Inventors: Sharkey, Hugh, Ashley, John, Saal, Joel, Saal, Jeffrey
• Application Number:
  US11/931,057
• Publication Number:
  US 20080058707A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/21
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/02 Instruments for taking cell samples or for biopsy A61B10/0038 and A61B10/0045 take precedence; needle locating or guiding means A61B17/3403; samplers for enzymology or microbiology C12M1/26; sampling or preparing biological specimens G01N33/48
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/00491 Surgical glue applicators surgical adhesives A61L24/00; two-component delivery syringes A61M5/19
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1671 for the spine
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/29 Forceps for use in minimally invasive surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/320016 Endoscopic cutting instruments, e.g. arthroscopes, resectoscopes A61B10/0233, A61B17/29, A61B17/3207 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3203 Fluid jet cutting instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3421 Cannulas
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3496 Protecting sleeves or inner probes; Retractable tips for protecting body piercing guide needles A61M25/0612
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/00 Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body eye surgery A61F9/007; ear surgery A61F11/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/082 Probes or electrodes therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/14 Probes or electrodes therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/148 having a short, rigid shaft for accessing the inner body transcutaneously, e.g. for neurosurgery or arthroscopy
• 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 18/1485 having a short rigid shaft for accessing the inner body through natural openings
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1492 having a flexible, catheter-like structure, e.g. for heart ablation A61B18/1477 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/18 by applying electromagnetic radiation, e.g. microwaves radiation therapy A61N5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/24 with a catheter A61B18/26, A61B18/28 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00022 Sensing or detecting at the treatment site
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00084 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0011 piezoelectric
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00119 : alarm; indicating an abnormal situation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00261 : Discectomy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00274 : Prostate operation, e.g. prostatectomy, turp, bhp treatment
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/003 : Steerable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00336 : with a protective sleeve, e.g. retractable or slidable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00455 : Orientation indicators, e.g. recess on the handle
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00867 : shape memory effect
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22044 : with a pointed tip
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22049 : Means for locking the guide wire in the catheter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22082 : after introduction of a substance
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22087 : photodynamic
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2905 : flexible
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2927 : the angular position of the head being adjustable with respect to the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320008 : Scrapers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320044 : Blunt dissectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/32113 : with extendable or retractable guard or blade
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/3445 : used as instrument channel for multiple instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/3488 : Fixation to inner organ or inner body tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00011 : with fluids
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00267 : having a basket shaped structure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00434 : Neural system
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0044 : Spinal cord
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00547 : Prostate
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00625 : Vaporization
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00654 : with individual control of each of a plurality of energy emitting elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00702 : Power or energy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00791 : Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00797 : measured by multiple temperature sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/046 : in liquid form
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1266 : with DC current output
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1405 : Electrodes having a specific shape
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1407 : Loop
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1412 : Blade
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1425 : Needle
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1435 : Spiral
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1455 : having a moving blade for cutting tissue grasped by the jaws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1472 : for use with liquid electrolyte, e.g. virtual electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1807 : using light other than laser radiation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0454 : by reflection
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/061 : for measuring dimensions, e.g. length
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/064 : for measuring force, pressure or mechanical tension
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3937 : Visible markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2217/005 : with suction drainage system
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2217/007 : with irrigation system
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2218/002 : Irrigation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2218/007 : Aspiration
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/20 : Surgical navigation systems; Devices for tracking or guiding surgical instruments, e.g. for frameless stereotaxis
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/442 : Intervertebral or spinal discs, e.g. resilient non-disc-shaped intervertebral inflatable pockets A61F2/441; non-disc-shaped intervertebral fusion implants A61F2/4455
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30677 : Means for introducing or releasing pharmaceutical products, e.g. antibiotics, into the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0298 : with a section for heating and a section for cooling
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0063 : having means, e.g. stylets, mandrils, rods or wires to reinforce or adjust temporarily the stiffness, column strength or pushability of catheters which are already inserted into the human body
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0064 : which become stiffer or softer when heated
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0163 : Looped catheters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0144 : having flexible regions as a result of inner reinforcement means, e.g. struts or rods
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0155 : with hydraulic or pneumatic means, e.g. balloons or inflatable compartments
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0158 : with magnetic or electrical means, e.g. by using piezo materials, electroactive polymers, magnetic materials or by heating of shape memory materials
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/06 : for high-frequency therapy
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/40 : Applying electric fields by inductive or capacitive coupling microwave apparatus A61N5/00; Applying radio-frequency signals

Abstract

A catheter for delivering energy to a surgical site is disclosed. The catheter includes at a proximal end a handle and at a distal end a probe. The catheter includes at least one energy delivery device and an activation element. The activation element is located at the distal end of the catheter, to transition the probe from a linear to a multi-dimensional shape, within the surgical site. In another embodiment of the invention the catheter includes an energy delivery element, a tip and a blade. The energy delivery element is located at the distal end of the catheter to deliver energy to portions of the intervertebral disc. The blade is positioned within a first lumen of the tip and is extensible beyond the tip, to cut selected portions within the intervertebral disc. In another embodiment of the invention a catheter includes both energy and material transfer elements and an interface on the handle thereof. The interface couples the energy delivery element and the material transfer element to external devices for energy and material transfer to and from the intervertebral disc.

Claims

1. A device for delivering energy to an intervertebral disc comprising:

a catheter including a handle at a proximal end of the catheter and a probe at a distal end of the catheter; and

at least one energy delivery device located at the distal end of the catheter to deliver energy to portions of the intervertebral disc.

wherein the probe comprises an activation element located at the distal end of the catheter that predisposes the catheter body to adopt a multi-dimensional shape within the intervertebral disc, the activation element comprising at least two side members extending axially along a longitudinal axis of the probe and rigidly attached at first ends thereof to the probe the at least two side members movable from a first position proximate to the longitudinal axis of the probe to a second position radially displaced about the longitudinal axis of the probe.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the at least two side members comprise a resilient material which in a relaxed state effects an arcuate shape and which upon introduction of external stress assumes a substantially linear shape.

3. The device of claim 2 further comprising an introducer defining along a longitudinal axis a lumen dimensioned to apply external stress to the resilient material.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the at least two side members comprise at least two materials exhibiting differential coefficients of thermal expansion and at least two materials joined to one another wherein at a first temperature the at least two materials assume a substantially linear shape and at a second temperature that, at least two materials assume an arcuate shape.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein the at least two side members comprise:

a resilient material which in a relaxed state effects a linear shape and which upon introduction of a compressive force between the first ends of the at least two side members and second ends thereof assumes a substantially arcuate shape; and

a draw member coupled to the handle for applying tile compressive force to the resilient material, to effect a transition of the at least two side members from a substantially linear shape to an arcuate shape.

6. A probe for delivering energy to an intervertebral disc comprising:

a set of side members and a core member, the set of side members movable from a first position proximate to a longitudinal axis of the probe to a second position radially displaced about the longitudinal axis of the probe; and

electrical couplings for applying electrical power of an opposing polarity to respectively the set of side members and the core member.

7. The probe of claim 6 further comprising a member surrounding the core member.

8. The probe of claim 7 wherein electrically charged particles are introduced into an intradiscal cavity of the intervertebral disc by the membrane thereby changing a chemical milieu of the intradiscal cavity.

9. The probe of claim 6 wherein the set of side members serve as a electrophoretic cathode electrode and the core member serves as an electrophoretic anode electrode such that under application of direct current, negatively charged particles are drawn toward the core member.

10. The probe of claim 6 wherein the set of side members serve as an electrophoretic anode electrode and the core member serves as an electrophoretic cathode electrode.

11. A device for treating an intervertebral disc by electrophoresis comprising:

an elongated catheter defining a longitudinal axis and configured to be inserted into an intervertebral disc, the catheter comprising;

a first-polarity electrophoretic electrode; and

a second-polarity electrophoretic electrode comprising,

a first conductor displaced radially, with respect to the longitudinal axis, from the first-polarity electrophoretic electrode.

a second conductor displaced radially between the first conductor and the first-polarity electrophoretic electrode, and

a film including an electrically conductive layer extending between the first conductor and the second conductor.

12. The device of claim 11 wherein the conductive layer is patterned or continuous.

13. The device of claim 11 wherein the electrically conductive layer is a vacuum metalized polyester.

14. The device of claim 11 wherein the first polarity electrode extends linearly along the longitudinal axis.

15. The device of claim 11 wherein the film defines opposing sides and the opposing sides are coupled to respective ones of the first conductor and the second conductor.

16. A multifunctional catheter for repairing an intervertebral disc comprising:

an energy delivery element located at a distal end of the catheter to deliver energy to portions of the intervertebral disc;

a first probe section defining along a length thereof a first lumen;

a tip coupled to the first probe section at a terminus thereof, the tip defining a second lumen aligned with the first lumen; and

a blade positioned within the first lumen and extendable from a first position within the first probe section to a second position extending;

, through the second lumen and beyond the tip, to cut selected portions of the intervertebral disc.

17. The catheter of claim 16 further comprising a second probe section defining along a length thereof a third lumen and the first probe section located within the third lumen and the energy delivery element located in an annulus defined between the second rid first probe sections.

18. The catheter of claim 16 wherein the first probe section couples with a material delivery source to remove material from the intervertebral disc via the first and second lumens.

19. The catheter of claim 16 wherein the first probe section couples with a material delivery source to supply material to the intervertebral disc via tile first and second lumens.

20. A catheter for delivering a plurality of functional elements to an intervertebral disc to assist in the repair of (damage to the intervertebral disc comprising:

a handle located at a proximal end of the catheter;

a probe located at a distal end of the catheter;

an energy delivery element located at the distal end of the catheter to deliver energy to portions of the intervertebral disc;

a material transfer element located at the distal end of the catheter to transfer material to and from the intervertebral disc; and

at least one interface on the handle for coupling the energy delivery element and the material transfer element to external devices for energy and material transfer to and from the intervertebral disc.

21. The catheter of claim 20 wherein the interface is split or integrated.

22. An interface for coupling a catheter to one or more external devices comprising:

a first connection coupled to a handle of the catheter and configured to join an energy delivery element within the catheter to an energy delivery device; and

a second connection coupled to the handle and configured to join a material transfer element within the catheter to a material delivery or removal device.

23. The interface of claim 22 further comprising a third connection coupled to the handle and configured to permit passage of one or more instruments through the catheter to a surgical site.

24. The interface of claim 22 wherein the first and second connections are arranged in a split configuration with respect to the handle.

25. The interface of claim 22 wherein the first and second connections are integral with the handle.

26. The method of claim 25 wherein delivering electrical power of an opposing polarity to respectively the set of side members and the core member permits the set of side members to serve as a electrophoretic cathode electrode and the core member to serve as an electrophoretic anode electrode such that under application of direct current, negatively charged particles are drawn toward the core member.

27. The method of claim 25 wherein delivering electrical power of an opposing polarity to respectively the set of side members and the core member permits the set of side members to serve as an electrophoretic anode electrode and the core member to serve as an electrophoretic cathode electrode.

25-1. A method for treating an interverteral disc comprising:

configuring a probe in a substantially linear configuration, the probe comprising a set of side members and a core member;

applying a force to advance the probe through a nucleus pulposus of an intervertebral disc, which force is insufficient to puncture an annulus fibrosus of the disc;

deploying the set of side members from a first position proximate to the core member to a second position radially displaced about the core member; and

delivering electrical power of an opposing polarity to respectively the set of side members and the core member.