LARGE SURFACE AREA TEMPERATURE SENSING DEVICE
First Claim
1. A temperature probe configured for introduction against an interior surface of an organ, comprising:
- an elongate member including;
a distal portion for insertion into an interior of a hollow organ of a subject and including a portion configured to have a substantially two-dimensional arrangement when present within the interior of the hollow organ, the substantially two-dimensional arrangement having a length that coincides with a remainder of a length of the elongate member, a width that exceeds a width of the elongate member, and a thickness of about a same thickness of the elongate member and any additional elements carried by the distal portion of the elongate member; and
a proximal portion adjacent to an opposite end of the elongate member from the distal portion, the proximal portion configured for communication with apparatus external to a body of the subject; and
a plurality of temperature sensors carried by the distal portion so as to be arranged across an area array when the distal portion is in the substantially two-dimensional arrangement, the area array including at least two sensors spaced laterally (x-axis) apart from each other a first distance that exceeds a width of the elongate member and at least two sensors spaced vertically (y-axis) apart from each other a second distance that is at least as great as the first distance.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A temperature probe for monitoring temperatures of a surface of a tissue or organ within the body of a subject includes a section with a substantially two-dimensional arrangement and a plurality of temperature sensors positioned across an area defined by the substantially two-dimensional arrangement. Such an apparatus may be used in conjunction with procedures in which thermal techniques are used to diagnose a disease state or treat diseased tissue. Specifically, a temperature probe may be used to monitor temperatures across an area of a surface of a tissue or organ located close to the treated tissue to prevent subjection of the monitored tissue or organ to potentially damaging temperatures.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A temperature probe configured for introduction against an interior surface of an organ, comprising:
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an elongate member including; a distal portion for insertion into an interior of a hollow organ of a subject and including a portion configured to have a substantially two-dimensional arrangement when present within the interior of the hollow organ, the substantially two-dimensional arrangement having a length that coincides with a remainder of a length of the elongate member, a width that exceeds a width of the elongate member, and a thickness of about a same thickness of the elongate member and any additional elements carried by the distal portion of the elongate member; and a proximal portion adjacent to an opposite end of the elongate member from the distal portion, the proximal portion configured for communication with apparatus external to a body of the subject; and a plurality of temperature sensors carried by the distal portion so as to be arranged across an area array when the distal portion is in the substantially two-dimensional arrangement, the area array including at least two sensors spaced laterally (x-axis) apart from each other a first distance that exceeds a width of the elongate member and at least two sensors spaced vertically (y-axis) apart from each other a second distance that is at least as great as the first distance. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A temperature probe configured for introduction into an interior of a hollow organ, comprising:
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an elongate member including a portion configured to have a substantially two-dimensional arrangement when present within an interior of a hollow organ of a subject, the substantially two-dimensional arrangement having a width that exceeds a width of the elongate member, and a thickness of about a same thickness as the elongate member and any additional elements carried by the elongate member; and a plurality of temperature sensors carried by the substantially two-dimensional arrangement of the elongate member so as to be arranged in an area array when the portion of the elongate element is in the substantially two-dimensional arrangement, the area array including at least two sensors spaced laterally (x-axis) apart from each other a first distance that exceeds a width of the elongate member and at least two sensors spaced vertically (y-axis) apart from each other a second distance that is at least as great as the first distance. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method for treating a subject, comprising:
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treating a first organ of the subject with heat or cold; and monitoring a temperature across an area of an interior surface of an adjacent, second organ without altering a shape of the second organ or increasing contact or decreasing spacing between the second organ and the first organ. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification