Cooled Laser Fiber for Improved Thermal Therapy

• US 20120245573A1
• Filed: 06/11/2012
• Published: 09/27/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/07/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Visualase, Inc. (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Visualase, Inc. (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Gowda, Ashok, Gelnett, Marc, Fox, Matthew, McNichols, Robert
• Granted Patent: US 8,851,080 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/14
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/20 using laser
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00023 closed, i.e. without wound contact by the fluid
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00029 open
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00035 with return means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00065 porous
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0013 non-sticking
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00577 Ablation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/2261 with scattering, diffusion or dispersion of light
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/2272 with reflective or refractive surfaces for deflecting the beam A61B2018/2261, A61B2018/2266 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/39 Markers, e.g. radio-opaque or breast lesions markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/0601 Apparatus for use inside the body

Abstract

In one embodiment, the disclosure is directed to an integrated apparatus for delivering energy to a tissue. The integrated apparatus included a housing having a distal end and a tubular structure located within the housing forming a first annulus between the tubular structure and the housing. The tubular structure is configured to accept an energy delivery component and is configured to form a second annulus between the tubular structure and the energy delivery component. The first annulus and the second annulus are configured to communicate with each other proximate to the distal end of the housing.

Claims

1. A method of controlling energy delivery to a tissue comprising:

inserting an integrated energy delivery apparatus into a tissue, said integrated energy delivery apparatus comprising an energy delivery component within a housing having a proximal and a distal end;

delivering energy via the energy delivery component to said tissue; and

circulating a fluid into and out of said housing to alter the temperature of said tissue directly adjacent to said integrated energy delivery apparatus;

wherein the pressure drop of said fluid is decreased by enlargements in flow area at said proximal end of said housing.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said fluid is circulated through an inner and an outer annulus within said housing.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein said enlargements in flow area comprise increased cross-sectional areas of said inner and outer annulus.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein said fluid circulates from a fluid source into said inner annulus and out of said outer annulus.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein said fluid circulates from a fluid source into said outer annulus and out of said inner annulus.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said fluid increases said temperature of said tissue directly adjacent to said integrated energy delivery apparatus.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said fluid decreases said temperature of said tissue directly adjacent to said integrated energy delivery apparatus.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein said delivering energy comprises radiating optical energy.

9. A method of controlling energy delivery to a tissue comprising:

inserting an integrated energy delivery apparatus into a tissue, said integrated energy delivery apparatus comprising an energy delivery component within a housing having a proximal and a distal end;

delivering energy via the energy delivery component to said tissue;

circulating a fluid into and out of said housing to alter the temperature of said tissue directly adjacent to said integrated energy delivery apparatus; and

translating said energy delivery component to open said distal end.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein said translating releases at least some of said fluid into said tissue.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising withdrawing at least some fluid from said tissue through said distal end.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein said fluid is circulated through an inner and an outer annulus within said housing.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein said fluid circulates from a fluid source into said inner annulus and out of said outer annulus.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein said fluid circulates from a fluid source into said outer annulus and out of said inner annulus.

15. The method of claim 9, wherein said fluid increases said temperature of said tissue directly adjacent to said integrated energy delivery apparatus.

16. The method of claim 9, wherein said fluid decreases said temperature of said tissue directly adjacent to said integrated energy delivery apparatus.

17. A method of controlling the size of a thermal lesion in a tissue comprising:

inserting an integrated energy delivery apparatus into a tissue, said integrated energy delivery apparatus comprising an energy delivery component within a housing having a proximal and a distal end;

delivering energy via the energy delivery component to said tissue to create a thermal lesion about said distal end;

circulating a fluid into and out of said housing to control the temperature of said tissue directly adjacent to said integrated energy delivery apparatus; and

translating said energy delivery component to open said distal end.

wherein said circulating prevents formation of char tissue proximal to said distal end.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein said translating releases at least some of said fluid into said tissue.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising withdrawing at least some fluid from said tissue through said distal end.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein said circulating lowers the temperature of said tissue directly adjacent to said integrated energy delivery apparatus.