METHODS AND DEVICES FOR USE OF DEGASSED FLUIDS WITH FLUID ENHANCED ABLATION DEVICES
First Claim
1. An ablation system, comprising:
- an elongate body having proximal and distal ends, an inner lumen extending through the elongate body, and at least one outlet port formed in the elongate body configured to deliver fluid to tissue surrounding the elongate body;
an ablation element disposed along a length of the elongate body adjacent to the at least one outlet port, the ablation element being configured to heat tissue surrounding the ablation element when the elongate body is inserted into tissue;
a heating assembly disposed within the inner lumen adjacent to the ablation element, the heating assembly being configured to heat fluid flowing through the inner lumen; and
a fluid source in fluid communication with the inner lumen for delivering fluid through the inner lumen, the fluid source containing a volume of fluid that is at least partially degassed such that the fluid contains one or more gases having a predetermined pressure and mixture.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Devices, systems, and methods for degassing fluid prior to applying fluid to a treatment site during ablation therapy are provided. In one embodiment, an ablation system can include an elongate body, an ablation element, a heating assembly, and a fluid source. Fluid in the fluid source can be at least partially degassed prior to being provided as part of the system, or, in some embodiments, a degassing apparatus can be provided that can be configured to degas fluid within the system prior to applying the fluid to the treatment site. The degassing apparatus can include one or more gas-permeable and fluid-impermeable tubes disposed therein, which can allow gas to be removed from fluid passing through the apparatus. Other exemplary devices, systems, and methods are also provided.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. An ablation system, comprising:
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an elongate body having proximal and distal ends, an inner lumen extending through the elongate body, and at least one outlet port formed in the elongate body configured to deliver fluid to tissue surrounding the elongate body; an ablation element disposed along a length of the elongate body adjacent to the at least one outlet port, the ablation element being configured to heat tissue surrounding the ablation element when the elongate body is inserted into tissue; a heating assembly disposed within the inner lumen adjacent to the ablation element, the heating assembly being configured to heat fluid flowing through the inner lumen; and a fluid source in fluid communication with the inner lumen for delivering fluid through the inner lumen, the fluid source containing a volume of fluid that is at least partially degassed such that the fluid contains one or more gases having a predetermined pressure and mixture. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. An ablation system, comprising:
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an elongate body having proximal and distal ends, an inner lumen extending through the elongate body, and at least one outlet port formed in the elongate body configured to deliver fluid to tissue surrounding the elongate body; an ablation element disposed along a length of the elongate body adjacent to the at least one outlet port, the ablation element being configured to heat tissue surrounding the ablation element when the elongate body is inserted into tissue; a heating assembly disposed within the inner lumen adjacent to the ablation element, the heating assembly being configured to heat fluid flowing through the inner lumen; and a mass exchanger in fluid communication with fluid flowing through the inner lumen, the mass exchanger being configured to at least partially degas fluid flowing through the inner lumen. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for ablating tissue, comprising:
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inserting an elongate body into a tissue mass; delivering through an inner lumen of the elongate body fluid that is at least partially degassed such that the fluid contains one or more gases having a predetermined pressure and mixture; delivering energy to at least one heating assembly disposed within the inner lumen to heat the at least partially degassed fluid within the lumen such that the at least partially degassed fluid flows through at least one outlet port in the elongate body and into the tissue mass; and delivering energy to an ablation element, while simultaneously delivering energy to the at least one heating assembly, to ablate the tissue mass. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification