DEVICES AND METHODS FOR SHAPING THERAPY IN FLUID ENHANCED ABLATION

• US 20120265276A1
• Filed: 04/12/2012
• Published: 10/18/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/12/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Thermedical, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Thermedical, Inc.
• Inventors: Curley, Michael G.
• Granted Patent: US 8,702,697 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/98
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/04 by heating by applying electromagnetic radiation A61B18/18; hyperthermia using electric or magnetic fields, radiation or ultrasound A61N
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/082 Probes or electrodes therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1477 Needle-like probes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/16 Indifferent or passive electrodes for grounding
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00526 Methods of manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00029 open
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00041 Heating, e.g. defrosting
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00577 Ablation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00642 with feedback, i.e. closed loop control
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00773 Sensed parameters
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00791 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00797 measured by multiple temperature sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00809 measured thermochromatically
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00821 measured by a thermocouple
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/046 in liquid form
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1425 Needle
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/162 located on the probe body
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 17/03 driven by electric motors
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 19/22 of reciprocating-piston type
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 41/02 having reservoirs
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 43/04 : Pumps having electric drive
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 49/06 : Control using electricity regulating by means of floats actuating electric switches F04B49/04
• CPC Class Codes: F04C 2270/041 : Controlled or regulated
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49016 : Antenna or wave energy "plumbing" making
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49085 : Thermally variable

Abstract

Devices and methods for shaping an ablation treatment volume formed in fluid enhanced ablation therapy are provided. The devices and methods disclosed herein utilize the interaction of fluids to create ablation treatment volumes having a variety of shapes. In one embodiment, a method for forming an ablation treatment volume having a desired shape includes delivering therapeutic energy to tissue to form an ablation treatment volume and simultaneously delivering a first fluid and a second fluid to the tissue. The first and second fluids can convect the therapeutic energy in a desired direction such that the ablation treatment volume has a desired shape.

Claims

1. A method for forming an ablation treatment volume in tissue having a desired shape, comprising:

delivering therapeutic energy to tissue to form an ablation treatment volume in the tissue; and

simultaneously delivering a first fluid and a second fluid to the tissue, the first and second fluids convecting the therapeutic energy in a desired direction such that the ablation treatment volume has a desired shape.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second fluids are delivered at different temperatures.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second fluids are delivered through one or more elongate bodies inserted into the tissue.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising adjusting any of a fluid flow rate and a fluid temperature for any of the first fluid and the second fluid to further shape the ablation treatment volume.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising adjusting a level of therapeutic energy delivered to the tissue to further shape the ablation treatment volume.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein delivering therapeutic energy to tissue comprises activating an ablation element configured to transmit electrical energy into the tissue.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the first fluid is delivered from first and second opposed longitudinal portions of an inner lumen of an elongate body, and the second fluid is delivered from third and fourth opposed longitudinal portions of the inner lumen, the third and fourth portions being radially offset from the first and second portions.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein delivering the first fluid comprises ejecting the first fluid from at least one outlet port formed in a proximal portion of a sidewall of an elongate member, and delivering the second fluid comprises ejecting the second fluid from at least one outlet port formed in a distal portion of a sidewall of an elongate member adjacent to the proximal portion.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising repeating the steps of delivering therapeutic energy and simultaneously delivering a first fluid and a second fluid in a plurality of locations to form a treatment volume having an elongate planar shape.

10. A method for shaping therapeutic energy delivered to tissue comprising:

positioning a first elongate body in a patient'"'"'s body at a first location, the first elongate body having an inner lumen extending therethrough, at least one outlet port formed therein, at least one ablation element disposed along a length thereof, and at least one heater element disposed within the inner lumen;

positioning a second elongate body in a patient'"'"'s body at a second location, the second elongate body having an inner lumen extending therethrough and at least one outlet port formed therein; and

simultaneously delivering a first fluid from the first elongate body and a second fluid from the second elongate body such that the first and second fluids interact to shape an ablation treatment volume.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the first fluid and the second fluid are at different temperatures.

12. The method of claim 10, further comprising delivering therapeutic energy from the ablation element disposed along the first elongate body.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein positioning the first elongate body at a first location and positioning the second elongate body at a second location comprises positioning in a patient'"'"'s body an elongate member having the first and second elongate bodies disposed thereon.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the second elongate body is positioned at a location adjacent to a structure to be protected from therapeutic energy.

15. An ablation device, comprising:

an elongate body having

proximal and distal ends,

an inner lumen extending through the elongate body,

at least two outlet ports formed in the elongate body and configured to deliver fluid to tissue surrounding the elongate body, and

at least one ablation element disposed along a distal portion of the elongate body, the ablation element being configured to heat tissue surrounding the ablation element when the elongate body is inserted into tissue;

wherein the at least two outlet ports are configured to deliver fluid at different temperatures.

16. The device of claim 15, further comprising at least one heater element associated with one or more of the two outlet ports, the at least one heater element being disposed within the inner lumen and configured to heat fluid flowing to the one or more associated outlet ports.

17. The device of claim 15, further comprising at least one dividing member disposed within the inner lumen and configured to divide the inner lumen into two or more portions not in fluid communication with each other;

wherein each portion is in communication with one or more of the at least two outlet ports.

18. The device of claim 17, wherein the at least one dividing member divides the inner lumen into four portions extending longitudinally along the inner lumen so as to divide the inner lumen into quadrants having opposed pairs;

wherein a heater element is disposed within each portion of the first opposing pair of quadrants that is configured to heat fluid flowing therethrough to a first temperature; and

wherein a heater element is disposed within each portion of the second opposing pair of quadrants that is configured to heat fluid flowing therethrough to a second temperature that is less than the first temperature.

19. The device of claim 17, wherein the at least one dividing member divides the inner lumen into a proximal portion and a distal portion wherein each portion is associated with a different ablation element.

20. The device of claim 19, wherein the at least one dividing member comprises at least two dividing members that further divide the inner lumen to create a third portion that is proximal or distal to the distal portion.

21. The device of claim 17, further comprising two or more temperature sensors, wherein each temperature sensor is disposed in a different portion of the inner lumen.

22. An ablation device comprising:

an elongate member having a distal end configured for introduction into a patient'"'"'s body;

at least two elongate bodies disposed on the distal end of the elongate member;

wherein each of the elongate bodies includes proximal and distal ends, an inner lumen extending therethrough, and at least one outlet port formed in the elongate body and configured to deliver fluid to tissue surrounding the elongate body;

wherein at least one of the at least two elongate bodies includes at least one ablation element disposed along a distal portion of the elongate body, the ablation element being configured to heat tissue surrounding the ablation element; and

wherein at least one of the at least two elongate bodies includes a heater element disposed within the inner lumen of the elongate body, the heater element being configured to heat fluid flowing through the inner lumen.

23. The ablation device of claim 22, wherein the at least two elongate bodies comprise first, second, and third elongate bodies arranged around the distal end of the elongate member a distance away from a longitudinal axis of the elongate member.