METHODS AND DEVICES FOR USE OF DEGASSED FLUIDS WITH FLUID ENHANCED ABLATION DEVICES

• US 20150351823A1
• Filed: 08/14/2015
• Published: 12/10/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 04/12/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Thermedical, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Thermedical, Inc.
• Inventors: Curley, Michael G.
• Granted Patent: US 10,307,201 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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, 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.

Claims

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.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a pump coupled to the fluid source and configured to pump fluid from the fluid source through the inner lumen of the elongate body.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising a mass exchanger coupled to the fluid source and configured to at least partially degas the fluid.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the fluid source comprises a syringe configured to couple to the elongate body for delivering fluid to the inner lumen.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the fluid comprises saline.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising a sensor configured to measure an amount of the gas in the fluid.

7. 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 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.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the mass exchanger includes a plurality of gas-permeable and fluid-impermeable tubes, and at least one outlet configured to couple to a gas source for adjusting the amount of a gas in the fluid flowing through the plurality of gas-permeable and fluid-impermeable tubes.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein the gas source comprises a vacuum source for removing gas from the fluid.

10. The system of claim 7, wherein the gas source comprises a volume of one or more gases having a predetermined pressure and mixture.

11. The system of claim 7, wherein the mass exchanger is disposed proximal of the heating assembly such that fluid is at least partially degassed before being heated by the heating assembly.

12. The system of claim 7, wherein the mass exchanger is disposed within a control unit coupled to a proximal end of the elongate body, the control unit having a pump effective to pump fluid from a fluid source, through the mass exchanger, and into the inner lumen of the elongate body.

13. The system of claim 7, further comprising a sensor configured to measure an amount of a gas in fluid after it flows through the mass exchanger.

14. A method for ablating tissue, comprising:

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.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising, prior to delivering the at least partially degassed fluid through the inner lumen, activating a pump to deliver fluid through a mass exchanger that at least partially degasses the fluid, the at least partially degassed fluid flowing from the mass exchanger into the inner lumen of the elongate body.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein delivering the at least partially degassed fluid through an inner lumen comprises injecting the at least partially degassed fluid into a control unit, and activating a pump to cause the pump to force the at least partially degassed fluid through the inner lumen.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the fluid comprises saline.

18. The method of claim 14, further comprising, prior to delivering at least partially degassed fluid through the inner lumen of the elongate body, determining an amount of a gas in the at least partially degassed fluid with a sensor.