MEDICAL DEVICES UTILIZING SHAPE MEMORY ALLOYS AND ASSOCIATED SYSTEMS AND METHODS

• US 20170296253A1
• Filed: 04/14/2017
• Published: 10/19/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 04/14/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Susannah Wedgwood, Theresa Brandner
• Original Assignee: Susannah Wedgwood, Theresa Brandner
• Inventors: Brandner, Theresa, Wedgwood, Susannah
• Granted Patent: US 11,278,342 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• 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 18/1482 having a long rigid shaft for accessing the inner body transcutaneously in minimal invasive surgery, e.g. laparoscopy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1492 having a flexible, catheter-like structure, e.g. for heart ablation A61B18/1477 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00095 high, i.e. heat conducting
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00488 Esophagus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00494 Stomach, intestines or bowel
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00559 Female reproductive organs
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00601 Cutting
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1407 Loop
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2210/0014 using shape memory or superelastic materials, e.g. nitinol
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0042 differing in shape-memory transition temperatures, e.g. in martensitic transition temperature, in austenitic transition temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2400/16 Materials with shape-memory or superelastic properties
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 31/022 Metals or alloys

Abstract

Medical devices utilizing shape memory alloys and associated methods are disclosed herein. One aspect of the present technology, for example, is directed toward a treatment element configured to be positioned within a body lumen and coupled to an energy source. At least a portion of the treatment element may be made of a shape memory alloy, and wherein application of thermal energy to the treatment element from the energy source transforms the treatment element from the martensitic state to the austenitic state in which the treatment element is configured to cut, ablate, resect, and/or cauterize tissue.

Claims

1. A device for removing tissue from a body lumen, the device comprising:

a delivery shaft having a lumen therethrough;

an energy source;

a manipulation member configured to be slidably received through the lumen of the delivery shaft, wherein the manipulation member has a distal portion configured to be positioned within the body lumen; and

a treatment element at the distal portion of the manipulation member and coupled to the energy source, at least a portion of the treatment element made of a shape memory alloy and having a low-profile martensitic state for delivery through the elongated shaft and an expanded, austenitic state that forms a pre-set shape having a cross-sectional dimension that is greater than the cross-sectional dimension of the shaft, and

wherein application of thermal energy to the treatment element from the energy source transforms the treatment element from the martensitic state to the austenitic state, and

wherein, when the treatment element is in the austenitic state, the treatment element is configured to cut, ablate, resect, and/or cauterize tissue.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the treatment element transforms from the martensitic state to the austenitic state at a temperature above 40 degrees Celsius.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the energy source is configured to deliver radiofrequency energy to the treatment element.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein the treatment element is thermally activated and transforms from the martensitic state at a frequency of from about 100 kHz to about 5 MHz.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the distal portion of the manipulation member is configured to be delivered to a uterine cavity.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the device is configured to separate a tumor from the uterine cavity.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the treatment element has a single loop configuration.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the treatment element has a multiple loop configuration.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the delivery shaft is a portion of a hysteroscopic resectoscope.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the lumen of the delivery shaft includes a fluid medium.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein a cross-sectional dimension of the delivery shaft is no greater than 8 mm.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein the tissue is at least one of a leiomyoma and endometrium.

13. A device for removing tissue from a body lumen, the device comprising:

a delivery shaft having a lumen therethrough;

an energy source;

a manipulation member configured to be slidably received through the lumen of the delivery shaft, wherein the manipulation member has a distal portion configured to be positioned within the body lumen; and

a treatment element at the distal portion of the manipulation member and coupled to the energy source, at least a portion of the electrode made of a shape memory alloy and having a low-profile martensitic state for delivery through the elongated shaft and an expanded, austenitic state that forms a pre-set shape having a cross-sectional dimension that is greater than the cross-sectional dimension of the shaft, and

wherein application of ultrasonic energy to the treatment element from the energy source transforms the treatment element from the martensitic state to the austenitic state, and

wherein, when the treatment element is in the austenitic state, the electrode is configured to cut, ablate, resect, morcellate, and/or cauterize tissue.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein the treatment element transforms from the martensitic state to the austenitic state at a frequency of from about 27 kHz to about 75 kHz.

15. The device of claim 13, wherein the energy source is configured to deliver ultrasonic energy to the treatment element.

16. The device of claim 13, wherein the treatment element is generally straight in a martensitic state and bent in an austenitic state.

17. The device of claim 13, wherein the distal portion of the manipulation member is configured to be delivered to a uterine cavity.

18. The device of claim 17, wherein the device is configured to separate a tumor from the uterine cavity.

19. The device of claim 13, wherein the treatment element has a single loop configuration.

20. The device of claim 13, wherein the treatment element has a multiple loop configuration.

21. The device of claim 13, wherein the delivery shaft is a portion of a hysteroscopic resectoscope.

22. The device of claim 13, wherein the lumen of the delivery shaft includes a fluid medium.

23. The device of claim 13, wherein a cross-sectional dimension of the delivery shaft is no greater than 3 mm.

24. The device of claim 13, wherein the tissue is at least one of a leiomyoma and endometrium.