METHODS AND DEVICES FOR CONTROLLING ABLATION THERAPY

• US 20180185083A1
• Filed: 03/01/2018
• Published: 07/05/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 04/12/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Thermedical, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Thermedical, Inc.
• Granted Patent: US 10,448,987 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 18/082 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 controlling ablation therapy are provided herein. In one embodiment, an ablation device is provided that includes an elongate body having proximal and distal ends, and an inner lumen extending therethrough. The inner lumen can be configured to receive fluid therein and to deliver fluid to the distal end of the elongate body. The device can also include an ablation element positioned at a distal end of the elongate body that is configured to heat surrounding tissue, and a heater element disposed within the inner lumen adjacent to a distal end of thereof, the heater element being configured to heat fluid flowing through the inner lumen.

Claims

1. An ablation device, comprising:

an elongate body having proximal and distal ends, and an inner lumen extending therethrough, the inner lumen being configured to receive fluid therein and to deliver fluid to the distal end of the elongate body;

an ablation element positioned at the distal end of the elongate body, the ablation element being configured to heat surrounding tissue; and

a heater element disposed within the inner lumen adjacent to the distal end of the elongate body, the heater element being configured to heat fluid flowing through the inner lumen.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the inner lumen includes a delivery lumen configured to deliver fluid from the proximal end to the distal end of the elongate body, and a return lumen configured to receive fluid delivered to the distal end of the elongate body and to return the fluid to the proximal end of the elongate body.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the elongate body includes one or more outlet ports formed through a sidewall thereof adjacent to the distal end thereof, the outlet ports being configured to allow fluid to flow from the inner lumen and into surrounding tissue.

4. The device of claim 1, further comprising a temperature sensor disposed on a distal end of the ablation element.

5. The device of claim 1, further comprising a temperature sensor disposed within the inner lumen of the elongate body and in contact with the ablation element.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the heater element comprises at least one wire extending through the inner lumen and configured to pass RF electrical energy through fluid flowing through the inner lumen.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the ablation element forms a blunt distal tip of the elongate body that is configured to contact tissue without penetrating through the tissue.

8. The device of claim 1, further comprising a temperature sensor positioned adjacent to the distal end of the inner lumen at a location distal to the heater element.

9. A method of ablating tissue, comprising:

positioning a blunt distal portion of an elongate body in contact with tissue;

delivering ablative energy to the tissue through an ablation element on the blunt distal portion of the elongate body while simultaneously delivering fluid through the elongate body, the fluid being heated by a heater element disposed in a distal portion of the elongate body.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the fluid is heated to a temperature greater than at least about 20°

C.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the blunt distal portion of the elongate body does not penetrate the tissue.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the ablation element is positioned at the distal end of the elongate body and adjacent to the tissue.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein delivering fluid through the elongate body comprises delivering fluid through an inner lumen disposed within the elongate body.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the heater element is disposed within the inner lumen to heat the fluid.

15. The method of claim 9, wherein the fluid circulates through the elongate body and is received back at a proximal end thereof.

16. The method of claim 9, wherein the fluid delivered through the elongate body flows through one or more outlet ports formed in the ablation element.

17. The method of claim 9, further comprising detecting the temperature of the tissue in contact with the blunt distal portion of the elongate body using a temperature sensor disposed on a distal end of the elongate body.

18. The method of claim 9, further comprising detecting the temperature of the fluid delivered through the elongate body using a temperature sensor disposed distal to the heater element.