Multiple electrode ablation apparatus

• US 5,536,267 A
• Filed: 08/12/1994
• Issued: 07/16/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 11/08/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: AngioDynamics, Inc.
• Original Assignee: ZoMed International, Inc.
• Inventors: Edwards, Stuart D., Lax, Ronald G., Sharkey, Hugh
• Primary Examiner(s): Sykes, Angela D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): PEFFLEY, MICHAEL F
• Application Number:
  US08/290,031
• Time in Patent Office: 704 Days
• Field of Search: 606/37-42, 606/45-52, 604/21, 604/22, 607/115, 607/116, 607/100-102
• US Class Current: 606/41
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1206 Generators therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/14 Probes or electrodes therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1402 Probes for open surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1477 Needle-like probes
• 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 18/1485 having a short rigid shaft for accessing the inner body through natural openings
• 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 18/18 by applying electromagnetic radiation, e.g. microwaves radiation therapy A61N5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1815 using microwaves
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00026 Conductivity or impedance, e.g. of tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00084 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00101 using an array of thermosensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00011 with fluids
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00023 closed, i.e. without wound contact by the fluid
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00196 reciprocating lengthwise
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00273 Anchoring means for temporary attachment of a device to tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00452 Skin
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00476 Hair follicles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00577 Ablation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00642 with feedback, i.e. closed loop control
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00666 : using a threshold value
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00678 : upper
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00702 : Power or energy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00708 : switching the power on or off
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00726 : Duty cycle
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00744 : Fluid flow
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00761 : Duration
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00779 : Power or energy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00791 : Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00797 : measured by multiple temperature sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00821 : measured by a thermocouple
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00827 : Current
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00875 : Resistance or impedance
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00892 : Voltage
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/124 : switching the output to different electrodes, e.g. sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1253 : monopolar
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/126 : bipolar
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1425 : Needle
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/143 : multiple needles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1432 : curved
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1435 : Spiral
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1472 : for use with liquid electrolyte, e.g. virtual electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/162 : located on the probe body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1861 : with an instrument inserted into a body lumen or cavity, e.g. a catheter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2218/002 : Irrigation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/007 : Side holes, e.g. their profiles or arrangements; Provisions to keep side holes unblocked
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/403 : for thermotherapy, e.g. hyperthermia
• CPC Class Codes: B22F 2999/00 : Aspects linked to processes or compositions used in powder metallurgy
• CPC Class Codes: B22F 3/1216 : Container composition
• CPC Class Codes: C22C 1/047 : comprising intermetallic compounds C22C1/0441 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C22C 14/00 : Alloys based on titanium
• CPC Class Codes: C22C 33/0285 : with Cr, Co, or Ni having a minimum content higher than 5%
• CPC Class Codes: C22F 1/183 : of titanium or alloys based thereon

Abstract

A tissue ablation apparatus includes a delivery catheter with distal and proximal ends. A handle is attached to the proximal end of the delivery catheter. At least partially positioned in the delivery catheter is an electrode deployment device. The electrode deployment device includes a plurality of retractable electrodes. Each electrode has a non-deployed state when it is positioned in the delivery catheter. Additionally, each electrode has a distended deployed state when it is advanced out of the delivery catheter distal end. The deployed electrodes define an ablation volume. Each deployed electrode has a first section with a first radius of curvature. The first section is located near the distal end of the delivery catheter. A second section of the deployed electrode extends beyond the first section, and has a second radius of curvature, or a substantially linear geometry.

Claims

1. A tissue ablation apparatus, comprising:

a delivery catheter with a distal end and a proximal end;

a handle attached to the proximal end of the delivery catheter;

an electrode deployment device positioned at least partially in the delivery catheter and including a plurality of retractable electrodes that are inserted into tissue, penetrate tissue and surround a selected mass, each electrode having a non-deployed state when positioned within the delivery catheter, and a distended deployed state when advanced from the distal end of the delivery catheter defining an ablation volume between the deployed electrodes, each deployed electrode having at least two radii of curvature when advanced through the distal end of the delivery catheter and positioned at a desired tissue site; and

an electrode advancement and retraction member connected to the electrode deployment device, for advancing the electrodes in and out of the delivery catheter distal end.

2. The tissue ablation apparatus of claim 1, wherein each electrode has at least two radii of curvature in one plane in the deployed state.

3. The tissue ablation apparatus of claim 1, wherein each electrode has at least two radii of curvature in two or more planes in the deployed state.

4. The tissue ablation apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one electrode has at least two radii of curvature in one plane in the distended deployed state, and at least one electrode has at least two radii of curvature in two or more planes in the distended deployed state.

5. The tissue ablation apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

an electrode template positioned at the distal end of the delivery catheter for guiding the deployment of the electrodes in a surrounding relationship to an exterior of a selected mass in the tissue.

6. The tissue ablation apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electrodes are hollow and include fluid distribution ports.

7. The tissue ablation apparatus of claim 6, further comprising:

a source of infusing medium coupled to each of the electrodes.

8. The tissue ablation apparatus of claim 6, further comprising:

a source of chemotherapeutic agent coupled to each of the electrodes.

9. The tissue ablation apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

an adjustable electrode insulator positioned adjacent to and in surrounding relationship to each of the electrodes, each adjustable electrode insulator being capable of being advanced and retracted along an electrode to define an electrode conductive surface.

10. The tissue ablation apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

one or more guide tubes positioned in the delivery catheter.

11. The tissue ablation apparatus of claim 1, wherein each electrode has a sharpened distal end.

12. The tissue ablation apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electrode deployment device is removable from the delivery catheter.

13. The tissue ablation apparatus of claim 12, further comprising:

a removable obturator positioned within the delivery catheter.

14. The tissue ablation apparatus of claim 13, wherein the obturator has a sharpened distal end.

15. The tissue ablation apparatus of claim 12, wherein the delivery catheter is removable from the handle.

16. The tissue ablation apparatus of claim 13, wherein the obturator is positioned in the delivery catheter and introduces the delivery catheter to an internal body site.

17. The tissue ablation apparatus of claim 13, wherein the obturator is removed from the delivery catheter after the delivery catheter is positioned at an internal body site, and the electrode deployment device is then positioned in the delivery catheter.

18. A tissue ablation apparatus, comprising:

a delivery catheter with a distal end and a proximal end;

a handle attached to the proximal end of the delivery catheter;

an electrode deployment device positioned at least partially in the delivery catheter and including a plurality of retractable electrodes that are inserted into tissue, penetrate tissue and surround a selected mass, each electrode having a non-deployed state when positioned within the delivery catheter, and a distended deployed state when advanced from the distal end of the delivery catheter defining an ablation volume between the deployed electrodes, each deployed electrode having at least one radii of curvature in two or more planes when advanced through the distal end of the delivery catheter and positioned at a desired tissue site; and

an electrode advancement and retraction, member connected to the electrode deployment device, for advancing the electrodes in and out of the delivery catheter distal end.

19. The tissue ablation apparatus of claim 18, further comprising:

an electrode template positioned at the distal end of the delivery catheter for guiding the deployment of the electrodes in a surrounding relationship to an exterior of a selected mass in the tissue.

20. The tissue ablation apparatus of claim 18, further comprising:

an adjustable electrode insulator positioned adjacent to and in surrounding relationship to each of the electrodes, each adjustable electrode insulator being capable of being advanced and retracted along an electrode to define an electrode conductive surface.

21. The tissue ablation apparatus of claim 18, further comprising:

one or more guide tubes positioned in the delivery catheter.

22. A tissue ablation apparatus, comprising:

a delivery catheter with a distal end and a proximal end;

a handle attached to the proximal end of the delivery catheter;

an electrode deployment device positioned at least partially in the delivery catheter and including a plurality of retractable electrodes that are inserted into tissue, penetrate tissue and surround a selected mass each electrode having a non-deployed state when positioned within the delivery catheter, and a distended deployed state when advanced from the distal end of the delivery catheter defining an ablation volume between the deployed electrodes, at least one deployed electrode having at least two radii of curvature, and at least one deployed electrode having at least one radius of curvature in two or more planes; and

an electrode advancement and retraction member connected to the electrode deployment device, for advancing the electrodes in and out of the delivery catheter distal end.

23. The tissue ablation apparatus of claim 22, further comprising:

an electrode template positioned at the distal end of the delivery catheter for guiding the deployment of the electrodes in a surrounding relationship to an exterior of a selected mass in the tissue.

24. The tissue ablation apparatus of claim 22, further comprising:

an adjustable electrode insulator positioned adjacent to and in surrounding relationship to each of the electrodes, each adjustable electrode insulator being capable of being advanced and retracted along an electrode to define an electrode conductive surface.

25. The tissue ablation apparatus of claim 22, further comprising:

one or more guide tubes positioned in the delivery catheter.

26. A tissue ablation apparatus, comprising:

a delivery catheter with a distal end and a proximal end;

a handle attached to the proximal end of the delivery catheter;

an electrode deployment device positioned at least partially in the delivery catheter including a plurality of retractable electrodes that are inserted into tissue, penetrate tissue and surround a selected mass, each electrode having a non-deployed state when positioned within the delivery catheter, and a distended deployed state when advanced out of the delivery catheter distal end defining an ablation volume between the deployed electrodes, at least one deployed electrode having at least one curved section located near the distal end of the delivery catheter, and a non-curved section extending beyond the curved section of the deployed electrode, and at least one deployed electrode having at least two radii of curvature; and

an electrode advancement and retraction member connected to the electrode deployment device, for advancing the electrodes in and out of the delivery catheter distal end.

27. The tissue ablation apparatus of claim 26, further comprising:

an electrode template positioned at the distal end of the delivery catheter for guiding the deployment of the electrodes in a surrounding relationship to an exterior of a selected mass in the tissue.

28. The tissue ablation apparatus of claim 26, further comprising:

an adjustable electrode insulator positioned adjacent to and in surrounding relationship to each of the electrodes, each adjustable electrode insulator being capable of being advanced and retracted along an electrode to define an electrode conductive surface.

29. The tissue ablation apparatus of claim 26, further comprising:

one or more guide tubes positioned in the delivery catheter.

30. A tissue ablation apparatus, comprising:

a delivery catheter with a distal end and a proximal end;

a handle attached to the proximal end of the delivery catheter;

an electrode deployment device positioned at least partially in the delivery catheter including a plurality of retractable electrodes that are inserted into tissue, penetrate tissue and surround a selected mass, each electrode having a non-deployed state when positioned within the delivery catheter, and a distended deployed state when advanced out of the delivery catheter distal end defining an oblation volume between the deployed electrodes, each deployed electrode having a first section with a first radius of curvature, the first section being located near the distal end of the delivery catheter, and a second section extending beyond the first section, the second section having one of a second radius of curvature, or a substantially linear geometry; and

an electrode advancement and retraction member connected to the electrode deployment device, for advancing the electrodes in and out of the delivery catheter.

31. The tissue ablation apparatus of claim 30, wherein each electrode includes a third section extending beyond the second section, the third section having a curved or substantially linear geometry that is in a lateral position in relation to the second section.

32. A tissue oblation apparatus, comprising:

a delivery catheter with a distal end and a proximal end;

a handle attached to the proximal end of the delivery catheter;

an electrode deployment device positioned at least partially in the delivery catheter and including a plurality of retractable electrodes that are inserted into tissue, penetrate tissue and surround a selected mass, each electrode having a non-deployed state when positioned within the delivery catheter, and a distended deployed state when advanced from the delivery catheter defining an ablation volume between the deployed electrodes, each deployed electrode having at least one radii of curvature; and

an electrode advancement and retraction member connected to the electrode deployment device, for advancing the electrodes in and out of the delivery catheter distal end.