Ultrasound probe with thermal sensing

• US 5,685,839 A
• Filed: 05/11/1995
• Issued: 11/11/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 08/12/1982
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hugh J. Sharkey, Ingemar H. Lundquist, James A. Baker, Ronald G. Lax, Stuart D. Edwards
• Original Assignee: Hugh J. Sharkey, Ingemar H. Lundquist, James A. Baker, Ronald G. Lax, Stuart D. Edwards
• Inventors: Sharkey, Hugh R., Lax, Ronald G., Edwards, Stuart D., Baker, James A., Lundquist, Ingemar H.
• Primary Examiner(s): MENDEZ, MANUEL A
• Application Number:
  US08/439,191
• Time in Patent Office: 915 Days
• Field of Search: 604/19-22, 604/53, 604/164, 604/280, 606/39, 606/32, 606/45, 607/96, 607/113, 607/115, 607/116, 607/138, 607/156, 607/101, 607/102, 607/97-99
• US Class Current: 604/22
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/0233 Pointed or sharp biopsy instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/0241 for prostate
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/0275 with sample notch, e.g. on the side of inner stylet
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/06 Biopsy forceps , e.g. with cup-shaped jaws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/00 Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body eye surgery A61F9/007; ear surgery A61F11/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/082 Probes or electrodes therefor
• 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 18/1442 Probes having pivoting end effectors, e.g. forceps
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1477 Needle-like probes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/148 having a short, rigid shaft for accessing the inner body transcutaneously, e.g. for neurosurgery or arthroscopy
• 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 18/18 by applying electromagnetic radiation, e.g. microwaves radiation therapy A61N5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1815 using microwaves
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/24 with a catheter A61B18/26, A61B18/28 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00084 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00092 using thermocouples
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00101 using an array of thermosensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00106 : ultrasonic
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00123 : and automatic shutdown
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00181 : Means for setting or varying the pulse energy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00194 : Means for setting or varying the repetition rate
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00274 : Prostate operation, e.g. prostatectomy, turp, bhp treatment
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00292 : mounted on or guided by flexible, e.g. catheter-like, means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/003 : Steerable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00867 : shape memory effect for prostheses A61F2210/0014
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22038 : with a guide wire
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22072 : with an instrument channel, e.g. for replacing one instrument by the other in cannulas A61B17/3417
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22077 : with a part piercing the tissue A61B2017/22044 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22082 : after introduction of a substance
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/248 : Operations for treatment of snoring, e.g. uvulopalatoplasty
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2939 : Details of linkages or pivot points
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/3488 : Fixation to inner organ or inner body tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00005 : Cooling or heating of the probe or tissue immediately surrounding the probe
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00011 : with fluids
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00041 : Heating, e.g. defrosting
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00083 : low, i.e. electrically insulating
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00095 : high, i.e. heat conducting
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00101 : low, i.e. thermally insulating
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00196 : reciprocating lengthwise
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0022 : Balloons
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00547 : Prostate
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00577 : Ablation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00678 : upper
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00702 : Power or energy
• 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 2018/00791 : 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 2018/00886 : Duration
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0091 : Handpieces of the surgical instrument or device
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00916 : with means for switching or controlling the main function of the instrument or device
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00946 : slidable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0097 : Cleaning probe surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00982 : combined with or comprising means for visual or photographic inspections inside the body, e.g. endoscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1253 : monopolar
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/126 : bipolar
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1273 : including multiple generators in one device
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/128 : generating two or more frequencies
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1425 : Needle
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1861 : with an instrument inserted into a body lumen or cavity, e.g. a catheter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/2238 : with means for selectively laterally deflecting the tip of the fibre
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0814 : Preventing re-use
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3614 : using optical fibre
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/378 : using ultrasound
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3782 : transmitter or receiver in catheter or minimal invasive instrument
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3786 : receiver only
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3925 : ultrasonic
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2217/005 : with suction drainage system
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2217/007 : with irrigation system
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0054 : with a closed fluid circuit, e.g. hot water
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0086 : the needles having bent tips, i.e. the needle distal tips are angled in relation to the longitudinal axis of the catheter
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0087 : Multiple injection needles protruding laterally from the distal tip
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0089 : Single injection needle protruding axially, i.e. along the longitudinal axis of the catheter, from the distal tip
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0096 : being laterally outward extensions or tools, e.g. hooks or fibres
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/018 : Catheters having a lateral opening for guiding elongated means lateral to the catheter
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0068 : Static characteristics of the catheter tip, e.g. shape, atraumatic tip, curved tip or tip structure
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 3/0279 : Cannula; Nozzles; Tips; their connection means
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/06 : for high-frequency therapy
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/40 : Applying electric fields by inductive or capacitive coupling microwave apparatus A61N5/00; Applying radio-frequency signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/403 : for thermotherapy, e.g. hyperthermia
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/02 : using microwaves
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/04 : Radiators for near-field treatment
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/045 : specially adapted for treatment inside the body

Abstract

A medical probe apparatus comprising a catheter having a stylet guide housing with one or more stylet ports therein and stylet guides for directing one or more flexible stylets outward through respective stylet ports and through intervening tissue to target tissue. The active stylets emit radio frequency RF energy which establishes an RF current in the patient. The current, being densest at the stylet tips, causes heating of the surrounding tissue to initiate ablation of the target tissue. One aspect of the invention includes temperature sensing stylets at the location of the RF emitting stylets to monitor the temperature of the tissue being ablated. This allows the surgeon to have increased knowledge about the abating action under way in order to control the intensity of the applied RF current, or to adjust the amount of time the current is applied, or both. Further included herein is a plurality of temperature sensors mounted on an ultrasound probe to be used to monitor tissue temperature at the ultrasound probe while allowing the ultrasound device to monitor the position and orientation of the medical probe apparatus of the present invention.

Claims

1. A medical device, comprising an ultrasound probe having a distal end portion for insertion into a body, a first condom mounted over the distal end portion of the ultrasound probe, a second condom mounted over the first condom, and a temperature sensor positioned between the two condoms for monitoring temperature within the body near the probe.

2. The medical device of claim 1 wherein the temperature sensor is adhesively affixed to the outer surface of the first condom.

3. The medical device of claim 1 wherein the temperature sensor is held in position between the two condoms by a Velcro-type fastener.

4. A medical device, comprising an ultrasound probe having an elongated distal end portion for insertion into a body, a first condom mounted over the distal end portion of the ultrasound probe and having a longitudinally extending groove opening through the outer surface thereof, a temperature sensor affixed to the outer surface near the groove, and an electrical cable connected to the temperature sensor and disposed in the groove.

5. The medical device of claim 4 including a second condom mounted over the first named condom and the temperature sensor.

6. The medical device of claim 4 wherein the temperature sensor is affixed to the outer surface of the condom by a Velcro-type fastener.

7. A medical device, comprising an ultrasound probe having an elongated distal end portion for insertion into a body, a condom mounted over the distal end portion of the ultrasound probe, a temperature sensor affixed to an outer surface of the condom, and an electrical cable extending proximally from the temperature sensor.

8. The medical device of claim 7 including a second condom mounted over the first named condom and the temperature sensor.

9. The medical device of claim 7 wherein the temperature sensor is adhesively affixed to the outer surface of the condom.

10. The medical device of claim 7 wherein the temperature sensor is affixed to the outer surface of the condom by adhesive tape.

11. The medical device of claim 7 wherein the temperature sensor is affixed to the outer surface of the condom by a Velcro-type fastener.