Multiple antenna ablation apparatus and method

• US 5,925,042 A
• Filed: 11/03/1997
• Issued: 07/20/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 08/15/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: AngioDynamics, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Rita Medical Systems Incorporated (AngioDynamics, Inc.)
• Inventors: Gough, Edward J., Stein, Alan A.
• Primary Examiner(s): PEFFLEY, MICHAEL F
• Application Number:
  US08/963,375
• Time in Patent Office: 624 Days
• Field of Search: 606/41, 606/42, 606/45-50, 607/100-102, 607/115, 607/116, 607/122, 607/156
• 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 2017/00022 Sensing or detecting at the treatment site
• 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 2018/00666 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 2018/00827 : 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 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 1/06 : for high-frequency therapy
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/403 : for thermotherapy, e.g. hyperthermia
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/04 : Radiators for near-field treatment

Abstract

An ablation treatment apparatus has a multiple antenna device. The multiple antenna device includes a primary antenna with a lumen, a longitudinal axis and an ablative surface area of length L₁. The multiple antenna device also includes a secondary antenna that is positionable in the primary antenna. A secondary antenna distal end is deployed at a selected tissue site from the primary antenna lumen in a lateral direction relative to the longitudinal axis. A sensor is at least partially positioned at an exterior of the secondary antenna distal end at a distance L₂ from the primary antenna along the secondary antenna distal end. L₂ is at least equal to 1/3 L₁. An energy source is coupled to the primary antenna.

Claims

1. An ablation treatment apparatus, comprising:

a multiple antenna device including a primary antenna with a lumen, a longitudinal axis and an ablative surface area of length L₁, and a secondary antenna positionable in the primary antenna and including a secondary antenna distal end deployable at a selected tissue site from the primary antenna lumen in a lateral direction relative to the longitudinal axis;

a sensor at least partially positioned at an exterior of the secondary antenna distal end at a distance L₂ from the primary antenna along the secondary antenna distal end, wherein L₂ is at least equal to 1/3 L₁ ; and

an energy source coupled to the primary antenna.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein L₂ is at least equal to 1/2 L₁.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein L₂ is at least equal to L₁.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a sensor monitoring device coupled to the sensor.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the sensor monitoring device is a temperature monitoring device.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a feedback control device coupled to the energy source and the sensor, wherein the feedback control device is responsive to a detected characteristic from the sensor and provides a delivery of electromagnetic energy output from the energy source the primary antenna.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the secondary antenna is an inactive electrode and the primary antenna is an active electrode.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the secondary antenna distal end is structurally less rigid than the primary antenna.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is switchable between bipolar and monopolar operation.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the primary antenna is hollow and coupled to an infusion medium source to receive an infusion medium.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the primary antenna has an ablation surface with a length that is at least 20% of a length of an ablation surface of the secondary antenna.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, the primary antenna has an ablation surface with a length that is at least one-third of a length of an ablation surface of the secondary antenna.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the primary antenna has an ablation surface with a length that is at least one-half of a length of an ablation surface of the secondary antenna.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein two secondary electrodes are provided and laterally deployed from the primary antenna, each of the primary and secondary antennas having an ablation surface to create an ablation volume between the ablation surfaces.

15. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein three secondary electrodes are provided and laterally deployed from the primary antenna, each of the primary and secondary antennas having an ablation surface to create an ablation volume between the ablation surfaces.

16. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

an insulation sleeve positioned in a surrounding relationship around at least a portion of an exterior of the primary antenna.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the insulation sleeve is adjustably moveable along an exterior of the primary antenna.

18. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

an insulation sleeve positioned in a surrounding relationship around at least a portion of an exterior of the secondary antenna.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the insulation sleeve is adjustably moveable along an exterior of the secondary antenna.

20. The apparatus of claim 1, further including a ground pad electrode with the primary antenna operating in a monopolar mode.

21. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the primary antenna is an RF antenna.

22. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the primary antenna is a microwave antenna.

23. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the secondary antenna is an inactive antenna.

24. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the primary antenna is hollow and coupled to an infusion medium source to receive an infusion medium.

25. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the secondary antenna distal end is less structurally rigid than the primary antenna.

26. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a cooling element coupled to the primary antenna.

27. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the cooling element comprises:

a structure positioned in an interior of the primary antenna including at least one channel configured to receive a cooling medium.

28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the cooling medium is recirculated through the channel.

29. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the distal end of the primary antenna is open.

30. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the distal end of the primary antenna is closed.

31. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the cooling element is positioned in an interior of the primary antenna.

32. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the cooling element is positioned at an exterior surface of the primary antenna.

33. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the cooling element is positioned within a wall defining the primary antenna.

34. A method for creating an ablation volume in a selected tissue mass, comprising:

providing an ablation device with a primary antenna with an electromagnetic energy delivery surface, a secondary antenna with a distal end, a sensor at least partially positioned at an exterior of the secondary antenna distal end, and an energy source coupled to the primary antenna;

inserting the primary antenna into the selected tissue mass;

inserting the secondary antenna at least partially in the primary antenna after the primary antenna is advanced through the selected tissue mass;

advancing the secondary antenna distal end out of the primary antenna lumen and into the selected tissue mass in a lateral direction relative to a longitudinal axis of the primary antenna;

delivering electromagnetic energy from the primary antenna ablation surface to the selected tissue mass;

measuring a temperature of the selected tissue mass at the sensor; and

creating an ablation volume in the selected tissue mass.

35. The method of claim 34 wherein the secondary antenna is a inactive antenna.

36. The method of claim 34, wherein the secondary antenna distal end is an electromagnetic energy delivery surface.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein secondary antenna distal end is advanced out of a distal end of the primary antenna.

38. The method of claim 34, wherein the ablation device is operated in a monopolar mode.

39. The method of claim 34, wherein the ablation device is operated in a bipolar mode.

40. The method of claim 34, wherein the ablation device is switchable between monopolar and bipolar operation.

41. The method of claim 34, wherein the sensor measures temperature.