Method and apparatus for applying thermal energy to tissue asymmetrically

• US 6,176,857 B1
• Filed: 09/22/1998
• Issued: 01/23/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 10/22/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Oratec Interventions Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Oratec Interventions Incorporated
• Inventors: Ashley, John E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dvorak, Linda C. M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): GIBSON, ROY DEAN
• Application Number:
  US09/158,320
• Time in Patent Office: 854 Days
• Field of Search: 606/32, 606/41, 606/50, 607/98, 607/99, 607/101, 607/102, 607/113
• US Class Current: 606/32
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/08 by means of electrically-heated 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 2018/00023 closed, i.e. without wound contact by the fluid
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00029 open
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00047 using Peltier effect
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00821 measured by a thermocouple

Abstract

Systems and methods are described for treating tissue with thermal energy while minimizing the amount of thermal energy to which adjacent tissue is exposed. A surgical instrument for delivering thermal energy to a section of tissue during percutaneous surgery, includes: an elongated shaft having a proximal end and a distal end; and a split tip electrode coupled to the distal end, the split tip electrode i) including a first component and a second component coupled to the first component, and ii) defining a principle axis. The thermal energy is delivered to the section of tissue so as to heat the section of tissue asymmetrically with regard to the principle axis of the split tip electrode. The systems and methods provide advantages in that thermal energy can be directed to one side of the split tip so that a first of two juxtaposed areas of a surgical site can be heated while a second of the two juxtaposed layers is substantially not heated. In alternate embodiments a portion of the site may be actively cooled while an adjacent portion of the site may be actively cooled.

Claims

1. A surgical instrument for delivering energy to a section of tissue during surgery, comprising:

an elongated probe having a proximal end and a distal end; and

an electrode coupled to said distal end, said electrode i) including a first component, and a second component coupled to said first component, and ii) defining a principle axis,

wherein energy is delivered to said section of tissue so as to heat said section of tissue asymmetrically with regard to said principle axis of said electrode,

wherein said first component includes a thin plate.

2. A surgical instrument for delivering energy to a section of tissue during surgery, comprising:

an elongated probe having a proximal end and a distal end; and

an electrode coupled to said distal end, said electrode i) including a first component and a second component coupled to said first component, and ii) defining a principle axis,

wherein energy is delivered to said section of tissue so as to heat said section of tissue asymmetrically with regard to said principle axis of said electrode,

wherein said first component is coupled to said second component with a pin.

3. A surgical instrument for delivering energy to a section of tissue during surgery, comprising:

an elongated probe having a proximal end and a distal end; and

an electrode coupled to said distal end, said electrode i) including a first component and a second component coupled to said first component, and ii) defining a principle axis,

wherein energy is delivered to said section of tissue so as to heat said section of tissue asymmetrically with regard to said principle axis of said electrode,

wherein ii) said first component includes a first stem and said second component includes a second stem and i) first component is coupled to said second component by inserting said second stem of said second component into a hole formed in said first stem of said first component, then sliding said second component toward said first component, and then inserting a pin between said first stem of said first component and said second stem of the second component.

4. A surgical instrument for delivering energy to a section of tissue during surgery, comprising:

an elongated probe having a proximal end and a distal end; and

an electrode coupled to said distal end, said electrode i) including a first component and a second component coupled to said first component, and ii) defining a principle axis,

wherein energy is delivered to said section of tissue so as to heat said section of tissue asymmetrically with regard to said principle axis of said electrode,

wherein said electrode is coupled to said distal end with a snap-fit connection.

5. A surgical instrument for delivering energy to a section of tissue during surgery, comprising:

an elongated probe having a proximal end and a distal end; and

an electrode coupled to said distal end, said electrode i) including a first component and a second component coupled to said first component, and ii) defining a principle axis,

wherein energy is delivered to said section of tissue so as to heat said section of tissue asymmetrically with regard to said principle axis of said electrode,

wherein said electrode is coupled to said distal end with a friction-fit connection.

6. A surgical instrument for delivering energy to a section of tissue during surgery, comprising:

an elongated probe having a proximal end and a distal end; and

an electrode coupled to said distal end, said electrode i) including a first component and a second component coupled to said first component, and ii) defining a principle axis,

wherein energy is delivered to said section of tissue so as to heat said section of tissue asymmetrically with regard to said principle axis of said electrode,

wherein said elongated probe includes a round tube that is integrally joined to said first component and said second component is located in an opening that is formed in said round tube.

7. A method for delivering energy to a section of tissue during surgery, comprising:

providing a surgical instrument having an electrode i) including a first component and a second component coupled to said first component, and ii) defining a principle axis;

inserting the electrode into a body to be treated which contains said section of tissue; and

delivering energy to said section of tissue so as to obtain a medically therapeutic result, wherein energy is delivered to said section of tissue so as to heat said section of tissue asymmetrically with regard to said principle axis of said electrode,

wherein inserting includes inserting said surgical instrument into an intervertebral disc.

8. A surgical instrument connectable by way of an energy coupling to an energy source to provide energy to a surgical site, said surgical instrument comprising:

a probe member including a distal and a proximal end and the proximal end portion including the energy coupling to the source of energy; and

a tip positioned at the distal end of said elongated probe, said tip including adjacent first and second portions and the first portion coupled to the energy coupling at the proximal end to provide energy to the surgical site and the second portion designed to limit energy delivery to the surgical site, and

further comprising;

a heat transfer tube extending from the second portion of the tip along a length of the probe, and the heat transfer tube coupled thermally to the second portion of the tip to remove energy from the second portion of the tip.

9. A surgical instrument, connectable by way of an energy coupling to an energy source to provide energy to a surgical site, said surgical instrument comprising:

a probe member including a distal and a proximal end and the proximal end portion including the energy coupling to the source of energy; and

a tip positioned at the distal end of said elongated probe, said tip including adjacent first and second portions and the first portion coupled to the energy coupling at the proximal end to provide energy to the surgical site and the second portion designed to limit energy delivery to the surgical site, wherein said surgical instrument is

connectable by way of a fluid coupling to a fluid supply, and

the distal end of the probe member further comprising the fluid coupling to the fluid supply; and

the tip further comprising a coupling between the second portion and the fluid coupling to provide a fluid from the fluid supply to the second portion and to remove the fluid, so as to remove energy from the second portion.