Systems and methods for controlling tissue ablation using multiple temperature sensing elements

• US 6,197,021 B1
• Filed: 09/17/1998
• Issued: 03/06/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 08/08/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: EP Technology (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: EP Technology (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Panescu, Dorin, Swanson, David K., Fleischman, Sidney D., Whayne, James G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Peffley, Michael
• Application Number:
  US09/154,941
• Time in Patent Office: 901 Days
• Field of Search: 606/31, 606/41, 606/42, 606/48-50, 607/101, 607/102, 600/549
• US Class Current: 606/31
• 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 18/12 by passing a current through the tissue to be heated, e.g. high-frequency current
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1206 Generators therefor
• 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 18/20 using laser
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00088 using thermistors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00092 using thermocouples
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00154 pulsed
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/003 Steerable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00083 low, i.e. electrically insulating
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00101 low, i.e. thermally insulating
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00107 Coatings on the energy applicator
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00148 with metal
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0016 Energy applicators arranged in a two- or three dimensional array
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00636 Sensing and controlling the application of energy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0066 without feedback, i.e. open loop control
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0069 using fuzzy logic
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00791 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00797 measured by multiple temperature sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00803 with temperature prediction
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00821 : measured by a thermocouple
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/124 : switching the output to different electrodes, e.g. sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/126 : bipolar
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/128 : generating two or more frequencies
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1435 : Spiral
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1467 : using more than two electrodes on a single probe
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/287 : Holders for multiple electrodes, e.g. electrode catheters for electrophysiological study [EPS]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6858 : with a distal basket, e.g. expandable basket
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 29/145 : Hydrogels or hydrocolloids
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 31/10 : Macromolecular materials
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 31/145 : Hydrogels or hydrocolloids
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/056 : Transvascular endocardial electrode systems
• 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: G01K 1/026 : arrangements for monitoring a plurality of temperatures, e.g. by multiplexing
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 3/14 : in respect of space

Abstract

Systems and associated methods place a temperature sensing element in an “edge region” between an energy transmitting electrode and a non-electrically conducting support body, where higher temperatures are likely to exist. Reliable temperature sensing, which is sensitive to variations in temperatures along the electrode, results.

Claims

1. A device for transmitting energy to body tissue, comprising:

a support element made of a material that does not conduct energy;

an electrode carried by the support element for contact with tissue, the electrode being made of a material that transmits energy, the electrode having at least one longitudinal end edge that contacts the material of the support element; and

at least one temperature sensing element substantially abutting the material of the support element that contacts the at least one longitudinal end edge of the electrode.

2. A device according to claim 1, further comprising:

at least one additional temperature sensing element carried by the electrode away from the at least one edge.

3. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electrode has first and second longitudinal end edges that contact the material of the support element and the at least one temperature sensing element comprises first and second temperature sensing elements respectively substantially abutting the material of the support element that contacts the first and second longitudinal end edges of the electrode.

4. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electrode comprises a metallic material attached about the support element.

5. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electrode comprises a helical electrode.

6. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support element is flexible and includes means for flexing the support element.

7. A device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the electrode is flexible and flexes with the support element.

8. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one temperature sensing element comprises a thermistor.

9. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one temperature sensing element comprises a thermocouple.

10. A device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

at least one additional temperature sensing element carried by the support body.

11. A device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

a second electrode carried by the support element for contact with tissue, the second electrode being made of a material that transmits energy, the electrode having at least one longitudinal end edge that contacts the material of the support element; and

at least one temperature sensing element substantially abutting the material of the support element that contacts the at least one longitudinal end edge of the second electrode.

12. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one temperature sensing element is carried by the electrode.

13. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support element defines a distal tip and the electrode is located proximally of the distal tip of the support element.

14. A device as claimed in claim 13, further comprising:

a tip electrode associated with the distal tip of the support element.