System and method for controlling tissue ablation
First Claim
1. A method for controlling tissue ablation using a tissue ablation system, the tissue ablation system including a control system coupled to tissue ablative apparatus and to interferometric apparatus, the control system configured to use interferomtric data from the interferomtric apparatus to detect interfaces between normal and abnormal tissue, said method comprising the steps of:
- generating interferometric data from a tissue with the interferometeric apparatus;
providing the interferometric data to the control system to detect whether an interface between an abnormal tissue and a normal tissue is present; and
if an interface is present, generating control signals with the control system to alter the operation of the tissue ablative apparatus.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A control system and method for controlling tissue ablation uses optical time domain reflectometry data to differentiate abnormal tissue from normal tissue, and to control ablation of abnormal tissue by controlling a tissue ablative apparatus. Using data provided by an interferometric apparatus, the control system provides control signals to the tissue ablative apparatus, controlling activation of the tissue ablation apparatus so that normal tissue is left untreated while abnormal tissue is ablated.
348 Citations
34 Claims
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1. A method for controlling tissue ablation using a tissue ablation system, the tissue ablation system including a control system coupled to tissue ablative apparatus and to interferometric apparatus, the control system configured to use interferomtric data from the interferomtric apparatus to detect interfaces between normal and abnormal tissue, said method comprising the steps of:
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generating interferometric data from a tissue with the interferometeric apparatus;
providing the interferometric data to the control system to detect whether an interface between an abnormal tissue and a normal tissue is present; and
if an interface is present, generating control signals with the control system to alter the operation of the tissue ablative apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
if abnormal tissue is detected, then advancing the tissue ablative apparatus into the abnormal tissue; and
enabling the tissue ablative apparatus.
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10. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the control system is coupled to an interferometric apparatus, and wherein detecting whether an interface is present comprises the steps of:
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generating interference data; and
using the interference data to identify the interface between an abnormal tissue and a normal tissue.
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11. A method in accordance with claim 10 wherein the interferometric apparatus includes a sampling optical fiber having a distal sampling end, and wherein detecting whether an interface between normal tissue and abnormal tissue is present comprises the steps of:
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generating a function from the interference data for reflected light intensity versus distance from the sampling end of the sampling optical fiber; and
examining the rate of decay of the function.
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12. A method in accordance with claim 11 wherein examining the rate of decay of the function comprises the step of identifying actual inflection points of the function.
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13. A method in accordance with claim 10 further comprising the step of using the interference data to generate a psuedoimage of a tissue.
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14. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the control system is coupled to a spectroscopic apparatus, and wherein detecting whether an interface is present comprises the steps of:
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generating spectroscopic data; and
using the spectroscopic data to identify an interface between abnormal tissue and normal tissue.
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15. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the tissue ablative apparatus includes a tissue ablative element coupled to an energy source, the energy source coupled to the control system, and wherein altering the operation of the tissue ablative apparatus comprises the step of altering control signals supplied to the energy source.
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16. A control system for controlling tissue ablative apparatus, said control system comprising:
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a microprocessor and an energy controller, said control system configured for coupling to the tissue ablative apparatus and to interferometric apparatus, said control system configured to use interferometric data from the interferometric apparatus to detect whether an interface between an abnormal tissue and a normal tissue is present and if an interface is present, to generate control signals to the energy controller to alter the operation of the tissue ablative apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
generate a function for reflected light intensity against distance from the sampling end of the sampling optical fiber utilizing the interference data; and
determine a rate of decay of the function.
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18. A system in accordance with claim 17 wherein to determine the rate of decay of the function, said system is configured to identify actual inflection points of the function.
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19. A system in accordance with claim 16 further configured to generate a psuedoimage of a tissue utilizing the interference data.
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20. A system in accordance with claim 16 wherein a spectroscopic apparatus configured to generate spectroscopic data is coupled to said control system, and wherein to detect whether an interface is present, said system is configured to:
identify an interface between abnormal tissue and normal tissue using the spectroscopic data.
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21. A system in accordance with claim 20 wherein the spectroscopic apparatus comprises Raman spectroscopic apparatus.
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22. A system in accordance with claim 20 wherein the spectroscopic apparatus comprises Rayleigh spectroscopic apparatus.
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23. A system in accordance with claim 16 wherein to alter the operation of the tissue ablative apparatus, said system is configured to enable the tissue ablative apparatus to ablate the abnormal tissue, if an interface between normal and abnormal tissue is detected.
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24. A system in accordance with claim 16 wherein to alter the operation of the tissue ablative apparatus, said system is configured to disenable the tissue ablative apparatus so that the normal tissue is unharmed, if an interface between abnormal and normal tissue is detected.
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25. A system in accordance with claim 16 wherein the tissue ablative apparatus includes a tissue ablative element coupled to an energy source, the energy source coupled to said control system, and wherein to alter the operation of the tissue ablative apparatus, said system is configured to alter control signals supplied to the energy source.
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26. A system in accordance with claim 16 wherein the tissue ablative apparatus includes a stepping motor, and wherein to alter the operation of the tissue ablative apparatus, said system configured to alter control signals supplied to the stepping motor.
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27. A tissue ablation system for ablating tissue, said system comprising:
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tissue ablative apparatus comprising a tissue ablative element and an ablation energy source;
interferometric apparatus comprising a low coherent light source, for providing interference data; and
a control system coupled to said interferometric apparatus, said control system comprising a microprocessor and an energy controller coupled to said ablation energy source for altering an energy signal supplied to said tissue ablative apparatus, said control system configured to use the interference data to detect whether an interface between normal tissue and abnormal tissue is present and if the interface is present, alter the energy signal supplied to the tissue ablative apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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Specification