Methods for volumetric tissue ablation
First Claim
1. An improved method for the hyperthermic treatment of a tumor in solid tissue, said method being of the type wherein an electrode is positioned at the tumor and radio frequency current delivered to the tissue to heat and necrose the tumor, wherein the improvement comprises positioning an array of electrodes at the tumor, wherein the array is configured to produce a lesion having a volume in a range from 1 cm3 to 150 cm3.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A volumetric tissue ablation apparatus includes a probe having a plurality of wires journaled through a catheter with a proximal end connected to the active terminal of a generator and a distal end projecting from a distal end of the catheter. The probe wire distal ends are arranged in an array with the distal ends located generally radially and uniformly spaced-apart from the catheter distal end. A conductor connected to the return terminal of the generator is located relative to the probe wire array to form a closed electrical circuit through tissue to be ablated. Preferably, the probe wire array includes 10 wires, each formed in an arch from the catheter distal end. The conductor can be either a conventional ground plate upon which the tissue is supported, or a conductor wire extending through the probe and electrically insulated from the probe wires.
93 Citations
5 Claims
- 1. An improved method for the hyperthermic treatment of a tumor in solid tissue, said method being of the type wherein an electrode is positioned at the tumor and radio frequency current delivered to the tissue to heat and necrose the tumor, wherein the improvement comprises positioning an array of electrodes at the tumor, wherein the array is configured to produce a lesion having a volume in a range from 1 cm3 to 150 cm3.
Specification