Method and apparatus for positioning a diagnostic or therapeutic element on body tissue and mask element for use with same

• US 6,464,699 B1
• Filed: 03/24/2000
• Issued: 10/15/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 10/10/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Limited (Boston Scientific Corporation), Scimed Life Systems Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Scimed Life Systems Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Swanson, David K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Peffley, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): VRETTAKOS, PETER J
• Application Number:
  US09/535,234
• Time in Patent Office: 935 Days
• Field of Search: 606/41-42, 606/45-50, 607/101-102, 607/133, 607/138, 600/171, 600/175-176, 600/590, 600/593
• US Class Current: 606/41
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/00234 for minimally invasive surgery A61B17/0218, A61B17/0469, A61B17/12013, A61B17/1285, A61B17/29, A61B17/320016 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1402 Probes for open surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1445 at the distal end of a shaft, e.g. forceps or scissors at the end of a rigid rod
• 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 18/1492 having a flexible, catheter-like structure, e.g. for heart ablation A61B18/1477 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1815 using microwaves
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00243 cardiac
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00907 for light
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22038 with a guide wire
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00065 porous
• 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 2018/00136 with polymer
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0016 Energy applicators arranged in a two- or three dimensional array
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00214 Expandable means emitting energy, e.g. by elements carried thereon
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00351 Heart
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00577 Ablation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00797 measured by multiple temperature sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00815 measured by a thermistor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00821 measured by a thermocouple
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00898 : Alarms or notifications created in response to an abnormal condition
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0091 : Handpieces of the surgical instrument or device
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00916 : with means for switching or controlling the main function of the instrument or device
• 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 2018/1407 : Loop
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/142 : at least partly surrounding the target, e.g. concave, curved or in the form of a cave
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1475 : Electrodes retractable in or deployable from a housing

Abstract

A mask element for masking an operative element supported on a support body. The mask element includes a main body, including a side wall defining an interior bore and a side wall opening and an element within the side wall opening adapted to retain conductive liquid.

Claims

1. An apparatus for performing a diagnostic or therapeutic operation on body tissue, comprising:

a support structure defining an exterior;

at least one operative element carried on the exterior of the support structure; and

a mask element, including a side wall defining an interior bore and a side wall opening immovably secured during the operation to the exterior of the support structure such that a portion of the operative element is aligned with the side wall opening and a portion of the operative element is covered by the side wall.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the operative element comprises an electrode.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the operative element comprises a plurality of operative elements, the mask element includes a plurality of side wall openings, respective portions of the operative elements are aligned with the side wall openings and respective portions of the operative elements are covered by the side wall.

4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the mask element is substantially transparent.

5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the side wall of the mask element includes indicia for distinguishing between the respective operative elements.

6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mask element is formed from electrically and thermally insulating material.

7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mask element is formed from elastic material adapted to secure the mask element to the exterior of the support structure.

21. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the exterior of the support structure defines a periphery, the operative element extends completely around the periphery.

22. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mask element is secured to the support structure with adhesive.

8. An apparatus for performing a diagnostic or therapeutic operation on body tissue, comprising:

a support structure;

at least one operative element on the support structure; and

a mask element, including a side wall defining an interior bore, an exterior surface and a side wall opening extending from the interior bore to the exterior surface, positioned on the support structure such that a portion of the operative element is aligned with the side wall opening and a portion of the operative element is covered by the side wall; and

an element within the side wall opening adapted to retain conductive liquid within the side wall opening between the interior bore and the exterior surface.

9. An apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the element adapted to retain conductive liquid comprises a woven material.

10. An apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the element adapted to retain conductive liquid comprises a porous material.

11. An apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the element adapted to retain conductive liquid comprises hydrogel.

12. A mask element for masking an operative element supported on a support body, comprising:

a main body, including a side wall defining an interior bore, an exterior surface and a side wall opening extending from the interior bore to the exterior surface, adapted to be positioned on the support structure such that a portion of the operative element is aligned with the side wall opening and a portion of the operative element is covered by the side wall; and

an element within the side wall opening adapted to retain conductive liquid within the side wall opening between the interior bore and the exterior surface.

13. A mask element as claimed in claim 12, wherein the element adapted to retain conductive liquid comprises a woven material.

14. A mask element as claimed in claim 12, wherein the element adapted to retain conductive liquid comprises a porous material.

15. A mask element as claimed in claim 12, wherein the element adapted to retain conductive liquid comprises hydrogel.

16. A mask element as claimed in claim 12, wherein the operative element comprises a plurality of operative elements and the main body includes a plurality of side wall openings arranged such that respective portions of the operative elements may be aligned with the side wall openings and respective portions of the operative elements may be covered by the side wall.

17. A mask element as claimed in claim 16, wherein the main body is substantially transparent.

18. A mask element as claimed in claim 16, wherein the side wall of the main body includes indicia for distinguishing between the respective operative elements.

19. A mask element as claimed in claim 12, wherein the main body is formed from electrically and thermally insulating material.

20. A mask element as claimed in claim 12, wherein the main body is formed from elastic material.