Helical needle apparatus for creating a virtual electrode used for the ablation of tissue
First Claim
1. A surgical system for creating a virtual electrode to ablate bodily tissue, the system comprising:
- a fluid source maintaining a supply of conductive fluid;
a current source for selectively supplying a current; and
a surgical instrument including;
an elongated device forming a helical needle configured to engage bodily tissue, the helical needle being hollow and fluidly connected to the fluid source for delivering the conductive fluid and terminating in a needle tip, wherein the helical needle includes a plurality of adjacent coils, and further wherein a pitch between each of the plurality of adjacent coils is variable, an electrode associated with the helical needle, the electrode being connected to the current source for applying a current to conductive fluid delivered from the helical needle to create a virtual electrode.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A surgical apparatus for delivering a conductive fluid to a target site for subsequent formation of a virtual electrode to ablate bodily tissue at the target site by applying a current to the delivered conductive fluid. The surgical apparatus includes an elongated device forming a helical needle. The helical needle is configured to engage bodily tissue and is hollow for delivering conductive fluid from a fluid source. Finally, the helical needle terminates in a needle tip. In one preferred embodiment, an electrode is associated with the helical needle for applying a current to conductive fluid delivered from the helical needle. During use, following delivery of conductive fluid, the electrode applies a current to the delivered conductive fluid for creating a virtual electrode. The virtual electrode ablates bodily tissue contacted by the conductive fluid.
325 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A surgical system for creating a virtual electrode to ablate bodily tissue, the system comprising:
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a fluid source maintaining a supply of conductive fluid;
a current source for selectively supplying a current; and
a surgical instrument including;
an elongated device forming a helical needle configured to engage bodily tissue, the helical needle being hollow and fluidly connected to the fluid source for delivering the conductive fluid and terminating in a needle tip, wherein the helical needle includes a plurality of adjacent coils, and further wherein a pitch between each of the plurality of adjacent coils is variable, an electrode associated with the helical needle, the electrode being connected to the current source for applying a current to conductive fluid delivered from the helical needle to create a virtual electrode. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. A surgical system for creating a virtual electrode to ablate bodily tissue, the system comprising:
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a fluid source maintaining a supply of conductive fluid;
a current source for selectively supplying a current; and
a surgical instrument including;
an elongated device forming a helical needle configured to engage bodily tissue, the helical needle being hollow and fluidly connected to the fluid source for delivering the conductive fluid and terminating in a needle tip, wherein the helical needle includes a plurality of adjacent coils defining an outer diameter, and further wherein the outer diameter is variable along at least a portion of a length of the helical needle an electrode associated with the helical needle, the electrode being connected to the current source for applying a current to conductive fluid delivered from the helical needle to create a virtual electrode. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A surgical system for creating a virtual electrode to ablate bodily tissue, the system comprising:
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a fluid source maintaining a supply of conductive fluid;
a current source for selectively supplying a current; and
a surgical instrument including;
an elongated device forming first and second helical needles each configured to engage bodily tissue, the helical needles being hollow and fluidly connected to the fluid source for delivering the conductive fluid, and each terminating in a needle tip, an electrode associated with at least one of the helical needles, the electrode being connected to the current source for applying a current to delivered conductive fluid to create a virtual electrode. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11)
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12. A surgical system for creating a virtual electrode to ablate bodily tissue, the system comprising:
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a fluid source maintaining a supply of conductive fluid;
a current source for selectively supplying a current; and
a surgical instrument including;
an elongated device forming a helical needle configured to engage bodily tissue, the helical needle being hollow and fluidly connected to the fluid source for delivering the conductive fluid and terminating in a needle tip, wherein the helical needle includes;
a central shaft, the shaft being hollow for delivering conductive fluid; and
a helical flight extending from an outer circumference of the central shaft an electrode associated with the helical needle, the electrode being connected to the current source for applying a current to conductive fluid delivered from the helical needle to create a virtual electrode.
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13. A surgical system for creating a virtual electrode to ablate bodily tissue, the system comprising:
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a fluid source maintaining a supply of conductive fluid;
a current source for selectively supplying a current; and
a surgical instrument including;
an elongated device forming a helical needle configured to engage bodily tissue, the helical needle being hollow and fluidly connected to the fluid source for delivering the conductive fluid and terminating in a needle tip, wherein the helical needle includes;
a substantially straight tube, the tube being hollow for delivering conductive fluid;
a disc extending radially from the tube; and
a plurality of starter threads extending from the disc spaced from the tube, the plurality of starter threads defining a helical pattern;
an electrode associated with the helical needle, the electrode being connected to the current source for applying a current to conductive fluid delivered from the helical needle to create a virtual electrode.
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14. A surgical system for creating a virtual electrode to ablate bodily tissue, the system comprising:
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a fluid source maintaining a supply of conductive fluid;
a current source for selectively supplying a current; and
a surgical instrument including;
an elongated device forming a helical needle configured to engage bodily tissue, the helical needle being hollow, fluidly connected to the fluid source and terminating in a needle tip, wherein the helical needle forms a continuous slit along an outer diameter for delivering conductive fluid an electrode associated with the helical needle, the electrode being connected to the current source for applying a current to conductive fluid delivered from the helical needle to create a virtual electrode.
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15. A surgical system for creating a virtual electrode to ablate bodily tissue, the system comprising:
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a fluid source maintaining a supply of conductive fluid;
a current source for selectively supplying a current; and
a surgical instrument including;
an elongated device forming a helical needle configured to engage bodily tissue, the helical needle being hollow, fluidly connected to the fluid source and terminating in a needle tip, wherein the helical needle forms a continuous slit along an inner diameter for delivering conductive fluid;
an electrode associated with the helical needle, the electrode being connected to the current source for applying a current to conductive fluid delivered from the helical needle to create a virtual electrode.
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Specification