Method and systems for volumetric tissue ablation
First Claim
1. A method for treating a treatment region within solid tissue of a patient with radio frequency current, said method comprising:
- introducing at least three electrodes in a distal direction through tissue to a site within solid tissue proximate the treatment region, wherein said electrodes remain radially constrained while being introduced;
advancing said at least three electrodes distally from the site within solid tissue, wherein said electrodes diverge radially outwardly in a three-dimensional pattern as they are advanced through solid tissue; and
establishing radio frequency current flow among the at least three electrodes.
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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.
153 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method for treating a treatment region within solid tissue of a patient with radio frequency current, said method comprising:
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introducing at least three electrodes in a distal direction through tissue to a site within solid tissue proximate the treatment region, wherein said electrodes remain radially constrained while being introduced;
advancing said at least three electrodes distally from the site within solid tissue, wherein said electrodes diverge radially outwardly in a three-dimensional pattern as they are advanced through solid tissue; and
establishing radio frequency current flow among the at least three electrodes. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A probe system for penetrating a plurality of electrodes into solid tissue, said probe system comprising:
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a rigid cannula having a proximal end and a distal end;
a self-penetrating element on the cannula to enhance tissue penetration; and
a plurality of at least three electrode elements radially constrained within the cannula, wherein the electrode elements can be advanced distally forward from the distal end of the cannula so that the electrode elements emerge and deflect as a result of their own spring memory in a radially outward pattern, wherein the electrode elements curve radially outwardly as they are advanced. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification