Method and apparatus for tissue ablation

• US 6,699,240 B2
• Filed: 12/12/2001
• Issued: 03/02/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/26/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Francischelli, David E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gibson, Roy D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): ROANE, AARON F
• Application Number:
  US10/016,297
• Publication Number:
  US 20030073991A1
• Time in Patent Office: 811 Days
• Field of Search: 606/32, 606/41, 606/50, 606/51, 606/52, 607/98, 607/96, 607/101, 607/99, 607/100
• US Class Current: 606/32
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1402 Probes for open surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1442 Probes having pivoting end effectors, e.g. forceps
• 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 2018/00994 combining two or more different kinds of non-mechanical energy or combining one or more non-mechanical energies with ultrasound
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/126 bipolar
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1472 for use with liquid electrolyte, e.g. virtual electrodes

Abstract

An ablation system and a method of its use. The system includes a first elongated ablation component carrying a longitudinally extending mechanism for delivery of ablation energy along its length, and a second elongated ablation component movable relative to the first ablation component. The first and second components are provided with a mechanism mounted to and extending along the first and second components for magnetically attracting the first and second components toward one another along the length of the first mechanism for delivery of ablation energy. Preferably, the second elongated ablation component also carries a longitudinally extending mechanism for delivery of ablation energy along its length.

Claims

1. An ablation system, comprising:

a first elongated ablation component carrying a longitudinally extending first means for delivery of ablation energy;

a second elongated ablation component and movable relative to the first ablation component; and

means mounted to and extending along the first and second components for magnetically attracting the first and second ablation components toward one another along the length of the first means for delivery of ablation energy wherein the first component is manually shapeable and the second component is sufficiently flexible to be deflected into alignment with the first component by the attracting means.

2. A system as in claim 1 wherein the second elongated ablation component carries a longitudinally extending second means for delivery of ablation energy.

3. A system as in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the attracting means comprises a magnet mounted to one of the first and second components.

4. A system as in claim 3 wherein the magnet comprises a rare earth magnet.

5. A system as in claim 3 wherein the magnet comprises an electromagnet.

6. A system as in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the attracting means comprises magnets mounted to both of the first and second components.

7. A system as in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the first and second components are rigid.

8. A system as in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the first component is rigid and the second component is sufficiently flexible to be deflected into alignment with the first component by the attracting means.

9. A system as in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the first and second components are mounted to one another.

10. A system as in claim 9 wherein the first and second components are mounted to one another by means of a hinge.

11. A system as in claim 9 wherein the first and second components are mounted to jaws of an electrosurgical hemostat.

12. A system as in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the first and second components are not mounted to one another.

13. A system as in claim 12 wherein one of the first and second components is a catheter.

14. A system as in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein one of the first and second components are provided with a pre-formed curve.

15. A system as in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein both of the first and second components are provided with pre-formed curves.