Thermal treatment apparatus
First Claim
1. Thermal treatment apparatus for selectively treating a targeted tissue adjacent a subject'"'"'s body cavity, comprising a closed system of circulating fluid and a controller for controlling said closed system, said closed system including:
- (a) a temperature-setting device for providing a predetermined temperature to a quantity of fluid circulating therethrough, including;
(i) a tubular element having electrical conductivity and thermal conductivity configured to apply heat to circulating fluid as the circulating fluid flows therethrough, said tubular element having two ends connectable to electrically and thermally insulating tubular elements;
(ii) a housing element for receiving said tubular element, said housing element including fastening elements, said fastening elements including a connector member having electrical conductivity connectable to an electrical circuit; and
(iii) a transformer element operatively associated with said electrical circuit, said transformer element electrically connected to said controller;
(b) a catheter insertable into a body cavity, said catheter in fluid communication with said tubular element of said temperature-setting device, said catheter including a thermal treating section for thermally treating a targeted tissue adjacent said body cavity by circulating fluid of a predetermined temperature through said thermal treating section in a closed loop system, said catheter being disposable;
(c) a pump for pumping said fluid of predetermined temperature through said closed loop system, said pump in fluid communication with said tubular element of said temperature-setting device, said pump electrically connected to said controller; and
(d) a thermal sensor assembly for sensing the temperature of fluid circulating into said catheter, said thermal sensor assembly in communication with the fluid that circulates through said catheter, said thermal sensor assembly electrically connected to said controller.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A temperature-setting device for providing a predetermined temperature to a quantity of fluid circulating therethrough, a thermal treatment apparatus including such device for selectively treating a targeted tissue adjacent a subject'"'"'s body cavity, and techniques using such thermal treatment apparatus are provided. The temperature-setting device comprises: an electrically conducting tubular element, a housing element for receiving the tubular element; and a transformer electrically connectable to the housing element. The tubular element functions as a resistor and heats the fluid circulating therethrough. Alternatively, the housing element comprises a thermal conducting member disposed within a bath of a cooling substance, the thermal conducting member having a recess for receiving the tubular element. The tubular element may alternately be placed in a housing element functioning as a heater and a housing element functioning as a cooler, thereby alternately heating or cooling the fluid circulating therethrough. The thermal treatment apparatus comprises: a temperature-setting device according to the present invention; a catheter insertable into a subject'"'"'s body cavity, the catheter including a thermal treating section for thermally treating a targeted tissue; a pump; thermal sensor assemblies; and an air trapping element.
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Citations
35 Claims
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1. Thermal treatment apparatus for selectively treating a targeted tissue adjacent a subject'"'"'s body cavity, comprising a closed system of circulating fluid and a controller for controlling said closed system, said closed system including:
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(a) a temperature-setting device for providing a predetermined temperature to a quantity of fluid circulating therethrough, including;
(i) a tubular element having electrical conductivity and thermal conductivity configured to apply heat to circulating fluid as the circulating fluid flows therethrough, said tubular element having two ends connectable to electrically and thermally insulating tubular elements;
(ii) a housing element for receiving said tubular element, said housing element including fastening elements, said fastening elements including a connector member having electrical conductivity connectable to an electrical circuit; and
(iii) a transformer element operatively associated with said electrical circuit, said transformer element electrically connected to said controller;
(b) a catheter insertable into a body cavity, said catheter in fluid communication with said tubular element of said temperature-setting device, said catheter including a thermal treating section for thermally treating a targeted tissue adjacent said body cavity by circulating fluid of a predetermined temperature through said thermal treating section in a closed loop system, said catheter being disposable;
(c) a pump for pumping said fluid of predetermined temperature through said closed loop system, said pump in fluid communication with said tubular element of said temperature-setting device, said pump electrically connected to said controller; and
(d) a thermal sensor assembly for sensing the temperature of fluid circulating into said catheter, said thermal sensor assembly in communication with the fluid that circulates through said catheter, said thermal sensor assembly electrically connected to said controller. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 15, 16, 19, 30, 31)
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8. Thermal treatment apparatus for selectively treating a targeted tissue adjacent a subject'"'"'s body cavity, comprising a closed system of circulating fluid and a controller for controlling said closed system, said closed system including:
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(a) a temperature-setting device for providing a predetermined temperature to a quantity of fluid circulating therethrough, including;
(i) a tubular element having electrical conductivity and thermal conductivity configured to allow circulating fluid to flow therethrough;
(ii) a housing element for receiving said tubular element, said housing element comprising an electrical circuit operatively associated with said tubular element and a fastening member for anchoring said tubular element therein; and
(iii) a transformer element connectable to said electrical circuit, said transformer element electrically connected to said controller;
(b) a catheter insertable into a body cavity, said catheter in fluid communication with said tubular element of said temperature-setting device, said catheter including a thermal treating section for thermally treating a targeted tissue adjacent said body cavity by circulating fluid of a predetermined temperature through said thermal treating section, said catheter being disposable;
(c) a pump for pumping said fluid of predetermined temperature through said closed system, said pump in fluid communication with said tubular element of said temperature-setting device, said pump electrically connected to said controller; and
(d) a thermal sensor assembly for sensing the temperature of fluid circulating into and/or out of said catheter, said thermal sensor assembly electrically connected to said controller, wherein the voltage produced in said electrical circuit is between about 1-5 volts.
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10. Thermal treatment apparatus for selectively treating a targeted tissue adjacent a subject'"'"'s body cavity by exchanging heat with said targeted tissue, comprising a closed system of circulating fluid and a controller for controlling said closed system, said closed system including:
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(a) a temperature-setting device for providing a predetermined temperature to a quantity of fluid circulating through the closed system;
including(i) a tubular element having thermal conductivity for receiving a quantity of circulating fluid; and
(ii) a housing element for receiving said tubular element, said housing element configured for exchanging heat with said tubular element, said housing element detachably connectable to said tubular element;
(b) a catheter insertable into a body cavity, said catheter in fluid communication with said tubular element of said temperature-setting device, said catheter including a thermal treating section for thermally treating a targeted tissue adjacent said body cavity by circulating fluid of a predetermined temperature through said thermal treating section, said catheter being disposable;
(c) a pump for pumping said fluid of predetermined temperature through said closed system, said pump in fluid communication with said tubular element of said temperature-setting device, said pump electrically connected to said controller; and
(d) a thermal sensor assembly for sensing the temperature of fluid circulating into and/or out of said catheter, said thermal sensor assembly in communication with said tubular element of said temperature-setting device, said thermal sensor assembly electrically connected to said controller. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 17, 18, 32, 33)
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13. Thermal treatment apparatus for selectively treating a targeted tissue adjacent a subject'"'"'s body cavity by heating and cooling said targeted tissue, comprising a closed loop system of circulating fluid and a controller for controlling said closed loop system, said closed loop system including:
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(a) a temperature-setting device for heating and cooling a quantity of fluid circulating therethrough, including;
(i) a tubular element having thermal conductivity for selectively heating a quantity of circulating fluid flowing therethrough, said tubular element having two ends connectable to thermally insulating tubular elements;
(ii) a housing element for alternately heating and cooling said tubular element, said housing element including two thermal conducting plates, each having a recess, said recesses defining a tunnel for receiving said tubular element under pressure;
(iii) a heating source detachably connectable to said housing element; and
(iv) a cooling source detachably connectable to said housing element, said housing element configured for controllably heating and cooling said tubular element, thereby alternately heating and cooling the fluid circulating therethrough;
(b) a catheter insertable into a body cavity, said catheter connectable to said tubular element of said temperature-setting device by means of said insulating tubular element, said catheter including a thermal treating section for thermally treating a targeted tissue adjacent said body cavity by circulating fluid of a predetermined temperature through said thermal treating section, said catheter being disposable;
(c) a pump for pumping said fluid of predetermined temperature through said closed loop circulating fluid system, said pump connectable to said tubular element of said temperature-setting device by means of said insulating tubular element, said pump electrically connected to said controller; and
(d) a thermal sensor assembly for sensing the temperature of fluid circulating into and/or out of said catheter, said thermal sensor assembly comprising a thermal tube having two ends, one of said ends connectable to said catheter and the other of said ends connectable to said tubular element of said temperature-setting device by means of said insulating tubular elements, said thermal sensor assembly electrically connected to said controller. - View Dependent Claims (14)
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20. Thermal treatment apparatus for selectively treating a targeted tissue adjacent a subject'"'"'s body cavity, comprising a closed system of circulating fluid and a controller for controlling said closed system, said closed system including:
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(a) a temperature-setting device for providing a predetermined temperature to a quantity of fluid circulating therethrough, including;
(i) a tubular element having electrical conductivity and thermal conductivity for exchanging heat with a quantity of circulating fluid flowing therethrough;
(ii) a housing element for receiving said tubular element, said housing element including an electrical circuit operatively associate with said tubular element and a fastening member for anchoring said tubular element therein; and
(iii) a transformer element in communication with said electrical circuit, said transformer element electrically connected to said controller;
(b) a catheter insertable into a body cavity, said catheter in fluid communication with said tubular element of said temperature-setting device, said catheter including a thermal treating section for thermally treating a targeted tissue adjacent said body cavity by circulating fluid of a predetermined temperature through said thermal treating section, said catheter being disposable;
(c) a pump for pumping said fluid of predetermined temperature through said closed system, said pump in fluid communication with said tubular element of said temperature-setting device, said pump electrically connected to said controller; and
(d) a thermal sensor assembly for sensing the temperature of fluid circulating into said catheter, said thermal sensor assembly operatively associated with said tubular element of said temperature-setting device, said thermal sensor assembly electrically connected to said controller, wherein said thermal sensor assembly includes;
a thermal sensor;
a disposable metal tube connectible to the end of a passageway of the catheter to receive the fluid flowing therethrough;
a metal thermal coupling member formed with a recess on one face for receiving the thermal sensor therein, a recess on the opposite face complementary to the shape of the metal tube for receiving the metal tube therein, and a relatively then web between the two recesses; and
a cover pressing said metal tube to said thermal coupling member.
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21. A closed loop thermal treatment apparatus for a body cavity, comprising:
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(a) a catheter for insertion into the body cavity, said catheter being capable of circulating a quantity of circulating fluid;
(b) a temperature-setting device for setting a temperature of said fluid being received by said catheter, said temperature-setting device comprising;
(i) a tubular element, said tubular element being attached to said catheter such that fluid flows through said tubular element to said catheter; and
(ii) a power source operably associated with said tubular element to supply power to said tubular element such that said tubular element controllably heats the circulating fluid as the fluid flows therethrough; and
(c) a pump in fluid communication with said tubular element, said pump configured to drive said fluid through said tubular element; and
(d) an air trap in fluid communication with said circulating fluid for removing air from said circulating fluid. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 27, 34, 35)
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25. A thermal treatment apparatus for a body cavity, comprising:
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(a) a catheter for insertion into the body cavity, said catheter being capable of receiving a quantity of circulating fluid, said catheter comprising;
(i) an inflatable thermal treating section configured to be placed within the body cavity, said inflatable thermal treating section being formed at one end portion of said catheter;
(ii) a first passageway and a second passageway connected to said inflatable thermal treating section such that said fluid flows from said catheter into said inflatable thermal treating section;
(b) a temperature-setting device for setting a temperature of said fluid being received by said catheter, said temperature-setting device comprising;
(i) a tubular element, said tubular element being attached to said catheter such that fluid flows through said tubular element to said catheter; and
(ii) a transformer electrically connected to said tubular element, said transformer configured to supply power to said tubular element such that said tubular element heats the fluid as the fluid flows therethrough; and
(c) a pump in fluid communication with said tubular element, said pump configured to drive said fluid through said tubular element; and
(d) an air trap in fluid communication with said circulating fluid for removing air from said circulating fluid;
wherein said catheter further comprises;
an insulating chamber forming an outer portion of said catheter, said insulating chamber surrounding at least a portion of said first passageway an at least a portion of said second passageway, substantially before said first passageway and said second passageway connect to said inflatable thermal treating section, said insulating chamber containing a non-heated fluid, such that substantially only said inflatable thermal treating section is able to radiate heat sufficient to thermally ablate tissue. - View Dependent Claims (26)
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28. A closed loop thermal treatment apparatus for a body cavity, comprising:
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(a) a catheter for insertion into the body cavity, said catheter being capable of receiving a quantity of circulating fluid;
(b) a temperature-setting device for setting a temperature of said circulating fluid being received by said catheter, said temperature-setting device comprising;
(i) a tubular element, said tubular element being attached to said catheter such that circulating fluid flows through said tubular element to said catheter; and
(ii) a transformer electrically connected to said tubular element, said transformer configured to supply power to said tubular element such that said tubular element heats the circulating fluid as the fluid flows therethrough; and
(c) a pump in fluid communication with said tubular element, said pump configured to drive said fluid through said tubular element; and
(d) an air trap in fluid communication with said circulating fluid for removing air from said circulating fluid, wherein said air trap comprises a plurality of valves, such that said fluid flows into said air trap substantially only when said valves are open, said valves being open substantially only when the apparatus is being primed. - View Dependent Claims (29)
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Specification