Tissue warming device and method

• US 6,932,771 B2
• Filed: 02/05/2003
• Issued: 08/23/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/09/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CIVCO Medical Instruments Company Incorporated (Roper Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: CIVCO Medical Instruments Company Incorporated (Roper Technologies, Inc.)
• Inventors: Barzell, Winston E., Whitmore, Willet F.
• Primary Examiner(s): GIBSON, ROY DEAN
• Application Number:
  US10/358,199
• Publication Number:
  US 20030144593A1
• Time in Patent Office: 930 Days
• Field of Search: 600/437, 600/439, 600/459
• US Class Current: 600/459
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/02 by cooling, e.g. cryogenic techniques devices for cooling specific reflex points of the body within cell-life limits A61H39/06
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/378 using ultrasound
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/12 in body cavities or body tracts, e.g. by using catheters catheters per se A61M25/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4281 characterised by sound-transmitting media or devices for coupling the transducer to the tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0028 Rectum

Abstract

The present invention relates to a tissue warming device for use with an ultrasound probe having top and bottom sides located diametrically opposite to each other viewed from a frontal cross-section of the probe. The device includes a sheath configured and dimensioned to receive at least a portion of the probe. A first sack, which is associated with the sheath, covers at least a portion of the top side of the probe. The sack includes first and second passages. The first passage allows warm fluid to be directed into the first sack for expansion thereof. The second passage allows fluid to be removed from the first sack. When expanded with warm fluid, the first sack warms body tissue disposed adjacent thereto. The warm fluid may be a warm liquid, such as an aqueous liquid.

Claims

1. A device for use with an ultrasound probe having an ultrasound emitter, the device comprising:

a sleeve configured and dimensioned to receive at least a portion of the probe therein;

a sheath operatively associated with the sleeve, the sheath and the sleeve defining a first substantially enclosed volume therebetween, wherein when the probe is received within the sleeve, the first substantially enclosed volume covers at least a portion of the ultrasound emitter;

a first passage comprising a first opening fluidically associated with the first substantially enclosed volume for introducing a warm or cool liquid into the first substantially enclosed volume for expansion thereof and to warm or cool body tissue adjacent the first substantially enclosed volume; and

a second passage having a second opening fluidically associated with the first substantially enclosed volume for removing liquid therefrom.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the first and second openings are the same opening.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the first opening is spaced apart from the second opening.

4. The device of claim 3, further comprising a first pump to provide a flow of liquid into the first substantially enclosed volume through the first passage and a flow of liquid out of the first substantially enclosed volume through the second passage.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein the device comprises a liquid heater configurable to heat the liquid to a temperature of at least 33°

C.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the device comprises a liquid heater configurable to heat the liquid to a temperature of at least 37°

C.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the device comprises a liquid heater configurable to heat the liquid to a temperature of at least 40°

C.

8. The device of claim 4, wherein the device comprises a liquid cooler configurable to cool the liquid to a temperature of less than 37°

C.

9. The device of claim 4, wherein the device comprises a liquid cooler configurable to cool the liquid to a temperature of less than 10°

C.

10. The device of claim 4, comprising a second pump that cooperates with the first pump to provide the flow of warm or cool liquid into the first substantially enclosed volume and the flow of liquid out of the first substantially enclosed volume.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the sheath further comprises a second substantially enclosed volume.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein the second substantially enclosed volume is expandable independently of the first substantially enclosed volume.

13. The device of claim 11, wherein the second substantially enclosed volume is expandable and surrounds at least a portion of the first sheath.

14. The device of claim 11, wherein expansion of the first substantially enclosed volume forms a first interface and expansion of the second substantially enclosed volume forms a second, different interface.

15. The device of claim 14, wherein the second substantially enclosed volume is expandable independently of the first substantially enclosed volume.

16. The device of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the bottom side of the probe is uncovered by the first substantially enclosed volume.

17. The device of claim 1, wherein the device comprises a first tube and the first passage is a portion of the first tube.

18. The device of claim 1, wherein the device comprises a second tube and the second passage is a portion of the second tube.

19. The device of claim 1, wherein the top surface of the probe includes an ultrasound receiver and the first substantially enclosed volume as adopted to cover at least a portion of the ultrasound receiver.

20. A device for forming a liquid interface between an ultrasound probe and tissue of a mammal, the device comprising:

an inner sheath having a longitudinal axis, the inner sheath being configured to receive therein at least a portion of an ultrasound probe along the longitudinal axis;

an outer sheath enveloping at least a portion of the inner sheath, wherein the outer sheath and the portion of the inner sheath enveloped by the outer sheath form a substantially enclosed volume therebetween, the substantially enclosed volume having first and second portions;

an at least substantially circumferential first junction joining the inner and outer sheaths, wherein the first portion of the substantially enclosed volume is disposed proximal to the first junction and the second portion of the substantially enclosed volume is disposed distal to the first junction;

a liquid source for introducing liquid to the substantially enclosed volume; and

a passage fluidically connecting the first and second portions of the substantially enclosed volume, through which passage fluid in one of the first and second portions of the substantially enclosed volume may pass to the other of the first and second portions of the substantially enclosed volume.

21. The device of claim 20, the liquid source is configured to introduce liquid into the second portion of the substantially enclosed volume.

22. The device of claim 20, further comprising a liquid drain configured to allow liquid to exit the substantially enclosed volume.

23. The device of claim 22, wherein the liquid drain is configured to remove liquid from the first portion of the substantially enclosed volume.

24. The device of claim 23, the liquid source is configured to introduce liquid into the second portion of the substantially enclosed volume.

25. The device of claim 24, wherein liquid introduced into the second portion of the substantially enclosed volume may pass through the passage to the first portion of the substantially enclosed volume.

26. The device of claim 20, wherein gas present in the second portion of the substantially enclosed volume may pass through the passage to the first portion of the substantially enclosed volume.

27. The device of claim 20, comprising:

a second at least substantially circumferential junction joining the inner and outer sheaths, the second junction having a first point disposed at a first axial distance from the first junction and a second point disposed at a second, greater axial distance from the first junction.

28. The device of claim 27, wherein the second junction is disposed at an angle of at least 5 degrees with respect to the first junction.

29. The device of claim 27, further comprising a liquid drain configured to allow liquid to exit the first portion of the substantially enclosed volume.

30. The device of claim 20, comprising:

a second at least substantially circumferential junction joining the inner and outer sheaths, the second junction disposed at an angle of at least 5 degrees with respect to a line normal to the longitudinal axis of the inner sheath.

31. A device for forming a liquid interface between an ultrasound probe and tissue of a mammal, the ultrasound probe having a distal end, the device comprising:

a distal tip;

an inner sheath having a longitudinal axis, the inner sheath being configured to receive therein at least a portion of an ultrasound probe along the longitudinal axis;

an outer sheath enveloping at least a portion of the inner sheath, wherein the outer sheath and the portion of the inner sheath enveloped by the outer sheath form a substantially enclosed volume therebetween; and

wherein a distal end of the distal tip extends distally beyond the outer sheath along the longitudinal axis.

32. The device of claim 31, wherein the distal tip comprises a proximal portion configured to abut the distal end of the ultrasound probe.

33. A device for forming a liquid interface between an ultrasound probe and tissue of a mammal, the ultrasound probe having a distal end, the device comprising:

an inner sheath having a longitudinal axis, the inner sheath being configured to receive therein at least a portion of an ultrasound probe along the longitudinal axis;

an outer sheath enveloping at least a portion of the inner sheath, wherein the outer sheath and the portion of the inner sheath enveloped by the outer sheath form a substantially enclosed volume therebetween; and

a distal tip configured to abut the distal end of the ultrasound probe along the longitudinal axis of the inner sheath.

34. A device for forming a liquid interface between an ultrasound probe and tissue of a mammal, the device comprising:

a distal tip;

an inner sheath having a longitudinal axis, the inner sheath being configured to receive therein at least a portion of an ultrasound probe along the longitudinal axis;

an outer sheath enveloping at least a portion of the inner sheath, wherein the outer sheath and the portion of the inner sheath enveloped by the outer sheath form a substantially enclosed volume therebetween; and

wherein a distal portion of the outer sheath is secured to a circumference of the distal tip.

35. The device of claim 34, wherein the circumference of the distal tip is circular.

36. The device of claim 34, wherein the circumference of the distal tip has a diameter of at least 14 mm.

37. A device for forming a liquid interface between an ultrasound probe and tissue of a mammal, the device comprising:

a distal tip;

an inner sheath having a longitudinal axis, the inner sheath being configured to receive therein at least a portion of an ultrasound probe along the longitudinal axis;

an outer sheath enveloping at least a portion of the inner sheath, wherein the outer sheath and the portion of the inner sheath enveloped by the outer sheath form a substantially enclosed volume therebetween; and

wherein a distal portion of at least one of the inner and outer sheaths is secured to the distal tip and wherein a portion of the distal tip proximal to the secured distal portion of the at least one inner or outer sheath has a radial dimension of at least 14 mm.