Articulating radio frequency probe handle
First Claim
1. A medical probe assembly for ablating tissue, comprising:
- an elongated rigid probe having a proximal end and a distal end;
one or more ablative electrodes mounted on the probe;
a bendable handle assembly mounted on the proximal end of the probe, the handle assembly comprising a radio frequency connector and one or more radio frequency wires electrically coupled between the radio frequency connector and the one or more electrodes; and
a connector piece electrically coupled between the radio frequency connector and the radio frequency wires, the connector piece being slideably disposed inside of the radio frequency connector in an interference arrangement, while remaining in conductive contact with the radio frequency connector.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A medical probe assembly and method for ablating tissue using radio frequency energy. The medical probe assembly includes an elongated shaft, a needle electrode array, and a hinged handle. The handle has a collar, which when in the up position covers the hinge so that the device can be used as a conventional medical probe. When the collar is in the down position the hinge is exposed, and the handle can be bent to reduce its overall height. With this reduced height the probe can be used while a patient is lying in a CT scanner or an MRI chamber. Therefore, the surgeon can monitor the ablation during the procedure, and thus avoid unnecessary damage to the surrounding healthy tissue on the one hand, and insufficient ablation of the diseased tissue on the other hand. An alternate embodiment uses a flexible handle instead of a hinged one.
278 Citations
54 Claims
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1. A medical probe assembly for ablating tissue, comprising:
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an elongated rigid probe having a proximal end and a distal end; one or more ablative electrodes mounted on the probe; a bendable handle assembly mounted on the proximal end of the probe, the handle assembly comprising a radio frequency connector and one or more radio frequency wires electrically coupled between the radio frequency connector and the one or more electrodes; and a connector piece electrically coupled between the radio frequency connector and the radio frequency wires, the connector piece being slideably disposed inside of the radio frequency connector in an interference arrangement, while remaining in conductive contact with the radio frequency connector. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A medical probe assembly, comprising:
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an elongated rigid probe having a proximal end and a distal end; an operative element mounted on the distal end of the probe; and a hingeable handle assembly mounted on the proximal end of the probe, the handle assembly comprising first and second handle pieces, a hinge coupling the first and second handle pieces, a slideable collar that can be selectively located to cover and uncover the hinge, and an actuator that can be manually manipulated to deploy the operative element. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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41. A medical probe assembly for ablating tissue, comprising:
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an elongated rigid probe having a proximal end and a distal end; one or more ablative elements mounted on the probe; and a handle assembly mounted on the proximal end of the probe, the handle assembly comprising first and second handle pieces, a hinge coupling the first and second handle pieces, and a slideable collar that can be selectively located to cover and uncover the hinge. - View Dependent Claims (42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54)
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Specification