TUNA device with integrated saline reservoir
First Claim
1. A device for ablating a tissue at a target location, comprising:
- a housing;
an elongate probe memberextending from the housing,having proximal and distal ends, andbeing provided with a first passageway extending at least substantially from the proximal end to the distal end;
a first ablation needlehaving proximal and distal ends and a lumen extending at least substantially from the proximal end to the distal end, andbeing slidably disposed within the first passageways of the elongate probe member;
a reservoircapable of holding a conductive fluid, andbeing in fluid communication with one or both of the lumen of the first needle or the first passageway of the elongate probe member; and
an actuatorcoupled to the reservoir and configured to cause the conductive fluid to flow through one or both of the lumen of the first needle or the first passageway of the elongate tubular member into the target location, andcoupled to the proximal end of the first needle and configured to cause the distal end of the first needle to extend into the target location.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and apparatus for ablating a target tissue are discussed. Such methods and apparatus include those that simplify tissue ablation. For example, a tissue ablation device having an actuator, such as a trigger mechanism, coupled to a power source and an electrode is discussed. A single step of engaging the actuator causes the electrode to be introduced into the target tissue and causes energy to be delivered from the power supply to the tissue via the electrode. By way of additional example, a tissue ablation device having an actuator coupled to a fluid source and an electrode is discussed. A single step of engaging the actuator causes conductive fluid to flow from the fluid source to the target tissue location and causes the electrode to be introduced to the target tissue location. The fluid source may be a conductive fluid, such as saline, which may increase the efficiency of ablation. Various other configurations and methods that simplify tissue ablation are also discussed.
205 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A device for ablating a tissue at a target location, comprising:
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a housing; an elongate probe member extending from the housing, having proximal and distal ends, and being provided with a first passageway extending at least substantially from the proximal end to the distal end; a first ablation needle having proximal and distal ends and a lumen extending at least substantially from the proximal end to the distal end, and being slidably disposed within the first passageways of the elongate probe member; a reservoir capable of holding a conductive fluid, and being in fluid communication with one or both of the lumen of the first needle or the first passageway of the elongate probe member; and an actuator coupled to the reservoir and configured to cause the conductive fluid to flow through one or both of the lumen of the first needle or the first passageway of the elongate tubular member into the target location, and coupled to the proximal end of the first needle and configured to cause the distal end of the first needle to extend into the target location. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A device for ablating a tissue at a target location, comprising:
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a housing; an elongate probe member extending from the housing, having proximal and distal ends, and being provided with a first passageway extending at least substantially from the proximal end to the distal end; a first ablation needle having proximal and distal ends and a lumen extending at least substantially from the proximal end to the distal end, and being slidably disposed within the first passageways of the elongate probe member; a reservoir capable of holding a conductive fluid, and being in fluid communication with one or both of the lumen of the first needle or the first passageway of the elongate probe member; and an actuator coupled to the reservoir and configured to cause the conductive fluid to flow through one or both of the lumen of the first needle or the first passageway of the elongate tubular member into the target location, and coupled to the proximal end of the first needle and configured to cause the distal end of the first needle to extend into the target location; and a discharge member, the discharge member comprising proximal and distal portions, the proximal portion of the discharge member being in fluid communication with the reservoir, the distal portion of the discharge member being in fluid communication with one or both of the lumen of the first needle or the first passageway of the elongate probe member. the discharge member being coupled to the actuator such that engaging the actuator forces the conductive fluid to flow from the discharge member to the target location through one or both of the lumen of the first needle or the first passageway of the elongate probe member. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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Specification