System for tissue ablation

• US 7,632,268 B2
• Filed: 05/26/2006
• Issued: 12/15/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/11/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Coviden LP
• Original Assignee: BARRX Medical, Inc.
• Inventors: Qin, Jay, Gaiser, John, Edwards, Stuart D, Utley, David S, West, Scott H
• Primary Examiner(s): PEFFLEY, MICHAEL F
• Application Number:
  US11/420,712
• Publication Number:
  US 20060259028A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,299 Days
• Field of Search: 606/41, 606/42, 606 45- 50, 607/101, 607/102, 607/116, 607/133
• US Class Current: 606/41
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/12 by passing a current through the tissue to be heated, e.g. high-frequency current
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1206 Generators therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1477 Needle-like probes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1485 having a short rigid shaft for accessing the inner body through natural openings
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1492 having a flexible, catheter-like structure, e.g. for heart ablation A61B18/1477 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00011 with fluids
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00029 open
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00077 high, i.e. electrically conducting
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00148 with metal
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00214 Expandable means emitting energy, e.g. by elements carried thereon
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00232 having an irregular shape
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00261 arranged in a line
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00267 having a basket shaped structure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00273 Anchoring means for temporary attachment of a device to tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00285 Balloons
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00291 using suction
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00553 Sphincter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00654 with individual control of each of a plurality of energy emitting elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0066 without feedback, i.e. open loop control
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00702 Power or energy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00755 : Resistance or impedance
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00791 : Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00797 : measured by multiple temperature sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00815 : measured by a thermistor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00875 : Resistance or impedance
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00898 : Alarms or notifications created in response to an abnormal condition
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/046 : in liquid form
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1425 : Needle
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1475 : Electrodes retractable in or deployable from a housing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3782 : transmitter or receiver in catheter or minimal invasive instrument
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2218/002 : Irrigation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2218/007 : Aspiration

Abstract

Systems for treating a mucosal surface of an alimentary canal tissue region are provided. The systems can include an elongate support structure, an expandable member positionable at a distal portion of the support structure and one or more radio frequency (RF) ablation electrodes carried by the expandable member. The elongate support structure and the expandable member can be adapted to place the one or more electrodes in contact with a mucosal surface of an alimentary canal tissue region. The system can further include an RF energy source connected to the one or more electrodes.

Claims

1. A system for treating a mucosal surface of an alimentary canal tissue region comprising:

an elongate support structure;

an inflatable bulbous-shaped solid-wall member positionable at a distal portion of the support structure;

one or more radio frequency (RF) ablation electrodes linearly connected as a helix arranged circumferentially around an external surface of the inflatable member, wherein the elongate support structure and the inflatable member are adapted to place the one or more electrodes in contact with the mucosal surface of the alimentary canal tissue region; and

an RF energy source connected to the one or more electrodes.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the elongate support structure comprises a catheter.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the inflatable member comprises a balloon.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the inflatable member comprises an expandable, three-dimensional mechanical structure.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the electrodes comprise an array of electrodes.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the electrodes comprises solid state circuitry.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the electrodes comprise bipolar electrodes.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the electrodes are carried by a wire.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the RF energy source delivers energy at a frequency in the range of 400 kHz to 10 mHz.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the electrodes comprise solid state circuitry deposited on the surface of the inflatable member.