Device and method for ablating tissue

• US 7,678,111 B2
• Filed: 11/29/2005
• Issued: 03/16/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/18/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Mulier, Peter M. J., Hoey, Michael F.
• Primary Examiner(s): GIBSON, ROY DEAN
• Application Number:
  US11/289,254
• Publication Number:
  US 20060079888A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,568 Days
• Field of Search: 606/41, 606/51
• US Class Current: 606/51
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1402 Probes for open surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1445 at the distal end of a shaft, e.g. forceps or scissors at the end of a rigid rod
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00296 mounted on an endoscope
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2945 Curved jaws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1425 Needle
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1432 curved
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1472 for use with liquid electrolyte, e.g. virtual electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2218/002 Irrigation

Abstract

An electrosurgery medical device is enhanced with unique solution-assistance, and comprises, in combination, co-operating device jaws including jaw portions for manipulating tissue, and a plurality of solution infusion openings defined and spaced along each of the jaw portions, for receiving electrolytic solution and infusing the solution onto and into tissue to be manipulated, along said jaw portions. As preferred, the device further comprises at least one, and most preferably, many, longitudinal groove(s) along at least one and most preferably, both, of the jaw portions, with the solution infusion openings located in the groove or grooves. The solution is energized with RF energy and contributes to the functions and beneficial effects of the instrument. The solution exits the openings in the grooves at sufficient flow rates to separate substantially all the operative surfaces of the device from tissue, thereby substantially completely preventing adherence between the operative surfaces and tissue. The solution is further energized to a range of energy densities such that tissues to be affected are sealed against flow of blood, lymphatic fluids, air, and other bodily fluids and gases.

Claims

1. A method of sealing body tissue comprising:

engaging body tissue between first and second ablating members of an electrosurgical device further including an elongate member having a distal end, the first and second ablating members coupled to the distal end and at least one of the first and second ablating members comprises a fluid delivery channel having at least one fluid exit opening to permit exit of a fluid from the fluid delivery chamber;

wherein the first ablating member engages a first surface of the body tissue and the second ablating member engages a second surface of the body tissue; and

providing radiofrequency energy of opposite polarity to the first and second ablating members such that the body tissue residing between the first and second ablating members is sealed at least one of at the cellular level and the vascular level.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the body tissue comprises organ tissue.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the organ tissue comprises lung tissue.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein the organ tissue comprises liver tissue.

5. The method of claim 2 wherein the organ tissue comprises spleen tissue.

6. The method of claim 2 wherein the organ tissue comprises a vascular tissue.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the vascular tissue comprises a vessel.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the vessel comprises a blood vessel.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the body tissue is sealed against flow of a bodily fluid.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the bodily fluid comprises lymphatic fluid.

11. The method of claim 9 wherein the bodily fluid comprises blood.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein the body tissue is sealed against flow of a bodily gas.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the bodily gas comprises methane.

14. The method of claim 12 wherein the bodily tissue is sealed against flow of air.

15. The method of claim 1 wherein the body tissue is sealed at the vascular level.

16. The method of claim 1 wherein the body tissue is sealed at the cellular level.

17. The method of claim 1 wherein the body tissue is sealed into omnistasis.

18. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of compressing the body tissue residing between the first and second ablating members.

19. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of ablating a circular portion of body tissue.

20. The method of claim 1 wherein the first ablating member comprises a first electrode.

21. The method of claim 1 wherein the second ablating member comprises a second electrode.

22. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of providing fluid from the fluid exit opening simultaneously with the providing of radiofrequency energy to the first and second ablating members while engaging body tissue between the first and second ablating members.

23. The method of claim 22 wherein the fluid comprises an electrically conductive fluid.

24. The method of claim 22 wherein the fluid comprises a solution.

25. The method of claim 22 wherein the fluid comprises saline.

26. The method of claim 22 wherein the fluid is provided at a rate in the range of 0.01 to 100 cc per minute.

27. The method of claim 1 wherein the radiofrequency energy is provided at a power in the range of 1 to 200 watts.

28. The method of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of at least one of the first ablating member and second ablating member has a circular shape.

29. The method of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of at least one of the first ablating member and second ablating member has a semicircular shape.

30. The method of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of at least one of the first ablating member and second ablating member is malleable.

31. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of shrinking the body tissue residing between the first and second ablating members.

32. A method of sealing body tissue comprising:

engaging body tissue between first and second ablating members of an ablation device further including an elongate member having a distal end, the first and second ablating members coupled to the distal end;

wherein the first ablating member engages a first surface of the body tissue and the second ablating member engages a second surface of the body tissue;

compressing the body tissue residing between the first and second ablating members;

supplying a fluid to at least a portion of the body tissue; and

providing radiofrequency energy of opposite polarity to the first and second ablating members such that the body tissue residing between the first and second ablating members is sealed by the energized, supplied fluid.