Cool-tip combined electrode introducer
First Claim
1. An electrode system for use with a high frequency generator to induce coherent high frequency heat ablation volumes within targeted tissue of a patient, which comprises:
- at least three electrodes, each including;
a substantially rigid elongated shaft terminating in a sealed distal end section having an exposed conductive tip portion configured to be inserted into the targeted tissue and adapted at a proximal end section to be coupled to a high frequency generator to simultaneously apply an equal output voltage to each of the exposed conductive tip portions;
a closed-loop fluid communication channel pathway which includes an inflow opening adapted for connection to a coolant fluid supply, and a channel portion in fluid communication with the inflow opening, which extends distally inside the conductive tip portion to carry coolant to the inside of the conductive tip portion and further extends proximally back to an outlet opening adapted to carry coolant away from the conductive tip portion;
wherein the conductive tip portions of the at least three electrodes are arrayed relative to each other in a predetermined non-linear geometric spatial relationship relative to a longitudinal axis of an instrument such that upon application of an output voltage to the conductive tip portions, a coherent ablation isotherm is generated which encloses a desired target volume of the tissue to induce a large heat ablation volume;
a distal introducer and a proximal introducer, wherein the distal introducer and the proximal introducer each include a central hole formed therein for selectively receiving a guide needle therethrough, wherein the central holes function to align the distal and proximal introducers with one another, wherein the proximal introducer is movable relative to the distal introducer and is configured to maintain the electrodes therein during movement to insert the electrodes into the tissue, the distal and proximal introducers each include a plurality of arrays of holes formed therein, each array of holes arranged in a linear row, wherein the rows of holes are equally spaced from one another; and
a guide needle disposed in the central hole of at least one of the proximal introducer and the distal introducer.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present disclosure relates to systems, devices and methods for positioning and placing multiple electrodes in a target surgical site. An introducer is provided for facilitating the insertion of a cluster of electrodes into the body of a patient for performing tissue ablation. The introducer includes a body portion including a plurality of holes formed therein for selectively receiving a respective elongate shaft of the electrodes therethrough, wherein the holes of the introducer orient and space each electrode relative to one another, wherein the introducer includes a centrally disposed hole formed therein for receiving a guide needle therethrough.
204 Citations
30 Claims
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1. An electrode system for use with a high frequency generator to induce coherent high frequency heat ablation volumes within targeted tissue of a patient, which comprises:
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at least three electrodes, each including; a substantially rigid elongated shaft terminating in a sealed distal end section having an exposed conductive tip portion configured to be inserted into the targeted tissue and adapted at a proximal end section to be coupled to a high frequency generator to simultaneously apply an equal output voltage to each of the exposed conductive tip portions; a closed-loop fluid communication channel pathway which includes an inflow opening adapted for connection to a coolant fluid supply, and a channel portion in fluid communication with the inflow opening, which extends distally inside the conductive tip portion to carry coolant to the inside of the conductive tip portion and further extends proximally back to an outlet opening adapted to carry coolant away from the conductive tip portion; wherein the conductive tip portions of the at least three electrodes are arrayed relative to each other in a predetermined non-linear geometric spatial relationship relative to a longitudinal axis of an instrument such that upon application of an output voltage to the conductive tip portions, a coherent ablation isotherm is generated which encloses a desired target volume of the tissue to induce a large heat ablation volume; a distal introducer and a proximal introducer, wherein the distal introducer and the proximal introducer each include a central hole formed therein for selectively receiving a guide needle therethrough, wherein the central holes function to align the distal and proximal introducers with one another, wherein the proximal introducer is movable relative to the distal introducer and is configured to maintain the electrodes therein during movement to insert the electrodes into the tissue, the distal and proximal introducers each include a plurality of arrays of holes formed therein, each array of holes arranged in a linear row, wherein the rows of holes are equally spaced from one another; and a guide needle disposed in the central hole of at least one of the proximal introducer and the distal introducer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A system for inducing enlargement of heat ablation volumes within tissue of a patient'"'"'s body, the system comprising:
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a high frequency generator for supplying an output voltage; at least three substantially rigid, elongated electrodes adapted to be inserted into the tissue of a patient'"'"'s body, each of the at least three electrodes having exposed conductive tip portions arranged in a predetermined parallel relationship and a closed-loop fluid communication channel pathway which includes an inflow opening adapted for connection to a coolant fluid supply, and a channel portion in fluid communication with the inflow opening, which extends distally inside the conductive tip portion to carry coolant to the inside of the conductive tip portion and further extends proximally back to an outlet opening adapted to carry coolant away from the conductive tip portion; a plurality of introducers including a plurality of holes formed therein for selectively receiving a respective elongated shaft of the electrodes therethrough, wherein the holes of the plurality of introducers orient and space each electrode relative to one another, wherein each of the plurality of introducers includes a centrally disposed hole formed therein for receiving a guide needle therethrough;
wherein the plurality of introducers include;a distal introducer including a plurality of arrays of hole clusters formed therein each arranged in a linear row, wherein the rows of hole clusters are equally spaced from one another; and a proximal introducer movable relative to the distal introducer and configured to maintain the electrodes therein during movement to insert the electrodes into the tissue, the proximal introducer including a plurality of arrays of holes formed therein each arranged in a linear row, wherein the rows of holes are equally spaced from one another; and a guide needle disposed in the centrally disposed hole of at least one of the proximal introducer and the distal introducer. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A process for heat ablation of tissue in a patient, the process comprising the steps of:
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providing an electrode system for inducing enlargement of heat ablation volumes within tissue of a patient'"'"'s body, the electrode system including; a high frequency generator for supplying an output voltage; at least three substantially rigid, elongated electrodes adapted to be inserted into the tissue of a patient'"'"'s body, each of the at least three electrodes having exposed conductive tip portions arranged in a predetermined parallel relationship and a closed-loop fluid communication channel pathway which includes an inflow opening adapted for connection to a coolant fluid supply, a channel portion in fluid communication with the inflow opening, which extends distally inside the conductive tip portion to carry coolant to the inside of the conductive tip portion and further extends proximally back to an outlet opening adapted to carry coolant away from the conductive tip portion; and a plurality of introducers including a plurality of holes formed therein for selectively receiving a respective elongated shaft of the electrodes therethrough, wherein the holes of the plurality of introducers orient and space each electrode relative to one another, wherein each of the plurality of introducers includes a centrally disposed hole formed therein for receiving a guide needle therethrough;
wherein the plurality of introducers include;a distal introducer including a plurality of arrays of hole clusters formed therein each arranged in a linear row, wherein the rows of hole clusters are equally spaced from one another; and a proximal introducer movable relative to the distal introducer and configured to maintain the electrodes therein during movement to insert the electrodes into the tissue, the proximal introducer including a plurality of arrays of holes formed therein each arranged in a linear row, wherein the rows of holes are equally spaced from one another; advancing a guide needle through the centrally disposed hole of at least one of the proximal introducer and the distal introducer; inserting the electrodes into desired holes of the proximal and distal introducers in order to position each electrode relative to one another; inserting the electrodes into the tissue; applying substantially the same radiofrequency output through the electrodes to a targeted tissue volume to produce coherent heating of the targeted tissue volume; raising the radio frequency output to a level that induces enlargement of the volume of heat ablation in the tissue near the electrodes; and cooling each electrode by circulating a cooling fluid through a closed-loop fluid communication channel pathway formed in each of the electrodes. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. An introducer system for facilitating the insertion of a cluster of electrodes into the body of a patient for performing tissue ablation, the introducer system comprising:
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a plurality of introducers including a plurality of holes formed therein for selectively receiving a respective elongated shaft of the electrodes therethrough, wherein the holes of the plurality of introducers orient and space each electrode relative to one another, wherein each of the plurality of introducers include a centrally disposed hole formed therein for receiving a guide needle therethrough, the plurality of introducers include; a distal introducer including a plurality of arrays of hole clusters formed therein each arranged in a linear row, wherein the rows of hole clusters are equally spaced from one another; and a proximal introducer movable relative to the distal introducer to insert the electrodes into the tissue, the proximal introducer including a plurality of arrays of holes formed therein each arranged in a linear row, wherein the rows of holes are equally spaced from one another; and a guide needle disposed in the centrally disposed hole of at least one of the proximal introducer and the distal introducer. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification