Articulating radio frequency probe handle
First Claim
1. A medical probe assembly for ablating tissue, comprising:
- a cannula having a proximal end and a distal end and a central lumen;
an inner probe slideably disposed in the central lumen of the cannula, the inner probe comprising one or more ablative elements mounted thereon;
a handle assembly mounted on the proximal end of the cannula, the handle assembly comprising first and second handle pieces arranged to form a single contiguous handle, and a hinge coupling the first and second handle pieces; and
a slideable collar disposed on the handle assembly and configured for selectively covering and uncovering the hinge.
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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.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A medical probe assembly for ablating tissue, comprising:
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a cannula having a proximal end and a distal end and a central lumen; an inner probe slideably disposed in the central lumen of the cannula, the inner probe comprising one or more ablative elements mounted thereon; a handle assembly mounted on the proximal end of the cannula, the handle assembly comprising first and second handle pieces arranged to form a single contiguous handle, and a hinge coupling the first and second handle pieces; and a slideable collar disposed on the handle assembly and configured for selectively covering and uncovering the hinge. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A medical probe assembly, comprising:
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an elongated probe having a proximal end and a distal end; an operative element mounted on the distal end of the probe; a handle assembly mounted on the proximal end of the probe, the handle assembly comprising proximal and distal handle pieces arranged to form a single contiguous handle, a hinge coupling the proximal and distal handle pieces, and an actuator disposed in the proximal handle piece that can be manually manipulated to deploy the operative element; and a slideable collar disposed on the handle assembly and configured for selectively covering and uncovering the hinge. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A medical probe assembly for ablating tissue, comprising:
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a cannula having a proximal end and a distal end and a central lumen; an inner probe slideably disposed in the central lumen of the cannula, the inner probe comprising one or more ablative elements mounted thereon; a bendable handle assembly mounted on the proximal end of the cannula; a moveable actuator disposed on the bendable handle assembly and operatively connected to the inner probe; and a rigid sleeve configured for selectively covering the bendable handle. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification