Methods and systems for controlled deployment of needles in tissue

• US 8,088,072 B2
• Filed: 10/03/2008
• Issued: 01/03/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/12/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gynesonics, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Gynesonics, Inc.
• Inventors: Munrow, Michael, Bajor, Jordan, Munro, Malcolm G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Jung, Unsu
• Assistant Examiner(s): Impink, Bradley
• Application Number:
  US12/245,567
• Publication Number:
  US 20090099544A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,187 Days
• Field of Search: 600/439
• US Class Current: 600/464
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/0045 Devices for taking samples of body liquids devices for taking blood samples A61B5/15
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1477 Needle-like probes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2010/045 Needles pointed biopsy devices with vacuum aspiration A61B10/0283
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1425 Needle
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2034/107 Visualisation of planned trajectories or target regions
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/378 using ultrasound
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/10 Computer-aided planning, simulation or modelling of surgical operations
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/0841 for locating instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/12 in body cavities or body tracts, e.g. by using catheters catheters per se A61M25/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/11 with guides for needles or instruments, e.g. arcuate slides or ball joints
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/36 Image-producing devices or illumination devices not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/46 having means for controlling depth of insertion

Abstract

Needles are deployed in tissue under direct ultrasonic or other imaging. To aid in deploying the needle, a visual needle guide is projected on to the image prior to needle deployment. Once the needle guide is properly aligned, the needle can be deployed. After needle deployment, a safety boundary and treatment region are projected on to the screen. After confirming that the safety boundary and treatment regions are sufficient, the patient can be treated using the needle.

Claims

1. A method for deploying at least one needle in tissue, said method comprising:

positioning a probe having a deployable needle proximate a surface of the tissue;

providing a real time image of the tissue including an anatomical feature to be treated;

overlaying the real time image with a projected treatment region based on the position of the probe;

repositioning the probe to align the projected treatment region on the real time image so that the treatment region includes at least a portion of the anatomical feature to be treated; and

deploying the needle from the probe after the probe has been repositioned;

wherein the probe is positioned in a uterus and the anatomical feature to be treated includes a fibroid.

2. A method as in claim 1, further comprising:

overlaying the image of the tissue with a projected position of the needle;

overlaying the image of the tissue with a projected safety boundary based on the projected position of the needle; and

visually confirming that sensitive anatomic structures are outside of the safety boundary.

3. A method as in claim 2, wherein visually confirming comprises confirming that the needle is no closer than 0.5 cm to the sensitive anatomic structures.

4. A method as in claim 3, wherein the sensitive anatomic structure to be maintained outside of the safety boundary includes a serosa.

5. A method as in claim 2, further comprising enabling a treatment device if the sensitive anatomic structures are outside of the safety boundary.

6. A method as in claim 5, wherein enabling comprises responding to a prompt from the treatment device asking if the sensitive anatomic structures are outside of the safety boundary.

7. A method as in claim 2, further comprising:

marking a location of the needle after the needle has been deployed; and

updating the projected treatment region and the projected safety boundary based on the marked location of the needle.

8. A method as in claim 1, further comprising marking a location on an image of the needle after the needle has been deployed;

and

updating the projected treatment region based on the marked location of the needle.

9. A method as in claim 1, wherein the image is provided by a transducer on the probe.