Vibration sensitive ablation device and method

• US 8,162,933 B2
• Filed: 03/03/2004
• Issued: 04/24/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/27/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Francischelli, David E., Jahns, Scott E., Keogh, James R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Johnson, III, Henry M
• Application Number:
  US10/792,178
• Publication Number:
  US 20040186465A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,974 Days
• Field of Search: 607/101, 607/102, 607/119, 607/122, 607126- 8, 601/6, 601/7, 600/387, 606/41, 606/42, 606 45- 50, 606 9- 34, 128/898
• US Class Current: 606/41
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/14 Probes or electrodes therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1402 Probes for open surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1442 Probes having pivoting end effectors, e.g. forceps
• 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 2017/00022 Sensing or detecting at the treatment site
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00084 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00115 with audible or visual output
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00128 related to intensity or progress of surgical action
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00243 cardiac
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00247 Making holes in the wall of the heart, e.g. laser Myocardial revascularization
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/003 Steerable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0243 for immobilizing local areas of the heart, e.g. while it beats
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/306 holding by means of suction
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00011 with fluids
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00107 Coatings on the energy applicator
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0016 Energy applicators arranged in a two- or three dimensional array
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00291 using suction
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00351 Heart
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00392 Transmyocardial revascularisation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00577 Ablation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00666 : using a threshold value
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00672 : lower
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00702 : Power or energy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00708 : switching the power on or off
• 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 2018/00821 : measured by a thermocouple
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0088 : Vibration
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1253 : monopolar
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/126 : bipolar
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/146 : Scissors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1472 : for use with liquid electrolyte, e.g. virtual electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2218/002 : Irrigation

Abstract

An ablation apparatus including a maneuvering mechanism, a conductive element attached to the apparatus, a sensor attached to the apparatus and an output device in communication with the sensor is provided. The sensor senses vibration during the ablation procedure and sends a signal to the output device to reduce power to the conductive element.

Claims

1. A method of ablating organic tissue, comprising:

sensing an initial state of vibration of the organic tissue prior to ablating the organic tissue;

positioning an electrode adjacent the organic tissue;

supplying electrical power to the electrode to effect ablation of the organic tissue;

sensing with a sensor positioned adjacent the electrode the vibration of the organic tissue being ablated wherein the vibration is self-generated in the organic tissue in response to the ablation and the self-generated vibration occurs during phase-transition but prior to boiling of water in the organic tissue;

determining a difference in vibration between the initial state of vibration and the self-generated vibration; and

reducing power to the electrode when the self-generated vibration reaches a given value.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

halting the power when the self-generated vibration reaches a given value.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

supplying fluid from a fluid supply to the tissue; and

halting the fluid supply when the self-generated vibration reaches a given value.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

sending a signal from the sensor to a switch to reduce the power.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

providing output from an output device when the self-generated vibration reaches a given value.

6. The method of claim 5 further comprising:

sending a signal from the sensor to the output device; and

sending an indicator signal from the output device.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the sensor is a piezoelectric crystal.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the sensor is a piezoelectric polymer.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the sensor is integrated with the electrode.