Ablation device with articulated imaging transducer
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An imaging and therapeutic delivery system comprising:
- a straight shaft having a distal end and a proximal end;
a needle reciprocatably coupled to the shaft so that a tissue-penetrating tip on the needle can be distally advanced from the shaft along an axial path;
a tip pivotally attached to the distal end of the shaft and movable between a position parallel to the axial path and a position at an acute or right angle relative to the axial path, wherein the pivotally attached tip includes a stop structure disposed thereon which prevents advancement of the needle when the pivotally attached tip is parallel to the axial path; and
an ultrasonic imaging array carried by the pivotally attached tip, wherein the pivotally attached tip can be oriented to align a field of view of the imaging array with the needle as the needle is advanced along the axial path so as to sweep the ultrasound field of view relative to the needle and anatomy to be imaged.
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Abstract
A system for imaging and treating tissue comprises a probe having a deflectable distal tip for carrying an imaging array and a delivery needle for advancement within a field of view of the imaging array. Optionally, the needle will carry a plurality of tines which may be selectively radially deployed from the needle. The imaging array will preferably be provided in a separate, removable component.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. An imaging and therapeutic delivery system comprising:
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a straight shaft having a distal end and a proximal end; a needle reciprocatably coupled to the shaft so that a tissue-penetrating tip on the needle can be distally advanced from the shaft along an axial path; a tip pivotally attached to the distal end of the shaft and movable between a position parallel to the axial path and a position at an acute or right angle relative to the axial path, wherein the pivotally attached tip includes a stop structure disposed thereon which prevents advancement of the needle when the pivotally attached tip is parallel to the axial path; and an ultrasonic imaging array carried by the pivotally attached tip, wherein the pivotally attached tip can be oriented to align a field of view of the imaging array with the needle as the needle is advanced along the axial path so as to sweep the ultrasound field of view relative to the needle and anatomy to be imaged. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for treating uterine fibroids, said method comprising:
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introducing a straight shaft into a uterus, wherein a needle is reciprocatably coupled to the shaft so that a tissue-penetrating tip on the needle can be distally advanced from the shaft along an axial path; locating a uterine fibroid using an ultrasonic imaging transducer carried by a pivotable tip attached to a distal end of the shaft, wherein the pivotable tip is movable between a position parallel to the axial path and a position at an acute or right angle relative to the axial path; pivoting the ultrasonic transducer to reposition a field of view of the ultrasonic transducer, wherein the needle is blocked from advancing when the pivotable tip is disposed parallel to the axial path; advancing a needle axially from the distal end of the shaft into tissue near the located uterine fibroid, wherein the needle is aligned in the field of view; and imaging the needle and the fibroid using the ultrasound transducer. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. An imaging and therapeutic delivery system comprising:
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a straight shaft having a distal end and a proximal end; a delivery needle reciprocatably coupled to the shaft so that a tissue-penetrating tip on the delivery needle can be distally advanced from the shaft along an axial path; at least one treatment needle deployable from said delivery needle wherein said treatment needle is reciprocatable within said delivery needle; a tip pivotally attached to the distal end of the shaft and movable between a position parallel to the axial path and a position at an acute or right angle relative to the axial path, wherein the pivotally attached tip includes a stop structure disposed thereon which prevents advancement of the treatment needle when the pivotally attached tip is parallel to the axial path; and an ultrasonic imaging array carried by the pivotally attached tip, wherein the pivotally attached tip can be oriented to align a field of view of the imaging array with the delivery needle as the delivery needle is advanced along the axial path, so as to sweep the ultrasound field of view relative to the delivery needle and anatomy to be imaged. - View Dependent Claims (30)
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Specification