Methods and apparatus for coagulating and/or constricting hollow anatomical structures

• US 8,357,157 B2
• Filed: 12/07/2011
• Issued: 01/22/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 08/05/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Mirizzi, Michael S., Jones, Christopher Scott, Zikorus, Arthur W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cohen, Lee S
• Application Number:
  US13/313,562
• Publication Number:
  US 20120078246A1
• Time in Patent Office: 412 Days
• Field of Search: 606/48, 606/50
• US Class Current: 606/50
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/00 Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body eye surgery A61F9/007; ear surgery A61F11/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/14 Probes or electrodes therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00084 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22051 with an inflatable part, e.g. balloon, for positioning, blocking, or immobilisation A61B2017/22048, A61B2017/3486 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00095 high, i.e. heat conducting
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/126 for invasive application, e.g. for introducing into blood vessels
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 7/123 using a flexible balloon containing the thermal element
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/1072 having balloons with two or more compartments
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/1086 having a special balloon surface topography, e.g. pores, protuberances, spikes or grooves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/00 Catheters; Hollow probes dilators A61M29/00; peritoneal catheters A61M1/285; tracheal tubes A61M16/04; for drainage A61M27/00; for uterus, vagina or rectum A61M31/00 ; for measuring or testing A61B; materials for catheters A61L29/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/1011 Multiple balloon catheters

Abstract

An energy delivering probe is used for thermally coagulating and/or constricting hollow anatomical structures (HAS) including, but not limited to, blood vessels such as perforator veins. The probe includes a shaft and at least two electrodes where at least one of the electrodes has a generally spherical or toroidal geometry.

Claims

1. An electrode probe comprising:

a shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, and a central lumen extending from the proximal end to the distal end;

an electrode disposed near the distal end of the shaft and having a proximal region and a distal region, the electrode having a generally spherical or toroidal outer surface in the proximal region, and a linear taper in the distal region;

an electrical connector near the proximal end of the shaft for connecting the electrode to an electrosurgical power supply; and

a trocar having a sharpened distal end disposed in the central lumen such that the sharpened end extends distally beyond the shaft.

2. The electrode probe of claim 1, wherein the electrode is a first electrode, and further comprising a second electrode disposed near the distal end of the shaft and spaced axially from the first electrode.

3. The electrode probe of claim 2, wherein the second electrode is proximal of the first electrode.

4. The electrode probe of claim 2, wherein the second electrode has a generally spherical or toroidal outer surface.

5. The electrode probe of claim 2, wherein at least one of the electrodes comprises a proximal extension which conducts electrical energy to an exposed electrode surface.

6. The electrode probe of claim 2, wherein the second electrode has a larger radial profile than the first electrode.

7. The electrode probe of claim 1, wherein the trocar has an axial lumen.

8. The electrode probe of claim 1, wherein the trocar is removably received in the central lumen.

9. The electrode probe of claim 1, wherein at least one of the shaft and the trocar is rigid.

10. The electrode probe of claim 1, wherein the shaft is flexible.

11. The electrode probe of claim 10, further comprising a rigid cannula slidably disposed over a portion of the length of the flexible shaft.

12. The electrode probe of claim 1, further comprising a temperature sensor disposed near the distal end of the shaft.

13. An electrode probe comprising:

a shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, and a central lumen extending from the proximal end to the distal end;

a distal electrode disposed near the distal end of the shaft and having a proximal region and a distal region, the distal electrode having a generally spherical or toroidal outer surface in the proximal region, and a linear taper in the distal region;

a proximal electrode spaced axially from the distal electrode; and

a trocar having a sharpened distal end disposed in the central lumen such that the sharpened end extends distally beyond the shaft.

14. The electrode probe of claim 13, wherein the proximal electrode has a generally spherical or toroidal outer surface.

15. The electrode probe of claim 13, wherein at least one of the electrodes comprises a proximal extension which conducts electrical energy to an exposed electrode surface.

16. The electrode probe of claim 13, wherein the trocar has an axial lumen.

17. The electrode probe of claim 13, wherein the trocar is removably received in the central lumen.

18. The electrode probe of claim 13, wherein at least one of the shaft and the trocar is rigid.

19. The electrode probe of claim 13, wherein the shaft is flexible.

20. The electrode probe of claim 19, further comprising a rigid cannula slidably disposed over a portion of the length of the flexible shaft.

21. The electrode probe of claim 13, further comprising a temperature sensor disposed near the distal end of the shaft.

22. The electrode probe of claim 13, wherein the proximal electrode has a larger radial profile than the distal electrode.