Hemostatic tissue tunnel generator for inserting treatment apparatus into tissue of a patient
First Claim
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1. A system for inserting treatment apparatus into tissue of a patient, comprising:
- a first treatment apparatus including;
a radio frequency (RF) electrode having an elongated body and a conductive tip at a distal end of the elongated body, wherein the elongated body is configured to conduct electrical RF energy to the conductive tip; and
an insulating sleeve surrounding the elongated body of the RF electrode; and
a second treatment apparatus for treating the tissue,wherein, in a first mode of operation for insertion of the first treatment apparatus into the tissue of the patient, the conductive tip of the RF electrode is configured to deliver, via the conductive tip, RF energy that erodes the tissue of the patient and generates a tunnel through which the first treatment apparatus can advance into the tissue of the patient, andwherein, in a second mode of operation for treatment of the tissue in the patient, one of the insulating sleeve or the RF electrode is configured to be retracted to allow the second treatment apparatus to treat the tissue of the patient.
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Abstract
A catheter for insertion into and treatment of tissue in a patient comprises a radio frequency (RF) electrode having an elongated body that conducts electrical RF energy to a conductive tip. An insulating sleeve surrounds the elongated body. In a first mode of operation, the conductive tip is exposed outside the insulating sleeve and the RF electrode delivers RF energy that erodes the tissue of the patient and creates a tunnel through which the catheter can advance into the tissue of the patient. In a second mode of operation, the insulating sleeve and/or the RF electrode is retracted and a second treatment apparatus treats the tissue.
171 Citations
68 Claims
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1. A system for inserting treatment apparatus into tissue of a patient, comprising:
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a first treatment apparatus including; a radio frequency (RF) electrode having an elongated body and a conductive tip at a distal end of the elongated body, wherein the elongated body is configured to conduct electrical RF energy to the conductive tip; and an insulating sleeve surrounding the elongated body of the RF electrode; and a second treatment apparatus for treating the tissue, wherein, in a first mode of operation for insertion of the first treatment apparatus into the tissue of the patient, the conductive tip of the RF electrode is configured to deliver, via the conductive tip, RF energy that erodes the tissue of the patient and generates a tunnel through which the first treatment apparatus can advance into the tissue of the patient, and wherein, in a second mode of operation for treatment of the tissue in the patient, one of the insulating sleeve or the RF electrode is configured to be retracted to allow the second treatment apparatus to treat the tissue of the patient. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54)
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31. A method for inserting treatment apparatus into tissue of a patient, comprising:
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positioning a catheter with respect to tissue of the patient, wherein the catheter includes; a radio frequency (RF) electrode having an elongated body and a conductive tip at a distal end of the elongated body, wherein the elongated body is configured to conduct electrical RF energy to the conductive tip; an insulating sleeve surrounding the elongated body of the RF electrode; and a treatment apparatus; delivering RF energy to the conductive tip in a first mode of operation for insertion of the catheter into the tissue of the patient, wherein the RF energy erodes the tissue of the patient and generates a tunnel through which the catheter advances into the tissue of the patient; and retracting one of the RF electrode or the insulating sleeve and treating the tissue with the treatment apparatus while in a second mode of operation. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68)
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Specification