Anchored RF ablation device for the destruction of tissue masses
First Claim
1. An ablation instrument, comprising:
- (a) an elongated support member having a proximal portion and a distal portion, said elongated support member defining an elongated support surface, and an elongated support member axis;
(b) at least one conductor extending along at least a portion of the length of said elongated support member surface and mounted for axial movement of at least a portion of said conductor;
(c) a plurality of ablation stylets, each of said stylets being made of metal and having an elongated exposed metal distal portion, said exposed metal distal portion having a length roughly commeasurate with the region to be ablated, said stylets being supported proximate the distal portion of said elongated support member, said stylets comprising a resiliently deflectable material, and said stylets being mounted for axial movement of at least a portion of said stylets;
(d) a head positioned to receive the distal portion of said stylets, said head comprising a head end; and
(e) open deflection surfaces positioned proximate said head end and proximate said distal portion of said elongated support member, said deflection surfaces being configured and positioned, in response to advancement of said stylets toward said head end, to deflect at least some of said stylets laterally and only forwardly with respect to said elongated support axis causing said stylets to exit said deflection surfaces and move along substantially straight external paths external to said elongated support member and said head.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The inventive ablation element comprises an elongated cannula having a proximal end and a distal end. The cannula defines an internal lumen within the cannula and a cannula axis. A plurality of conductors contained within the lumen, each of the conductors has a proximal end proximate the proximal end of the cannula, and a distal end proximate the distal end of the cannula. A plurality of ablation stylets each has a proximal end and a distal end, and each coupled at the respective proximal end of the stylet to the distal end of a respective conductor, the stylets comprise a deflectable material, the conductors together with their respective stylets being mounted for axial movement. A trocar point defined proximate the distal end of the cannula. A deflection surface positioned between the trocar point and the proximal end of the cannula, the deflection surface being configured and positioned to deflect, in response to axial movement of the stylets in a direction from the proximate end of the cannula to the distal end of the cannula, at least some of the stylets laterally with respect to the cannula axis in different directions along substantially straight paths, the paths defining an ablation volume.
161 Citations
25 Claims
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1. An ablation instrument, comprising:
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(a) an elongated support member having a proximal portion and a distal portion, said elongated support member defining an elongated support surface, and an elongated support member axis; (b) at least one conductor extending along at least a portion of the length of said elongated support member surface and mounted for axial movement of at least a portion of said conductor; (c) a plurality of ablation stylets, each of said stylets being made of metal and having an elongated exposed metal distal portion, said exposed metal distal portion having a length roughly commeasurate with the region to be ablated, said stylets being supported proximate the distal portion of said elongated support member, said stylets comprising a resiliently deflectable material, and said stylets being mounted for axial movement of at least a portion of said stylets; (d) a head positioned to receive the distal portion of said stylets, said head comprising a head end; and (e) open deflection surfaces positioned proximate said head end and proximate said distal portion of said elongated support member, said deflection surfaces being configured and positioned, in response to advancement of said stylets toward said head end, to deflect at least some of said stylets laterally and only forwardly with respect to said elongated support axis causing said stylets to exit said deflection surfaces and move along substantially straight external paths external to said elongated support member and said head. - 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)
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25. An ablation instrument, comprising:
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(a) an elongated support member having a proximal portion and a distal portion, said elongated support member defining an elongated support member axis; (b) at least one conductor extending along at least a portion of the length of said elongated support member and mounted for axial movement of at least a portion of said conductor; (c) a plurality of ablation stylets, each of said stylets being made of metal and having an elongated exposed metal distal portion, said exposed metal distal portion having a length roughly commeasurate with the region to be ablated, said stylets being supported proximate the distal portion of said elongated support member, said stylets comprising a resiliently deflectable material, and said stylets being mounted for axial movement of at least a portion of said stylets; (d) a head positioned to receive the distal portion of said stylets, said head comprising a head end; (e) a plurality of alignment channels, each of said stylets each being positioned within a single alignment channel; and (f) a plurality of open deflection surfaces, each of said open deflection surfaces communicating with a respective alignment channel to receive its respective stylet, said deflection surfaces being positioned proximate said head end and proximate said distal portion of said elongated support member, said deflection surfaces being configured and positioned, in response to advancement of said stylets toward said head end, to deflect at least some of said stylets causing said stylets to exit said deflection surfaces and move along substantially straight external paths external to said head.
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Specification