Ablation devices and methods of using the same

• US 8,535,306 B2
• Filed: 11/05/2007
• Issued: 09/17/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 11/05/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AngioDynamics, Inc.
• Original Assignee: AngioDynamics, Inc.
• Inventors: Pearson, Robert, Isbell, Lewis, Douglass, Valerie
• Primary Examiner(s): Peffley, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): VAHDAT, KHADIJEH A
• Application Number:
  US11/935,075
• Publication Number:
  US 20090118727A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,143 Days
• Field of Search: 606 32- 35, 606/41, 606 45- 52
• US Class Current: 606/41
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1477 Needle-like probes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1482 having a long rigid shaft for accessing the inner body transcutaneously in minimal invasive surgery, e.g. laparoscopy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00083 low, i.e. electrically insulating
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00196 reciprocating lengthwise
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00642 with feedback, i.e. closed loop control
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00702 Power or energy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00791 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00821 measured by a thermocouple
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1253 monopolar
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1425 Needle
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3925 ultrasonic

Abstract

Devices and methods for ablating a selected tissue volume, such as for ablating tumor, are disclosed. In certain embodiments, the ablation devices include a low-conductivity, tissue-piercing tip, an adjustment mechanism for selectively adjusting the length of an exposed portion of the electrode, for producing ablation volumes of desired geometry. In other embodiment, the methods allow the adjustment of the length of the exposed electrode portion be carried out by moving an insulative sleeve along the electrode.

Claims

1. An ablation device for ablating a selected tissue volume in a patient, comprising:

an electrode having a central axis,

an insulative sleeve coaxially adapted over a portion of the electrode and rotatable about the central axis,

a nut through which the electrode passes, wherein the insulative sleeve is fixedly mounted to the nut and wherein the nut is rotatable along the electrode about the central axis, and

an adjustment member through which the electrode passes, the adjustment member being movably coupled to the nut through an arm, and the nut being rotatable about the central axis, wherein;

rotation of the adjustment member about the central axis is capable of rotating the nut about the central axis and consequently moving the sleeve along the electrode.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the sleeve comprises a proximal end and a distal end such that the distal end of the sleeve alone the electrode is axially adjustable along a length of the electrode for selection of different ablation volumes.

3. The device of claim 1, further comprising a handle to which the adjustment member is coupled, and in which the nut is positioned, wherein the handle is transparent or comprises at least one window through which at least a portion of the nut is visible.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein the handle further comprises indicia for identifying an axial length of a portion of the electrode not covered by the sleeve.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the electrode has one or more openings along the exposed portion for delivery of fluid to the target tissue.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein:

the exposed portion is ultrasonically reflective or radio-opaque, or a distal end of the sleeve is ultrasonically reflective or radio-opaque.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the ablation area of the selected tissue is substantially spheroidal.