Methods and devices for use of degassed fluids with fluid enhanced ablation devices

• US 8,945,121 B2
• Filed: 04/12/2012
• Issued: 02/03/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 04/12/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Thermedical, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Thermedical, Inc.
• Inventors: Curley, Michael G.
• Primary Examiner(s): PEFFLEY, MICHAEL F
• Application Number:
  US13/445,040
• Publication Number:
  US 20120265199A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,027 Days
• Field of Search: 606 27- 31, 606/41, 606 45- 50, 607 96-105
• US Class Current: 606/41
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/04 by heating by applying electromagnetic radiation A61B18/18; hyperthermia using electric or magnetic fields, radiation or ultrasound A61N
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/082 Probes or electrodes therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1477 Needle-like probes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/16 Indifferent or passive electrodes for grounding
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00526 Methods of manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00029 open
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00041 Heating, e.g. defrosting
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00577 Ablation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00642 with feedback, i.e. closed loop control
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00773 Sensed parameters
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00791 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00797 measured by multiple temperature sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00809 measured thermochromatically
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00821 measured by a thermocouple
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/046 in liquid form
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1425 Needle
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/162 located on the probe body
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 17/03 driven by electric motors
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 19/22 of reciprocating-piston type
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 41/02 having reservoirs
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 43/04 : Pumps having electric drive
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 49/06 : Control using electricity regulating by means of floats actuating electric switches F04B49/04
• CPC Class Codes: F04C 2270/041 : Controlled or regulated
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49016 : Antenna or wave energy "plumbing" making
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49085 : Thermally variable

Abstract

Devices, systems, and methods for degassing fluid prior to applying fluid to a treatment site during ablation therapy are provided. In one embodiment, an ablation system can include an elongate body, an ablation element, a heating assembly, and a fluid source. Fluid in the fluid source can be at least partially degassed prior to being provided as part of the system, or, in some embodiments, a degassing apparatus can be provided that can be configured to degas fluid within the system prior to applying the fluid to the treatment site. The degassing apparatus can include one or more gas-permeable and fluid-impermeable tubes disposed therein, which can allow gas to be removed from fluid passing through the apparatus. Other exemplary devices, systems, and methods are also provided.

Claims

1. An ablation system, comprising:

an elongate body having an inner lumen configured to deliver fluid into a tissue mass adjacent to the elongate body;

an ablation element configured to heat the tissue mass adjacent to the elongate body; and

a fluid source separate from the elongate body and in fluid communication with the inner lumen for delivering fluid through the inner lumen, the fluid source containing a volume of fluid that is at least partially degassed such that the fluid contains one or more gases having less than a predetermined partial pressure.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a pump coupled to the fluid source and configured to pump fluid from the fluid source through the inner lumen of the elongate body.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising a mass exchanger coupled to the fluid source and configured to at least partially degas the fluid.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the fluid source comprises a syringe configured to couple to the elongate body for delivering fluid to the inner lumen.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the fluid comprises saline.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising a sensor configured to measure an amount of the gas in the fluid.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising a heating assembly disposed within the inner lumen of the elongate body and configured to heat the fluid to be delivered from the elongate body.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein a partial pressure of oxygen contained in the fluid is in a range of about 20 mm to about 40 mm of mercury.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein at least a distal portion of the elongate body is configured to be inserted into the tissue mass.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the elongate body includes a tissue-puncturing distal tip.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the tissue-puncturing distal tip is a pointed tip.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the fluid consists essentially of normal saline solution.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the fluid consists essentially of concentrated saline solution.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the fluid consists essentially of Ringer'"'"'s solution.

15. An ablation system, comprising:

a mass exchanger in communication with a fluid source and configured to at least partially degas fluid from the fluid source;

an elongate body configured to deliver the fluid into a tissue mass adjacent to the elongate body; and

an ablation element configured to heat the tissue mass adjacent to the elongate body.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the fluid consists essentially of Ringer'"'"'s solution.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the mass exchanger includes a plurality of non-coaxial gas-permeable and fluid-impermeable conduits.

18. The system of claim 15, wherein the mass exchanger includes at least one outlet configured to couple to a gas source for adjusting the amount of gas in the fluid flowing through the mass exchanger.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the gas source comprises a vacuum source for removing gas from the fluid.

20. The system of claim 18, wherein the gas source comprises a volume of one or more gases having less than a predetermined pressure.

21. The system of claim 15, further comprising a heating assembly configured to heat the fluid to be delivered from the elongate body.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein the mass exchanger is disposed proximal of the heating assembly such that fluid is at least partially degassed before being heated by the heating assembly.

23. The system of claim 15, wherein the mass exchanger is disposed within a control unit coupled to a proximal end of the elongate body, the control unit having a pump effective to pump fluid from a fluid source, through the mass exchanger, and into the inner lumen of the elongate body.

24. The system of claim 15, further comprising a sensor configured to measure an amount of a gas in fluid after it flows through the mass exchanger.

25. The system of claim 15, wherein a partial pressure of oxygen contained in the fluid is in a range of about 20 mm to about 40 mm of mercury.

26. The system of claim 15, wherein at least a distal portion of the elongate body is configured to be inserted into the tissue mass.

27. The system of claim 15, wherein the elongate body includes a tissue-puncturing distal tip.

28. The system of claim 27, wherein the tissue-puncturing distal tip is a pointed tip.

29. The system of claim 15, wherein the fluid consists essentially of normal saline solution.

30. The system of claim 15, wherein the fluid consists essentially of concentrated saline solution.