Ablation devices with dual operating frequencies, systems including same, and methods of adjusting ablation volume using same

• US 8,968,288 B2
• Filed: 02/19/2010
• Issued: 03/03/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 02/19/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Brannan, Joseph D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Peffley, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): VAHDAT, KHADIJEH A
• Application Number:
  US12/709,014
• Publication Number:
  US 20110208177A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,838 Days
• Field of Search: 606 32- 34, 606/41, 607/101, 607/102, 607154-156
• US Class Current: 606/33
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/08 by means of electrically-heated probes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/149 bow shaped or with rotatable body at cantilever end, e.g. for resectoscopes, or coagulating rollers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/18 by applying electromagnetic radiation, e.g. microwaves radiation therapy A61N5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1815 using microwaves
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00023 closed, i.e. without wound contact by the fluid
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00077 high, i.e. electrically conducting
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00577 Ablation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00595 Cauterization
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00738 Depth, e.g. depth of ablation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00916 with means for switching or controlling the main function of the instrument or device
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0094 Types of switches or controllers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1853 Monopole antennas
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1861 with an instrument inserted into a body lumen or cavity, e.g. a catheter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1876 with multiple frequencies

Abstract

An ablation device includes a feedline including an inner conductor having a distal end, an outer conductor coaxially disposed around the inner conductor, and a dielectric material disposed therebetween, an elongated electrically-conductive member longitudinally disposed at the distal end of the inner conductor and having a proximal end, a first balun structure disposed over a first portion of the outer conductor and positioned so that a distal end of the first balun structure is located at a first distance from the proximal end of the electrically-conductive member and a second balun structure disposed over a second portion of the outer conductor and positioned so that a distal end of the second balun structure is located at a second distance from the proximal end of the electrically-conductive member.

Claims

1. An ablation device, comprising:

a feedline including an inner conductor having a distal end and a first diameter, an outer conductor coaxially disposed around the inner conductor, and a dielectric material disposed therebetween;

an elongated electrically-conductive member longitudinally-disposed at the distal end of the inner conductor and having a proximal end and a second diameter different than the first diameter;

a dielectric layer coaxially disposed around a first portion of the outer conductor;

a first balun disposed over the first portion of the outer conductor and positioned so that a distal end of the first balun is located at a first distance from the proximal end of the elongated electrically-conductive member, the first balun including an electrically-conductive layer coaxially disposed around a proximal portion of the dielectric layer, wherein the dielectric layer extends distally beyond a distal-most end of the inner conductor; and

a second balun disposed over a second portion of the outer conductor and positioned so that a distal end of the second balun is located at a second distance from the proximal end of the elongated electrically-conductive member.

2. The ablation device of claim 1, wherein the first balun is operably associated with a first operating frequency.

3. The ablation device of claim 2, wherein the first balun is a quarter-wave sleeve balun.

4. The ablation device of claim 2, wherein the first operating frequency is about 915 MHz.

5. The ablation device of claim 1, wherein the second balun is operably associated with a second operating frequency.

6. The ablation device of claim 5, wherein the second operating frequency is about 2.45 GHz.

7. The ablation device of claim 5, further comprising a third balun structure, wherein the third balun is operably associated with a third operating frequency.

8. The ablation device of claim 1, wherein a portion of the inner conductor and the dielectric material of the feedline extend beyond the outer conductor at a distal end of the feedline.

9. The ablation device of claim 1, further comprising a sheath including a substantially tubular member defining a lumen therein, wherein the lumen is configured to contain at least a portion of the ablation device therein.

10. The ablation device of claim 9, wherein the lumen is configured to contain the elongated electrically-conductive member and the first and second baluns therein.

11. The ablation device of claim 10, further comprising a coolant chamber defined between the substantially tubular member and the elongated electrically-conductive member and the first and second baluns.

12. The ablation device of claim 11, further comprising an outer dielectric layer disposed over at least a portion of the elongated electrically-conductive member and the first and second baluns.

13. The ablation device of claim 1, wherein the dielectric layer extends distally beyond the distal-most end of the electrically-conductive layer to direct current into the first balun.

14. A system, comprising:

a generator assembly; and

an ablation device operably associated with the generator assembly, the ablation device including;

a feedline having an inner conductor, an outer conductor coaxially-disposed around the inner conductor, and a dielectric material disposed therebetween, the inner conductor having a first diameter;

an elongated electrically-conductive member disposed at a distal end of the inner conductor and having a second diameter different than the first diameter;

a dielectric layer coaxially disposed around a distal portion of the outer conductor;

a first balun operably associated with a first operating frequency, the first balun including an electrically-conductive layer coaxially disposed around a proximal portion of the dielectric layer, wherein the dielectric layer extends distally beyond a distal-most end of the inner conductor; and

a second balun operably associated with a second operating frequency, wherein the second balun is electrically coupled to the outer conductor.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the ablation device further includes a sheath including a substantially tubular member defining a lumen therein, wherein the lumen is configured to contain at least a portion of the ablation device therein.

16. The system of claim 15, further comprising a coolant supply system in fluid communication with the lumen.

17. The ablation device of claim 14, wherein the dielectric layer extends distally beyond the distal-most end of the electrically-conductive layer to direct current into the first balun.

18. An ablation device, comprising:

a feedline including an inner conductor having a distal end and a first diameter, an outer conductor coaxially disposed around the inner conductor, and a dielectric material disposed therebetween;

an elongated electrically-conductive member longitudinally-disposed at the distal end of the inner conductor and having a proximal end and a second diameter different than the first diameter;

a dielectric layer coaxially disposed around a first portion of the outer conductor;

a first balun disposed over the first portion of the outer conductor and positioned so that a distal end of the first balun is located at a first distance from the proximal end of the elongated electrically-conductive member, the first balun including an electrically-conductive layer coaxially disposed around a proximal portion of the dielectric layer, wherein the dielectric layer extends distally beyond a distal-most end of the inner conductor, and wherein a proximal end of the electrically-conductive layer is adapted to allow for connection to the outer conductor; and

a second balun disposed over a second portion of the outer conductor and positioned so that a distal end of the second balun is located at a second distance from the proximal end of the elongated electrically-conductive member.