Image-guided ablation system and method for monitoring an ablation procedure

• US 9,089,287 B2
• Filed: 12/30/2008
• Issued: 07/28/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: St. Jude Medical (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: St. Jude Medical (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Inventors: Morse, Stephen A., Sliwa, John W. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gupta, Vani
• Application Number:
  US12/346,132
• Publication Number:
  US 20100168569A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,401 Days
• Field of Search: 600/439, 600/463, 600/466, 600/471
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/02 by cooling, e.g. cryogenic techniques devices for cooling specific reflex points of the body within cell-life limits A61H39/06
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/14 Probes or electrodes therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/18 by applying electromagnetic radiation, e.g. microwaves radiation therapy A61N5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/20 using laser
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3782 transmitter or receiver in catheter or minimal invasive instrument
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3784 both receiver and transmitter being in the instrument or receiver being also transmitter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/00 Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves imaging of objects using sonar G01S15/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/0841 for locating instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/12 in body cavities or body tracts, e.g. by using catheters catheters per se A61M25/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4245 involving determining the position of the probe, e.g. with respect to an external reference frame or to the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/445 Details of catheter construction
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/463 characterised by displaying multiple images or images and diagnostic data on one display composite display in devices for short-range imaging with acoustic waves G01S7/52074
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 7/02 Localised ultrasound hyperthermia hyperthermia in general A61F7/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 7/022 intracavitary

Abstract

An ablation system comprises a tool including an shaft having proximal and distal end portions, a handle at the proximal end portion, and a lumen extending between the proximal and distal end portions. The system further includes an ablation subsystem comprised of an ablation element at the distal end portion of the shaft, and an ablation source connected to the ablation element. The system further includes an imaging subsystem comprising an ultrasound imaging transducer disposed proximate the ablation element. The transducer is pivotally attached to the shaft or the ablation element to allow the transducer to articulate between stowed and deployed positions. The imaging subsystem further comprises a processor connected to the transducer configured to receive image data acquired by the transducer, and to generate an image corresponding thereto. The imaging subsystem still further includes a display connected to the processor configured to display the generated image.

Claims

1. An image-guided ablation system, comprising:

a surgical tool including an elongate shaft having a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, a handle disposed at said proximal end portion, a lumen disposed therein extending between said proximal end portion and said distal end portion;

an ablation subsystem including

at least one ablation element coupled to said elongate shaft at said distal end portion thereof; and

an ablation power source electrically connected to said ablation element; and

an imaging subsystem including

an ultrasound imaging transducer disposed at said distal end portion of said elongate shaft proximate said ablation element, wherein said ultrasound imaging transducer is coupled to one of said elongate shaft and said at least one ablation element via a hinge to allow said ultrasound imaging transducer to articulate between at least a stowed position and a deployed position, said ultrasound imaging transducer configured to acquire image data relating to at least an anatomical structure, wherein said ultrasound imaging transducer is flush with an outer surface of said elongate shaft in said stowed position;

a processor electrically connected to said ultrasound imaging transducer, said processor configured to receive said image data acquired by said ultrasound imaging transducer and to generate an image corresponding thereto; and

a display electrically connected to said processor configured to display said image generated by said processor.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising a controller electrically connected to said imaging subsystem and said ablation subsystem and configured to exert a measure of control over the operation of at least one of said imaging and ablation subsystems.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said imaging subsystem and said ablation subsystem are gated together such that said controller is configured to turn off said ultrasound imaging transducer while said ablation source is turned on.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said ultrasound imaging transducer has an imaging field of view and said ablation element has an ablating field, and when said ultrasound imaging transducer is in said deployed position, said imaging field of view intersects with or includes said ablating field.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein said surgical tool further comprises an actuator configured to articulate said ultrasound imaging transducer.

6. An ablation tool comprising:

an elongate shaft having a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and a lumen therein extending between said proximal and distal end portions;

a handle disposed at said proximal end portion;

at least one ablation element disposed at said distal end portion and having an ablating field;

an ultrasound imaging transducer assembly comprising an ultrasound imaging transducer, said ultrasound imaging transducer assembly disposed generally along an outer surface of said shaft, proximate said ablation element; and

a hinge coupling said ultrasound imaging transducer assembly to one of said elongate shaft and said at least one ablation element to allow said ultrasound imaging transducer assembly to articulate between at least a stowed position and a deployed position; and

an actuator configured to articulate said ultrasound imaging transducer assembly.

7. The ablation tool of claim 6, wherein said ultrasound imaging transducer assembly is flush with at least one of (i) said outer surface of said shaft, proximate said ablation element, and (ii) said outer surface of said ablation element when said ultrasound imaging transducer assembly is in said stowed position.

8. The ablation tool of claim 6, wherein said ultrasound imaging transducer has an imaging field of view, and when said ultrasound imaging transducer is in said deployed position, said imaging field of view intersects with or includes said ablating field.

9. The ablation tool of claim 6, wherein said actuator includes an activation knob disposed in said handle and a pull wire coupled to and between said activation knob and said ultrasound imaging transducer assembly.

10. The ablation tool of claim 6, wherein said actuator includes a balloon disposed proximate said ultrasound imaging transducer assembly, said balloon configured to cause said ultrasound imaging transducer assembly to be deployed when said balloon is inflated and to be stowed when said balloon is deflated.

11. The ablation tool of claim 6, further comprising a protective sheath configured to be fitted over said ultrasound imaging transducer assembly.

12. The ablation tool of claim 6, wherein said lumen extends along an axis, wherein said shaft defines a generally round cross-section taken transverse to said axis.

13. The ablation tool of claim 6, wherein said lumen extends along an axis, wherein said shaft defines a generally rectangular cross-section taken transverse to said axis.

14. An ablation tool comprising:

an elongate shaft having a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and a lumen therein extending between said proximal and distal end portions;

a handle disposed at said proximal end portion;

at least one ablation element disposed at said distal end portion and having an ablating field;

an ultrasound imaging transducer assembly disposed proximate said distal end portion generally along an outer surface of the tool, said ultrasound imaging transducer assembly comprising an ultrasound imaging transducer; and

a hinge coupling said ultrasound imaging transducer assembly to one of said elongate shaft and said at least one ablation element to allow said ultrasound imaging transducer to articulate between at least a stowed position and a deployed position;

an actuator configured to articulate said ultrasound imaging transducer assembly, wherein when in said deployed position, said ultrasound imaging transducer has a view of more of said ablating field of said at least one ablation element compared to when in said stowed position; and

wherein said ultrasound imaging transducer assembly is flush with an outer surface of said shaft, proximate said ablation element, when said ultrasound imaging transducer assembly is in said stowed position.

15. The ablation tool of claim 14, further comprising an imaging and ablation assembly comprising a body that is distinct from said shaft and is coupled to said distal end portion of said shaft, said imaging and ablation assembly comprising said at least one ablation element and said ultrasound imaging transducer assembly.

16. The ablation tool of claim 15, wherein said ultrasound imaging transducer assembly is flush with an outer surface of said body of said imaging and ablation assembly when said ultrasound imaging transducer assembly is in said stowed position.

17. The ablation tool of claim 14, wherein said ultrasound imaging transducer has an imaging field of view, and when said ultrasound imaging transducer assembly is in said deployed position, said imaging field of view intersects with or includes said ablating field.

18. The ablation tool of claim 14, wherein said actuator includes an activation knob disposed in said handle and a pull wire coupled to and between said activation knob and said ultrasound imaging transducer assembly.

19. The ablation tool of claim 14, wherein said actuator includes a balloon disposed proximate said ultrasound imaging transducer assembly, said balloon configured to cause said ultrasound imaging transducer assembly to be deployed when said balloon is inflated and to be stowed when said balloon is deflated.

20. The ablation tool of claim 14, wherein said lumen extends along an axis, wherein said shaft defines a generally round cross-section taken transverse to said axis.

21. The ablation tool of claim 14, wherein said lumen extends along an axis, wherein said shaft defines a generally rectangular cross-section taken transverse to said axis.