Method and apparatus for creating a bi-polar virtual electrode used for the ablation of tissue

• US 9,113,896 B2
• Filed: 12/28/2007
• Issued: 08/25/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 07/07/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Mulier, Peter M. J., Hoey, Michael F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cohen, Lee S
• Application Number:
  US11/966,769
• Publication Number:
  US 20080103497A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,797 Days
• Field of Search: 606/41
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/14 Probes or electrodes therefor
• 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 2018/00005 Cooling or heating of the probe or tissue immediately surrounding the probe
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00053 Mechanical features of the instrument of device
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00291 using suction
• 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 2018/00875 Resistance or impedance
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/126 bipolar
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1472 for use with liquid electrolyte, e.g. virtual electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2218/002 Irrigation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2218/007 Aspiration

Abstract

A method and apparatus for creating a virtual electrode to ablate bodily tissue. The apparatus includes an outer tube, a first electrode, an inner tube and a second electrode. The outer tube is fluidly connected to a source of conductive fluid and defines a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end includes an opening for delivering conductive fluid from the outer tube. The first electrode is disposed at the distal end of the outer tube for applying a current to conductive fluid delivered from the outer tube. The inner tube is coaxially received within the outer tube and is connected to a source of conductive fluid. The inner tube defines a proximal end and a distal end, with the distal end forming an opening for delivering conductive fluid from the inner tube. Finally, the second electrode is disposed at the distal end of the inner tube for applying a current to conductive fluid delivered from the inner tube. With this configuration, upon final assembly, the distal end of the outer tube is axially spaced from the distal end of the inner tube such that the first electrode is spaced from the second electrode. As a result, a bi-polar virtual electrode can be established.

Claims

1. A method for ablating tissue comprising:

positioning an ablating element of an ablation device adjacent to the tissue, wherein the ablation device comprises;

an ablation member comprising an elongated tubular member, wherein the ablating element is disposed at a distal end portion of the ablation member; and

a suction member comprising an elongated tubular member having a lumen in fluid communication with a vacuum and a vacuum opening disposed at a distal end portion of the suction member, the suction member coupled to the ablation member, wherein at least a portion of the elongated tubular member of the ablation member resides within the suction member lumen and the vacuum opening;

providing suction to the tubular suction member to draw the tissue into contact with the device; and

providing an ablation energy to the ablating element for ablating the tissue.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the ablation energy comprises electric current.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the ablation energy comprises radiofrequency energy provided from a radiofrequency generator.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein suction is provided from a vacuum source.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the ablating element comprises an electrode.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the ablation device further comprises a temperature sensor.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprises measuring a temperature with the temperature sensor.

8. A method for ablating tissue comprising:

positioning adjacent the tissue an ablating member of an ablation device, the device comprising;

an elongated cylindrical ablation member comprising a tubular member and an ablating member disposed at a distal end portion of the ablation member; and

an elongated cylindrical suction member comprising a tubular member having a lumen in fluid communication with a vacuum and a vacuum opening disposed at a distal end portion of the suction member, the suction member coupled to the ablation member, wherein at least a portion of the ablation member passes through the lumen and the vacuum opening;

providing suction to the suction member to draw the tissue into contact with the device; and

providing an ablation energy to the ablating member for ablating the tissue.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the ablating member comprises an electrode.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the ablation device further comprises a temperature sensor.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising measuring a temperature with the temperature sensor.