System and method for performing an ablation procedure

• US 9,113,925 B2
• Filed: 09/09/2009
• Issued: 08/25/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 09/09/2009
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Smith, Ian S., Peterson, Darion, Bonn, Kenlyn S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Peffley, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): GOOD, SAMANTHA M
• Application Number:
  US12/556,010
• Publication Number:
  US 20110060326A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,176 Days
• Field of Search: 606/20, 606/27, 606/32, 606/33, 606/41
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 2018/00172 Connectors and adapters therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00577 Ablation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00714 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1838 Dipole antennas
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1869 with an instrument interstitially inserted into the body, e.g. needles

Abstract

A method of performing an ablation procedure includes the initial step of supplying a fluid to a cooling chamber defined within an antenna assembly. The method also includes the steps of decreasing the temperature of the fluid to form a solid material and inserting the antenna assembly into tissue. The method also includes the step of supplying energy to the antenna assembly to treat tissue. Residual heat from the antenna assembly transitions the solid material back to the fluid. The method also includes the step of circulating the fluid within the antenna assembly to dissipate heat emanating from the antenna assembly.

Claims

1. A method of performing an ablation procedure, comprising the steps of:

supplying a fluid to a cooling chamber defined within a microwave antenna;

decreasing the temperature of the fluid subsequent to the supplying of the fluid to the cooling chamber to change the fluid within the cooling chamber to a solid material;

inserting the microwave antenna into tissue;

supplying energy to the microwave antenna to treat tissue, wherein residual heat from the microwave antenna transitions the solid material back to the fluid; and

circulating the fluid within the microwave antenna to dissipate heat emanating therefrom.

2. A method according to claim 1, further comprising using a cooling device to solidity the fluid within the cooling chamber.

3. A method according to claim 2, wherein the cooling device is selected from the group consisting of a refrigeration device, a liquid nitrogen spray, a liquid nitrogen bath, and a thermoelectric cooling device.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the microwave antenna includes a tip coupled to a distal portion thereof, the tip having an insertion base, a tapered end, and a pointed end.

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein the microwave antenna comprises a feedline including an inner conductor, an outer conductor, and inner insulator disposed therebetween, a radiating portion, and a sheath enclosing the feedline and the radiating portion to define the cooling chamber.

6. A method according to claim 5, wherein the sheath is a polyimide catheter.

7. A method according to claim 5, further comprising:

coupling a thee-branch connection hub to the feedline and the sheath, the three-branch connection hub including a first branch having a cable connector coupled to the feedline at a junction point, a second branch having an outlet port, and a third branch having an inlet port; and

interconnecting a proximal end of the first branch and the outlet port via a bypass tube, wherein one end of the bypass tube is in proximity with the junction point to provide for flow of the fluid therethrough.

8. A method according to claim 7, wherein supplying the fluid further comprises supplying the fluid through at least one inflow tube coupled to the inlet port and disposed within the chamber;

and

withdrawing the fluid from the chamber through at least one outflow tube coupled to the outlet port and in fluid communication with the chamber.

9. A method of performing an ablation procedure, the method comprising:

supplying fluid to a cooling chamber defined within a microwave antenna;

decreasing the temperature of the fluid subsequent to supplying the fluid to the cooling chamber to change the fluid within the cooling chamber to a solid material;

inserting the antenna assembly into tissue;

supplying microwave energy to the antenna assembly to treat tissue, wherein residual heat from the antenna transitions the solid material back to the fluid;

circulating the fluid within the microwave antenna to dissipate heat emanating therefrom; and

withdrawing the fluid from the antenna.

10. A method according to claim 9, further comprising using a cooling device to solidify the fluid within the cooling chamber.

11. A method according to claim 9, wherein the microwave antenna comprises a feedline including an inner conductor, an outer conductor, an inner insulator disposed therebetween, a radiation portion, a sheath enclosing the feline and the radiating portion to define the cooling chamber, and a three-branch connection hub coupled to the feedline and the sheath and including a first branch having a cable connector coupled to the feedline, a second branch having an outlet port, and a third branch having an inlet port.

12. A method according to claim 11, further comprising:

coupling the cable connector to the feedline at a junction point; and

interconnecting a proximal end of the first branch and the outlet port via a bypass tube, wherein one end of the bypass tube is in proximity with the junction point to provide for flow of the fluid therethrough.

13. A method according to claim 9, wherein the microwave antenna includes a tip coupled to a distal portion thereof, the tip having an insertion base, a tapered end, and a pointed end.