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

• US 9,138,288 B2
• Filed: 11/07/2014
• Issued: 09/22/2015
• 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:
  US14/536,212
• Publication Number:
  US 20150066025A1
• Time in Patent Office: 319 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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. A method for ablating tissue, comprising:

inserting an elongate body into a tissue mass by passing a tissue-penetrating distal tip of the elongated body into the tissue mass;

delivering a fluid into the tissue mass from the elongate body, wherein the fluid is at least partially degassed such that the fluid contains one or more gases having less than a predetermined partial pressure; and

delivering thermal energy into the tissue mass.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein delivering thermal energy into the tissue mass includes activating an ablation element configured to ablate tissue adjacent to the elongate body.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein delivering a fluid into the tissue mass from the elongate body includes urging fluid through an inner lumen of the elongate body towards at least one outlet port formed in a sidewall of the elongate body.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein delivering thermal energy into the tissue mass includes heating the fluid prior to introduction into the tissue mass.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein heating the fluid prior to introduction into the tissue mass includes activating a heating element disposed within the inner lumen of the elongate body.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein delivering the fluid into the tissue mass and delivering thermal energy into the tissue mass are performed simultaneously.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising, prior to delivering the fluid into the tissue mass, at least partially degassing the fluid to bring the one or more gases contained therein below the predetermined partial pressure.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein at least partially degassing the fluid includes passing the fluid through a mass exchanger prior to delivering the fluid to the elongate body.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the fluid consists essentially of normal saline solution.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the fluid consists essentially of concentrated saline solution.

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

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising, prior to delivering the fluid into the tissue mass, determining a partial pressure of at least one gas in the fluid with a sensor.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein inserting the elongate body into the tissue mass includes passing a tissue-puncturing distal tip of the elongate body into the tissue mass.

14. A method for ablating tissue, comprising:

inserting an elongate body into a tissue mass;

delivering through an inner lumen of the elongate body fluid that is at least partially degassed such that the fluid contains one or more gases having less than a predetermined partial pressure;

delivering energy to at least one heating assembly disposed within the inner lumen to heat the at least partially degassed fluid flowing through the lumen prior to the at least partially degassed fluid flowing into the tissue mass through at least one outlet port in the elongate body; and

delivering energy to an ablation element, while simultaneously delivering energy to the at least one heating assembly, to ablate the tissue mass.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising, prior to delivering the at least partially degassed fluid through the inner lumen, activating a pump to deliver fluid through a mass exchanger that at least partially degasses the fluid, the at least partially degassed fluid flowing from the mass exchanger into the inner lumen of the elongate body.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein delivering the at least partially degassed fluid through the inner lumen comprises activating a pump to force the at least partially degassed fluid from a reservoir into the inner lumen.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the fluid consists essentially of normal saline solution.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein the fluid consists essentially of concentrated saline solution.

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

20. The method of claim 14, further comprising, prior to delivering at least partially degassed fluid through the inner lumen of the elongate body, determining an amount of a gas in the at least partially degassed fluid with a sensor.

21. The method of claim 14, wherein inserting the elongate body into the tissue mass includes passing a tissue-puncturing distal tip of the elongate body into the tissue mass.