Ablation probe with ultrasonic imaging capabilities
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A combined ablation and ultrasound imaging probe for insertion within a body, the probe comprising:
- a housing having a proximal section and a distal tip section;
an ablation electrode located at the distal tip section, the ablation electrode comprising a metal shell, the metal shell having a distal-facing aperture formed through the metal shell and a plurality of lateral-facing apertures formed through the metal shell and located proximal of the distal facing aperture, the plurality of lateral-facing apertures arrayed around a circumference of the metal shell;
a first ultrasonic imaging sensor located at least partially within the metal shell, the first ultrasonic imaging sensor configured to transmit acoustic waves in a first direction through the distal-facing aperture, the first direction orientated primarily distally away from the distal tip section; and
a plurality of second ultrasonic imaging sensors located at least partially within the metal shell and proximal to the first ultrasonic imaging sensor, the plurality of second ultrasonic imaging sensors arrayed about the circumference of the metal shell and configured to transmit acoustic waves through the plurality of lateral-facing apertures in a plurality of second directions, respectively, the plurality of second directions orientated laterally away from the distal tip section and different from the first direction.
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Abstract
Devices and systems for ultrasonically imaging anatomical structures and performing ablation therapy within the body are disclosed. A combined ablation and ultrasound imaging probe includes a housing, an ablation electrode located on a distal tip section of the housing, and a number of ultrasonic imaging sensors configured for visualizing anatomical structures within the body. During an ablation procedure, the ultrasonic imaging sensors can be tasked to generate a number of ultrasonic images that can be displayed as a composite image on a display screen of a user interface.
271 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A combined ablation and ultrasound imaging probe for insertion within a body, the probe comprising:
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a housing having a proximal section and a distal tip section; an ablation electrode located at the distal tip section, the ablation electrode comprising a metal shell, the metal shell having a distal-facing aperture formed through the metal shell and a plurality of lateral-facing apertures formed through the metal shell and located proximal of the distal facing aperture, the plurality of lateral-facing apertures arrayed around a circumference of the metal shell; a first ultrasonic imaging sensor located at least partially within the metal shell, the first ultrasonic imaging sensor configured to transmit acoustic waves in a first direction through the distal-facing aperture, the first direction orientated primarily distally away from the distal tip section; and a plurality of second ultrasonic imaging sensors located at least partially within the metal shell and proximal to the first ultrasonic imaging sensor, the plurality of second ultrasonic imaging sensors arrayed about the circumference of the metal shell and configured to transmit acoustic waves through the plurality of lateral-facing apertures in a plurality of second directions, respectively, the plurality of second directions orientated laterally away from the distal tip section and different from the first direction. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An imaging and ablation probe for insertion within a body, the probe comprising:
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a catheter having a distal tip section; an ablation electrode located at the distal tip section, the electrode formed from an electrically conductive metal, the electrode having a distal aperture and a plurality of side apertures, all of said apertures formed through the electrically conductive metal of the electrode, the distal aperture distal with respect to each of the plurality of side apertures, the plurality of side apertures arrayed around a circumference of the electrode; a first ultrasonic imaging sensor located within the electrode and configured to transmit acoustic waves through the distal aperture in a first direction, the first direction orientated primarily distally away from the electrode; and a plurality of second ultrasonic imaging sensors within the electrode and configured to transmit acoustic waves, the plurality of second ultrasonic imaging sensors directly axially aligned with the plurality of side apertures, respectively, to transmit the transmit acoustic waves through the plurality of side apertures in a plurality of second directions, respectively, the plurality of second directions orientated laterally with respect to a longitudinal axis of the distal tip section. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. An imaging and ablation probe for insertion within a body, the probe comprising:
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a catheter having a distal tip section; an RF ablation electrode located at the distal tip section, the RF ablation electrode formed from an electrically conductive metal, the electrode having a distal aperture and a plurality of side apertures, all of said apertures formed through the electrically conductive metal of the electrode, the distal aperture located distal with respect to each of the plurality of side apertures, the plurality of side apertures evenly spaced around a circumference of the electrode; a first ultrasonic imaging sensor inset within the electrode and configured to transmit acoustic waves in a first direction through the distal aperture, the first direction orientated primarily distally from the electrode; and a plurality of second ultrasonic imaging sensors inset within the electrode and each directly aimed in one of a plurality of different directions, respectively, and configured to transmit acoustic waves through the plurality of side apertures in the plurality of second directions, respectively, the plurality of second directions laterally directed with respect to the electrode and respectively different from each other and the first direction.
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Specification