Ablation probe with ultrasonic imaging capability
First Claim
1. An ablation probe for treating and imaging body tissue, the ablation probe comprising:
- an ablation electrode tip including an ablation electrode configured for delivering ablation energy to body tissue;
a plurality of acoustic openings disposed through the ablation electrode tip;
a distal tip insert disposed within an interior lumen of the ablation electrode tip, the distal tip insert including a plurality of fluid channels; and
a plurality of ultrasonic imaging sensors coupled to the distal tip insert, the ultrasonic imaging sensors configured to transmit ultrasonic waves through the acoustic openings, wherein the distal tip insert includes a plurality of recesses each configured for receiving one of the plurality of ultrasonic imaging sensors.
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Accused Products
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 an ablation electrode tip including an ablation electrode configured for delivering ablation energy, and a number of ultrasonic imaging sensors configured for imaging the tissue surrounding the probe. The ultrasonic imaging sensors are supported within the interior of the tip via a tip insert, and deliver ultrasonic waves through acoustic openings formed through the tip. The tip insert separates an interior lumen within the tip into a proximal fluid chamber and a distal fluid chamber. During an ablation procedure, the ultrasonic imaging sensors can be tasked to generate a number of ultrasonic images that can be displayed on a user interface.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. An ablation probe for treating and imaging body tissue, the ablation probe comprising:
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an ablation electrode tip including an ablation electrode configured for delivering ablation energy to body tissue; a plurality of acoustic openings disposed through the ablation electrode tip; a distal tip insert disposed within an interior lumen of the ablation electrode tip, the distal tip insert including a plurality of fluid channels; and a plurality of ultrasonic imaging sensors coupled to the distal tip insert, the ultrasonic imaging sensors configured to transmit ultrasonic waves through the acoustic openings, wherein the distal tip insert includes a plurality of recesses each configured for receiving one of the plurality of ultrasonic imaging sensors. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An ablation probe for treating and imaging body tissue, the ablation probe comprising:
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an elongate probe body having a proximal section and a distal section; an ablation electrode tip coupled to the distal section of the elongate probe body, the ablation electrode tip including an ablation electrode configured for delivering ablation energy to body tissue; a plurality of acoustic openings disposed through the ablation electrode tip; a distal tip insert disposed within an interior lumen of the ablation electrode tip, the distal tip insert separating the interior lumen into a proximal fluid chamber and a distal fluid chamber; a plurality of laterally-facing ultrasonic imaging sensors each coupled to a corresponding recess within the distal tip insert, the laterally-facing ultrasonic imaging sensors each configured to transmit ultrasonic waves from a side of the ablation electrode tip a plurality of fluid channels disposed about an outer extent of the distal tip insert and circumferentially offset from the ultrasonic imaging sensors; and a distally-facing ultrasonic imaging sensor coupled to the distal insert, the distally-facing ultrasonic imaging sensor configured for transmitting ultrasonic waves in a forward direction away from a distal end of the ablation electrode tip.
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18. An ablation and ultrasound imaging system, comprising:
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a probe configured for delivering ablation energy to body tissue, the probe comprising; an ablation electrode tip; a plurality of acoustic openings disposed through the ablation electrode tip; a distal tip insert disposed within an interior lumen of the ablation electrode tip, the distal tip insert including a plurality of fluid channels; and a plurality of ultrasonic imaging sensors coupled to the distal tip insert, the ultrasonic imaging sensors configured to transmit ultrasonic waves through the acoustic openings, wherein the distal tip insert includes a plurality of recesses each configured for receiving one of the plurality of ultrasonic imaging sensors; an ablation therapy module comprising an ablation source configured to generate and supply an electrical signal to the ablation electrode tip; and an ultrasound imaging module comprising an image processor configured to process ultrasonic imaging signals received from the ultrasonic imaging sensors to generate an ultrasonic image. - View Dependent Claims (19)
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Specification