Method for treating tissue with a ferromagnetic thermal surgical tool

• US 9,320,560 B2
• Filed: 02/15/2013
• Issued: 04/26/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 04/17/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Domain Surgical, Inc (OmniGuide Holdings, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Domain Surgical, Inc (OmniGuide Holdings, Inc.)
• Inventors: Manwaring, Kim, McNally, David
• Primary Examiner(s): DELLA, JAYMI E
• Application Number:
  US13/769,069
• Publication Number:
  US 20140012246A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,166 Days
• Field of Search: 606/47, 606/113, 606/46, 607/103
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/00234 for minimally invasive surgery A61B17/0218, A61B17/0469, A61B17/12013, A61B17/1285, A61B17/29, A61B17/320016 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/320068 using mechanical vibrations, e.g. ultrasonic A61B17/22012 takes precedence; dental tooth drilling devices operated by vibration A61C3/03; removing intra-ocular material using mechanical vibrations A61F9/00745
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3211 Surgical scalpels, knives; Accessories therefor
• 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 18/08 by means of electrically-heated probes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/082 Probes or electrodes therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/085 Forceps, scissors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/10 Power sources therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1206 Generators therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1492 having a flexible, catheter-like structure, e.g. for heart ablation A61B18/1477 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00141 continuous, e.g. wave
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00876 magnetic
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00973 pedal-operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320069 for ablating tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/32007 with suction or vacuum means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320082 for incising tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00077 high, i.e. electrically conducting
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00095 high, i.e. heat conducting
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00107 Coatings on the energy applicator
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0013 non-sticking
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00577 : Ablation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00589 : Coagulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00595 : Cauterization
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00601 : Cutting
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00619 : Welding
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00642 : with feedback, i.e. closed loop control
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00654 : with individual control of each of a plurality of energy emitting elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00702 : Power or energy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00714 : Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00755 : Resistance or impedance
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00791 : Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00803 : with temperature prediction
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00958 : for switching between different working modes of the main function
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/128 : generating two or more frequencies
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1407 : Loop
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1412 : Blade
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/00 : Catheters; Hollow probes dilators A61M29/00; peritoneal catheters A61M1/285; tracheal tubes A61M16/04; for drainage A61M27/00; for uterus, vagina or rectum A61M31/00 ; for measuring or testing A61B; materials for catheters A61L29/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0082 : Catheter tip comprising a tool
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49124 : On flat or curved insulated base, e.g., printed circuit, etc.

Abstract

An electrical conductor, such as a wire or catheter, which is coated circumferentially with a ferromagnetic material in a selected region, is fed from a high frequency alternating current source. The ferromagnetic material has a quick response in heating and cooling to the controllable power delivery. The ferromagnetic material can be used for separating tissue, coagulation, tissue destruction or achieving other desired tissue effects in numerous surgical procedures.

Claims

1. A method for treating a tissue, the method comprising:

selecting a primary geometry having a conductor disposed thereon, the conductor having a ferromagnetic coating disposed on and in electrically conductive communication with a portion of the conductor, wherein the conductor extends and is configured to facilitate a current flowing from a position prior to the ferromagnetic coating, along the ferromagnetic coating, and to a position beyond the ferromagnetic coating, and wherein the ferromagnetic coating has a thickness of between 1 micrometers and 50 micrometers;

disposing the ferromagnetic coating into contact with the tissue; and

delivering an oscillating electrical signal to the conductor so as to heat the ferromagnetic coating and form a ferromagnetic heated region, and heating the tissue with the ferromagnetic coating.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the primary geometry is selected from the group of a scalpel, a spatula, a ball and a pointed geometry.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the primary geometry forms a portion of forceps.

4. The thermally adjustable surgical tool of claim 3, further comprising a sensor disposed on the primary geometry for monitoring at least one of the ferromagnetic coating, the conductor and the tissue.

5. The thermally adjustable surgical tool of claim 4, wherein the primary geometry comprises forceps having at least two tips and the conductor comprises a plurality of conductors and wherein at least one of the plurality of conductors is disposed on at least one of the at least two tips.

6. The thermally adjustable surgical tool of claim 4, wherein the conductor comprises a plurality of conductors and wherein at least one of the plurality of conductors is disposed on one of the at least two tips and the sensor is positioned on another of the at least two tips.

7. The thermally adjustable surgical tool of claim 4, wherein the sensor is configured to measure at least one of temperature, transferred heat, and tissue properties.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein heating the tissue comprises vascular endothelial welding the tissue.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein heating the tissue comprises incising the tissue.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein heating the tissue comprises causing hemostasis in the tissue.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein heating the tissue comprises ablating the tissue.

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein the conductor has a thickness and the ferromagnetic coating thickness is less than twenty percent of the thickness of the conductor.

13. A method for tissue destruction, the method comprising:

selecting a conductor having a ferromagnetic coating disposed on and in electrically conductive communication with a portion of the conductor, wherein the conductor extends and is configured to facilitate a current flowing from a position prior to the ferromagnetic coating, along the ferromagnetic coating, and to a position beyond the ferromagnetic coating, wherein the ferromagnetic coating has a thickness of between 0.05 micrometers and 500 micrometers; and

delivering an oscillating electrical signal to the conductor so as to heat the ferromagnetic coating and form a ferromagnetic heated region and thereby heat and destroy at least a part of a tissue.

14. The method for tissue destruction of claim 13, further comprising:

monitoring the tissue; and

ceasing or altering delivery of the oscillating electrical signal to the conductor when a desired tissue destruction has occurred or when an undesired tissue effect is to be prevented.

15. The method according to claim 13, wherein the thickness of the ferromagnetic coating is between 1 micrometer and 50 micrometers.

16. The method according to claim 13, wherein the conductor has a thickness and the ferromagnetic coating thickness is less than twenty percent of the thickness of the conductor.

17. A method for treating a tissue, the method comprising:

selecting a surgical tool having a conductor, the conductor having a ferromagnetic coating disposed on and in electrically conductive communication with a portion of the conductor, the ferromagnetic coating having a thickness between 0.05 micrometers and 500 micrometers, and wherein the conductor extends and is configured to facilitate a current flowing from a position prior to the ferromagnetic coating, along the ferromagnetic coating, and to a position beyond the ferromagnetic coating;

disposing the ferromagnetic coating in contact with the tissue; and

delivering an oscillating electrical signal to the conductor to generate heat in the ferromagnetic coating and provide a treatment to the tissue.

18. The method for treating the tissue according to claim 17, further comprising:

monitoring the tissue; and

ceasing or altering delivery of the oscillating electrical signal to the conductor when the treatment has occurred or when an undesired tissue effect is to be prevented.

19. The method according to claim 17, wherein the surgical tool has a primary geometry, the conductor being disposed thereon, and wherein the thickness of the ferromagnetic coating is less than twenty percent of a thickness of the conductor.

20. The method according to claim 17, wherein the thickness of the ferromagnetic coating is between 1 micrometer and 50 micrometers.