Methods and devices for ablation of tissue

• US 9,345,532 B2
• Filed: 05/11/2012
• Issued: 05/24/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 05/13/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Broncus Medical Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Broncus Medical Incorporated
• Inventors: Laufer, Michael D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Fishback, Ashley
• Application Number:
  US13/469,805
• Publication Number:
  US 20130046296A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,474 Days
• Field of Search: 606/27, 606/32, 606/41, 606 45- 50
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/22 Implements for squeezing-off ulcers or the like on the inside of inner organs of the body; Implements for scraping-out cavities of body organs, e.g. bones; Calculus removers; Calculus smashing apparatus; Apparatus for removing obstructions in blood vessels, not otherwise provided for dilators A61M29/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/082 Probes or electrodes therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/14 Probes or electrodes 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 2017/22034 for gripping the obstruction or the tissue part from inside
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00577 Ablation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00601 Cutting
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1213 creating an arc
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1425 Needle
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/06 Devices, other than using radiation, for detecting or locating foreign bodies for removing same A61B17/50 ; determining position of probes within or on the body of the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/13 guided by light, e.g. laser pointers

Abstract

Various apparatus and methods for ablating tissue are described therein. In certain variations, a method for ablating tissue may include advancing one or more electrodes, e.g., a first electrode and a second electrode, to or near a target tissue in a subject. The electrodes may be energized such that the electrodes create a plasma arc. The plasma arc generates heat which desiccates or ablates the target tissue. An apparatus for ablating tissue may include an elongate instrument, e.g., a tube or rod. One or more electrodes, e.g., a first electrode and a second electrode, may be provided in the elongate instrument. The electrodes may be energized such that the electrodes create a plasma arc for generating heat to desiccate or ablate a target tissue.

Claims

1. A method for ablating tissue, the method comprising:

advancing an instrument having a first electrode and a second electrode to or near a target tissue in a subject; and

energizing the electrodes such that the electrodes create a plasma arc encapsulated within the instrument, wherein the plasma arc generates heat; and

ablating the target tissue using the heat generated by the plasma arc.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the plasma arc is positioned next to a tumor such that the heat desiccates or ablates blood vessels supplying blood to the tumor.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the plasma arc generates a heated steam which desiccates and ablates the target tissue.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second electrodes are positioned within an elongate instrument, wherein the elongate instrument comprises an electrical cutting distal tip for cutting tissue to advance the electrodes to the target tissue.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein light generated by the plasma arc provides feedback regarding the localization of the plasma arc in the patient.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the light is visible through the subject'"'"'s skin, e.g., allowing for localization of the apparatus.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising, providing imaging to monitor target tissue shrinkage.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the heat or plasma arc may create temperatures ranging

from about 1000 to about 6000 degrees C.

8. The method of claim wherein the first and second electrodes are advanced through an

opening through an airway wall to position the plasma arc next to a target tissue or tumor in the lung.

10. An apparatus for ablating tissue comprising:

an elongate instrument;

a first electrode and a second electrode enclosed by a wall of the elongate instrument, wherein the wall of the elongate instrument enclosing the electrodes is glass, and wherein the electrodes are configured to create a plasma arc within the instrument for generating heat which is thermally conducted through the wall at the elongate instrument to the tissue to be ablated, and wherein said wall is shaped and positioned around the electrodes such that the plasma arc is captured by said elongate instrument.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the elongate instrument comprises a tube having a

first channel and a second channel, wherein at least a portion of the first electrode is positioned within the first channel and at least a portion of the second electrode is positioned in the second channel.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the elongate instrument is configured to encapsulate vapor released from the electrodes.

13. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the electrodes are configured to burn off after a period of time.

14. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the electrodes are made from tungsten or molybdenum.

15. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the elongate instrument comprises a conductive cap positioned at a distal end of the elongate instrument, wherein a portion of the second electrode is positioned within the cap, such that the cap functions as an electrical cutter.

16. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising an imaging mechanism for guiding or

tracking the apparatus.

17. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein light generated by the plasma arc provides feedback

regarding the localization of the plasma arc in the patient using.

18. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the heat or plasma may create temperatures ranging

from about 1000 to about 6000 degrees C.

19. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the elongate instrument is configured to be advanced

through an opening through an airway wall to position the plasma arc next to a target tissue or tumor in a lung.