Microwave ablation catheter and method of utilizing the same

• US 9,370,398 B2
• Filed: 03/15/2013
• Issued: 06/21/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 08/07/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Ladtkow, Casey M., Brannan, Joseph D., Peterson, Darion R., Larson, Eric W., Haley, Kaylen J., Dickhans, William J., Case, Jason A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wieland, Robert N
• Application Number:
  US13/837,978
• Publication Number:
  US 20140046176A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,194 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/018 for receiving instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/2676 Bronchoscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/0233 Pointed or sharp biopsy instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/04 Endoscopic instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/06 Biopsy forceps , e.g. with cup-shaped jaws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1477 Needle-like probes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1815 using microwaves
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2010/0216 Sampling brushes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00026 Conductivity or impedance, e.g. of tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00084 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00128 related to intensity or progress of surgical action
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00541 Lung or bronchi
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00577 Ablation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00702 Power or energy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1861 with an instrument inserted into a body lumen or cavity, e.g. a catheter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0036 including treatment, e.g., using an implantable medical device, ablating, ventilating
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/01 Measuring temperature of body parts ; Diagnostic temperature sensing, e.g. for malignant or inflamed tissue clinical contact thermometers G01K13/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0538 invasively, e.g. using a catheter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/062 using magnetic field
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/064 using markers A61B5/062 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1114 : Tracking parts of the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4836 : Diagnosis combined with treatment in closed-loop systems or methods A61B5/0036 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7425 : Displaying combinations of multiple images regardless of image source, e.g. displaying a reference anatomical image with a live image geometric transforms for image registration G06T3/14; enhancement using image fusion G06T5/50; algorithms for registration of images G06T7/30
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7445 : Display arrangements, e.g. multiple display units
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/032 : Transmission computed tomography [CT]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/12 : Arrangements for detecting or locating foreign bodies
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/487 : involving fluoroscopy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/0841 : for locating instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/12 : in body cavities or body tracts, e.g. by using catheters catheters per se A61M25/00

Abstract

A method for treating lung tissue of a patient is provided. A pathway to a point of interest in a lung of a patient is generated. An extended working channel is advanced transorally into the lung and along the pathway to the point of interest. The extended working channel is positioned in a substantially fixed orientation at the point interest. A tool is advanced though the extended working channel to the point of interest. The lung tissue is treated at the point of interest.

Claims

1. A method for treating lung tissue of a patient, comprising:

generating a pathway to a point of interest in a lung of a patient;

advancing an extended working channel trans-orally into the lung and along the pathway to the point of interest;

positioning the extended working channel in a substantially fixed orientation at the point of interest;

advancing a microwave ablation catheter through the extended working channel to the point of interest, the microwave ablation catheter having a coaxial cable connected at the proximal end of the coaxial cable to a microwave energy source and at the distal end of the coaxial cable to a distal radiating section, the coaxial cable including inner and outer conductors and a dielectric positioned therebetween, the inner conductor extending distally past the outer conductor and in sealed engagement with the distal radiating section; and

treating the lung tissue at the point of interest.

2. The method according to claim 1, including positioning a bronchoscope within a patient.

3. The method according to claim 1, including positioning a locatable guide within the extended working channel for positioning the extended working channel to the point of interest.

4. The method according to claim 3, including, prior to advancing the tool through the extended working channel, removing the locatable guide from the extended working channel.

5. The method according to claim 1, including ablating the lung tissue.

6. The method according to claim 1, including, prior to treating the lung tissue, confirming the placement of the extended working channel at the point of interest.

7. The method according to claim 1, including penetrating the lung tissue at the point of interest.

8. The method according to claim 1, including confirming that the lung tissue has been effectively treated.

9. The method according to claim 1, including providing the microwave ablation catheter with

a balun formed in part from a conductive material electrically connected to the outer conductor of the coaxial cable and extending along at least a portion of the coaxial cable, the conductive material having a braided configuration and covered by at least one insulative material.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein generating includes utilizing a guidance system that is configured for planning the pathway to the point of interest and for guiding and navigating one of the tool, extended working channel or the locatable guide through the lungs of a patient.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the pathway is generated based on computed tomographic (CT) data of the luminal network, and is displayed in a generated model.

12. The method according to claim 10, wherein the pathway is generated from CT data to identify a pathway to the point of interest identified by a user in the CT data, and the pathway is generated for acceptance by the user before use in navigating.

13. The method according to claim 1, including positioning a plurality of sensors adjacent the diseased lung tissue, wherein the plurality of sensors are configured to communicate with at least one controller that is in communication with one of the guidance system and the microwave energy source.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein positioning includes positioning at least one of the plurality of sensors within an airway adjacent the lung tissue.

15. The method according to claim 13, including utilizing the plurality of sensors to measure at least one property of the lung tissue, wherein the at least one property of the lung tissue is selected from the group consisting of impedance of the lung tissue, temperature of the lung tissue or dielectric of the lung tissue.

16. A method for treating lung tissue of a patient, comprising:

advancing an ablation device endobronchially to a target in a lung of a patient, the ablation device having a coaxial cable connected at the proximal end of the coaxial cable to an energy source and at the distal end of the coaxial cable to a distal radiating section, the coaxial cable including inner and outer conductors and a dielectric positioned therebetween, the inner conductor extending distally past the outer conductor and in sealed engagement with the distal radiating section;

inserting the ablation device into a center of the target;

confirming placement of the ablation device within the target using an imaging modality; and

energizing the ablation device to heat the target.

17. The method according to claim 16, including generating a pathway to the target.

18. The method according to claim 16, including positioning a bronchoscope within a patient.

19. The method according to claim 16, including positioning an extended working channel in a substantially fixed orientation at the target.

20. The method according to claim 19, including positioning a locatable guide within the extended working channel for positioning the extended working channel at the point of interest.

21. The method according to claim 16, including, prior to advancing the ablation device through the extended working channel, removing the locatable guide from the extended working channel.

22. The method according to claim 16, including ablating the target.

23. The method according to claim 16, including, prior to treating the target, confirming the placement of the extended working channel at the point of interest.

24. The method according to claim 16, including penetrating the target at the point of interest.

25. The method according to claim 16, including confirming that the target has been effectively treated.