System and method for adaptive RF ablation
First Claim
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1. A medical system for treating tissue, comprising:
- a medical device;
an ablation electrode and a temperature sensor coupled to the medical device;
a source of RF energy in electrical communication with the ablation element, the source having a variable power output, the source of RF energy supplying power to the ablation electrode to ablate the tissue;
a control unit in communication with the temperature sensor and operable to receive a temperature signal from the temperature sensor, the control unit programmed to determine a state of contact between the ablation electrode and tissue based at least in part on the temperature signal, the control unit having a delay interval and being programmed to permit the power supplied to the ablation element to be increased when, after a determination that continuous contact has been lost;
the ablation element regains continuous tissue contact; and
the state of regained continuous tissue contact has continued for a time at least equal to the delay interval; and
a feedback controller in communication with the control unit, the temperature sensor, and the source of RF energy, the feedback controller being programmed to modify the power output of the source of RF energy based at least in part on the temperature signal.
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Abstract
A medical method, device, and system are provided, including advancing an ablation element of a medical device into contact with tissue to be treated, selecting a power level of energy to ablate the tissue, delivering energy at the selected power level to the ablation element, determining whether the ablation element is in continuous contact with the tissue, and reducing the selected power level when the ablation element ceases to be in continuous contact with the tissue.
126 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A medical system for treating tissue, comprising:
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a medical device; an ablation electrode and a temperature sensor coupled to the medical device; a source of RF energy in electrical communication with the ablation element, the source having a variable power output, the source of RF energy supplying power to the ablation electrode to ablate the tissue; a control unit in communication with the temperature sensor and operable to receive a temperature signal from the temperature sensor, the control unit programmed to determine a state of contact between the ablation electrode and tissue based at least in part on the temperature signal, the control unit having a delay interval and being programmed to permit the power supplied to the ablation element to be increased when, after a determination that continuous contact has been lost; the ablation element regains continuous tissue contact; and the state of regained continuous tissue contact has continued for a time at least equal to the delay interval; and a feedback controller in communication with the control unit, the temperature sensor, and the source of RF energy, the feedback controller being programmed to modify the power output of the source of RF energy based at least in part on the temperature signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A medical system, comprising:
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means for advancing an ablation element of a medical device into contact with tissue to be treated; means for supplying power to the ablation element to ablate the tissue; means for selecting a desired temperature of the ablation element; means for monitoring a temperature of the ablation element; means for determining a state of contact between the ablation electrode and the tissue based on signals from the means for monitoring a temperature of the ablation element; means for reducing the supplied power to the ablation element when the monitored temperature exceeds the desired temperature; and means for initiating an increase in the power to the ablation element when, after a determination that continuous contact has been lost; the ablation element regains continuous tissue contact; and the state of regained continuous tissue contact has continued for at least three seconds. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10)
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11. A medical system controller, comprising:
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a power source for supplying power to an ablation element; and a control unit programmed to monitor a temperature of the ablation element and characterize the contact between the ablation element and biological tissue based on the temperature of the ablation element, said contact characterization comprising the states of loss of continuous tissue contact and regained continuous tissue contact, the control unit further being programmed to; limit the power supplied to the ablation element when the contact characterization is loss of continuous tissue contact; and permit an initiation of an increase in the power supplied to the ablation element when the contact characterization is regained continuous tissue contact for at least three seconds. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification