Apparatus and method for ventral only ablation of the tongue

• US 9,554,852 B2
• Filed: 08/28/2013
• Issued: 01/31/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: David G. Dillard
• Original Assignee: David G. Dillard
• Inventors: Dillard, David G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hoffman, Mary
• Assistant Examiner(s): Carter, Tara R
• Application Number:
  US14/012,305
• Publication Number:
  US 20140066721A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,252 Days
• Field of Search: 600201-240
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/24 for the mouth, i.e. stomatoscopes, e.g. with tongue depressors tongue depressors per se A61B13/00; Instruments for opening or keeping open the mouth combined with saliva removers A61C17/00; mouth openers for animals A61D15/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0218 for minimally invasive surgery A61B17/0281, A61B17/0469, A61B17/12013, A61B17/1285, A61B17/29, A61B17/320016 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/042 using additional gas becoming plasma
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1477 Needle-like probes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1485 having a short rigid shaft for accessing the inner body through natural openings
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/18 by applying electromagnetic radiation, e.g. microwaves radiation therapy A61N5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00814 Surgery of the tongue, e.g. glossoplasty
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/248 Operations for treatment of snoring, e.g. uvulopalatoplasty
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00321 Head or parts thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00434 Neural system
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00577 Ablation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00583 Coblation, i.e. ablation using a cold plasma
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/126 bipolar
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1425 Needle
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1472 for use with liquid electrolyte, e.g. virtual electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0817 Spatulas or spatula like extensions
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1072 measuring distances on the body, e.g. measuring length, height or thickness A61B5/1076 takes precedence

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for ventral only ablation of the tongue, for use in treating sleep apnea and related breathing disorders. An RF ablation probe or wand is inserted in ventral surface of a patient'"'"'s tongue in a superior plane along a longitudinal (i.e., anterior to posterior) axis of the tongue, to a predetermined depth. The wand is withdrawn, RF energy is applied, creating a lesion predominantly in the interior of the tongue in an anterior to posterior plane, thereby resulting in less scarring but appreciable movement of the posterior tongue base away from the posterior pharyngeal wall. Also disclosed is a tongue retractor device used for measuring the depth of wand insertion, lifting the tongue to expose the ventral surface of the tongue for the procedure, and providing a stop surface to inhibit further wand insertion.

Claims

1. An electrosurgical apparatus for use in ventral only ablation of the tongue, comprising, in combination:

(i) retractor device for immobilizing the tongue in connection with a ventral only ablation of the tongue procedure, comprising an elongate member comprising a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end of the elongate member angled downward to engage the dorsal surface of the base of the tongue;

a handle adjacent the proximal end of the elongate member;

a clamp adapted to slide along a first portion of the elongate member adjacent the handle;

a retractor portion attached to and extending downwardly from the clamp, the retractor portion comprising a proximal portion attached to the clamp and a distal engaging portion adapted to engage the ventral undersurface of the tongue when the clamp is slid toward the distal end of the elongate member; and

(ii) an elongate RF energy radiating member adapted for ventral insertion into the tongue from the ventral undersurface of the tongue, the RF radiating member having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end radiating RF energy when inserted ventrally into the tongue;

a handle adjacent the proximal end of the elongate member; and

an adjustable stop selectively settable along the length of the elongate member for inhibiting further insertion of the elongate member upon contacting of the retractor portion of the retractor device when inserted into the ventral surface of the tongue.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

linear indicia on the elongate RF energy radiating member for indicating the distance between the adjustable stop and the distal end of the elongate member.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the elongate RF energy radiating member comprises at least one electrode for delivering energy to tissue adjacent the distal end of the elongate member.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first portion of the elongate member includes linear measuring indicia, wherein the linear measuring indicia can be used to determine the distance between the distal end of the elongate member and the tongue engaging portion of the retractor portion.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the tongue engaging portion of the retractor comprises a first curved member adapted to engage a first region adjacent to one side the midline sagittal plane of the tongue and a second curved member adapted to engage a second region adjacent the opposite side the midline sagittal plane of the tongue.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first and second curved regions form a single continuous loop.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the distal end of the elongate member comprises a flattened portion adapted to engage the dorsal surface of the base of the tongue.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the elongate RF energy radiating member has a bend at a distance from the proximal end to form an angle of 5 to 30°

.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the distance is 2-6 cm.