Auto-aligning ablating device and method of use

• US 9,918,794 B2
• Filed: 03/03/2014
• Issued: 03/20/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 11/23/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Wallace, Michael P., Garabedian, Robert, Gerberding, Brent, Chung, Winnie, Utley, David S.
• Primary Examiner(s): HUPCZEY, JR, RONALD JAMES
• Application Number:
  US14/195,192
• Publication Number:
  US 20140243818A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,478 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/02 by cooling, e.g. cryogenic techniques devices for cooling specific reflex points of the body within cell-life limits A61H39/06
• 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 18/18 by applying electromagnetic radiation, e.g. microwaves radiation therapy A61N5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1815 using microwaves
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00296 mounted on an endoscope
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0022 Balloons
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00285 Balloons
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00482 Digestive system
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00488 Esophagus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00577 Ablation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/046 in liquid form
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1495 Electrodes being detachable from a support structure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/71 Manipulators operated by drive cable mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/50 Supports for surgical instruments, e.g. articulated arms

Abstract

An ablation device and methods for use thereof including a support structure adapted to support an ablation structure within an alimentary tract of a patient are provided. The support structure includes a longitudinal support with a longitudinal axis and a rotational support. The rotational support is adapted to permit at least part of the ablation structure to rotate with respect to the longitudinal support'"'"'s longitudinal axis.

Claims

1. An ablation device comprising:

a base;

an insulative longitudinal support rotatively coupled with the base by a pin, the longitudinal support comprising a proximal end, a distal end, and a continuous arcuate surface that is curved about a longitudinal axis of the longitudinal support, wherein the continuous arcuate surface extends linearly from the pin in a distal direction to the distal end and linearly from the pin in a proximal direction to the proximal end;

an electrode array coupled with the continuous arcuate surface, wherein the electrode array extends linearly from the pin along the longitudinal support in the distal direction beyond the pin and linearly from the pin along the longitudinal support in the proximal direction beyond the pin; and

a movement resister configured to resist rotation of the longitudinal support away from a neutral position with respect to the base and passively return the longitudinal support to the neutral position.

2. The device of claim 1, further comprising a strap adapted to couple the base with an elongate member.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the movement resister is adapted to reduce a profile of the ablation device by passively governing rotation of the longitudinal support.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the movement resister is coupled with the pin.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the movement resister is coupled with the base.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the movement resister comprises a spring.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the movement resister comprises a cantilever spring.

8. A method of ablating a tissue surface in an alimentary tract comprising:

advancing an ablation structure into the alimentary tract, wherein the ablation structure is supported by an insulative longitudinal support rotatively coupled with a base by a pin, the longitudinal support comprising a proximal end, a distal end, and a continuous arcuate surface that is curved about a longitudinal axis of the longitudinal support, wherein the continuous arcuate surface extends linearly from the pin in a distal direction to the distal end and linearly from the pin in a proximal direction to the proximal end, an electrode array coupled with the continuous arcuate surface, wherein the electrode array extends linearly from the pin along the longitudinal support in the distal direction beyond the pin and linearly from the pin along the longitudinal support in the proximal direction beyond the pin; and

resisting rotation of the longitudinal support away from a neutral position with respect to the base with a movement resister configured to passively return the longitudinal support to the neutral position.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein resisting rotation of the longitudinal support comprises resisting rotation in response to a force deflecting the longitudinal support away from the neutral position.

10. The method of claim 8, further comprising forcing rotation of the longitudinal support about the pin away from the neutral position while resisting rotation of the longitudinal support.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising returning the longitudinal support to the neutral position after forcing rotation of the longitudinal support away from the neutral position.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein resisting rotation of the longitudinal support comprises reducing a profile of the ablation structure by passively governing rotation of the longitudinal support.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein resisting rotation of the longitudinal support comprises resisting rotation with the movement resister comprising a spring.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the spring is a cantilever spring.

15. The method of claim 8, wherein resisting rotation of the longitudinal support comprises reducing a profile of the ablation structure while advancing the ablation structure into the alimentary tract.

16. An ablation device for ablating a tissue surface in an alimentary tract comprising:

means for advancing an ablation structure into the alimentary tract;

an insulative longitudinal support rotatively coupled with a base by a pin, the longitudinal support comprising a proximal end, a distal end, and a continuous arcuate surface that is curved about a longitudinal axis of the longitudinal support, wherein the continuous arcuate surface extends linearly from the pin in a distal direction to the distal end and linearly from the pin in a proximal direction to the proximal end, an electrode array coupled with the continuous arcuate surface, wherein the electrode array extends linearly from the pin along the longitudinal support in the distal direction beyond the pin and linearly from the pin along the longitudinal support in the proximal direction beyond the pin; and

means for resisting rotation of the longitudinal support configured to resist rotation of the longitudinal support away from a neutral position with respect to the base and passively return the longitudinal support to the neutral position.

17. The ablation device of claim 16, wherein the means for resisting rotation of the longitudinal support comprises means for reducing a profile of the ablation structure by passively governing rotation of the longitudinal support.

18. The ablation device of claim 16, wherein the means for resisting rotation of the longitudinal support comprises means for reducing a profile of the ablation structure while advancing the ablation structure into the alimentary tract.