Microwave ablation catheter and method of utilizing the same

• US 9,993,295 B2
• Filed: 03/15/2013
• Issued: 06/12/2018
• 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): HENSON, DEVIN B
• Application Number:
  US13/839,247
• Publication Number:
  US 20140046211A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,915 Days
• 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 tissue through a branched luminal network of a patient is provided. A pathway to a point of interest in branched luminal network of a patient is generated. An extended working channel is advanced transorally into the branched luminal network and along the pathway to the point of interest. The extended working channel may be positioned in a substantially fixed orientation at the point interest. A tool is advanced though the extended working channel to the point of interest. Tissue at the point of interest is treated.

Claims

1. A method for treating tissue through a branched luminal network of a patient, the method comprising:

generating a pathway to a point of interest in the branched luminal network of the patient;

displaying the generated pathway on a three-dimensional (3D) model of the branched luminal network of the patient;

advancing an extended working channel trans-orally into the branched luminal network of the patient and along the pathway to the point of interest;

advancing a piercing tool through the extended working channel to pierce tissue at the point of interest, thereby creating an opening in the tissue at the point of interest;

advancing the extended working channel into the opening and positioning the extended working channel in a substantially fixed orientation at the point of interest;

removing the piercing tool from the extended working channel;

advancing a microwave ablation catheter though the extended working channel to the point of interest, the microwave ablation catheter having a coaxial cable operatively coupled at the proximal portion of the coaxial cable to a microwave energy source and at the distal portion 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;

confirming placement of the microwave ablation catheter at the point of interest by utilizing images obtained from an imaging device external to the patient;

energizing the distal radiating section of the microwave ablation catheter; and

detecting, by a microwave energy sensor patch positionable on the patient, an amount of microwave energy as the distal radiating section is energized.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising positioning a bronchoscope within the patient.

3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

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, further comprising, prior to advancing the microwave ablation catheter through the extended working channel, removing the locatable guide from the extended working channel.

5. The method according to claim 3, 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 microwave ablation catheter, extended working channel, or the locatable guide through the branched luminal network of a patient.

6. The method according to claim 5, further comprising positioning a plurality of sensors adjacent the 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.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the positioning a plurality of sensors includes positioning at least one of the plurality of sensors within the branched luminal network adjacent the tissue.

8. The method according to claim 7, further comprising utilizing the plurality of sensors to measure at least one property of the tissue, wherein the at least one property of the tissue is selected from the group consisting of impedance of the tissue, temperature of the tissue, or dielectric of the tissue.

9. The method according to claim 3, 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.

10. The method according to claim 3, wherein the locatable guide is a position sensor.

11. The method according to claim 1, further comprising, prior to piercing the tissue at the point of interest, confirming placement of the extended working channel at the point of interest.

12. The method according to claim 1, further comprising confirming that the tissue has been effectively treated.

13. The method according to claim 1, wherein the images are obtained by utilizing a radiographic imaging modality.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the radiographic imaging modality is computed tomography.

15. The method according to claim 13, wherein the radiographic imaging modality is fluoroscopy.

16. The method according to claim 13, wherein the radiographic imaging modality is a combination of computed tomography and fluoroscopy.

17. The method according to claim 1, wherein the images are obtained utilizing ultrasound.

18. The method according to claim 1, wherein the amount of microwave energy detected by the sensor is a first amount of microwave energy, and the method further comprises:

detecting, by the microwave energy sensor, a second amount of microwave energy; and

determining a difference between the first amount of microwave energy and the second amount of microwave energy.

19. The method according to claim 18, further comprising determining progress of the treating based on the difference between the first amount of microwave energy and the second amount of microwave energy.

20. The method according to claim 19, further comprising deactivating the distal radiating section when the progress indicates that the treating is complete.