Devices and methods for delivering fluid to tissue during ablation therapy
First Claim
1. An ablation device, comprising:
- an elongate body having a tissue-puncturing distal tip, an inner lumen, and a fluid delivery portion extending along a length of the elongate body, the fluid delivery portion having a plurality of outlet ports configured to deliver fluid from the inner lumen to tissue surrounding the elongate body; and
an ablation element configured to heat tissue surrounding the elongate body;
wherein the fluid delivery portion of the elongate body is configured such that less than about 70% by volume of fluid delivered to tissue is emitted from outlet ports disposed in a distal 25% of the fluid delivery portion.
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Abstract
Devices and methods for delivering fluid to tissue during ablation therapy are described herein. An exemplary device can include an elongate body having an inner lumen, outlet ports, and an ablation element configured to heat tissue. A flow resistance of the elongate body can increase along a length of the elongate body containing the outlet ports in a proximal to distal direction. This can be accomplished by, for example, varying outlet port size or relative spacing, decreasing a cross-sectional area of the inner lumen through which fluid can flow using a flow diverter or tapered inner lumen sidewalls, or limiting a ratio between a total area of the outlet ports and a cross-sectional area of the inner lumen. Adjusting flow resistance of the elongate body can provide more uniform fluid distribution or a desired non-uniform distribution.
243 Citations
31 Claims
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1. An ablation device, comprising:
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an elongate body having a tissue-puncturing distal tip, an inner lumen, and a fluid delivery portion extending along a length of the elongate body, the fluid delivery portion having a plurality of outlet ports configured to deliver fluid from the inner lumen to tissue surrounding the elongate body; and an ablation element configured to heat tissue surrounding the elongate body; wherein the fluid delivery portion of the elongate body is configured such that less than about 70% by volume of fluid delivered to tissue is emitted from outlet ports disposed in a distal 25% of the fluid delivery portion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 31)
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24. An ablation device, comprising:
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an elongate body having a tissue-puncturing distal tip and an inner lumen; means for delivering fluid from the inner lumen to tissue surrounding the elongate body; and means for delivering ablative energy to tissue surrounding the elongate body; wherein the means for delivering fluid is configured to deliver substantially uniform flow of fluid over a substantial portion of a length of the elongate body. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. An ablation device, comprising:
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an elongate body having a tissue-puncturing distal tip; means for delivering fluid to tissue surrounding the elongate body; and an ablation element configured to heat tissue surrounding the elongate body; wherein the means for delivering fluid is configured to deliver substantially uniform flow of fluid over a portion of a length of the elongate body configured to be inserted in tissue. - View Dependent Claims (30)
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Specification