Methods of using high intensity focused ultrasound to form an ablated tissue area

• US 20060025756A1
• Filed: 05/13/2005
• Published: 02/02/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/19/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Keogh, James R., Francischelli, David E., Hissong, James B., Stewart, Mark T., Skarda, James R.
• Granted Patent: US 7,706,882 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/27
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00243 cardiac
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4272 involving the acoustic interface between the transducer and the tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2007/0078 with multiple treatment transducers
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 7/02 Localised ultrasound hyperthermia hyperthermia in general A61F7/00

Abstract

A method of thermal ablation using high intensity focused ultrasound energy includes the steps of positioning one or more ultrasound emitting members within a patient, emitting ultrasound energy from the one or more ultrasound emitting members, focusing the ultrasound energy, ablating with the focused ultrasound energy to form an ablated tissue area and removing the ultrasound emitting member.

Claims

1. A method of performing an ultrasound ablation procedure on a heart of a patient, comprising:

providing a tissue-engaging device;

engaging the heart with the tissue-engaging device;

positioning the heart into a non-physiological orientation;

adjusting the beating of the heart;

positioning a portion of an ultrasound ablation device through a mouth of the patient; and

performing an ultrasound ablation procedure on the heart.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of adjusting the beating of the heart temporarily slows the beating of the heart.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of adjusting the beating of the heart temporarily stops the beating of the heart.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of adjusting the beating of the heart includes stimulating a nerve.

5. The method of claim 4 further comprising reducing or stopping stimulation of the nerve to allow the heart to beat naturally.

6. The method of claim 4 further comprising the step of stimulating the nerve a subsequent time in order to re-adjust the beating of the heart.

7. The method of claim 4 further comprising the step of stimulating the heart via a pacing device following the completion of stimulating the nerve.

8. The method of claim 4 wherein the nerve is a vagal nerve.

9. The method of claim 4 wherein the nerve is stimulated using an endotracheal, an endoesophageal, an intravascular, a transcutaneous, or an intracutaneous stimulation technique.

10. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of administering at least one drug during the ablation procedure.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the drug adjusts the beating of the heart.

12. The method of claim 10 wherein the drug is selected from the group consisting of:

a beta-blocker, a cholinergic agent, a cholinesterase inhibitor, a calcium channel blocker, a sodium channel blocker, a potassium channel agent, adenosine, an adenosine receptor agonist, an adenosine deaminase inhibitor, dipyridamole, a monoamine oxidase inhibitor, digoxin, digitalis, lignocaine, a bradykinin agent, a serotoninergic agonist, an antiarrythmic agent, a cardiac glycoside, a local anesthetic, atropine, a calcium solution, an agent that promotes heart rate, an agent that promotes heart contractions, dopamine, a catecholamine, an inotrope glucagon, a hormone, forskolin, epinephrine, norepinephrine, thyroid hormone, a phosphodiesterase inhibitor, prostacyclin, prostaglandin and a methylxanthine.

13. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of positioning the heart a subsequent time into a different non-physiological orientation.

14. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of delivering one or more fluids during the ablation procedure.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the one or more fluids comprises at least one diagnostic agent, therapeutic agent or biological agent.

16. The method of claim 1 wherein a portion of the ultrasound ablation device is positioned within a trachea of the patient.

17. The method of claim 1 wherein a portion of the ultrasound ablation device is positioned within a bronchi of the patient.

18. The method of claim 1 wherein a portion of the ultrasound ablation device is positioned within an esophagus of the patient.

19. A system of performing an ultrasound ablation procedure on a heart of a patient, comprising:

a first device for positioning the heart into a non-physiological orientation;

a second device for adjusting the beating of the heart; and

an ultrasound ablation device for ablating an area of tissue of the heart, wherein the ultrasound ablation device has a distal portion sized and shaped to be positioned through a mouth of the patient.

20. The system of claim 19 wherein the distal end of the ultrasound ablation device is sized and shaped to be positioned within a body cavity connected to the mouth of the patient.

21. The system of claim 20 wherein the body cavity is an esophagus cavity.

22. The system of claim 20 wherein the body cavity is a thoracic cavity.

23. The system of claim 20 wherein the body cavity is a trachea or bronchi cavity.

24. The system of claim 19 wherein the first device is a tissue-engaging device.

25. The system of claim 24 wherein the tissue-engaging device is a suction device.

26. The system of claim 19 wherein the second device is a nerve stimulation device.

27. The system of claim 19 wherein the second device is a drug delivery device.