THERMOTHERAPY DEVICE

• US 20090312753A1
• Filed: 05/14/2009
• Published: 12/17/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/09/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tsunami MedTech, LLC
• Original Assignee: Tsunami MedTech, LLC
• Inventors: SHADDUCK, John H.
• Granted Patent: US 8,758,341 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/14
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/04 by heating by applying electromagnetic radiation A61B18/18; hyperthermia using electric or magnetic fields, radiation or ultrasound A61N
• 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 18/20 using laser
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00504 Tissue welding
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00619 Welding
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0063 Sealing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/048 in gaseous form
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2218/005 using gas or vapor, e.g. for protection or purging

Abstract

This invention relates to the working end of a medical instrument that applies energy to tissue. In one embodiment, the instrument has a microfluidic tissue-engaging surface fabricated by soft lithography means together with optional superlattice cooling means that allows for very precise control of energy application, for example in neurosurgery applications. The tissue-engaging surface can eject a high-heat content vapor into the engaged tissue for treating tissue, while the superlattice cooling structure can prevent collateral thermal damage. Also, the superlattice cooling structure can be used to localize heat at a selected depth in tissue and prevent surface ablation. Also, the superlattice cooling structure can be used to prevent tissue sticking to a thermal energy delivery surface. In another embodiment, the tissue-engaging surface can be used in a jaw structure for sealing tissue together with hydrojet means for transecting the tissue.

Claims

1. A system for applying energy to tissue comprising a polymeric monolith with fluidic channels therein, the monolith having a tissue-engaging surface for engaging tissue, and a fluid media source that introduces fluid media into the fluidic channels for applying energy to engaged tissue.

2. A system for applying energy to tissue as in claim 1 wherein the fluidic channels have mean cross-section of less than 1 mm.

3. A system for applying energy to tissue as in claim 1 wherein the fluidic channels have mean cross-section of less than 0.5 mm.

4. A system for applying energy to tissue as in claim 1 wherein the polymeric monolith is of an elastomeric composition.

5. A system for applying energy to tissue as in claim 1 wherein the fluid media is a vapor phase media capable of releasing the heat of vaporization to apply energy to tissue.

6. A system for applying energy to tissue as in claim 5 wherein the fluidic channels have an increase in cross-section proximate the tissue-engaging surface for allowing a vapor to liquid phase transition of the media.

7. A system for applying energy to tissue as in claim 5 wherein the fluidic channels include ports in the tissue-engaging surface for allowing outflow of vapor from the fluidic channels to interact with tissue.

8. A system for applying energy to tissue as in claim 1 further comprising thin film nanolattice cooling means coupled to the monolith.

9. A system for applying energy to tissue as in claim 1 wherein the fluid media comprises a conductive liquid in communication with an electrical energy source.

10. A system for applying energy to tissue as in claim 1 wherein the fluidic channels define first and second spaced apart paths each carrying a conductive liquid in communication with opposing poles of an electrical energy source.

11. A system for applying energy to tissue as in claim 10 wherein said opposing poles of the electrical energy source comprise first and second electrode elements carried in said first and second spaced apart paths proximate the tissue-engaging surface.

12. A system for applying energy to tissue as in claim 2 wherein the elastomeric composition of the tissue-engaging surface has a substantially thin dimension overlying the fluidic channels to allow capacitive coupling therethrough.

13. A system for applying energy to tissue as in claim 2 wherein the elastomeric composition of the tissue-engaging surface overlying the fluidic channels is fluid permeable.

14. An instrument for applying energy to tissue comprising a body having an energy-emitting surface for contacting tissue and thin film superlattice cooling structure coupled to the energy-emitting surface.

15. An instrument for applying energy to tissue as in claim 14 wherein the energy-emitting surface comprises at least one electrode.

16. An instrument for applying energy to tissue as in claim 14 wherein the thin film superlattice cooling structure is at least partly interior of the energy-emitting surface.

17. An instrument for applying energy to tissue as in claim 14 wherein the thin film superlattice cooling structure is at least partly exposed in a tissue contacting surface.

18. An instrument for applying energy to tissue as in claim 14 wherein the energy-emitting surface comprises first and second portions carrying opposing polarity electrodes.

19. An instrument for applying energy to tissue as in claim 18 wherein the first and second portions of the energy-emitting surface are within respective first and second opposing jaw elements.

20. An instrument as in claim 14 wherein the thin film superlattice cooling structure comprises a stack of alternating thin semiconductor layers.

21. An instrument as in claim 14 wherein the thin film superlattice cooling means comprises alternating stacks of alternating thin film layers of bismuth telluride and antimony telluride.

22. An instrument as in claim 14 wherein the thin film superlattice cooling means comprises a circuit including a plurality of thin film layers of at least two dissimilar conductors wherein current propagates heat toward one end of the circuit thereby cooling the end of the circuit coupled to the energy-emitting surface.

23. An instrument as in claim 14 wherein the energy-emitting surface comprises a thermal energy source selected from the class consisting of a Rf source, microwave source, laser source and resistive heat source.

24. An instrument for applying energy to tissue comprising a body having a tissue-contacting surface with a plurality of capillaries having open terminations in the surface wherein the interior end of the capillaries communicate with a liquid source, and a thermal energy emitter within the capillaries for vaporizing liquid therein.

25. An instrument as in claim 24 wherein the body is at least one of a polymer, ceramic or metal.

26. An instrument as in claim 24 wherein the thermal energy emitter is operatively coupled to a source selected from the class consisting of a Rf source, microwave source, laser source and resistive heat source.

27. A surgical instrument comprising a jaw structure having first and second axially-extending jaws including thermal energy delivery means for sealing tissue, and at least one jetting aperture in a jaw in fluid communication with a high pressure fluid jetting source.

28. A surgical instrument as in claim 27 comprising a plurality of jetting apertures having an axial alignment in the jaw.

29. A surgical instrument as in claim 27 further comprising at least one aspiration port in a jaw for receiving fluid jetted from the opposing jaw.