Spectroscopic Method And System For Assessing Tissue Temperature

• US 20110077547A1
• Filed: 09/29/2009
• Published: 03/31/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Nellcor Puritan Bennett LLC (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Baker, Clark R. JR.
• Granted Patent: US 8,376,955 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/549
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1815 using microwaves
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00057 Light
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00084 Temperature
• 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

Abstract

According to various embodiments, a medical system and method for determining tissue temperature may include a spectroscopic sensor. The spectroscopic sensors may be configured to provide information about changes in water absorption profiles at one or more absorption peaks. Such sensors may be incorporated into ablation systems for tissue ablation. Temperature information may be used to determine the scope, volume, and/or depth of the ablation.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

using a processor;

receiving a signal from a spectroscopic sensor, wherein a tissue temperature of the patient may be generally determined from the signal;

determining the tissue temperature based at least in part on the signal; and

determining whether the tissue temperature exceeds a viability threshold.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the method is performed prior to an ablation being performed on the tissue.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the method is performed during an ablation being performed on the tissue.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the tissue temperature comprises determining a change in a magnitude, shape, or position of at least one water absorption peak.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein determining the tissue temperature comprises correlating the change to a tissue temperature associated with the change.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the viability threshold is greater than about 43°

C.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the tissue temperature comprises determining the temperature at more than one depth in the tissue.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining the tissue temperature comprises determining a temperature gradient in the tissue.

9. A monitor, comprising:

a sensor interface;

a display; and

data processing circuitry capable of;

causing operation of a spectrophotometric sensor via the sensor interface;

receiving spectrophotometric data from the sensor interface;

calculating one or more temperatures or temperature profiles from the spectrophotometric data; and

causing the display to display an indication related to the one or more temperatures or temperature profiles.

10. The monitor of claim 9, wherein determining the tissue temperature comprises determining a change in a magnitude, shape, or position of the water absorption peak.

11. The monitor of claim 10, wherein determining the tissue temperature comprises correlating the change to a tissue temperature associated with the change.

12. The monitor of claim 9, wherein the data processing circuitry is capable of activating an energy source configured to direct ablating energy into the patient'"'"'s tissue.

13. The monitor of claim 12, wherein the processor comprises instructions for determining whether the tissue temperature is associated with heat from the ablating energy.

14. The monitor of claim 9, wherein the tissue temperature associated with heat from the ablating energy is greater than about 43°

C.

15. The monitor of claim 9, wherein determining the tissue temperature comprises determining the temperature at more than one depth in the tissue.

16. The monitor of claim 9, wherein the determining the tissue temperature comprises determining a temperature gradient in the tissue.

17. A device for tissue ablation, comprising:

an implantable portion comprising an energy source configured to direct ablating energy into a patient'"'"'s tissue;

an emitter disposed on the implantable portion; and

a detector disposed on the implantable portion and configured to detect light from the emitter.

18. The device of claim 17, wherein the energy source comprises a microwave antenna.

19. The device of claim 17, wherein the implantable portion comprises a cardiac catheter.

20. The device of claim 17, comprising a monitor coupled to the device, wherein the monitor is configured to determine a temperature of the patient'"'"'s tissue based at least in part a signal from the detector.