MICROWAVE ABLATION CATHETER AND METHOD OF UTILIZING THE SAME

• US 20140046316A1
• Filed: 03/15/2013
• Published: 02/13/2014
• 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.
• Granted Patent: US 9,044,254 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/33
• 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 microwave ablation system configured for use in luminal network is provided. The microwave ablation system includes a microwave energy source and a tool for treating tissue. An extended working channel is configured to provide passage for the tool. A locatable guide, translatable through the extended working channel, is configured to navigate the extended working channel adjacent a target.

Claims

1. A microwave ablation system configured for use in a luminal network, comprising:

a microwave energy source;

a tool for treating tissue;

an extended working channel configured to provide passage for the tool; and

a locatable guide positionable through the extended working channel and configured to navigate the extendable working channel adjacent a target.

2. The microwave ablation system according to claim 1, further including a bronchoscope configured to receive the extended working channel for providing access to the luminal network.

3. The microwave ablation system according to claim 1, wherein the tool is a microwave ablation catheter comprising:

a coaxial cable connected at its proximal end to a microwave energy source and at its distal end 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; and

a balun formed in part from a conductive material electrically connected to the outer conductor of the coaxial cable and extending along at least a portion of the coaxial cable, the conductive material having a braided configuration and covered by at least one insulative material.

4. The microwave ablation system according to claim 3, wherein the extended working channel includes a closed distal end and a multi-lumen configuration configured to receive the ablation catheter, the extended working channel further comprising a hub at a proximal end thereof, the hub including fluid intake port and a fluid return port configured to provide respective ingress and egress of a coolant to and from the extended working channel for cooling the ablation catheter.

5. The microwave ablation system according to claim 4, wherein a dielectric material is provided adjacent the distal radiating section and is configured to cool the distal radiating section and the inner conductor when contacted by fluid being transmitted through the fluid ports.

6. The microwave ablation system according to claim 4, wherein a plurality of ceramic elements extend at least partially along the coaxial cable and form a nested configuration, the plurality of ceramic elements serving as a heat sink to cool one of the distal radiating section and the inner conductor.

7. The microwave ablation system according to claim 6, wherein the ceramic elements are actuatable to more from a relaxed configuration wherein the plurality of ceramic elements are spaced apart from one another to allow the coaxial cable to flex, to a compressed configuration wherein the plurality of ceramic elements are moved towards one another to increase cooling of the distal radiating section and the inner conductor.

8. The microwave ablation system according to claim 6, wherein a pull wire operably couples to the plurality of ceramic elements and is configured to move the plurality of ceramic elements to the compressed configuration.

9. The microwave ablation system according to claim 4, wherein the extended working channel is formed from a thermal conductor to transfer heat created by the distal radiating section to a heat sink that is operably coupled to a proximal end of the extended working channel.

10. The microwave ablation system according to claim 9, wherein the fluid ports extend to a proximal end of the balun to cool a proximal end of the extended working channel.

11. The microwave ablation system according to claim 9, wherein a ceramic paste at least partially covers the distal radiating section and serves as a dielectric buffer to provide static cooling of the distal radiating section.

12. The microwave ablation system according to claim 4, further including a vacuum pump that operably couples to the fluid return port to de-pressurize a fluid circulating through the two lumens in communication with the fluid return port and lowering a boiling point of the fluid.

13. The microwave ablation system according to claim 12, wherein the fluid is an air-mist combination.

14. The microwave ablation system according to claim 3, wherein the extended working channel includes a two lumen configuration having one lumen dedicated for communication with a fluid intake port of the extended working channel and one lumen dedicated to receive the microwave ablation catheter, wherein the fluid intake port and the lumen dedicated for communication therewith are configured for an open loop cooling protocol.

15. The microwave ablation system according to claim 14, wherein the extended working channel includes a fluid return port and a corresponding third lumen configured to provide suction for evacuating fluid dispensed from the extended working channel.

16. The microwave ablation system according to claim 4, wherein a seal structure is provided at a distal end of the extended working channel and is configured for sealed engagement with the distal radiating section when the distal radiating section is extended therethrough for treating tissue.

17. The microwave ablation system according to claim 4, wherein a chamber is provided at a distal end of the extended working channel and is in fluid communication with at least the lumens dedicated for communication with the fluid intake port, the chamber surrounding the distal radiating section and configured to receive a high boiling point liquid being therein to cool the distal radiating section.

18. The microwave ablation system according to claim 3, wherein a heat sink having an accordion configuration is coupled to a distal end of the extended working channel and is configured to couple to the distal radiating section when the distal radiating section is extended through the extended working channel.

19. The microwave ablation system according to claim 18, wherein when the distal radiating section is energized the heat sink heats up and extends distally from the extended working channel bringing the distal radiating section with it to thermally standoff the distal radiating section from surrounding tissue to reduce collateral damage to the surrounding tissue.

20. The microwave ablation system according to claim 3, wherein a thermally conductive balloon is positioned adjacent the distal radiating section and is expandable to dissipate heat from the distal radiating section into a wall of the luminal network when the distal radiating section is energized, and wherein the conductive balloon is configured to anchor the distal radiating section to the wall the luminal network.

21. The microwave ablation system according to claim 3, wherein a balloon is positioned adjacent the distal radiating section and is expandable to anchor the distal radiating section within the luminal network.

22. The microwave ablation system according to claim 3, wherein a plurality of thermally conductive fins are positioned adjacent the distal radiating section and are expandable to dissipate heat when the distal radiating section is energized and airflow is provided across the plurality of thermally conductive fins.

23. The microwave ablation system according to claim 3, wherein prior to being introduced into the extended working channel, the distal radiating section of the microwave ablation catheter is frozen with an ice formation therearound, wherein, when the distal radiating section is energized, the ice formation transitions to dissipate heat generated at the distal radiating section.

24. The microwave ablation system according to claim 3, wherein the extended working channel is tapered at the closed distal end.