Visualizing ablation device and procedure

• US 6,902,526 B2
• Filed: 10/23/2002
• Issued: 06/07/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/23/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ardent Medical Services Incorporated (Ventas Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Orthopedic Development LLC
• Inventors: Katzman, Scott S.
• Primary Examiner(s): FARAH, AHMED M
• Application Number:
  US10/278,405
• Publication Number:
  US 20040082942A1
• Time in Patent Office: 958 Days
• Field of Search: 600101-104, 600/108, 600/109, 600/112, 600/123, 600128-130, 600/153, 600/160, 606 13- 16, 606/108, 606/159, 606/167, 606/170
• US Class Current: 600/104
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/042 characterised by a proximal camera, e.g. a CCD camera
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/313 for introducing through surgical openings, e.g. laparoscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/24 with a catheter A61B18/26, A61B18/28 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00982 combined with or comprising means for visual or photographic inspections inside the body, e.g. endoscopes

Abstract

A medical needle set for visualized tissue ablation within a subject'"'"'s body includes a cannula and components configured for inclusion in the cannula, including a trocar for occlusion of the cannula lumen during needle placement, and a visualizing ablation probe used for simultaneous endoscopic viewing and ablation of tissue sites with a laser beam. The cannula can include a tissue-gripping surface for stabilization of the needle set on the target tissue. A surgical system for tissue ablation includes a visualizing ablation needle set operably connected to an endoscope and a laser. A surgical procedure using this system permits simultaneous visualization and ablation of tissues, including those of the facet joints of the spine.

Claims

1. A visualizing ablation needle set comprising:

a cannula comprising a hollow shaft defining a longitudinal lumen, said shaft having a proximal segment and a distal segment, wherein said distal segment comprises a distal tip configured with a tissue-gripping surface

a trocar configured for inclusion in said longitudinal lumen, and;

a visualizing ablation probe configured for inclusion in said longitudinal lumen, said probe comprising an obturator configured to accommodate a laser energy delivery device and an endoscope.

2. A visualizing ablation needle set comprising:

a cannula comprising a hollow shaft defining a longitudinal lumen, said shaft having a proximal segment and a distal segment, wherein said cannula further comprises a side port disposed in said hollow shaft, said side port having a configuration for attaching a suctioning device;

a trocar configured for inclusion in said longitudinal lumen, and;

a visualizing ablation probe configured for inclusion in said longitudinal lumen, said probe comprising an obturator configured to accommodate a laser energy delivery device and an endoscope.