Fluid-assisted medical devices, systems and methods

• US 7,537,595 B2
• Filed: 12/21/2007
• Issued: 05/26/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/12/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Advanced Energy LLC (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Tissuelink Medical, Inc. (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: McClurken, Michael E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cohen; Lee S
• Application Number:
  US11/963,209
• Publication Number:
  US 20080097429A1
• Time in Patent Office: 522 Days
• Field of Search: 606/48, 606/50
• US Class Current: 606/50
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/02 Instruments for taking cell samples or for biopsy A61B10/0038 and A61B10/0045 take precedence; needle locating or guiding means A61B17/3403; samplers for enzymology or microbiology C12M1/26; sampling or preparing biological specimens G01N33/48
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1492 having a flexible, catheter-like structure, e.g. for heart ablation A61B18/1477 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00011 with fluids
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00494 Stomach, intestines or bowel
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00809 measured thermochromatically
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1425 Needle
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1435 Spiral
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1497 Electrodes covering only part of the probe circumference
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2218/002 Irrigation

Abstract

A medical device is provided which comprises a catheter tube having a distal end and a lumen, and configured to assist in applying tamponage to a bleeding source in a gastrointestinal tract when flexed. A catheter tip having a catheter tip outer surface is assembled with the tube adjacent the distal end of the tube. The catheter tip comprises a probe body comprising an electrically insulative material, at least one electrode pair located on the probe body which comprises a first electrode spaced from a second electrode, and a fluid distribution manifold to direct a fluid from inside the probe body towards the tip outer surface. The manifold comprises a central passage within the probe body and a plurality of lateral passages which extend from the central passage towards the tip outer surface. An extendable injection needle is housed within the central passage to provide treatment to tissue.

Claims

1. A medical device comprising:

a catheter tube having a distal end and a lumen, the tube configured to assist in applying tamponage to a bleeding source in a gastrointestinal tract when flexed;

a catheter tip assembled with the tube adjacent the distal end of the tube, the catheter tip having a catheter tip outer surface and including;

a probe body comprising an electrically insulative material;

at least one electrode pair, the electrode pair comprising a first electrode spaced from a second electrode, the first electrode and the second electrode located on the probe body;

a fluid distribution manifold to direct a fluid from inside the probe body towards the tip outer surface, the manifold comprises a central passage within the probe body and a plurality of lateral passages which extend from the central passage towards the tip outer surface, the central passage narrowed at a distal end thereof; and

an injection needle housed within the central passage, the needle extendable from the central passage to provide treatment to tissue.

2. The medical device of claim 1 wherein a portion of the catheter tip is configured to be penetrated by a portion of the needle.

3. The medical device of claim 1 wherein a portion of the catheter tip is configured to open around a portion of the needle.

4. The medical device of claim 1 wherein a portion of the catheter tip is configured to least partially seal with a portion of the needle.

5. The medical device of claim 1 wherein a portion of the catheter tip is configured to electrically insulate the needle from the electrodes.

6. The medical device of claim 1 wherein a portion of the catheter tip provides a guide portion for guiding the needle from the lumen of the catheter tube to the central passage within the probe body.

7. The medical device of claim 1 wherein:

the central passage extends to a central passage outlet opening; and

a portion of the needle occludes at least a portion of the central passage outlet opening.

8. The medical device of claim 1 further comprising:

a first electrical connection to the catheter tip;

a second electrical connection to the catheter tip; and

a member comprising an electrically insulative portion, the electrically insulative portion electrically insulating the first electrical connection from the second electrical connection to inhibit a short circuit from forming between the two connections in the presence of an electrically conductive fluid.

9. The medical device of claim 1 wherein:

each electrode extends longitudinally along the probe body; and

the plurality of lateral passages are spaced longitudinally along the probe body.

10. The medical device of claim 9 wherein:

at least a portion of the plurality of lateral passages extend to an outlet opening located on the tip outer surface; and

the tip outer surface comprises an outer surface of at least one of the first and second electrodes.

11. The medical device of claim 1 wherein:

each electrode extends spirally around the probe body; and

the plurality of lateral passages are spaced spirally around the probe body.

12. The medical device of claim 11 wherein:

at least a portion of the plurality of lateral passages extend to an outlet opening located on the tip outer surface; and

the tip outer surface comprises an outer surface of at least one of the first and second electrodes.

13. The medical device of claim 1 wherein:

each electrode extends circularly around the probe body; and

the plurality of lateral passages are spaced circularly around the probe body.

14. The medical device of claim 13 wherein:

at least a portion of the plurality of lateral passages extend to an outlet opening located on the tip outer surface; and

the tip outer surface comprises an outer surface of at least one of the first and second electrodes.

15. The medical device of claim 1 wherein:

each electrode extends circumferentially around the probe body; and

the plurality of lateral passages are spaced circumferentially around the probe body.

16. The medical device of claim 15 wherein:

at least a portion of the plurality of lateral passages extend to an outlet opening located on the tip outer surface; and

the tip outer surface comprises an outer surface of at least one of the first and second electrodes.

17. The medical device of claim 1 wherein:

each electrode extends both longitudinally and circumferentially around the probe body; and

the plurality of lateral passages are spaced both longitudinally and circumferentially around the probe body.

18. The medical device of claim 17 wherein:

at least a portion of the plurality of lateral passages extend to an outlet opening located on the tip outer surface; and

the tip outer surface comprises an outer surface of at least one of the first and second electrodes.

19. The medical device of claim 1 wherein the at least one electrode pair comprises two electrode pairs.

20. The medical device of claim 1 wherein the at least one electrode pair comprises three electrode pairs.