Precision ablating device

• US 7,959,627 B2
• Filed: 11/23/2005
• Issued: 06/14/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/23/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: BARRX Medical LLC
• Inventors: Garabedian, Robert, Utley, David S., Wallace, Michael P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Johnson, III; Henry M
• Assistant Examiner(s): ROANE, AARON F
• Application Number:
  US11/286,257
• Publication Number:
  US 20070135809A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,029 Days
• Field of Search: 606 41- 52, 600/101
• US Class Current: 606/41
• 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 18/18 by applying electromagnetic radiation, e.g. microwaves radiation therapy A61N5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00214 Expandable means emitting energy, e.g. by elements carried thereon
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0022 Balloons
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00577 Ablation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1495 Electrodes being detachable from a support structure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1807 using light other than laser radiation

Abstract

Apparatus for treating abnormal mucosa in an alimentary tract are provided. The apparatus include an ablation structure configured to be removably coupled to an endoscope and a deflection mechanism adapted to move the ablation structure with respect to the endoscope and toward a tissue surface.

Claims

1. An ablation device comprising:

an endoscope having a central longitudinal axis;

a support platform having a proximal end, a distal end and a central longitudinal axis extending between the proximal and the distal end;

an ablation structure having a proximal end, a distal end and an electrode surface, the ablation structure is supported by the support platform whereby the electrode surface faces away from the central longitudinal axis of the support platform; and

a flexible coupling mechanism that encircles an exterior surface of the endoscope and attaches to the support platform between the proximal and the distal ends of the electrode surface.

2. The ablation device of claim 1 wherein the coupling mechanism to moveable relative to the endoscope.

20. The device of claim 3, 1 or 19 wherein the ablation structure comprises a plurality of electrodes.

21. The ablation device of claim 20 wherein the spacing between adjacent electrodes in the plurality of electrodes is from 0.1 mm to 20 mm.

22. The device of claim 3, 1 or 19 wherein the coupling mechanism includes any of a flex joint, a pin joint, a U-joint, a ball joint or any combination thereof.

23. The ablation device of claim 3, 1 or 19 wherein the coupling mechanism is configured to be pivotable in response to deflection of the ablation structure against a surface.

24. The ablation device of claim 3, 1 or 19 wherein the ablation structure achieves thermal damage through heating tissue.

25. The ablation device of claim 3, 1 or 19 wherein the ablation structure achieves thermal damage through cooling tissue.

26. The ablation device of claim 3, 1 or 19, the ablation structure further comprising:

a bipolar array of electrodes.

27. The ablation device of claim 3, 1 or 19 wherein the support platform is between the endoscope and the ablation structure.

28. The ablation device of claim 3, 1 or 19 wherein the ablation structure has an area in the range from 0.5 cm² to 9.0 cm².

3. An ablation device comprising:

an endoscope having a central longitudinal axis;

a support platform coupled to a distal portion of the endoscope, the support platform having a central longitudinal axis;

an ablation structure supported on a surface of the support platform that faces away from the central longitudinal axis of the endoscope; and

a coupling mechanism connected between the proximal and distal ends of the support platform and between the proximal and distal ends of the ablation structure while allowing pivoting movement between the central longitudinal axis of the support platform and the central longitudinal axis of the endoscope.

4. The device of claim 3 wherein the coupling mechanism comprises a ring.

5. The device of claim 3 wherein the coupling mechanism comprises an elastic band.

6. The device of claim 3 further comprising a deflection mechanism attached to the distal end of the endoscope radially opposite the support platform.

7. The device of claim 6 wherein the deflection mechanism comprises an expandable member.

8. The ablation device of claim 7 wherein the expandable member is a balloon.

9. The ablation device of claim 3 wherein the coupling mechanism is adapted to removably couple the ablation structure to the endoscope.

10. The device of claim 3 wherein the coupling mechanism is adapted to permit the ablation structure to flex with respect to the endoscope when coupled to the endoscope.

11. The device of claim 3 wherein the coupling mechanism includes a combination of a ring and an elastic band.

12. The ablation device of claim 3 wherein the coupling mechanism is positioned proximal to a distal end of the endoscope.

13. The ablation device of claim 3 wherein a portion of the support platform is disposed proximal to the coupling mechanism.

14. The ablation device of claim 13 wherein a portion of the support platform is disposed distal to the coupling mechanism.

15. The ablation device of claim 3 wherein the support platform is disposed adjacent to the coupling mechanism.

16. The ablation device of claim 3 wherein the longitudinal axis of the support platform is substantially coplanar with the central longitudinal axis of the endoscope.

17. The ablation device of claim 3 wherein the coupling mechanism is configured to be pivotable such that the longitudinal axis of the endoscope and the longitudinal axis of the support platform may be disposed in a parallel or non-parallel relationship.

18. The ablation device of claim 3 wherein the coupling mechanism is configured to be pivotable such that upon pivoting, one portion of the support platform is disposed closer to the endoscope and another portion of the support platform is disposed further from the endoscope.

19. An ablation device comprising:

an endoscope having a central longitudinal axis;

a support platform coupled to a distal portion of the endoscope, the support platform having a longitudinal axis;

an ablation structure supported on a surface of the support platform that faces away from the central longitudinal axis of the endoscope; and

a coupling mechanism connected between the proximal and distal ends of the support platform and between the proximal and distal ends of the ablation structure while allowing pivoting movement of the support platform about an axis transverse to the central longitudinal axis of the endoscope.