System and method for controlling tissue treatment

• US 8,690,864 B2
• Filed: 03/09/2007
• Issued: 04/08/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/09/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Hoarau, Carine
• Primary Examiner(s): Dvorak, Linda
• Assistant Examiner(s): DELLA, JAYMI E
• Application Number:
  US11/716,260
• Publication Number:
  US 20080221409A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,587 Days
• Field of Search: 606 41- 42, 606 20- 26
• US Class Current: 606/21
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/02 by cooling, e.g. cryogenic techniques devices for cooling specific reflex points of the body within cell-life limits A61H39/06
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1233 with circuits for assuring patient safety
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1402 Probes for open surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1445 at the distal end of a shaft, e.g. forceps or scissors at the end of a rigid rod
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1482 having a long rigid shaft for accessing the inner body transcutaneously in minimal invasive surgery, e.g. laparoscopy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00061 spectrum
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00577 Ablation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00619 Welding
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00642 with feedback, i.e. closed loop control
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0075 by spectroscopy, i.e. measuring spectra, e.g. Raman spectroscopy, infrared absorption spectroscopy A61B5/0071 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0084 for introduction into the body, e.g. by catheters A61B5/1459 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0086 using infrared radiation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4869 Determining body composition
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4872 Body fat

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a system and method for controlling a tissue treatment device using results from a spectroscopic tissue analyzer. One embodiment provides a system that uses a direct signal from a spectroscopic tissue analyzer to control the tissue treatment device. Alternatively, the system may provide an audible feedback signal to a user, allowing the user to choose how to adjust the tissue treatment device. A final embodiment provides a probe that has active sites for treating tissue, and an optical system to convey light to the active sites, allowing an analysis of the tissue parameter at the active sites.

Claims

1. A method for a medical procedure, comprising:

analyzing a parameter of a tissue using a spectroscopic tissue analyzer, wherein the parameter of the tissue comprises at least a concentration of ice of the tissue and a loss in water content of the tissue; and

controlling a tissue treatment device using a feedback signal from the spectroscopic tissue analyzer, wherein the feedback signal is based at least in part upon a comparison of the concentration of ice of the tissue and the loss in the water content of the tissue, and wherein the tissue treatment device comprises at least a tissue cryoablation unit.

2. The method of claim 1, comprising manually adjusting the tissue treatment device based on the feedback signal.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the feedback signal automatically controls the tissue treatment device.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the parameter of the tissue comprises at least a lipid content of the tissue, a protein arrangement in the tissue, or combinations thereof.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the feedback signal comprises at least one of an alarm tone, a voice annunciation of the parameter of the tissue, an automatic control signal sent to the tissue treatment device, or combinations thereof.

6. A system for use in a medical procedure, comprising:

a first optical system configured to deliver electromagnetic radiation to a tissue;

a second optical system configured to receive the electromagnetic radiation from the tissue to determine at least a water content of the tissue and a concentration of ice of the tissue;

one or more active sites configured to freeze the tissue based at least in part on a feedback signal from a spectroscopic tissue analyzer, wherein the feedback signal is based at least in part upon a comparison of a loss in the water content of the tissue and the concentration of ice of the tissue, wherein the one or more active sites are disposed adjacent to the first and second optical systems.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein the first and second optical systems comprise fiber optic lines.

8. The system of claim 6 comprising a fiber optic cable for connection to the spectroscopic tissue analyzer.

9. The system of claim 6 comprising at least one of a cable or tube for connection to one or more tissue treatment devices.

10. A method, comprising:

providing a probe for delivering a tissue treatment, wherein the tissue treatment comprises at least freezing a tissue adjacent to a tip of the probe based at least in part on a comparison of a loss in water content of the tissue adjacent to the tip of the probe and a concentration of ice of the tissue adjacent to the tip of the probe; and

attaching an optical system to the probe, wherein the optical system is configured to determine the loss in the water content of the tissue adjacent to the tip of the probe and the concentration of ice of the tissue adjacent to the tip of the probe, wherein the optical system is configured to deliver electromagnetic radiation to the tissue adjacent to the tip of the probe and capture the electromagnetic radiation from the tissue adjacent to the tip of the probe.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein providing the probe for delivering the tissue treatment comprises providing at least one of a suction device configured to remove substances or a heat based tissue sealing device.

12. The method of claim 10 comprising attaching a control switch and a control cable to the probe for activation of the tissue treatment.