Moisture transport system for contact electrocoagulation

• US 8,998,898 B2
• Filed: 05/15/2014
• Issued: 04/07/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 04/12/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hologic Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Cytyc Surgical Products II Incorporated (Hologic Incorporated)
• Inventors: Truckai, Csaba, Sampson, Russel Mahlon, Squarcia, Stephanie, Ramirez, Alfonso Lawrence, Hilario, Estela, Auth, David C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Stoklosa, Joseph
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ram, Jocelyn D
• Application Number:
  US14/278,741
• Publication Number:
  US 20140249527A1
• Time in Patent Office: 327 Days
• Field of Search: 606/41, 607/101, 607/105, 607/138, 604/35
• US Class Current: 606/41
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/42 Gynaecological or obstetrical instruments or methods ligaturing clamps or clips for the umbilical cord A61B17/122; curettage A61B17/320708; dilators A61M29/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/14 Probes or electrodes therefor
• 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 18/1485 having a short rigid shaft for accessing the inner body through natural openings
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/18 by applying electromagnetic radiation, e.g. microwaves radiation therapy A61N5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22051 with an inflatable part, e.g. balloon, for positioning, blocking, or immobilisation A61B2017/22048, A61B2017/3486 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/4216 Operations on uterus, e.g. endometrium
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00291 using suction
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00559 Female reproductive organs
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00577 Ablation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00708 switching the power on or off
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/126 bipolar
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0409 Specification of type of protection measures
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/065 for measuring contact or contact pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/04 Protection of tissue around surgical sites against effects of non-mechanical surgery, e.g. laser surgery protection of eyes against laser radiation A61F9/022
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0427 with removable and re-insertable liner tubes, e.g. for cleaning
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0463 combined with suction tubes, catheters or the like; Outside connections
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0481 through the cuff wall

Abstract

An apparatus and method for use in performing ablation or coagulation of organs and other tissue includes a metallized fabric electrode array which is substantially absorbent and/or permeable to moisture and gases such as steam and conformable to the body cavity. Following placement of the ablation device into contact with the tissue to be ablated, an RF generator is used to deliver RF energy to the conductive regions and to thereby induce current flow from the electrodes to tissue to be ablated. As the current heats the tissue, moisture (such as steam or liquid) leaves the tissue causing the tissue to dehydrate. Suction may be applied to facilitate moisture removal. The moisture permeability and/or absorbency of the electrode carrying member allows the moisture to leave the ablation site so as to prevent the moisture from providing a path of conductivity for the current.

Claims

1. A method of ablating walls of a uterus using an ablation device, the ablation device comprising a tubular member coupled to a working end, the working end comprising a first electrode and a second electrode, the method comprising:

positioning the first electrode within the uterus, including extending the tubular member through a cervical opening and substantially sealing the cervical opening around the tubular member;

delivering ablation energy through the first and second electrodes to the walls of the uterus, wherein the delivering step causes moisture to be released from the walls; and

removing the released moisture through a continuously open flow path through the tubular member during the delivering step.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising expanding the working end of the ablation device.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the working end includes a sack comprised of a non-conductive material.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein the working end includes a balloon.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the working end includes a balloon.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein substantially sealing the cervical opening includes creating a pneumatic seal.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein removing released moisture includes applying suction through the tubular member.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the first and second electrodes are bipolar electrodes, and wherein the delivering step delivers RF energy to the bipolar electrodes.

9. The method of claim 1 further comprising, monitoring impedance using one or more sensors during the delivering step.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising, terminating the ablation energy when the impedance reaches a predetermined criterion.

11. The method of claim 9 further comprising, displaying the impedance.

12. The method of claim 1 further comprising, monitoring temperature in the uterus during the delivering step.

13. The method of claim 12 further comprising, terminating the ablation energy when the temperature reaches a predetermined criterion.

14. A method of ablating walls of a uterus using an ablation device, the ablation device comprising a tubular member coupled to a working end, the working end comprising a first electrode and a second electrode, the method comprising:

positioning the first electrode within the uterus;

delivering ablation energy through the first and second electrodes to the walls of the uterus, wherein the delivering step causes moisture to be released from the walls; and

removing the released moisture through a continuously open flow path through the tubular member during the delivering step, wherein the first and second electrodes are bipolar electrodes, and wherein the delivering step delivers RF energy to the bipolar electrodes.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising substantially sealing the cervical opening around the tubular member.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein substantially sealing the cervical opening includes creating a pneumatic seal.

17. The method of claim 14 further comprising, monitoring impedance using one or more sensors during the delivering step.

18. The method of claim 17 further comprising, terminating the ablation energy when the impedance reaches a predetermined criterion.

19. The method of claim 17 further comprising, displaying the impedance.

20. The method of claim 14 further comprising, monitoring temperature in the uterus during the delivering step.

21. The method of claim 20 further comprising, terminating the ablation energy when the temperature reaches a predetermined criterion.

22. A method of ablating walls of a uterus using an ablation device, the ablation device comprising a tubular member coupled to a working end, the working end comprising a first electrode and a second electrode, the method comprising:

positioning the first electrode within the uterus;

delivering ablation energy through the first and second electrodes to the walls of the uterus, wherein the delivering step causes moisture to be released from the walls;

removing the released moisture through a continuously open flow path through the tubular member during the delivering step; and

monitoring impedance using one or more sensors during the delivering step.

23. The method of claim 22 further comprising, terminating the ablation energy when the impedance reaches a predetermined criterion.

24. The method of claim 22 further comprising, displaying the impedance.

25. A method of ablating walls of a uterus using an ablation device, the ablation device comprising a tubular member coupled to a working end, the working end comprising a first electrode and a second electrode, the method comprising:

positioning the first electrode within the uterus;

delivering ablation energy through the first and second electrodes to the walls of the uterus, wherein the delivering step causes moisture to be released from the walls;

removing the released moisture through a continuously open flow path through the tubular member during the delivering step; and

monitoring temperature in the uterus during the delivering step.

26. The method of claim 25 further comprising, terminating the ablation energy when the temperature reaches a predetermined criterion.

27. The method of claim 25 further comprising substantially sealing the cervical opening around the tubular member.

28. The method of claim 27 wherein substantially sealing the cervical opening includes creating a pneumatic seal.

29. The method of claim 25 wherein the first and second electrodes are bipolar electrodes, and wherein the delivering step delivers RF energy to the bipolar electrodes.

30. The method of claim 25 wherein removing released moisture includes applying suction through the tubular member.