Methods and devices for controlling ablation therapy
AssigneeThermedical, Inc.
InventorMichael G. Curley
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Devices and methods for controlling ablation therapy are provided herein. In one embodiment, an ablation device is provided that includes an elongate body having proximal and distal ends, and an inner lumen extending therethrough. The inner lumen can be configured to receive fluid therein and to deliver fluid to the distal end of the elongate body. The device can also include an ablation element positioned at a distal end of the elongate body that is configured to heat surrounding tissue, and a heater element disposed within the inner lumen adjacent to a distal end of thereof, the heater element being configured to heat fluid flowing through the inner lumen.
Claims12
A method of ablating tissue, comprising:
- passing a catheter through an existing passageway within a body to position a blunt distal portion of an elongate body disposed at a distal end of the catheter in contact with tissue without penetrating the tissue;
- delivering ablative energy to the tissue through an ablation element on the blunt distal portion of the elongate body while simultaneously delivering fluid through the catheter and the elongate body, the fluid being heated to a temperature greater than 37° C. and less than 70° C. by a heater element disposed in a distal portion of the elongate body distal to the catheter;
- delivering the fluid through one or more outlet ports formed in the ablation element;
- and
- detecting the temperature of the tissue in contact with the blunt distal portion of the elongate body using a temperature sensor disposed on the distal-most end surface of the blunt distal portion of the elongate body.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.