# US 11,896,287 B2 · Vapor ablation systems and methods > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,896,287 B2 - Document ID: US11896287B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/646,129 - Filed: 2021-12-27 - Published: 2022-04-21 - Granted: 2024-02-13 - Earliest claimed: 2015-12-18 - Assignees: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. - Applicants: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. - Inventors: Roger Noel Hastings; Mark Schrom; Steven Carlson; Michael Hoey; Timothy D. Byland; Karliam C. Woo; Brian A. Bachmeier - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11896287B2 ## CPC - A61B 18/14: Probes or electrodes therefor - A61B 18/04: by heating (by applying electromagnetic radiation A61B18/18) - A61B 18/042: {using additional gas becoming plasma} - F22B 1/28: in boilers heated electrically - H01F 7/13: characterised by pulling-force characteristic - H01F 7/1615: {Armatures or stationary parts of magnetic circuit having permanent magnet} - A61B 2018/00547: {Prostate} - A61B 2018/00577: {Ablation} - A61B 2018/00827: {Current} - A61B 2018/048: {in gaseous form} - A61B 2018/1475: {Electrodes retractable in or deployable from a housing} - H01F 7/134: {Actuators with two coils} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - F22B: METHODS OF STEAM GENERATION; STEAM BOILERS - H01F: MAGNETS; INDUCTANCES; TRANSFORMERS; SELECTION OF MATERIALS FOR THEIR MAGNETIC PROPERTIES ## Abstract A vapor delivery needle is provided that may include any of a number of features. One feature of the energy delivery probe is that it can apply condensable vapor energy to tissue, such as a prostrate, to shrink, damage, denaturate the prostate. In some embodiments, the vapor delivery needle can be advanced a predetermined distance into the prostate with a solenoid actuation mechanism. Methods associated with use of the energy delivery probe are also covered. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A prostate treatment device, comprising: an introducer shaft: a vapor generator configured to generate a condensable vapor; a vapor delivery needle in communication with the vapor generator and movably disposed within the introducer shaft; a magnet attached to the needle; a solenoid actuator disposed around the magnet, wherein the solenoid actuator comprises a first winding and a second winding; and a power supply configured to simultaneously supply a first current to the first winding and a second current to the second winding in order to move a distal tip of the vapor delivery needle between a retracted position inside the introducer shaft and an extended position at least partially outside of the introducer shaft, wherein the first current is in a first direction opposite to a second direction of the second current, wherein the first winding is configured to generate a first magnetic field when the first current is applied to the first winding, and wherein the second winding is configured to generate a second magnetic field when the second current is applied to the second winding. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the first magnetic field shares a polarity with the magnet. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The device of claim 2 wherein the second magnetic field has a polarity opposite to the polarity of the magnet. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the first magnetic field generates a first force on the magnet. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The device of claim 4, wherein the second magnetic field generates a second force on the magnet in a same direction as the first force. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The device of claim 5, wherein a magnitude of a combination of the first force and the second force is approximately twice a magnitude of the first force alone. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the magnet is at least partly within both of the first winding and the second winding in a retracted position of the vapor delivery needle. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, further comprising a sensor configured to provide a voltage output proportional to a magnetic field produced by the magnet. ### Claim 9 A prostate treatment device, comprising: an introducer shaft; a vapor generator configured to generate a condensable vapor; a vapor delivery needle in communication with the vapor generator and slidably disposed within the introducer shaft a magnet attached to the needle; and an actuator configured to selectively simultaneously apply to the magnet a first, repelling, force in a first direction and a second, attracting force in the first direction in order to move a distal tip of the vapor delivery needle between a retracted position inside the introducer shaft and an extended position at least partially outside of the introducer shaft, wherein the actuator includes a second magnet configured to generate a first magnetic field having a first polarity and a third magnet configured to generate a second magnetic field having a second polarity, and wherein the first polarity is opposite to the second polarity. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The device of claim 9, wherein the first magnetic field produces the first force, and wherein the second magnetic field produces the second force. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The device of claim 9, wherein a magnitude of a combination of the first force and the second force is approximately twice a magnitude of the first force alone. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The device of claim 9, further comprising a sensor configured to provide a voltage output proportional to a magnetic field produced by the first magnet. ### Claim 13 A prostate treatment device, comprising: an introducer shaft; a vapor generator configured to generate a condensable vapor; a vapor delivery needle in communication with the vapor generator and slidably disposed within the introducer shaft; a magnet attached to the needle; a solenoid actuator disposed around the magnet, wherein the solenoid actuator comprises a first winding and a second winding; and a power supply configured to supply at least one current to the solenoid actuator, wherein the supply of the at least one current simultaneously causes (a) the first winding to generate a first magnetic field having a first polarity, and (b) the second winding to generate a second magnetic field having a second polarity, wherein the first polarity is opposite to the second polarity, wherein the first magnetic field shares a polarity with the magnet, and wherein the second magnetic field has a polarity opposite to a polarity of the magnet. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The device of claim 13, wherein the first magnetic field generates a first force on the magnet, wherein the second magnetic field generates a second force on the magnet, and wherein the second force is in a same direction as the first force. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The device of claim 14, wherein a magnitude of a combination of the first force and the second force is approximately twice a magnitude of the first force alone. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The device of claim 13, wherein the magnet is at least partly within both of the first winding and the second winding in a retracted position of the vapor delivery needle. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) The device of claim 13, further comprising a sensor configured to provide a voltage output proportional to a magnetic field produced by the first magnet.