# US 11,992,254 B2 · Medical devices and methods

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 11,992,254 B2
- Document ID: US11992254B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/919,499
- Filed: 2020-07-02
- Published: 2020-12-24
- Granted: 2024-05-28
- Earliest claimed: 2017-01-06
- Assignees: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
- Applicants: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
- Inventors: Michael Hoey; Roger Noel Hastings; Mark Schrom; Matthew Byrne; Grant Mauch; Eric Jerke; Richard Charles Kravik
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11992254B2

## CPC

- A61B 18/082: {Probes or electrodes therefor}
- A61B 18/04: by heating (by applying electromagnetic radiation A61B18/18)
- A61B 18/10: Power sources therefor
- 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)}
- A61M 5/20: Automatic syringes, e.g. with automatically actuated piston rod, with automatic needle injection, filling automatically (A61M5/142 takes precedence)
- A61B 2018/00023: {closed, i.e. without wound contact by the fluid}
- A61B 2018/00029: {open}
- A61B 2018/00047: {using Peltier effect}
- A61B 2018/00083: {low, i.e. electrically insulating}
- A61B 2018/00101: {low, i.e. thermally insulating}
- A61B 2018/00285: {Balloons}
- A61B 2018/00547: {Prostate}
- A61B 2018/00577: {Ablation}
- A61B 2018/00708: {switching the power on or off}
- A61B 2018/00821: {measured by a thermocouple}
- A61B 2018/00869: {Phase}
- A61B 2018/00875: {Resistance or impedance}
- A61B 2018/00898: {Alarms or notifications created in response to an abnormal condition}
- A61B 2018/00982: {combined with or comprising means for visual or photographic inspections inside the body, e.g. endoscopes}
- A61B 2018/048: {in gaseous form}
- A61B 2090/0427: {Prevention of contact}
- A61B 2090/0436: {Shielding}
- A61B 2090/065: {for measuring contact or contact pressure}
- A61M 5/1782: {Devices aiding filling of syringes in situ (combination of a vial and a syringe for transferring or mixing their contents A61J1/2096, filling of medical containers in general B65B3/003)}
- A61M 5/204: {connected to external reservoirs for multiple refilling}
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)
- A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)}

## 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, or denature tissues of the prostate. Methods associated with use of the energy delivery probe are also covered.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A medical device comprising:
a needle;
a first electrode disposed at a distal tip of the needle, wherein the first electrode is configured to measure a first electrical impedance of a first tissue contacting the first electrode, and wherein the distal tip of the needle is the first electrode;
a second electrode disposed on the needle, proximally of the first electrode, wherein the second electrode is configured to measure a second electrical impedance of a second tissue contacting the second electrode; and
an electrically insulative material disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode; and
an electronic controller configured to use the first electrical impedance and the second electrical impedance in order to determine whether the first electrode and the second electrode are disposed within a prostate.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The medical device of claim 1, wherein the first electrode is configured to measure a first phase shift of the first tissue.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The medical device of claim 2, wherein the second electrode is configured to measure a second phase shift of the second tissue.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The medical device of claim 3, wherein the controller is configured to use the first phase shift and the second phase shift in order to determine whether the first electrode and the second electrode are disposed within the prostate.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The medical device of claim 1, wherein the needle includes at least one hole configured to delivery vapor to the prostate.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The medical device of claim 1, further comprising circuitry electrically connected to the first electrode and the second electrode, wherein the circuitry is configured to provide a variable frequency.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The medical device of claim 1, wherein the needle includes a conductive inner tube and an insulative tube between the second electrode and the conductive inner tube.

### Claim 8

A medical device comprising:
a needle terminating in a distal tip, wherein the distal tip is a first electrode configured to measure a first electrical impedance of a first tissue contacting the first electrode, the needle including:
a second, ring electrode, proximal of the first electrode, configured to measure a second electrical impedance of a second tissue contacting the second electrode; and
an electrically insulative material disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode; and
an electronic controller configured to use the first electrical impedance and the second electrical impedance in order to determine whether the first electrode and the second electrode are disposed within a prostate.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The medical device of claim 8, wherein the first electrode is configured to measure a first phase shift of the first tissue.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The medical device of claim 9, wherein the second electrode is configured to measure a second phase shift of the second tissue.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The medical device of claim 10, wherein the controller is configured to use the first phase shift and the second phase shift in order to determine whether the first electrode and the second electrode are disposed within the prostate.

### Claim 12 (depends on 8)

The medical device of claim 8, wherein the needle includes at least one hole configured to deliver vapor to the prostate.

### Claim 13 (depends on 8)

The medical device of claim 8, further comprising circuitry electrically connected to the first electrode and the second electrode, wherein the circuitry is configured to provide a variable frequency.

### Claim 14 (depends on 8)

The medical device of claim 8, wherein the needle includes a conductive inner tube and an insulative tube between the second electrode and the conductive inner tube.

### Claim 15

A medical device comprising:
a needle terminating in a distal tip, wherein the distal tip is a first electrode configured to measure a first electrical impedance and a first phase shift of a first tissue contacting the first electrode, the needle including:
a second electrode, proximal of the first electrode, configured to measure a second electrical impedance and a second phase shift of a second tissue contacting the second electrode; and
an electrically insulative material disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode; and
an electronic controller configured to use the first electrical impedance, the first phase shift, the second electrical impedance, and the second phase shift, in order to determine whether the first electrode and the second electrode are disposed within a prostate.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The medical device of claim 15, wherein the needle includes at least one hole configured to deliver vapor to a prostate.

### Claim 17 (depends on 15)

The medical device of claim 15, further comprising circuitry electrically connected to the first electrode and the second electrode, wherein the circuitry is configured to provide a variable frequency.