# US 11,992,260 B2 · Smart probe identification for ablation modalities

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- Number: US 11,992,260 B2
- Document ID: US11992260B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 17/216,871
- Filed: 2021-03-30
- Published: 2021-09-30
- Granted: 2024-05-28
- Earliest claimed: 2020-03-31
- Assignees: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
- Applicants: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
- Inventors: Timothy A. Ostroot; Bruce R. Forsyth; Hong Cao; Larry D. Canady, Jr.; Jonathan Tyler Gorzycki
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11992260B2

## CPC

- A61B 18/1477: {Needle-like probes}
- A61B 18/1492: {having a flexible, catheter-like structure, e.g. for heart ablation (A61B18/1477 takes precedence)}
- A61B 18/1206: {Generators therefor}
- A61B 18/148: {having a short, rigid shaft for accessing the inner body transcutaneously, e.g. for neurosurgery or arthroscopy}
- G16H 20/40: relating to mechanical, radiation or invasive therapies, e.g. surgery, laser therapy, dialysis or acupuncture
- G16H 40/63: for local operation
- G16H 40/67: for remote operation
- A61B 2018/00577: {Ablation}
- A61B 2018/00779: {Power or energy}
- A61B 2018/00827: {Current}
- A61B 2018/00892: {Voltage}
- A61B 2018/143: {multiple needles}
- A61B 2018/1467: {using more than two electrodes on a single probe}
- A61B 2090/0803: {Counting the number of times an instrument is used}
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)
- G16H: HEALTHCARE INFORMATICS, i.e. INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR THE HANDLING OR PROCESSING OF MEDICAL OR HEALTHCARE DATA

## Abstract

Ablation probes and methods of their use. Example probes include probe circuits configured to provide identifying information for the probe itself. The probe circuits may sense probe usage and/or age to determine probe end of life (EOL). In response to EOL, the probe circuit generates an output indicating EOL. The probe electronic circuit may also be configured to monitor probe usage via impedance or other features, independent of such operation by an ablation pulse generator.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An ablation probe configured for use with an ablation generator, comprising:
a distal end having one or more electrodes thereon for delivering therapy directed at target tissue;
a proximal end having one or more contacts thereon for coupling to the ablation generator;
an elongated body between the proximal and distal ends carrying at least one conductor that electrically couples at least one electrode to at least one contact;
a probe electronic circuit in or on the probe and configured to obtain power from the ablation generator and sense one or more characteristics of usage of the probe, quantify the one or more characteristics, and record or transmit data related to the sensed and quantified one or more characteristics; and
an electronic indicator providing visual feedback to a user of the probe, the electronic indicator being located on the probe and separate from a user interface of the ablation generator, wherein the electronic circuit is coupled to the electronic indicator to allow the data to be displayed to a user via the electronic indicator;
wherein the electronic circuit obtains power from the ablation generator by harvesting power from therapeutic signals transmitted to the distal end of the probe by the ablation generator via the conductor.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The ablation probe of claim 1 wherein the probe electronic circuit is configured so that the one or more characteristics includes end of life of the probe.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The ablation probe of claim 1 wherein the probe electronic circuit is configured so that the one or more characteristics includes impedance at or near the distal end of the probe.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The ablation probe of claim 1 wherein the probe electronic circuit comprises or is coupled to an antenna for wirelessly transmitting the data.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The ablation probe of claim 1 wherein the probe electronic circuit is coupled, via a dedicated conductor, to the probe proximal end, which in turn includes a dedicated contact for enabling the data to be transmitted to the ablation generator.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

A system comprising the ablation probe of claim 1, and the ablation generator including the user interface, wherein the user interface comprises one of a touchscreen or a monitor.