Vapor ablation systems and methods
AssigneeBoston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
InventorsRoger Noel Hastings, Mark Schrom, Steven Carlson, Michael Hoey, Timothy D. Byland, Karliam C. Woo, Brian A. Bachmeier
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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.
Claims18
A prostate treatment system, 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 wire configured to deliver a current to move the vapor delivery needle;
- a sensor configured to measure a property of the current traveling through at least a portion of the wire;
- a filter configured to generate a pulse;
- and
- a controller configured to determine a status of the vapor delivery needle based on data from the sensor and the pulse.
A prostate treatment system, 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 solenoid configured to move the vapor delivery needle when a current travels through the solenoid;
- a current sensor configured to measure a value of the current traveling through the solenoid, wherein a decrease in the value of the current indicates that the vapor delivery needle is moving;
- and
- a controller configured to determine a status of the vapor delivery needle based on data from the current sensor, wherein the controller is configured to interpret noise in a signal from the current sensor as points of increased friction along a path of travel of the vapor delivery needle.
A prostate treatment system, 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 solenoid configured to move the vapor delivery needle when a current travels through the solenoid;
- and
- a controller configured to determine a distance that the vapor delivery needle has traveled based an amount of time during which a value of the current traveling through the solenoid decreases,
- wherein a magnet is coupled to the vapor delivery needle, and wherein a movement of the magnet causes a decrease in the value of the current traveling through the solenoid due to a back current generated by the movement of the magnet.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.