Apparatus and method for RF ablation into conductive fluid-infused tissue
AssigneeSciMed Life Systems, Inc.
InventorDavid K. Swanson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A radiofrequency (RF) ablation device includes a cannula having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therethrough. At least one electrode having a lumen and plurality of ports is disposed within the cannula. The electrode can reciprocate between a proximally retracted position and a distally extended position. The at least one electrode is coupled to a source of pressurized conductive fluid. The RF ablation device is used to pre-treat a region of tissue with a high-pressure injection of conductive fluid prior to the delivery of RF energy to the tissue. The pre-treatment step aids in creating extremely large lesions within the tissue.
Claims26
A radiofrequency ablation device comprising:
- a cannula having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therethrough;
- a plurality of pre-shaped electrodes disposed in the cannula lumen to reciprocate between a proximally retracted position and a distally extended position, the plurality of electrodes including a lumen extending through at least a portion therethrough, the plurality of electrodes further including a plurality of ports provided along at least a portion of each of the plurality of electrodes;
- a source of pressurized conductive fluid coupled to the electrode lumens;
- and
- wherein in the proximally retracted position all of the plurality of electrodes are radially constrained within the lumen of the cannula and wherein in the distally extended position all of the plurality of electrodes deploy radially outward.
A radiofrequency ablation device comprising:
- a cannula having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therethrough;
- an electrode disposed in the cannula lumen to reciprocate between a proximally retracted position and a distally extended position, the electrode including a lumen extending through at least a portion therethrough, the electrode further including a plurality of ports provided along at least a portion of the length of the electrode;
- a source of pressurized conductive fluid coupled to the electrode lumen.
A method of performing radiofrequency ablation on tissue comprising the steps of:
- positioning a radiofrequency ablation device within a region of tissue;
- deploying at least one electrode within the region of tissue;
- injecting, under pressure, a conductive fluid into the region of tissue with the at least one electrode;
- and
- delivering RF power to the region of tissue using the at least one electrode.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.