Cool-tip combined electrode introducer
AssigneeCovidien LP
InventorsKyle Rick, David Heard, Steven Buysse
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present disclosure relates to systems, devices and methods for positioning and placing multiple electrodes in a target surgical site. An introducer is provided for facilitating the insertion of a cluster of electrodes into the body of a patient for tissue for performing tissue ablation. The introducer includes a body portion including a plurality of holes formed therein for selectively receiving a respective elongate shaft of the electrodes therethrough, wherein the holes of the introducer orient and space each electrode relative to one another, wherein the introducer includes a centrally disposed hole formed therein for receiving a guide needle therethrough.
Claims36
An electrode system for use with a high frequency generator to induce coherent high frequency heat ablation volumes within targeted tissue of a patient, which comprises:
- a hub;
- and
- at least three electrodes each including:
- a substantially rigid elongated shaft extending from the hub and terminating in a sealed distal end section having an exposed conductive tip portion configured to be inserted into the targeted tissue and adapted at a proximal end section to be coupled to a high frequency generator to simultaneously apply an equal output voltage to each of the exposed conductive tip portions;
- and
- a closed-loop fluid communication channel pathway which includes an inflow opening adapted for connection to a coolant fluid supply, and a channel portion in fluid communication with the inflow opening, which extends distally inside the conductive tip portion to carry coolant to the inside of the conductive tip portion and further extends proximally back to an outlet opening adapted to carry coolant away from the conductive tip portion;
- and
- an introducer including a plurality of holes formed therein for selectively receiving a respective elongate shaft of the electrodes therethrough, wherein the holes of the introducer orient and space each electrode relative to one another, wherein the introducer includes a centrally disposed hole formed therein for receiving a guide needle therethrough.
A system for inducing enlargement of heat ablation volumes within tissue of a patient's body, the system comprising:
- a high frequency generator for supplying an output voltage;
- at least three substantially rigid, elongated electrodes adapted to be inserted into the tissue of a patient's body, each of the at least three electrodes having exposed conductive tip portions arranged in a predetermined parallel relationship and a closed-loop fluid communication channel pathway which includes an inflow opening adapted for connection to a coolant fluid supply, and a channel portion in fluid communication with the inflow opening, which extends distally inside the conductive tip portion to carry coolant to the inside of the conductive tip portion and further extends proximally back to an outlet opening adapted to carry coolant away from the conductive tip portion;
- and
- an introducer including a plurality of holes formed therein for selectively receiving a respective elongate shaft of the electrodes therethrough, wherein the holes of the introducer orient and space each electrode relative to one another, wherein the introducer includes a centrally disposed hole formed therein for receiving a guide needle therethrough.
A process for heat ablation of tissue in a patient, the process comprising the steps of:
- providing an electrode system for inducing enlargement of heat ablation volumes within tissue of a patient's body, the electrode system including:
- a high frequency generator for supplying an output voltage;
- at least three substantially rigid, elongated electrodes adapted to be inserted into the tissue of a patient's body, each of the at least three electrodes having exposed conductive tip portions arranged in a predetermined parallel relationship and a closed-loop fluid communication channel pathway which includes an inflow opening adapted for connection to a coolant fluid supply, a channel portion in fluid communication with the inflow opening, which extends distally inside the conductive tip portion to carry coolant to the inside of the conductive tip portion and further extends proximally back to an outlet opening adapted to carry coolant away from the conductive tip portion;
- and
- an introducer including a plurality of holes formed therein for selectively receiving a respective elongate shaft of the electrodes therethrough, wherein the holes of the introducer orient and space each electrode relative to one another, wherein the introducer includes a centrally disposed hole formed therein for receiving a guide needle therethrough;
- inserting the electrodes into desired holes of the introducer in order to position each electrode relative to one another;
- inserting the electrodes into the tissue;
- applying substantially the same radiofrequency output through the electrodes to a targeted tissue volume to produce coherent heating of the targeted tissue volume;
- raising the radiofrequency output to a level that induces enlargement of the volume of heat ablation in the tissue near the electrodes;
- and
- cooling each electrode by circulating a cooling fluid through a closed-loop fluid communication channel pathway formed in each of the electrodes.
The method according to claim 28, further comprising the steps of:
- withdrawing the guide needle from the distal introducer;
- and
- inserting the electrodes into the body of the patient through the holes formed in the distal introducer.
An introducer for facilitating the insertion of a cluster of electrodes into the body of a patient for tissue for performing tissue ablation, the introducer comprising:
- a body portion including a plurality of holes formed therein for selectively receiving a respective elongate shaft of the electrodes therethrough, wherein the holes of the introducer orient and space each electrode relative to one another, wherein the introducer includes a centrally disposed hole formed therein for receiving a guide needle therethrough.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.