Protective systems and methods for use during ablation procedures
AssigneeESTECH, Inc. (Endoscopic Technologies, Inc.)
InventorsDavid K. Swanson, Ara Stephanian
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Systems and methods provide protection for patient tissue during radiofrequency ablation treatments. Exemplary techniques involve placing a conductive or semiconductive pad assembly near a target tissue, and administering electrical current through the target tissue while protecting adjacent tissue with the pad assembly. The pad assembly may include a material having an electrical conductivity value that is equal to or greater than the electrical conductivity value of the target tissue.
Claims32
A method of delivering an ablative radiofrequency electric current through a posterior wall of a patient's left atrium, comprising:
- placing a radiofrequency electrode within the left atrial chamber of the patient's heart;
- placing a pad assembly between the patient's esophagus and the posterior wall of the left atrium;
- placing a return pad on the patient' skin;
- and
- transmitting the ablative radiofrequency electric current from the electrode, through the atrial wall, into the pad assembly, and to the return pad.
A system for administering ablative radiofrequency electric current therapy to a patient, comprising:
- an electrosurgical unit assembly having an electrode configured for placement within the patient's left atrial chamber, the electrode configured to transmit an ablative radiofrequency electric current;
- a pad assembly configured for placement between the patient's esophagus and the posterior wall of the patient's left atrium, the pad assembly configured to receive the ablative radiofrequency electric current transmitted by the electrode;
- and
- a return pad configured for placement on the patient's skin, the return pad in operative association with the electrosurgical unit assembly and configured to receive the ablative radiofrequency electric current delivered from the pad assembly.
A method of preventing or inhibiting injury to a patient's esophagus during delivery of an ablative current through a posterior wall of the patient's left atrium, comprising:
- placing an electrode within the left atrial chamber of the patient's heart;
- placing a pad assembly between the patient's esophagus and the posterior wall of the left atrium;
- transmitting the radiofrequency ablative electric current from the electrode, through the atrial wall, and into the pad;
- and
- preventing or inhibiting injury to the patient's esophagus with the pad assembly.
A system for administering ablative radiofrequency electric current therapy to a patient, comprising:
- an electrosurgical unit assembly having an electrode configured for placement within the patient's left atrial chamber, the electrode configured to transmit an ablative radiofrequency electric current;
- and
- a pad assembly configured for placement between the patient's esophagus and the posterior wall of the patient's left atrium, the pad assembly configured to receive the ablative radiofrequency electric current transmitted by the electrode and to return the current to the electrosurgical unit.
A method of delivering an ablative radiofrequency electric current through a target tissue of a patient, comprising:
- placing a radiofrequency electrode at or near the target tissue;
- placing a pad assembly between the target tissue and a protected tissue of the patient, the protected tissue adjacent to the target tissue;
- placing a return pad on the patient' skin;
- and
- transmitting the ablative radiofrequency electric current from the electrode, through the target tissue, into the pad assembly, and to the return pad.
A system for administering ablative radiofrequency electric current therapy to a patient, comprising:
- an electrosurgical unit assembly having an electrode configured for placement at or near a target tissue of the patient, the electrode configured to transmit an ablative radiofrequency electric current;
- a pad assembly configured for placement between the patient's target tissue and a protected tissue of the patient, the protected tissue adjacent to the target tissue, the pad assembly configured to receive the ablative radiofrequency electric current transmitted by the electrode;
- and
- a return pad configured for placement on the patient's skin, the return pad in operative association with the electrosurgical unit assembly and configured to receive the ablative radiofrequency electric current delivered from the pad assembly.
A method of preventing or inhibiting injury to a protected tissue of a patient during delivery of an ablative current through a target tissue of the patient, comprising:
- placing an electrode at or near the target tissue;
- placing a pad assembly between the patient's target tissue and protected tissue;
- transmitting the radiofrequency ablative electric current from the electrode, through the target tissue, and into the pad;
- and
- preventing or inhibiting injury to the patient's protected tissue with the pad assembly.
A system for administering ablative radiofrequency electric current therapy to a patient, comprising:
- an electrosurgical unit assembly having an electrode configured for placement at or near a target tissue of the patient, the electrode configured to transmit an ablative radiofrequency electric current;
- and
- a pad assembly configured for placement between the target tissue and a protected tissue of the patient, the pad assembly configured to receive the ablative radiofrequency electric current transmitted by the electrode and to return the current to the electrosurgical unit.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.