System for direct heating of fluid solution in a hollow body organ and methods
AssigneeInnerdyne, Inc.
InventorsSteven P. Masterson, Robert J. Laird
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The invention provides improved methods and devices for heating a thermally conductive fluid within an internal body organ to thermally ablate or necrose the body organ. In an exemplary embodiment, the invention provides a thermal ablation device having an elongate member with a proximal end and a distal end. A heating apparatus is provided near the distal end of the elongate member which is constructed to heat a thermally conductive fluid without substantial direct heating of the heating apparatus. A fluid circulator is provided near the heating apparatus which circulates the thermally conductive fluid past the heating apparatus.
Claims49
A thermal ablation device for thermally treating a hollow body organ, the device comprising:
- an elongate member having a proximal end and a distal end;
- a heating apparatus operably attached to the elongate member near the distal end;
- and
- a fluid circulator operably attached to the elongate member, the fluid circulator including an elongate drive shaft having a proximal end which includes magnetic coupling, wherein the magnetic coupling is adapted to be coupled with a magnetic coupling of a drive unit to rotate the fluid circulator.
A thermal ablation system for thermally treating a hollow body organ, the system comprising:
- an elongate member having a proximal end and a distal end;
- a heating apparatus operably attached to the elongate member near the distal end;
- a fluid circulator operably attached to the elongate member, the fluid circulator including an elongate drive shaft having a proximal end and a magnetic coupling at the proximal end;
- and
- a drive unit comprising a rotatable magnetic coupling, wherein the drive shaft magnetic coupling may be coupled to the drive unit magnetic coupling to rotate the fluid circulator.
A method for thermally ablating a hollow body organ, the method comprising:
- introducing a thermally conductive fluid and a heating apparatus having a fluid circulator into the hollow body organ so that the fluid circulator is within the hollow body organ;
- magnetically coupling the fluid circulator to a drive unit, and
- operating the drive unit to rotate the fluid circulator.
A thermal ablation system for thermally treating a hollow body organ which is filled with a fluid, the system comprising:
- a heating apparatus having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end is adapted to be received within the hollow body organ;
- and
- a flow sensor operably coupled to the heating apparatus to detect a change of volume of the fluid within the hollow body organ while the heating apparatus is within the hollow body organ.
A method for thermally treating a hollow body organ that is filled with a fluid, the method comprising:
- inserting a distal end of a heating apparatus into the hollow body organ;
- operating the heating apparatus to heat the fluid;
- and
- monitoring for a change in volume of the fluid within the hollow body organ while operating the heating apparatus.
A thermal ablation system for thermally treating a hollow body organ, the system comprising:
- a heating apparatus which is adapted to be placed in the hollow body organ;
- a fluid reservoir and a fluid line which is attached to the fluid reservoir and is adapted to be placed in fluid communication with the hollow body organ;
- a first and a second one way valve disposed in the fluid line;
- and
- a plunger operably attached to the fluid line between the first and the second valves, wherein movement of the plunger in one direction draws fluid from the reservoir and through the first valve and movement of the plunger in another direction moves the fluid through the second valve and into the hollow body organ.
A method for thermally treating the uterus, the method comprising:
- providing a heating apparatus comprising an elongate body having a proximal end, a distal end, at least one heating element and a fluid circulator near the distal end, wherein the elongate body is flexible at least near the distal end;
- introducing the distal end through the cervix until the distal end is within the uterus, with the elongate body bending within the cervix to generally center the distal end within the uterus;
- and
- operating the heating element when within the uterus.
A transcervical uterine access device comprising:
- a flexible elongate body having a proximal end and a distal end;
- a heating apparatus near the distal end;
- and
- a fluid circulator near the heating element, wherein the fluid circulator includes a flexible drive shaft extending through the flexible body.
A thermal ablation system for thermally treating a hollow body organ, the system comprising:
- a heating apparatus comprising an elongate body, at least one heating element and a fluid circulator;
- a fluid leak sensor which is adapted to detect leakage of fluid from the hollow body organ;
- and
- a controller, wherein the heating apparatus and the leak sensor are coupled to the controller to control operation of the heating apparatus and the leak sensor.
A thermal ablation device for thermally treating a hollow body organ, the device comprising:
- an elongate member having a proximal end and a distal end;
- a first electrode operably attached to the elongate member near the distal end;
- and
- a fluid circulator operably attached to the elongate member, wherein at least a portion of the fluid circulator is conductive and serves as a second electrode.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.