Surgical method and apparatus for positioning a diagnostic or therapeutic element within the body and pressure application probe for use with same
AssigneeSciMed Life Systems, Inc.
InventorsSidney D. Fleischman, Russell B. Thompson, James G. Whayne
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A surgical method and apparatus for positioning a diagnostic or therapeutic element within the body. The apparatus may be catheter-based or a probe including a relatively short shaft.
Claims25
A pressure application probe for use with a surgical device, the surgical device including an elongate structure, defining a distal region, a distal region outer diameter not greater than about 5 mm and a predetermined length sufficient to allow a physician to manipulate the distal region when the elongate structure is inserted into a body cavity through an incision, and at least one energy transmission device on the distal region, the pressure application probe comprising:
- an elongate main body portion defining a distal end, a proximal end and a length of at least four inches;
- and
- a unitary substantially c-shaped engagement device adapted to releasably engage the surgical device elongate structure and including a pair of ends defining an opening therebetween, a mid-portion secured to the main body portion and an interior region defining a size corresponding to the diameter of the distal region of the surgical device elongate structure.
A surgical apparatus, comprising:
- an energy transmission probe including a handle and a support member connected to the handle, the support member defining an exterior surface and having a having a proximal portion that is one of rigid and malleable and a distal portion, and at least one energy transmission device on the distal portion of the support member;
- and
- a pressure application probe including an elongate main body portion and an engagement device adapted to releasably engage the exterior surface of the support member and transmit distally directed force to the support member.
A pressure application probe for use with a surgical device, the surgical device including a shaft defining a distal end and a predetermined length sufficient to allow a physician to manipulate the distal end when the shaft is inserted into a body cavity through an incision, a support member associated with the distal end of the shaft and at least one energy transmission device on the support member, the pressure application probe comprising:
- an elongate main body portion defining a length substantially equal to the length of the surgical device shaft;
- and
- a unitary substantially c-shaped engagement device adapted to releasably engage the support member and having a pair of ends defining an opening therebetween and a mid-portion secured to the main body portion.
A method of forming a lesion in tissue, comprising the steps of:
- providing an energy transmission probe including a support member and at least one energy transmission device on the support member;
- inserting the energy transmission probe directly into a bodily cavity through an incision in a patient;
- positioning the energy transmission probe within the patient such that the energy transmission device is adjacent tissue;
- providing a pressure application probe;
- inserting the pressure application probe into the patient;
- engaging the support member with the pressure application probe;
- and
- transmitting energy to the tissue through the at least one energy transmission device.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.