Cool-tip radiofrequency thermosurgery electrode system for tumor ablation

A process for the controlled ablation of tissue in the body of a subject, comprising the steps of:

• providing a housing having a portion of its surface forming a high frequency electrode and defining an inner space;
• inserting an inner probe into the inner space to define a channel within the inner space;
• supplying high frequency electrical energy to the outer housing for the ablation of tissue in the body of the subject;
• wherein the high frequency electrode further comprises a first hemispherical portion and a second opposed hemispherical portion wherein the first hemispherical portion is electrically conductive and the second hemispherical portion is electrically insulated and wherein, during the step of supplying, the first hemispherical portion causes ablation of tissue adjacent thereto that extends in a direction opposite the second hemispherical portion;
• providing circulating coolant through the channel;
• monitoring audio signals, during an ablation procedure, emanating from the tissue in the body of the subject representative of physiological changes caused by the ablation;
• and
• dynamically controlling and maintaining a degree of high frequency electrical energy supplied to the outer housing, the degree being responsive to indications of the audio signals emanating from the body of the subject.

A process for the controlled ablation of tissue in the body of a subject, comprising the steps of:

• providing a housing having a portion of its surface forming a high frequency electrode and defining an inner space;
• inserting an inner probe into the inner space to define a channel within the innerspace;
• supplying high frequency electrical energy to the outer housing for the ablation of tissue in the body of the subject;
• wherein the housing comprises an outer cannula having a closed tip portion disposed at its distal end, the tip portion further comprising a first hemispherical portion and a second opposed hemispherical portion, the first hemispherical portion forming the high frequency electrode and the second hemispherical portion being insulated and wherein, during the step of supplying, the first hemispherical portion causes ablation of tissue adjacent thereto that extends in a direction opposite the second hemispherical portion;
• providing circulating coolant through the channel;
• monitoring audio signals, during an ablation procedure, emanating from the tissue in the body of the subject representative of physiological changes caused by the ablation;
• and
• dynamically controlling,.and maintaining a degree of high frequency electrical energy supplied to the outer housing, the degree being responsive to indications of the audio signals emanating from the body of the subject.