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US 7,520,877 B2Granted
Radiofrequency ablation system using multiple prong probes
AssigneeWisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
InventorsFred T. Lee, Jr., Thomas C. Winter, III, Dieter G. Haemmerich, Lisa A. Sampson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Efficient ablation with multiple prong electrodes is obtained by electrically isolating the prongs from each other and rapidly switching electric power between the prongs, between a prong and a ground pad, or both. In this way, power distribution to a tumor can be controlled efficiently without the need to change probe geometry.
Claims17
A radiofrequency ablation system comprising:
- an electric probe comprising a plurality of prongs, each of the plurality of prongs being electrically isolated from the others of the plurality of prongs, the electric probe including pairs of opposing, spaced apart prongs, the pairs being angularly spaced around a central treatment area between each pair of prongs;
- a radiofrequency power source;
- and
- a switch system communicating with the prongs and the radiofrequency power source to selectively energize the respective pairs of opposing prongs, wherein the switching system selectively connects each pair of prongs to the radiofrequency power source, the pairs of prongs being energized sequentially to provide a high temperature treatment area in the central area between the pairs of prongs.
1 more element
A method of radiofrequency ablation comprising the steps of:
- (a) placing an electrode including a plurality of electrically isolated prongs in contact with a patient, the electrode including pairs of opposing, space apart prongs, the pairs being angularly spaced around a central treatment area between each pair of prongs;
- and
- (b) selectively energizing the respective pairs of opposing prongs;
- and
- (c) energizing the pairs of opposing prongs in sequence to provide a high temperature treatment area in the central area between the pairs of prongs.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.