US 7,604,633 B2 · Moisture transport system for contact electrocoagulation

Abstract

An apparatus and method for use in performing ablation or coagulation of organs and other tissue includes a metallized fabric electrode array which is substantially absorbent and/or permeable to moisture and gases such as steam and conformable to the body cavity. The array includes conductive regions separated by insulated regions arranged to produce ablation to a predetermined depth. Following placement of the ablation device into contact with the tissue to be ablated, an RF generator is used to deliver RF energy to the conductive regions and to thereby induce current flow from the electrodes to tissue to be ablated. As the current heats the tissue, moisture (such as steam or liquid) leaves the tissue causing the tissue to dehydrate. Suction may be applied to facilitate moisture removal. The moisture permeability and/or absorbency of the electrode carrying member allows the moisture to leave the ablation site so as to prevent the moisture from providing a path of conductivity for the current.

Claims12

Dependent claims

A method of ablating walls of a hollow body organ, comprising the steps of:

providing an ablation device comprising a tubular member and a mesh electrode array carried by the tubular member;
positioning the array within a hollow body organ surrounded by walls;
applying suction through the tubular member and the mesh array to pull interior surfaces of the walls into contact with the array;
and
delivering ablation energy through the array to the walls while continuing to apply suction through the tubular member;
wherein the mesh electrode array comprises a knit of metallized yarns, the array being expanded from a collapsed position to an expanded position, and wherein the positioning step includes passing the array in the collapsed position into the organ and then expanding the array to the expanded position.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application

10/959,771Filed 6 Oct 2004 · division

Priority

12 Apr 1996

Published

US 2005/0085880 A121 Apr 2005

Granted

20 Oct 2009

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification20 codes

A61B 18/1482
Probes or electrodes therefor: having a long rigid shaft for accessing the inner body transcutaneously in minimal invasive surgery, e.g. laparoscopy
A61B 17/42
Surgical instruments, devices or methods: gynaecological or obstetrical instruments or methods
A61B 18/14
By passing a current through the tissue to be heated, e.g. high-frequency current: probes or electrodes therefor
A61B 18/1485
Probes or electrodes therefor: having a short rigid shaft for accessing the inner body through natural openings

Family

Application08/632,516Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 12 Apr 1996

Application60/084,791Us provisional application · filed 8 May 1998

Application09/103,072Parent of this division · filed 23 Jun 1998

US 5,769,880 AParent of this continuation-in-part · filed 23 Jun 1998

US 2005/0085880 A1Pre-grant publication · published 21 Apr 2005

US 6,813,520 B2Parent of this division

Application09/103,072Parent of this continuation-in-part

US 2002/0022870 A1Published application

US 7,604,633 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.

Moisture transport system for contact electrocoagulation

Life of this patent

Moisture transport system for contact electrocoagulation

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims12