US 7,780,660 B2 · Articulating radio frequency probe handle

Abstract

A medical probe assembly and method for ablating tissue using radio frequency energy. The medical probe assembly includes an elongated shaft, a needle electrode array, and a hinged handle. The handle has a collar, which when in the up position covers the hinge so that the device can be used as a conventional medical probe. When the collar is in the down position the hinge is exposed, and the handle can be bent to reduce its overall height. With this reduced height the probe can be used while a patient is lying in a CT scanner or an MRI chamber. Therefore, the surgeon can monitor the ablation during the procedure, and thus avoid unnecessary damage to the surrounding healthy tissue on the one hand, and insufficient ablation of the diseased tissue on the other hand. An alternate embodiment uses a flexible handle instead of a hinged one.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A medical probe assembly for ablating tissue, comprising:

a cannula having a proximal end and a distal end and a central lumen;
an inner probe slideably disposed in the central lumen of the cannula, the inner probe comprising one or more ablative elements mounted thereon;
a handle assembly mounted on the proximal end of the cannula, the handle assembly comprising first and second handle pieces arranged to form a single contiguous handle, and a hinge coupling the first and second handle pieces;
and
a slideable collar disposed on the handle assembly and configured for selectively covering and uncovering the hinge.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Articulating radio frequency probe handle

Life of this patent

Articulating radio frequency probe handle

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20