Methods and systems for enhancing ultrasonic visibility of energy-delivery devices within tissue
AssigneeCovidien LP
InventorsGene H. Arts, Darion R. Peterson, Joseph D. Brannan, John R. Vantuno, Eric W. Larson
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Abstract
In accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, electrosurgical systems are provided generally including at least one energy-delivery device for delivering energy to tissue when inserted or embedded within tissue. The energy-delivery device can be a tissue ablation device, such as an ablation probe, needle, etc. for ablating tissue as commonly known in the art. The electrosurgical systems include at least one structure and/or operational characteristic for enhancing ultrasonic visibility of the energy-delivery devices within tissue during ultrasonography.
Claims13
An electrosurgical system, comprising:
- an energy-delivery device adapted to direct energy to tissue and having a distal end;
- at least one accelerometer disposed at the distal end of the energy-delivery device;
- and
- a vibrating device in mechanical communication with the energy-delivery device for transmitting vibrational energy to the energy-delivery device when the vibrating device is actuated, the vibrational energy causing the energy-delivery device to vibrate.
An electrosurgical system, comprising:
- an energy-delivery device adapted to direct energy to tissue and including an air cavity defined therein;
- and
- a vibrating device in mechanical communication with the energy-delivery device for transmitting vibrational energy to the energy-delivery device to vibrate the energy-delivery device.
An electrosurgical system, comprising:
- an energy-delivery device adapted to direct energy to tissue and including a metal band;
- and
- a vibrating device in mechanical communication with the energy-delivery device for transmitting vibrational energy to the energy-delivery device to vibrate the energy-delivery device.
An electrosurgical system, comprising:
- an energy-delivery device adapted to direct energy to tissue and including an outer surface, the outer surface including at least one of:
- a plurality of sides;
- a plurality of protrusions;
- or
- a concave surface;
- and
- a vibrating device in mechanical communication with the energy-delivery device for transmitting vibrational energy to the energy-delivery device to vibrate the energy-delivery device.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.