Abstract:
A cell necrosis apparatus comprises an elongated delivery device including a lumen and an energy delivery device. The energy delivery device includes at least a first and a second RF electrode each with a tissue piercing distal portion. The first and second RF electrodes are positionable in the elongated delivery device in a compacted state and deployable from the elongated delivery device with curvature in a deployed state. The first and second RF electrodes exhibit a changing direction of travel when advanced from the elongated delivery device to a selected tissue site. At least one infusion port is coupled to one of the elongated delivery device, the energy delivery device, the first RF electrode or the second RF electrode.
Abstract:
An apparatus that reduces a volume of a selected site in an interior of the tongue includes a handpiece means and an electrode means at least partially positioned in the interior of the handpiece means. The electrode means includes an electrode means electromagnetic energy delivery surface and is advance able from the interior of the handpiece means into the interior of the tongue. An electrode means advancement member is coupled to the electrode means and configured to advance the electrode means an advancement distance in the interior of the tongue. The advancement distance is sufficient for the electrode means electromagnetic energy delivery surface to deliver electromagnetic energy to the selected tissue site and reduce a volume of the selected site without damaging a hypoglossal nerve. A cable means is coupled to the electrode means.
Abstract:
A medical probe device of this invention comprising a catheter having a control end and a probe end. The probe end includes a stylet guide housing having at least one stylet port and stylet guide means for directing a flexible stylet outward through at least one stylet port and through intervening tissue to targeted tissues. A stylet is positioned in at least one of said stylet guide means, the stylet comprising a non-conductive sleeve having a RF electrode lumen and an optional a fluid supply lumen and a temperature sensor lumen therein. At least one portion of an opposed surface of the electrode lumen and the electrode can be spaced apart to define a liquid supply passageway for delivery of medicament liquid. The RF electrode enclosed within the non-conductive sleeve has a distal length optionally having at least one current focusing groove means thereon and a distal tip shaped to focus current crowding on its terminal end, whereby Rf current passing therefrom into surrounding tissue forms a lesion extending outward from the groove and tip. The focusing groove means can be a plurality of annular focusing grooves or a spiral focusing groove thereon.
Abstract:
A medical probe apparatus comprising a catheter having a stylet guide housing with one or more stylet ports therein and stylet guides for directing one or more flexible stylets outward through respective stylet ports and through intervening tissue to target tissue. The active stylets emit radio frequency RF energy which establishes an RF current in the patient. The current, being densest at the stylet tips, causes heating of the surrounding tissue to initiate ablation of the target tissue. One aspect of the invention includes temperature sensing stylets at the location of the RF emitting stylets to monitor the temperature of the tissue being ablated. This allows the surgeon to have increased knowledge about the abating action under way in order to control the intensity of the applied RF current, or to adjust the amount of time the current is applied, or both. Further included herein is a plurality of temperature sensors mounted on an ultrasound probe to be used to monitor tissue temperature at the ultrasound probe while allowing the ultrasound device to monitor the position and orientation of the medical probe apparatus of the present invention.
Abstract:
A medical probe device of this invention comprising a catheter having a control end and a probe end. The probe end includes a stylet guide housing having at least one stylet port and stylet guide means for directing a flexible stylet outward through at least one stylet port and through intervening tissue to targeted tissues. A stylet is positioned in at least one of said stylet guide means, the stylet comprising a non-conductive sleeve having a RF electrode lumen and an optional a fluid supply lumen and a temperature sensor lumen therein. At least one portion of an opposed surface of the electrode lumen and the electrode can be spaced apart to define a liquid supply passageway for delivery of medicament liquid. The RF electrode enclosed within the non-conductive sleeve has a distal length optionally having at least one current focusing groove means thereon and a distal tip shaped to focus current crowding on its terminal end, whereby Rf current passing therefrom into surrounding tissue forms a lesion extending outward from the groove and tip. The focusing groove means can be a plurality of annular focusing grooves or a spiral focusing groove thereon.
Abstract:
A medical probe device including a catheter having a stylet guide housing with one or more stylet ports in a side wall thereof and a for directing a flexible stylet outward through the stylet port and through intervening tissue at a preselected, adjustable angle to a target tissue. The total catheter assembly includes a stylet guide lumen communicating with the stylet port and a stylet positioned in said stylet guide lumen for longitudinal movement from the port through intervening tissue to a target tissue. The stylet can be an electrical conductor enclosed within a non-conductive layer, the electrical conductor being a radio frequency electrode. During the ablation operation, the tissue immediately adjacent the stylet can become desiccated, thereby necessitating an increase of current flow and a loss of ablation efficiency. A forward and reverse movement of the non-conductive sleeve on the stylet during an operation frees the stylet from sticking tissue and creates a space around the electrode to allow the tissue to rehydrate.
Abstract:
A medical probe apparatus comprising a catheter having a stylet guide housing with one or more stylet ports therein and stylet guides for directing one or more flexible stylets outward through respective stylet ports and through intervening tissue to target tissue. The active stylets emit radio frequency RF energy which establishes an RF current in the patient. The current, being densest at the stylet tips, causes heating of the surrounding tissue to initiate ablation of the target tissue. One aspect of the invention includes temperature sensing stylets at the location of the RF emitting stylets to monitor the temperature of the tissue being ablated. This allows the surgeon to have increased knowledge about the abating action under way in order to control the intensity of the applied RF current, or to adjust the amount of time the current is applied, or both. Further included herein is a plurality of temperature sensors mounted on an ultrasound probe to be used to monitor tissue temperature at the ultrasound probe while allowing the ultrasound device to monitor the position and orientation of the medical probe apparatus of the present invention.
Abstract:
A medical ablation device comprising a flexible RF electrode wire or tube, the terminal portion thereof extending through an insulating sleeve axially moveable thereon. The electrode and surrounding sleeve extend through a portion of a rigid tube having a distal end adapted to be inserted into the body of a patient. Tabs are attached to the proximal end of the sleeve and electrode for advancing them together from the terminal end of the tube, for retracting the sleeve from the distal end of the electrode to expose a predetermined area of electrode surface, and for retracting them together into the terminal end of the tube. The electrode can also be a hollow tube, the proximal end thereof being adapted to be connected to a suction source for aspiration of tissue adjacent its distal end or it can optionally contain a fiber optic, the end thereof being enclosed within the tube and closely adjacent its distal end. In one embodiment, the electrode is a hollow electrode tube of highly flexible memory metal, preformed to have a curved memory configuration. The portion of the electrode tube and its surrounding sleeve extending beyond the distal end of the outer tube adopts the curved memory configuration, causing it to follow a curved path when extended through intervening tissue to reach a target tissue to be ablated.
Abstract:
A method of this invention for treating body tissues containing cancerous cells or non-malignant tumors with RF ablation, alone or in combination with systemic or localized chemotherapy comprising introducing a stylet comprising an electrode surface and a sleeve longitudinally moveable thereon into the vicinity of the body tissues, retracting the sleeve from a portion of the electrode surface, and supplying RF power to the electrode surface sufficient to heat the tissue to a temperature of above about 45.degree. C. for a time to cause reduction of tissue mass in the vicinity of the electrode. The RF power supplied to the electrode surface is sufficient to effect a desiccated fluid diffusion barrier capsule surrounding the body tissue being treated. The stylet can include a hollow tube having fluid distribution ports therein, and the method can include the step of passing fluid through one or more distribution ports into the body tissue being treated. The fluid can be saline or a chemotherapeutic fluid such as liquid or gas containing a cytotoxic agent, for example. The fluid can be administered in a variety of procedures. The fluid can be passed through a distribution port into the body tissue before, during and/or after the RF power is supplied to the electrode surface, for example. Preferably, the fluid is introduced after a barrier capsule has been formed. The devices comprises electrodes havming a hollow core and a closed sharpened distal tip. The electrode has a plurality of fluid distribution ports therein for distribution of fluid treatment agents into the tissue.
Abstract:
A method for treating a sphincter provides a polymer material having a liquid state. The method also provides a catheter having a distal end, a tissue piercing device carried by the distal end, and an energy delivery device coupled to the tissue piercing device. The tissue piercing device has a lumen. The method introduces the catheter into an esophagus and pierces an exterior sphincter tissue surface within with the tissue piercing device. The method advances the tissue piercing device into an interior sphincter tissue site and conveys the polymer material while in a liquid state through the lumen into the interior sphincter tissue site. The method delivers energy to the tissue piercing device to transform the polymer material into a less liquid state within the interior sphincter tissue site, to thereby remodel the sphincter.