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 having 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:
An ablation electrode carries a temperature sensing element for measuring the temperature of the tissue being ablated. A thermal insulating element associated with the sensing element blocks the transfer of heat energy from between the temperature sensing element and the body. The temperature sensing element therefore measures temperature without being affected by the surrounding thermal mass of the electrode.
Abstract:
A medical ablation method for reducing snoring wherein a flexible RF electrode wire surrounded by an insulating sleeve axially moveable thereon is inserted into an uvula; the sleeve is retracted to expose a predetermined portion of the electrode; and RF energy is applied to the uvula tissue through the electrode to cause internal lesions in the uvula and reduce snoring.
Abstract:
A medical probe device comprising a catheter having a stylet guide housing with at least one stylet port in a side thereof and stylet guide means for directing a flexible stylet outward through at least one stylet port and through intervening tissue to targeted tissues. The stylet guide housing has an optical viewing means positioned for viewing the stylet and adjacent structure which includes a fiber optic channel means for receiving a fiber optic viewing device. The fiber optic channel means can include a guide port means for directing longitudinal movement of a fiber optic device with respect to the stylet guide means in a viewing zone and a flushing liquid channel in the stylet guide housing having an exit port positioned to direct flushing liquid issuing therefrom across the end of a fiber optic device when positioned in the viewing zone. The optical viewing means can comprise a viewing window positioned in the stylet guide housing for viewing the stylet when it is directed outward from its respective stylet port. The optical viewing means can include a fiber optic channel in the stylet guide housing for receiving the a fiber optic viewing device and aligning the viewing end thereof with the viewing window. Windowed devices can include a flushing liquid channel in the stylet guide housing having an exit port positioned to direct flushing liquid issuing therefrom across a surface of the viewing window.
Abstract:
Systems for ablating tissue control radiofrequency power to an ablation electrode by relying upon actual phase sensitive power measurements, unaffected by phase shifts between radiofrequency voltage and current. The systems also detect these phase differences, if they develop, and integrate this factor in making their control decisions.
Abstract:
A medical probe device for reducing tissue mass in a selected portion of the body comprises a torquable catheter having a control end and a probe end. The probe end includes a stylet guide means with a flexible tip and a tip directing means extending from the control end to the flexible tip for changing the orientation of the central axis of the stylet guide means for directing a flexible stylet outward through the stylet port and through intervening tissue to targeted tissues. A stylet is positioned in the said stylet guide means. The stylet can be an RF electrode, microwave antenna, biopsy means, fluid supply means or combination thereof. Preferably, the stylet is a non-conductive sleeve having an electrode lumen and a second lumen therein, the electrode lumen terminating at a distal port in the distal end of the non-conductive sleeve, a radiofrequency electrode being positioned in said electrode lumen for longitudinal movement therein through the distal port. The medical probe device is particularly useful for removing tissue mass from the prostate and can be used for treating BPH or benign or cancerous tumors of the prostate. The device of this invention can be used in combination with a viewing scope such as a cystoscope, endoscope, laproscope and the like, being sized to extend therethrough or it can include a viewing scope. In one construction, the flexible tip comprises a metal tube with parallel spaced-apart slots extending through the tube to a continuous longitudinal section and enclosed within a flexible sleeve, whereby the tip will preferentially bend in a plane through the axis of the tube and the continuous longitudinal section.
Abstract:
A medical probe device comprises a catheter having a stylet guide housing with one or more stylet ports in a side wall thereof and a stylet guide 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 radiofrequency electrode. Preferably, the non-conductive layer is a sleeve which is axially moveable on the electrical conductor to expose a selected portion of the electrical conductor surface in the target tissue. The stylet can also be a microwave antenna. The stylet can also be a hollow tube for delivering treatment fluid to the target tissue. It can also include a fiber optic cable for laser treatment. The catheter can include one or more inflatable balloons located adjacent to the stylet port for anchoring the catheter or dilation. Ultrasound transponders and temperature sensors can be attached to the probe end and/or stylet. The stylet guide can define a stylet path from an axial orientation in the catheter through a curved portion to a lateral orientation at the stylet port.
Abstract:
A catheter has an electrode tip assembly that is bendable at the selection of the user in two different directions. The electrode tip assembly assumes a different predetermined curve configuration when bent in the two direction.
Abstract:
A device for treating a tissue region at or near a sphincter including a proximal support, a distal support and an expandable basket having a plurality of spines. The spines have a proximal portion, a distal portion and an intermediate portion therebetween, wherein the spines are movable from a first non-expanded position to a second expanded position wherein in the expanded position the intermediate portion of the spines extends outwardly radially beyond the proximal and distal portions of the spines. A plurality of electrodes are carried by the spines and movable outwardly to an outward position to penetrate tissue for application of energy to the tissue region.