US5728094A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for treatment of air way obstructions
Assignee: Somnus Medical Technologies Inc
•
Filing: 1996-05-03
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Granted: 1998-03-17
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Expires: 2016-05-03
Abstract
Abstract An ablation apparatus is provided which ablates at least a portion of an interior of a body structure while reducing a swelling response in the body structure. The apparatus provides a catheter including a catheter tissue interface surface and a port formed in the catheter tissue interface surface. An electrode is at least partially positioned in the interior of the catheter and configured to be advanced and retracted in and out of the port. The electrode includes an electrode electromagmetic energy delivery surface. A cooling element includes a cooling medium inlet conduit and a cooling medium exit conduit, both extending through an interior of the catheter forming at least a partial cooled catheter tissue interface surface. The electrode electromagnetic energy delivery surface is thermally isolated from the cooling element. An electrode advancement and retraction device is at least partially positioned in the interior of the catheter. A cable is coupled to the electrode.
Inventors
- 👤 Stuart D. Edwards
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 01:02
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/18; A61B18/1815; A61B18/04; A61B18/12; A61B17/00; A61B17/24; A61B18/14; A61B18/1477; A61B18/1485; A61B18/1492; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/02; A61N1/04; A61N1/06; A61N1/40; A61N1/403; A61N5/00; A61N5/02; A61N5/04; A61N5/045; A61B18/1402; A61B18/20; A61B2017/00017; A61B2017/00022; A61B2017/00026; A61B2017/00084; A61B2017/00743; A61B2017/00814; A61B2018/00005; A61B2018/00011; A61B2018/00023; A61B2018/00053; A61B2018/00059; A61B2018/00089; A61B2018/00101; A61B2018/00184; A61B2018/00196; A61B2018/00636; A61B2018/00666; A61B2018/00678; A61B2018/00696; A61B2018/00702; A61B2018/00708; A61B2018/00744; A61B2018/00773; A61B2018/00791; A61B2018/00875; A61B2018/00982; A61B2018/1405; A61B2018/1425; A61B90/00; A61B90/36; A61B90/37; A61B2090/378; A61B2090/3782; A61M; A61M25/00; A61M25/0067; A61M25/0082; A61M2025/0096
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 46
Claim 1
Independent Claim
117 words
An apparatus for ablating at least a portion of an interior of a tongue, comprising: a catheter including a proximal end, a distal end and a catheter tissue interface surface; an RF electrode at least partially positioned in an interior of the catheter and configured to be advanced and retracted in and out of the catheter to a tissue ablation site; means for reducing an adenomas response to a surface of the tongue upon delivery of RF energy to an interior of the tongue by the electrode, wherein the means for reducing an adenomas response is configured to provide a cooling of tissue physically separated from the tissue ablation site; and a cable coupled to the electrode.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
117 words
An apparatus for ablating at least a portion of an interior of a tongue, comprising: a catheter including a proximal end, a distal end and a catheter tissue interface surface; an RF electrode at least partially positioned in an interior of the catheter and configured to be advanced and retracted in and out of the catheter to a tissue ablation site; means for reducing an adenomas response to a surface of the tongue upon delivery of RF energy to an interior of the tongue by the electrode, wherein the means for reducing an adenomas response is configured to provide a cooling of tissue physically separated from the tissue ablation site; and a cable coupled to the electrode.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
150 words
An apparatus for ablating at least a portion of an interior of a body structure, comprising: a catheter including a catheter tissue interface surface and a port formed in the catheter tissue interface surface; an electrode at least partially positioned in an interior of the catheter and configured to be advanced and retracted in and out of the port, the electrode including an electrode electromagmetic energy delivery surface positionable at a tissue ablation site; a cooling element including a cooling medium inlet conduit and a cooling medium exit conduit both extending through an interior of the catheter cooling at least a portion of the catheter tissue interface surface, wherein the cooling element is configured to provide a cooling of tissue physically separated from the tissue ablation site; an electrode advancement and retraction device at least partially positioned in the interior of the catheter; and a cable coupled to the electrode.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
150 words
An apparatus for ablating at least a portion of an interior of a body structure, comprising: a catheter including a catheter tissue interface surface and a port formed in the catheter tissue interface surface; an electrode at least partially positioned in an interior of the catheter and configured to be advanced and retracted in and out of the port, the electrode including an electrode electromagmetic energy delivery surface positionable at a tissue ablation site; a cooling element including a cooling medium inlet conduit and a cooling medium exit conduit both extending through an interior of the catheter cooling at least a portion of the catheter tissue interface surface, wherein the cooling element is configured to provide a cooling of tissue physically separated from the tissue ablation site; an electrode advancement and retraction device at least partially positioned in the interior of the catheter; and a cable coupled to the electrode.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising: two or more electrodes at least partially positioned in the interior of the catheter.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the cooling medium inlet and exit conduits are configured to cool the cooled catheter tissue interface surface to a temperature of 10 to 30 degrees C.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
10 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the electrode is hollow.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising: an infusion medium source coupled to the electrode.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the infusion medium source is saline.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising: an insulation sleeve positioned in a surrounding relationship to at least a portion of an exterior surface of the electrode.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising: a first sensor positioned at a distal end of the electrode and a second sensor positioned at a distal end of the insulation sleeve.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising: a sensor positioned at a distal end of the electrode.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the sensor is positioned at a distal end of the insulation sleeve.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising: a sensor positioned at an exterior surface of the electrode.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a sensor positioned at the catheter tissue interface surface.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the electrode is coupled to a RF energy source.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the electrode is coupled to a microwave energy source.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
176 words
An apparatus for ablating at least a portion of an interior of a body structure, comprising: a catheter including a catheter interior, a catheter distal end, a catheter proximal end, a catheter tissue interface surface and a port formed in the catheter; an electrode at least partially positioned in the interior of the catheter and configured to be advanced and retracted to and from the port into an interior of the body structure to deliver sufficient electromagnetic energy to debulk a portion of the interior of the body structure at an ablation tissue site; means for cooling at least a portion of the catheter tissue interface surface sufficiently to reduce a swelling of an exterior surface of the body structure following a delivery of electromagnetic energy to the interior of the body structure, wherein the means for cooling is configured to provide a cooling of tissue physically separated from the tissue ablation site; an electrode advancement and retraction device at least partially positioned in the interior of the catheter; and a cable coupled to the electrode.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
176 words
An apparatus for ablating at least a portion of an interior of a body structure, comprising: a catheter including a catheter interior, a catheter distal end, a catheter proximal end, a catheter tissue interface surface and a port formed in the catheter; an electrode at least partially positioned in the interior of the catheter and configured to be advanced and retracted to and from the port into an interior of the body structure to deliver sufficient electromagnetic energy to debulk a portion of the interior of the body structure at an ablation tissue site; means for cooling at least a portion of the catheter tissue interface surface sufficiently to reduce a swelling of an exterior surface of the body structure following a delivery of electromagnetic energy to the interior of the body structure, wherein the means for cooling is configured to provide a cooling of tissue physically separated from the tissue ablation site; an electrode advancement and retraction device at least partially positioned in the interior of the catheter; and a cable coupled to the electrode.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 16, wherein at least two electrodes are at least partially positioned in the interior of the catheter and each electrode is deployed through a separate port into the interior of the body structure.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the means for cooling includes an inlet conduit coupled to a cooling medium source and to an outlet conduit.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the inlet conduit and the outlet conduit form a closed loop in the interior of the catheter.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising: an electromagnetic energy source coupled to the cable.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the electromagnetic energy source is a RF source.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
132 words
An apparatus for ablating at least a portion of an interior of a tongue, comprising: a catheter including a proximal end, a distal end and a catheter tissue interface surface; an electrode at least partially positioned in an interior of the catheter and configured to be advanced and retracted in and out of the catheter; an electrode advancement and retraction device at least partially positioned in the interior of the catheter; means for reducing an adenomas response to a surface of the tongue upon delivery of electromagnetic energy to an interior of the tongue at a tissue ablation site by the electrode, wherein the means for reducing an adenomas response is configured to provide a cooling of tissue physically separated from the tissue ablation site; and a cable coupled to the electrode.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
132 words
An apparatus for ablating at least a portion of an interior of a tongue, comprising: a catheter including a proximal end, a distal end and a catheter tissue interface surface; an electrode at least partially positioned in an interior of the catheter and configured to be advanced and retracted in and out of the catheter; an electrode advancement and retraction device at least partially positioned in the interior of the catheter; means for reducing an adenomas response to a surface of the tongue upon delivery of electromagnetic energy to an interior of the tongue at a tissue ablation site by the electrode, wherein the means for reducing an adenomas response is configured to provide a cooling of tissue physically separated from the tissue ablation site; and a cable coupled to the electrode.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
182 words
An apparatus for creating an ablation in an interior of a tongue, comprising: a catheter including a proximal end, a distal end and a catheter tissue interface surface; an electrode at least partially positioned in an interior of the catheter and configured to be advanced and retracted in and out of the catheter through an exterior surface of the tongue, wherein the electrode has a RF energy delivery surface configured to be positioned in the interior of the tongue configured to form an ablation zone in the interior of the tongue; means for cooling at least a portion of the catheter tissue interface surface and at least a portion of the exterior surface of the tongue while thermally isolating without cooling the RF energy delivery surface, wherein the means for reducing an adenomas response is configured to provide a cooling of tissue physically separated from the tissue ablation site for reducing an adenomas response from the tissue ablation site; an electrode advancement and retraction device at least partially positioned in the interior of the catheter; and a cable coupled to the electrode.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
182 words
An apparatus for creating an ablation in an interior of a tongue, comprising: a catheter including a proximal end, a distal end and a catheter tissue interface surface; an electrode at least partially positioned in an interior of the catheter and configured to be advanced and retracted in and out of the catheter through an exterior surface of the tongue, wherein the electrode has a RF energy delivery surface configured to be positioned in the interior of the tongue configured to form an ablation zone in the interior of the tongue; means for cooling at least a portion of the catheter tissue interface surface and at least a portion of the exterior surface of the tongue while thermally isolating without cooling the RF energy delivery surface, wherein the means for reducing an adenomas response is configured to provide a cooling of tissue physically separated from the tissue ablation site for reducing an adenomas response from the tissue ablation site; an electrode advancement and retraction device at least partially positioned in the interior of the catheter; and a cable coupled to the electrode.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
132 words
A method for treating airway obstructions, comprising: providing an ablation apparatus including a catheter with a catheter tissue interface surface, an electrode at least partially positioned in an interior of the catheter and advanceable and retractable to and from the catheter into an interior of a body structure, and a means for cooling the catheter tissue interface surface; advancing the electrode from the interior of the catheter through a body structure external surface into the interior of the body structure; delivering sufficient energy from the electrode into the interior of the body structure to ablate a portion of the interior of the body structure; cooling the catheter tissue interface surface sufficiently to reduce a swelling of the body structure external surface; and retracting the electrode from the interior of the body structure.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
132 words
A method for treating airway obstructions, comprising: providing an ablation apparatus including a catheter with a catheter tissue interface surface, an electrode at least partially positioned in an interior of the catheter and advanceable and retractable to and from the catheter into an interior of a body structure, and a means for cooling the catheter tissue interface surface; advancing the electrode from the interior of the catheter through a body structure external surface into the interior of the body structure; delivering sufficient energy from the electrode into the interior of the body structure to ablate a portion of the interior of the body structure; cooling the catheter tissue interface surface sufficiently to reduce a swelling of the body structure external surface; and retracting the electrode from the interior of the body structure.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 24, wherein the body structure is the tongue.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 25, wherein the external body surface is a dorsum surface of the tongue.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 25, wherein the exterior body surface is a ventral surface of the tongue.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 25, wherein the exterior surface is an inferior dorsal surface of the tongue.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 25, wherein the interior of the tongue is sufficiently ablated to increase a cross-sectional area of an airway passage.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 24, wherein sufficient energy is delivered to an interior of the tongue to ablate at least a portion of the interior of tongue with a minimal ablation of a surface of the tongue.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 30, wherein a taste buds on the surface of the tongue are not ablated.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 24, wherein the catheter tissue interface surface is cooled to a temperature of 10 to 30 degrees C.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 24, wherein at least 1 cm 2 of the catheter tissue interface surface is cooled.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 24, wherein the ablation apparatus includes two or more electrodes, each advanced and retracted from a separate port formed in the catheter tissue interface surface.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
134 words
An apparatus for ablating at least a portion of an interior of a body structure, comprising: a catheter including a catheter tissue interface surface and a port formed in the catheter tissue interface surface; an RF electrode at least partially positioned in an interior of the catheter and configured to be advanced and retracted in and out of the port, the electrode including an RF energy delivery surface positionable at a tissue ablation site; a cooling element including a cooling medium inlet conduit and a cooling medium exit conduit both extending through an interior of the catheter cooling at least a portion of the catheter tissue interface surface, wherein the cooling element is configured to provide a cooling of tissue physically separated from the tissue ablation site; and a cable coupled to the electrode.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
134 words
An apparatus for ablating at least a portion of an interior of a body structure, comprising: a catheter including a catheter tissue interface surface and a port formed in the catheter tissue interface surface; an RF electrode at least partially positioned in an interior of the catheter and configured to be advanced and retracted in and out of the port, the electrode including an RF energy delivery surface positionable at a tissue ablation site; a cooling element including a cooling medium inlet conduit and a cooling medium exit conduit both extending through an interior of the catheter cooling at least a portion of the catheter tissue interface surface, wherein the cooling element is configured to provide a cooling of tissue physically separated from the tissue ablation site; and a cable coupled to the electrode.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
172 words
An apparatus for ablating at least a portion of an interior of a body structure, comprising: a catheter including a catheter interior, a catheter distal end, a catheter proximal end, a catheter tissue interface surface and a port formed in the catheter; an RF electrode configured to be coupled to a RF source, the RF electrode being at least partially positioned in the interior of the catheter and configured to be advanced and retracted to and from the port into an interior of the body structure to deliver sufficient RF energy to debulk a portion of the interior of the body structure at a tissue ablation site; means for cooling at least a portion of the catheter tissue interface surface sufficiently to reduce a swelling of an exterior surface of the body structure following a delivery of RF energy to the interior of the body structure, wherein the cooling element is configured to provide a cooling of tissue physically separated from the tissue ablation site; and a cable coupled to the electrode.
Claim 44
Independent Claim
172 words
An apparatus for ablating at least a portion of an interior of a body structure, comprising: a catheter including a catheter interior, a catheter distal end, a catheter proximal end, a catheter tissue interface surface and a port formed in the catheter; an RF electrode configured to be coupled to a RF source, the RF electrode being at least partially positioned in the interior of the catheter and configured to be advanced and retracted to and from the port into an interior of the body structure to deliver sufficient RF energy to debulk a portion of the interior of the body structure at a tissue ablation site; means for cooling at least a portion of the catheter tissue interface surface sufficiently to reduce a swelling of an exterior surface of the body structure following a delivery of RF energy to the interior of the body structure, wherein the cooling element is configured to provide a cooling of tissue physically separated from the tissue ablation site; and a cable coupled to the electrode.
Claim 45
Independent Claim
151 words
An apparatus for creating an ablation in an interior of a tongue, comprising: a catheter including a proximal end, a distal end and a catheter tissue interface surface; an electrode at least partially positioned in an interior of the catheter and configured to be advanced and retracted in and out of the catheter through an exterior surface of the tongue, wherein the electrode has a RF energy delivery surface configured to be positioned in the interior of the tongue configured to form an ablation zone in the interior of the tongue; a cooling device configured to cool at least a portion of the catheter tissue interface surface and at least a portion of the exterior surface of the tongue without cooling the RF energy delivery surface, wherein the cooling device is configured to provide a cooling of tissue physically separated from the ablation zone; and a cable coupled to the electrode.
Claim 46
Independent Claim
151 words
An apparatus for creating an ablation in an interior of a tongue, comprising: a catheter including a proximal end, a distal end and a catheter tissue interface surface; an electrode at least partially positioned in an interior of the catheter and configured to be advanced and retracted in and out of the catheter through an exterior surface of the tongue, wherein the electrode has a RF energy delivery surface configured to be positioned in the interior of the tongue configured to form an ablation zone in the interior of the tongue; a cooling device configured to cool at least a portion of the catheter tissue interface surface and at least a portion of the exterior surface of the tongue without cooling the RF energy delivery surface, wherein the cooling device is configured to provide a cooling of tissue physically separated from the ablation zone; and a cable coupled to the electrode.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-03-16 | 2001-09-15 | 2002-03-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-03-16 | 2005-09-15 | 2006-03-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-03-16 | 2009-09-15 | 2010-03-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |