US5730719A
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US
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Method and apparatus for cosmetically remodeling a body structure
Assignee: Gyrus ACMI Inc
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Filing: 1996-08-28
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Granted: 1998-03-24
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Expires: 2016-08-28
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for ablating at least a portion of an interior of a body structure includes a catheter with a catheter interior and a port formed in a body structure of the catheter. An ablation energy delivery device is at least partially positioned in the catheter interior. The ablation energy delivery device is configured to be advanced through the port into the interior of the body structure to a selected tissue site and deliver an ablation energy to the selected site. The ablation energy delivery device is configured to be coupled to an ablation energy source. A sensor is coupled to the ablation energy source. The sensor is positionable in the interior of the body structure and measures an impedance of at least a portion of the selected tissue site. A conductive medium introduction member is coupled to a source of a conductive medium and the catheter. A feedback control means is coupled to the sensor and the conductive medium source. The feedback control means provides a controlled delivery of the conductive medium to the selected tissue site in response to a level of measured impedance. A cable coupled to the ablation energy delivery device.
Inventors
- 👤 Stuart D. Edwards
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 01:16
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/04; A61B18/12; A61B18/14; A61B18/1485; A61B18/1477; A61B18/18; A61B18/1815; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/02; A61N1/04; A61N1/06; A61N1/40; A61N1/403; A61N5/00; A61N5/02; A61N5/04; A61N5/045; A61B17/00; A61B17/24; A61B2017/00017; A61B2017/00022; A61B2017/00026; A61B17/00234; A61B2017/00292; A61B2017/00296; A61B2018/00005; A61B2018/00011; A61B2018/00023; A61B2018/00053; A61B2018/00214; A61B2018/0022; A61B2018/0025; A61B2018/00261; A61B2018/00273; A61B2018/00291; A61B2018/00315; A61B2018/00321; A61B2018/00327; A61B2018/00636; A61B2018/00666; A61B2018/00678; A61B2018/00696; A61B2018/00702; A61B2018/00708; A61B2018/00744; A61B2018/00773; A61B2018/00791; A61B2018/00875; A61B90/00; A61B90/36; A61B90/37; A61B2090/378; A61B2090/3782; A61B2218/00; A61B2218/001; A61B2218/002; A61B2218/003; A61M; A61M25/00; A61M25/0067; A61M25/0082; A61M2025/0096
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 31
Claim 1
Independent Claim
190 words
An apparatus for ablating at least a portion of an interior of a body structure, comprising: a catheter including a catheter interior and a port formed in a body structure of the catheter; an ablation energy delivery device at least partially positioned in the catheter interior and configured to be advanced from the port into the interior of the body structure to a selected tissue site and deliver an ablation energy to the selected site, wherein the ablation energy delivery device is configured to be coupled to an ablation energy source; a sensor coupled to the ablation energy source, wherein the sensor is positionable in the interior of the body structure and measures an impedance of at least a portion of the selected tissue site; a conductive medium introduction member coupled to a source of a conductive medium and the catheter; a feedback control means coupled to the sensor and the conductive medium source, wherein the feedback control means provides a controlled delivery of the conductive medium to the selected tissue site in response to a level of measured impedance; and a cable coupled to the ablation energy delivery device.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
190 words
An apparatus for ablating at least a portion of an interior of a body structure, comprising: a catheter including a catheter interior and a port formed in a body structure of the catheter; an ablation energy delivery device at least partially positioned in the catheter interior and configured to be advanced from the port into the interior of the body structure to a selected tissue site and deliver an ablation energy to the selected site, wherein the ablation energy delivery device is configured to be coupled to an ablation energy source; a sensor coupled to the ablation energy source, wherein the sensor is positionable in the interior of the body structure and measures an impedance of at least a portion of the selected tissue site; a conductive medium introduction member coupled to a source of a conductive medium and the catheter; a feedback control means coupled to the sensor and the conductive medium source, wherein the feedback control means provides a controlled delivery of the conductive medium to the selected tissue site in response to a level of measured impedance; and a cable coupled to the ablation energy delivery device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: an ablation energy delivery device advancement and retraction device at least partially positioned in the interior of the catheter.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the conductive medium introduction member is a lumen at least partially positioned in an interior of the catheter.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the ablation energy delivery device includes an interior hollow lumen and an outflow port.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the conductive medium introduction member is coupled to the ablation energy delivery device.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
60 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a cooling element including 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, wherein the ablation energy delivery device has an ablation energy delivery surface that is thermally isolated from the cooling element.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: an insulation sleeve positioned in a surrounding relationship to at least a portion of an exterior surface of the ablation energy delivery device.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sensor is positioned at a distal end of the ablation energy delivery device.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the sensor positioned at a distal end of the ablation energy delivery device and a second seninsulation sleeved at a distal end of the insulation sleeve.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the ablation energy delivery device is an RF electrode.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a comparator device configured to compare a measured impedance of a tissue site to a predetermined impedance value and generate a signal representative of a difference between the measured impedance and the predetermined impedance.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising: a fluid control device for regulating a rate of flow of the conductive medium through an ablation energy delivery device lumen in response to the signal from the comparator device.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: an energy output control device coupled to the energy source.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
97 words
The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the energy output control device comprises: an impedance measuring device for measuring an impedance value of tissue based on an energy applied to the tissue; an impedance comparator device for comparing the measured impedance value of tissue to a predetermined maximum impedance value, the impedance comparing device generating a disabling signal if the measured impedance value exceeds the predetermined maximum impedance value; and a communication device for communicating the disabling signal to the energy source to cease further delivery of energy from the energy source to the ablation energy delivery device.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
112 words
A method for reducing a volume of a tongue, comprising: providing an ablation apparatus including a source of ablation energy, an ablation energy delivery device and a conductive medium introduction member coupled to a source of a conductive medium; advancing at least a portion of the ablation energy delivery device into an interior of the tongue; delivering a sufficient amount of energy from the energy delivery device into the interior of the tongue to debulk a selected section of the tongue without damaging a hypoglossal nerve; measuring an impedance of the selected section of the tongue; and introducing the conductive medium to the selected section of the tongue to modify the impedance.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
112 words
A method for reducing a volume of a tongue, comprising: providing an ablation apparatus including a source of ablation energy, an ablation energy delivery device and a conductive medium introduction member coupled to a source of a conductive medium; advancing at least a portion of the ablation energy delivery device into an interior of the tongue; delivering a sufficient amount of energy from the energy delivery device into the interior of the tongue to debulk a selected section of the tongue without damaging a hypoglossal nerve; measuring an impedance of the selected section of the tongue; and introducing the conductive medium to the selected section of the tongue to modify the impedance.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 15, wherein the energy source is an RF source and the ablation energy delivery device is an RF electrode.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 15, wherein the energy source is a coherent source of light and the ablation energy delivery device is an optical fiber.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 15, wherein the energy source is a heated fluid and the ablation energy delivery device is a catheter with a closed channel configured to receive the heated fluid.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 15, wherein the energy source is a heated fluid and the ablation energy delivery device is a catheter with an open channel configured to receive the heated fluid.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 15, wherein the energy source is a cooled fluid and the ablation energy delivery device is a catheter with a closed channel configured to receive the cooled fluid.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 15, wherein the energy source is a cooled fluid and the ablation energy delivery device is a catheter with an open channel configured to receive the cooled fluid.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 15, wherein the energy source is a cryogenic fluid.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the energy source is a microwave source providing energy from 915 MHz to 2.45 GHz and the ablation energy delivery device is a microwave antenna.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the energy source is an ultrasound source and the ablation energy delivery device is an ultrasound emitter.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 15, wherein the energy source is a microwave source.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 15, wherein the electrode is advanced into an interior of the tongue through a ventral surface of the tongue.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 15, wherein the ablation energy delivery device is advanced into an interior of the tongue through an inferior dorsal surface of the tongue.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 15, wherein the ablation energy delivery device is advanced into an interior of the tongue through a dorsum surface of the tongue.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 15, wherein the ablation energy delivery device is advanced into an interior of the tongue through a tip of the tongue.
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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) | 2001-03-23 | 2001-09-22 | 2002-03-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-03-23 | 2005-09-22 | 2006-03-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-03-23 | 2009-09-22 | 2010-03-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |