US6129726A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Medical probe device and method
Assignee: Medtronic Vidamed Inc
•
Filing: 1999-03-17
•
Granted: 2000-10-10
•
Expires: 2019-03-17
Abstract
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.
Inventors
- 👤 Stuart D. Edwards
- 👤 Ronald G. Lax
- 👤 Ingemar H. Lundquist
- 👤 Hugh R. Sharkey
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 05:01
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61N; A61N5/00; A61N5/02; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/04; A61B18/12; A61B18/14; A61B18/1477; A61B18/1485; A61B18/18; A61B18/1815; A61N1/00; A61N1/02; A61N1/04; A61N1/06; A61N1/40; A61N1/403; A61N5/04; A61N5/045; A61B10/00; A61B10/02; A61B10/0233; A61B10/0241; A61B18/08; A61B18/082; A61B18/1206; A61B18/148; A61B18/20; A61B18/22; A61B18/24; A61B17/00; A61B2017/00017; A61B2017/00022; A61B2017/00084; A61B2017/00092; A61B2017/00106; A61B17/00234; A61B2017/00238; A61B2017/00274; A61B2017/00292; A61B2017/003; A61B2017/00831; A61B2017/00867; A61B17/22; A61B2017/22072; A61B2017/22074; A61B2017/22077; A61B2017/22082; A61B17/24; A61B2017/248; A61B17/28; A61B17/29; A61B2017/2926; A61B2017/2932; A61B2017/2939; A61B17/34; A61B2017/348; A61B2017/3482; A61B2017/3484; A61B2017/3488; A61B2018/00005; A61B2018/00011; A61B2018/00053; A61B2018/00059; A61B2018/00071; A61B2018/00083; A61B2018/00089; A61B2018/00095; A61B2018/00184; A61B2018/00196; A61B2018/00214; A61B2018/0022; A61B2018/00315; A61B2018/00547; A61B2018/00571; A61B2018/00577; A61B2018/00636; A61B2018/00666; A61B2018/00678; A61B2018/00696; A61B2018/00702; A61B2018/00726; A61B2018/00744; A61B2018/0075; A61B2018/00761; A61B2018/00773; A61B2018/00791; A61B2018/00797; A61B2018/00821; A61B2018/00869; A61B2018/00886; A61B2018/0091; A61B2018/00916; A61B2018/0094; A61B2018/00946; A61B2018/00982; A61B2018/1246; A61B2018/1253; A61B2018/126; A61B2018/1273; A61B2018/128; A61B2018/1405; A61B2018/1412; A61B2018/1425; A61B2018/1861; A61B2018/2238; A61B90/00; A61B90/08; A61B2090/0814; A61B90/36; A61B90/361; A61B2090/3614; A61B90/37; A61B2090/378; A61B2090/3782; A61B90/39; A61B2090/3925; A61F; A61F7/00; A61F2007/0054; A61M; A61M25/00; A61M25/0067; A61M25/0082; A61M25/0084; A61M2025/0085; A61M2025/0086; A61M2025/0087; A61M2025/0089; A61M2025/009; A61M2025/0096; A61M25/01; A61M2025/018; A61M25/0068; A61M25/0069; A61M25/008
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
124 words
A stylet assembly for use in electrosurgical ablation procedures, said stylet assembly comprising a needle electrode having a body including a sharpened tip for penetrating target and intervening tissues and an insulating sleeve disposed around a predetermined portion of said body of said needle electrode and having a size and shape for penetrating said intervening tissues whereby said insulating sleeve provides insulation between a portion of said body of said needle electrode and said intervening tissues when an electrical stimulus is applied to said needle electrode, said insulating sleeve being movable relative to said body of said needle electrode such that movement of said insulating sleeve may be used to vary a length of said needle electrode which is exposed to said target tissue.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
124 words
A stylet assembly for use in electrosurgical ablation procedures, said stylet assembly comprising a needle electrode having a body including a sharpened tip for penetrating target and intervening tissues and an insulating sleeve disposed around a predetermined portion of said body of said needle electrode and having a size and shape for penetrating said intervening tissues whereby said insulating sleeve provides insulation between a portion of said body of said needle electrode and said intervening tissues when an electrical stimulus is applied to said needle electrode, said insulating sleeve being movable relative to said body of said needle electrode such that movement of said insulating sleeve may be used to vary a length of said needle electrode which is exposed to said target tissue.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The stylet of claim 1, wherein said body of said needle electrode has a hollow central lumen for fluid passage.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
146 words
A radio frequency electrode assembly comprising a housing having a guide tube with a hollow lumen provided therein, said guide tube having a distal end that is bent at an angle with respect to a central axis of said housing, a stylet assembly disposed within said hollow lumen of said guide tube, said stylet assembly comprising a needle electrode having a body including a sharpened tip and an insulating sleeve surrounding a predetermined portion of said body, said stylet assembly being movable within said guide tube such that a distal end of said stylet assembly may be advanced outward of said distal end of said guide tube through an intervening tissue layer and into a target tissue to expose a portion of said needle electrode within said target tissue, and an actuator mechanism for controlling advancement and retraction of said stylet assembly within said guide tube.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
146 words
A radio frequency electrode assembly comprising a housing having a guide tube with a hollow lumen provided therein, said guide tube having a distal end that is bent at an angle with respect to a central axis of said housing, a stylet assembly disposed within said hollow lumen of said guide tube, said stylet assembly comprising a needle electrode having a body including a sharpened tip and an insulating sleeve surrounding a predetermined portion of said body, said stylet assembly being movable within said guide tube such that a distal end of said stylet assembly may be advanced outward of said distal end of said guide tube through an intervening tissue layer and into a target tissue to expose a portion of said needle electrode within said target tissue, and an actuator mechanism for controlling advancement and retraction of said stylet assembly within said guide tube.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
The electrode assembly of claim 3, wherein said insulating sleeve is movable with respect to said needle electrode, and wherein said electrode assembly further comprises an actuator mechanism for controlling said movement of said insulating sleeve.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
135 words
A radio frequency electrode comprising a housing having a guide tube with a hollow lumen provided therein, a stylet assembly disposed within said hollow lumen of said guide tube, said stylet assembly comprising a needle electrode having a body including a sharpened tip and an insulating sleeve surrounding a predetermined portion of said body, said stylet assembly being movable within said guide tube such that a distal end of said stylet assembly may be advanced outward of a distal end of said guide tube through an intervening tissue layer and into a target tissue to expose a portion of said needle electrode within said target tissue and said insulating sleeve being movable with respect to said body of said needle electrode to allow adjustment of said exposure of said needle electrode within said target tissue.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
135 words
A radio frequency electrode comprising a housing having a guide tube with a hollow lumen provided therein, a stylet assembly disposed within said hollow lumen of said guide tube, said stylet assembly comprising a needle electrode having a body including a sharpened tip and an insulating sleeve surrounding a predetermined portion of said body, said stylet assembly being movable within said guide tube such that a distal end of said stylet assembly may be advanced outward of a distal end of said guide tube through an intervening tissue layer and into a target tissue to expose a portion of said needle electrode within said target tissue and said insulating sleeve being movable with respect to said body of said needle electrode to allow adjustment of said exposure of said needle electrode within said target tissue.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
46 words
The electrode assembly of claim 5 further comprising a first actuator mechanism for controlling advancement and retraction of said stylet assembly within said guide tube and a second actuator mechanism for controlling movement of said insulating sleeve with respect to said body of said needle electrode.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
83 words
A method for delivering radio frequency energy to a target tissue within a body for causing ablation of said target tissue, said method comprising the steps of advancing a stylet assembly including a needle electrode and an insulating sleeve through an intervening tissue layer and into said target tissue, moving said insulating sleeve along a predetermined portion of said needle electrode to expose a predetermined length of said needle electrode within said target tissue and applying radio frequency energy to said needle electrode.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
83 words
A method for delivering radio frequency energy to a target tissue within a body for causing ablation of said target tissue, said method comprising the steps of advancing a stylet assembly including a needle electrode and an insulating sleeve through an intervening tissue layer and into said target tissue, moving said insulating sleeve along a predetermined portion of said needle electrode to expose a predetermined length of said needle electrode within said target tissue and applying radio frequency energy to said needle electrode.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 7 further comprising the step of supplying a liquid through the needle electrode into the target tissue.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 7 further comprising the step of measuring the temperature of the target tissue in the vicinity of the needle electrode.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 7 further comprising the step of measuring the impedance of the target tissue while it is being ablated and controlling the radio frequency energy in response to the measured impedance.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 7 further comprising the step of advancing an additional needle electrode into the target tissue for serving as a return electrode.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
56 words
The method of claim 7 further comprising the step of advancing an additional needle electrode into the target tissue, wherein the radio frequency energy is supplied to the first-named needle electrode and the additional needle electrode so as to cause ablation of the target tissue disposed between the first-named needle electrode and the additional needle electrode.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
158 words
A method for delivering radio frequency energy to a target tissue within a body for causing ablation of said target tissue, said method comprising the steps of advancing a tubular member providing a housing for a stylet assembly into a body lumen until said stylet assembly reaches a predetermined location within said body lumen, said stylet assembly comprising a needle electrode having a body including a sharpened tip and having an insulating sleeve covering a predetermined portion of said body of said needle electrode, advancing said stylet assembly outward of said tubular member at an angle relative to a central axis of said body lumen, through an intervening tissue layer and into a target tissue to thereby expose at least said tip of said needle electrode within said target tissue, while insulating said intervening tissue from said body of said needle electrode and applying radio frequency energy to said needle electrode to cause ablation of said target tissue.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
158 words
A method for delivering radio frequency energy to a target tissue within a body for causing ablation of said target tissue, said method comprising the steps of advancing a tubular member providing a housing for a stylet assembly into a body lumen until said stylet assembly reaches a predetermined location within said body lumen, said stylet assembly comprising a needle electrode having a body including a sharpened tip and having an insulating sleeve covering a predetermined portion of said body of said needle electrode, advancing said stylet assembly outward of said tubular member at an angle relative to a central axis of said body lumen, through an intervening tissue layer and into a target tissue to thereby expose at least said tip of said needle electrode within said target tissue, while insulating said intervening tissue from said body of said needle electrode and applying radio frequency energy to said needle electrode to cause ablation of said target tissue.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 13, wherein said insulating sleeve is movable relative to said body of said needle electrode for exposing a predetermined length of said body of said needle electrode within said target tissue.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 13, wherein said body lumen comprises a urethra of a patient, said intervening tissue comprises a wall of said urethra and said target tissue comprises prostatic tissue.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 13 further comprising the step of supplying a liquid through the needle electrode into the target tissue.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 8 further comprising the step of measuring the temperature of the target tissue in the vicinity of the needle electrode.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 13 further comprising the step of measuring the impedance of the target tissue while it is being ablated and controlling the radio frequency energy in response to the measured impedance.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 13 further comprising the step of advancing an additional needle electrode into the target tissue for serving as a return electrode.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
56 words
The method of claim 13 further comprising the step of advancing an additional needle electrode into the target tissue, wherein the radio frequency energy is supplied to the first-named needle electrode and the additional needle electrode so as to cause ablation of the target tissue disposed between the first-named needle electrode and the additional needle 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) | 2003-10-10 | 2004-04-10 | 2004-10-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-10-10 | 2008-04-10 | 2008-10-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-10-10 | 2012-04-10 | 2012-10-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |