Cell necrosis apparatus

Claim 2

A cell necrosis apparatus, comprising: an introducer with a distal end sufficiently sharp to penetrate tissue; an energy delivery device including a first set of RF electrodes and a second set of RF electrodes, each RF electrode of the first and second set having a tissue piercing distal end and positionable in the introducer as the introducer is advanced through tissue, the first and second sets of RF electrodes being deployable with curvature from the introducer, wherein the second set of RF electrodes is deployable a greater distance than the first set of RF electrodes from the introducer; and an advancement member coupled to at least one of the first or the second set of electrodes, the advancement member adapted to advance the first and second set of electrodes into a solid tumor mass, the advancement member including an actuable portion having a diameter or shape configured to control or limit movement of the advancement member, at least a portion of the advancement member being positionable in the introducer.

Claim 3

The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising: a deployable member with a tissue piercing distal end, the deployable member positionable in the introducer as the introducer is advanced through tissue, the deployable member being deployable from the introducer with less curvature than the RF electrodes of the first and second sets of RF electrodes.

Claim 4

The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein at least a portion of the deployable member is an RF electrode.

Claim 5

The apparatus of claim 2 , further comprising: a sensor coupled to a distal portion of the deployable member.

Claim 6

The apparatus of claim 3 , further comprising: a sensor coupled to a distal portion of the deployable member.

Claim 7

The apparatus of claim 2 , further comprising: an insulator positioned at an exterior of the deployable member.

Claim 8

The apparatus of claim 3 , further comprising: an insulator positioned at least a portion of the deployable member.

Claim 9

The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the RF electrodes of the first and second set of RF electrodes has a non-circular cross-sectional geometry.

Claim 10

The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the non-circular cross-sectional geometry includes a width and length, wherein the length is greater than the width.

Claim 11

The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the RF electrodes of the first and second set of RF electrodes has a non-circular cross-sectional geometry with a sufficient exterior surface area to be ultrasonically viewable.

Claim 12

The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the RF electrodes of the first and second set of RF electrodes has a tissue piercing distal end that is ultrasonically viewable.

Claim 13

The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the RF electrodes of the first and second set of RF electrodes has a tissue piercing distal end that has a cut angle of at least 25°.

Claim 14

The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the RF electrodes of the first and second set of RF electrodes has a tissue piercing distal end that has a cut angle of at least 30°.

Claim 15

The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the tissue piercing distal end of the deployable member is ultrasonically viewable.

Claim 16

The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the tissue piercing distal end of the deployable member has a cut angle of at least 25°.

Claim 17

The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the tissue piercing distal end of the deployable member has a cut angle of at least 30°.

Claim 18

The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising: a spacer member coupled to an RF electrode of the first and second set of RF electrodes.

Claim 19

The apparatus of claim 17 , wherein the spacer member is advanceable from the introducer.

Claim 20

The apparatus of claim 17 , wherein the spacer member is advanceable from the introducer with the RF electrode.

Claim 21

The apparatus of claim 17 , wherein the spacer member includes an RF insulation that electrically isolates the RF electrode from the spacer member.

Claim 22

The apparatus of claim 20 , wherein at least a portion of the spacer member is an RF electrode.

Claim 23

The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising: a first sensor coupled to the energy delivery device.

Claim 24

The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising: a first sensor and a second sensor coupled to an electrode of the first set of RF electrodes.

Claim 25

The apparatus of claim 23 , wherein the first and second sensors are coupled to different exterior surface sites of the electrode.

Claim 26

The apparatus of claim 23 , further comprising: a third sensor coupled to an electrode of the second set of RF electrodes.

Claim 27

The apparatus of claim 25 , further comprising: a fourth sensor coupled to the electrode of the second set of RF electrodes.

Claim 28

The apparatus of claim 25 , wherein the third and fourth sensors are coupled to different exterior surface sites of the electrode.

Claim 29

The apparatus of claim 23 , further comprising: a third sensor and a fourth sensor coupled to different exterior surface sites of an electrode of the second set of RF electrodes.

Claim 30

The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising: a first sensor coupled to a first electrode of the first set of RF electrodes and a second sensor coupled to a second electrode of the first set of RF electrodes.

Claim 31

The apparatus of claim 29 , further comprising: a third sensor coupled to a first electrode of the second set of RF electrodes.

Claim 32

The apparatus of claim 30 , further comprising: a fourth sensor coupled to a second electrode of the second set of RF electrodes.

Claim 33

The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first set of RF electrodes includes a first electrode and a second electrode, and the second set of RF electrodes includes a third electrode and a fourth electrode.

Claim 34

The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising: a first insulation member positioned at an exterior surface of a first electrode of the first set of RF electrodes.

Claim 35

The apparatus of claim 33 , further comprising: a second insulation member positioned at an exterior surface of a second electrode of the first set of RF electrodes.

Claim 36

The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising: a first insulation member coupled to a first electrode of the first set of RF electrodes, the first insulation member including a first insulation section that extends circumferentially around a first exterior site of the first electrode, and a second insulation section that extends circumferentially around a second exterior site of the first electrode, the first electrode having an active energy delivery surface positioned between the first and second insulation sections.

Claim 37

The apparatus of claim 35 , further comprising: a second insulation member coupled to a second electrode of the first set of RF electrodes, the second insulation member including a first insulation section that extends circumferentially around a first exterior site of the second electrode, and a second insulation section that extends circumferentially around a second exterior site of the of the second electrode, the second electrode having an active energy delivery surface positioned between the first and second insulation sections.

Claim 38

The apparatus of claim 36 , further comprising: a third insulation member coupled to a first electrode of the second set of RF electrodes, the third insulation member including a first insulation section that extends circumferentially around a first exterior site of the first electrode, and a second insulation section that extends circumferentially around a second exterior site of the first electrode, the first electrode having an active energy delivery surface positioned between the first and second insulation sections.

Claim 39

The apparatus of claim 37 , further comprising: a fourth insulation member coupled to a second electrode of the second set of RF electrodes, the fourth insulation member including a first insulation section that extends circumferentially around a first exterior site of the second electrode, and a second insulation section that extends circumferentially around a second exterior site of the second electrode, the second electrode having an active energy delivery surface positioned between the first and second insulation sections.

Claim 40

The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising: a first insulation member coupled to a first electrode of the first set of RF electrodes, the first insulation member extending along a first longitudinal exterior surface of the first electrode and leaving an non-insulated active energy delivery surface extending along a second longitudinal exterior surface of the first electrode.

Claim 41

The apparatus of claim 39 , further comprising: a second insulation member coupled to a second electrode of the first set of RF electrodes, the second insulation member extending along a first longitudinal exterior surface of the second electrode and leaving an non-insulated active energy delivery surface extending along a second longitudinal exterior surface of the second electrode.

Claim 42

The apparatus of claim 40 , further comprising: a third insulation member coupled to a first electrode of the second set of RF electrodes, the third insulation member extending along a first longitudinal exterior surface of the first electrode and leaving an non-insulated active energy delivery surface extending along a second longitudinal exterior surface of the first electrode.

Claim 43

The apparatus of claim 41 , wherein the first, second and third insulation members are each positioned to face toward a central axis of a selected tissue site.

Claim 44

The apparatus of claim 41 , wherein the first, second and third insulation members are positioned to face away from a central axis of a selected tissue site.

Claim 45

The apparatus of claim 41 , further comprising a fourth insulation member coupled to a second electrode of the second set of RF electrodes, the fourth insulation member extending along a first longitudinal exterior surface of the second electrode and leaving an non-insulated active energy delivery surface extending along a second longitudinal exterior surface of the second electrode.

Claim 46

The apparatus of claim 41 , further comprising: a fourth insulation member coupled to a second electrode of the second set of RF electrodes, the second insulation member extending along a first longitudinal exterior surface of the second electrode and leaving an non-insulated active energy delivery surface extending along a second longitudinal exterior surface of the first electrode.

Claim 47

The apparatus of claim 45 , wherein the first, second, third and fourth insulation members are each positioned to face toward a central axis of a selected tissue site.

Claim 48

The apparatus of claim 45 , wherein the first, second, third and fourth insulation members are positioned to face away from a central axis of a selected tissue site.

Claim 49

A cell necrosis apparatus, comprising: an introducer with a distal end sufficiently sharp to penetrate tissue; and an energy delivery device including a first set of RF electrode, a second RF electrode and a third RF electrode, each of the first, second and third RF electrodes having a tissue piercing distal end positionable in the introducer as the introducer is advanced through tissue, the first and second RF electrodes being selectably deployable with curvature from the introducer to a tissue site, the third RF electrode being deployable from the introducer with less curvature than the first and second RF electrodes; and an advancement member positionable within the introducer and coupled to at least one of the first or the second set of electrodes, the advancement member adapted to advance the first and second set of electrodes into a solid tumor mass and be substantially straight during advancement with respect to a longitudinal axis of the introducer.

Claim 50

A cell necrosis apparatus, comprising: an introducer with a distal end sufficiently sharp to penetrate tissue; and an energy delivery device including a first set of RF electrode, a second RF electrode and a third RF electrode, each of the first, second and third RF electrodes having a tissue piercing distal end positionable in the introducer as the introducer is advanced through tissue, the first and second RF electrodes being selectably deployable with curvature from the introducer to a tissue site, the third RF electrode being deployable from the introducer with less curvature than the first and second RF electrodes; and an advancement member positionable within the introducer and coupled to at least one of the first or the second set of electrodes, the advancement member adapted to advance the first and second set of electrodes into a solid tumor mass and be substantially straight during advancement with respect to a longitudinal axis of the introducer.

Claim 51

The apparatus of claim 48 , further comprising: a slidable member with a proximal portion positionable in a proximal portion of the introducer; and an electrode contact member positioned in the proximal portion of the introducer.

Claim 52

The apparatus of claim 49 , wherein the electrode contact member is coupled to the energy delivery device.

Claim 53

The apparatus of claim 50 , wherein the slidable member includes a sensor coupled to the slidable member.

Claim 54

The apparatus of claim 51 , wherein the sensor is engagable with the electrode contact member to couple an energy source to the energy delivery device.

Claim 55

The apparatus of claim 48 , wherein the third electrode is deployable from the introducer substantially without curvature.

Claim 56

The apparatus of claim 48 , further comprising: an RF electrode advancement member coupled to the first set of RF electrodes, the second set of RF electrodes and the third RF electrode.

Claim 57

A cell necrosis apparatus, comprising: an introducer with a distal end sufficiently sharp to penetrate tissue; an energy delivery device including a first RF electrode and a second RF electrode each having a tissue piercing distal end and positionable in the introducer as the introducer is advanced through tissue, the first and second RF electrodes being selectably deployable with curvature from the introducer to a tissue site, the first RF electrode and the second RF electrode each being coupled to the introducer so that a length of each electrode is exposed to tissue when the respective electrode is deployed beyond the introducer; a deployable member, the deployable member having a tissue piercing distal end and positionable in the introducer as the introducer is advanced through tissue, the deployable member being deployable from the introducer with less curvature than the first and second RF electrodes; an advancement member coupled to at least one of the first or the second electrodes or the deployable member, the advancement member adapted to advance the first or second electrode or the deployable member into a solid tumor mass, the advancement member including an actuable portion having a diameter or shape configured to control or limit movement of the advancement member, at least a portion of the advancement member being positionable in the introducer; and a sensor coupled to the deployable member.

Claim 58

A cell necrosis apparatus, comprising: an introducer with a distal end sufficiently sharp to penetrate tissue; an energy delivery device including a first RF electrode and a second RF electrode each having a tissue piercing distal end and positionable in the introducer as the introducer is advanced through tissue, the first and second RF electrodes being selectably deployable with curvature from the introducer to a tissue site, the first RF electrode and the second RF electrode each being coupled to the introducer so that a length of each electrode is exposed to tissue when the respective electrode is deployed beyond the introducer; a deployable member, the deployable member having a tissue piercing distal end and positionable in the introducer as the introducer is advanced through tissue, the deployable member being deployable from the introducer with less curvature than the first and second RF electrodes; an advancement member coupled to at least one of the first or the second electrodes or the deployable member, the advancement member adapted to advance the first or second electrode or the deployable member into a solid tumor mass, the advancement member including an actuable portion having a diameter or shape configured to control or limit movement of the advancement member, at least a portion of the advancement member being positionable in the introducer; and a sensor coupled to the deployable member.

Claim 59

The apparatus of claim 55 , wherein the sensor is positioned at a distal portion of the deployable member.

Claim 60

The apparatus of claim 55 , wherein the sensor is positioned at the distal end of the deployable member.

Claim 61

The apparatus of claim 55 , wherein the deployable member is an RF electrode.

Claim 62

The apparatus of claim 55 , wherein the deployable member is a return electrode.

Claim 63

The apparatus of claim 55 , wherein the energy delivery device operates in a mono-polar manner.

Claim 64

The apparatus of claim 55 , wherein the energy delivery device operates in a bi-polar manner.

Claim 65

A cell necrosis apparatus, comprising: an introducer with a distal end sufficiently sharp to penetrate tissue; and an energy delivery device including a first set of RF electrodes and a second set of RF electrodes, each RF electrode of the first and second set having a tissue piercing distal end and positionable in the introducer as the introducer is advanced through tissue, the first and second sets of RF electrodes being deployable with curvature front the introducer, wherein the second set of RF electrodes is deployable a greater distance than the first set of RF electrodes from the introducer; and an advancement member positionable within the introducer and coupled to at least one of the first or the second set of electrodes, the advancement member adapted to advance the first and second set of electrodes into a solid tumor mass, during advancement, the advancement member configured to be substantially straight along its entire length with respect to a longitudinal axis of the introducer.

Claim 66

A cell necrosis apparatus, comprising: an introducer with a distal end sufficiently sharp to penetrate tissue; and an energy delivery device including a first set of RF electrodes and a second set of RF electrodes, each RF electrode of the first and second set having a tissue piercing distal end and positionable in the introducer as the introducer is advanced through tissue, the first and second sets of RF electrodes being deployable with curvature front the introducer, wherein the second set of RF electrodes is deployable a greater distance than the first set of RF electrodes from the introducer; and an advancement member positionable within the introducer and coupled to at least one of the first or the second set of electrodes, the advancement member adapted to advance the first and second set of electrodes into a solid tumor mass, during advancement, the advancement member configured to be substantially straight along its entire length with respect to a longitudinal axis of the introducer.

Claim 67

The apparatus of claim 62 , further comprising: a sensor coupled to at least one of the energy delivery device, an electrode of the first or second set of electrodes or the advancement member.