US6770070B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Lung treatment apparatus and method
Assignee: Angiodynamics Inc
•
Filing: 2000-03-17
•
Granted: 2004-08-03
•
Expires: 2020-03-17
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for obtaining a lung biopsy with an apparatus capable of sealing tears within the lung and pleural space to reduce the risk of pneumothorax or pulmonary hemorrhage. The apparatus includes an RF ablation apparatus having a lung biopsy device an energy delivery device including at least one electrode designed to be deployed into target lung tissue, and a sensor. A closure device is operatively coupled to the elongated member to produce an immediate tight seal and promote healing at the tissue interface. A feedback control device is operatively coupled to the sensor and a RF source for controlling energy delivered to the electrodes.
Inventors
- 👤 Daniel J. Balbierz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 04:50
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B10/00; A61B10/02; A61B10/04; A61B17/00; A61B17/00491; A61B18/00; A61B18/04; A61B18/12; A61B18/14; A61B18/1482; A61B10/0233; A61B18/1477; A61B18/1487; A61B18/1492; A61B2017/00495; A61B2018/00005; A61B2018/00011; A61B2018/00029; A61B2018/00315; A61B2018/00541; A61B2018/00636; A61B2018/00642; A61B2018/00654; A61B2018/00696; A61B2018/00702; A61B2018/00773; A61B2018/00791; A61B2018/00875; A61B2018/1405; A61B2018/1425; A61B2018/1472; A61B18/18; A61B18/1815; A61B2018/183; A61B2218/00; A61B2218/001; A61B2218/002; A61B2218/007; A61B8/00; A61B8/06; A61B8/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 73
Claim 1
Independent Claim
82 words
An improved ablation apparatus for lung treatment said apparatus having an elongated member including a lumen and a tissue piercing distal end, and an energy delivery device being positionable in said elongated member and including at least one electrode operatively coupled to a power source, the improvement comprising: a lung biopsy device comprising a needle for obtaining a core sample; and at least one sensor coupled to the elongated member; wherein said energy delivery device is operatively coupled to the power source.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
82 words
An improved ablation apparatus for lung treatment said apparatus having an elongated member including a lumen and a tissue piercing distal end, and an energy delivery device being positionable in said elongated member and including at least one electrode operatively coupled to a power source, the improvement comprising: a lung biopsy device comprising a needle for obtaining a core sample; and at least one sensor coupled to the elongated member; wherein said energy delivery device is operatively coupled to the power source.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the sensor is coupled to one of an elongated member distal end, or the elongated member lumen.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the elongated member lumen terminates in at least one aperture for fluid delivery.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 3 , further comprising: a fluid source coupled to the elongated member lumen for fluid delivery to the at least one aperture.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein said fluid source is coupled to feedback control resources or a control valve for controlling fluid delivery.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the fluid source includes a fluid delivery device.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the fluid source is selected from a gas source, a liquid source, a liquid polymer source, and an electrolytic solution source.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the liquid polymer is a curable liquid polymer selected from heat curable, chemically curable, and photactivated curable.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the liquid polymer has a viscoelestatic property alterable by an activating agent.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein one of the elongated member lumen or the at least one aperture includes a valve selected from the group consisting of a one way valve, a control valve, and a control valve coupled to feedback control resources.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the liquid polymer source includes one of an elastomer, a collagen, a silicone, a bioabsorbably polymers, or a hydrogel.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the fluid source is an electrolytic solution delivered to the target tissue to create a fluid volume, to create an enhanced electrode.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the at least one aperture is a plurality of apertures.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the plurality of apertures are at the distal end of the elongated member.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the plurality of apertures are configured to deliver one of a fluid, a conductive fluid, or a cooling fluid to at least one of the energy delivery device or the target tissue.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the sensor is selected from the group consisting of a pressure sensor, a force sensor, a flow sensor, a thermal sensor, an acoustical sensor, an impedance sensor, and an optical sensor.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the sensor is operably coupled to detect one of an opening, a fluidic opening, a tear, a seal, a hermetic seal or a closure of the tissue void.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the sensor is detects a pressure differential.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the sensor is detects a fluid flow rate.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the at least one sensor comprises a plurality of sensors.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the at least one sensor comprises a first sensor and a second sensor, said second sensor having a more distal position on the elongated member with respect to the first sensor.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the elongate member distal end has one of an atraumatic surface, an atraumatic coating, or a lubricious coating.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising an advancement and retraction member coupled to the biopsy device.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising: at least one sensor coupled to the biopsy device.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a valve coupled to at least one of the elongated member, or the lung biopsy device.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 25 , wherein the valve is a control valve.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 25 , wherein the valve is a disc movably coupled to one of the elongated member, or the lung biopsy device.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 25 , wherein the valve is a constrictable valve.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 28 , wherein the constrictable valve comprises at least a portion of the elongated member, or the lung biopsy device.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising: a handpiece coupled to a proximal portion of the elongated member.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 30 , further wherein the handpiece includes one of a fitting, an infusion port, a lumen, or a deflection mechanism.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the energy delivery device is an RF electrode.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 32 , wherein the RF electrode is selected from the group consisting of a ring electrode, a conical shaped electrode, a needle electrode and a porous electrode.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 32 , wherein the at least one electrode is selected from a plurality of electrodes, an array of electrodes, an array of monopolar electrodes, an array of bipolar electrodes, and an array of multiplexed electrodes.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
28 words
(currently amended) The apparatus of claim 34 , further comprising: a multiplexing device coupled to at least a portion of the plurality of electrodes and, the power supply.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising: a ground pad electrode coupled to the skin and coupled to the power supply.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 36 , further comprising: feedback control resources coupled to at least one of the power supply, the energy delivery device, and the sensor.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
58 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the at least one electrode comprises a first set of electrodes, each electrode of the first set having a tissue piercing distal end and being positionable in the elongated member as the elongated member is advanced through tissue, the first set of electrodes being deployable with curvature from the elongated member.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
59 words
The apparatus of claim 38 , wherein the at least one electrode comprises a second set of electrodes, each electrode of the second set having a tissue piercing distal end and being positionable in the elongated member as the elongated member is advanced through tissue, the second set of RF electrodes being deployable with curvature from the elongated member.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 39 , wherein the second set of RF electrodes being deployable a greater distance than the first set of electrodes.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 39 , wherein at least one of the first or the second set of electrodes is deployable with at least one radius of curvature.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising: a closure device coupled to the elongated member, the closure device configured to substantially close a tissue void space within the lung.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
53 words
The apparatus of claim 42 , wherein the closure device has a non-deployed state and a deployed state, the closure device being deliverable to the tissue void space in the non deployed state and put into the deployed state to engage tissue substantially adjacent the void space and substantially close the void space.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 43 , wherein the closure device is detachable from the elongated member in one of the deployed state or the non-deployed state.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 44 , wherein the closure device is deployable before detachment from the elongated member.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 44 , wherein the closure device is deployable after detachment from the elongated member.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
50 words
The apparatus of claim 43 , wherein the closure device is selected from a spring device, a coiled spring, a tapered spring, a surgical staple, a suture, a mesh, a plug, a shaped plug, an expandable plug, and a plurality of mechanical coupled curved wires having tissue piercing distal tips.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 42 , wherein the closure device is disposed within the elongated member lumen.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 42 , wherein the closure device is configured to seal or substantially hermetically seal the tissue void.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 42 , wherein the closure device is configured to prevent a pneumothorax through the tissue void space.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 42 , wherein at least a portion of the closure device comprises at least one of a polymer, an elastomer, a bioabsorbable polymer, a metal alloy, or a shape memory alloy.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 42 , wherein at least a portion of the closure device is curable in situ.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 52 , wherein the at least a portion of the closure device is curable via the delivery of energy from the energy delivery device.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 42 , wherein at least a portion of the closure device includes at least one of an imagable marker, a radio-opaque marker, or an echogenic marker.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 42 , further comprising: a sensor coupled to the elongated member, wherein the sensor detects a property of the lung.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 55 , wherein the sensor is coupled to at least one of the elongated member distal end, the energy delivery device, the closure device, or the elongated member lumen.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 55 , wherein the sensor is selected from the group consisting of a pressure sensor, a force sensor, a flow sensor, a thermal sensor, an acoustical sensor, an impedance sensor and an optical sensor.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 55 , wherein the sensor is configured to detect one of an opening, a fluidic opening, a tear, a seal, a hermetic seal or a closure of the tissue void.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
18 words
(original) The apparatus of claim 55 , where in the sensor is configured to detect a pressure differential.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 42 , wherein the sensor is configured to detect a fluid flow rate.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the lung biopsy device has a distal end that is configured to cut and collect a lung tissue sample.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the power source is a RF power source.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus according to claim 62 , further comprising: a feedback control device operatively coupled to said sensor and the RF power source to control application of RF current to the at least one electrode.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said lung biopsy device is selected from the group consisting of a lung biopsy needle, a tissue aspiration device, and a tissue collection device.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
52 words
The apparatus according to claim 64 , wherein when said lung biopsy device is a tissue aspiration device or a tissue collection device, the device is selected from the group consisting of a syringe, a vacuum source operatively coupled to a filter, and a vacuum source operatively coupled to a collection chamber.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 , further including a deflection mechanism operatively coupled to said elongated member for deflecting and steering said elongated member.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus according to claim 66 , wherein said deflection mechanism is selected from the group consisting of a pull wire, a ratchet, a latch and lock mechanism, and a piezoelectric material.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said elongated member is coated with a lubricious coating or a film.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a second lung biopsy device.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a ground pad electrode.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising an imaging system operatively coupled to the elongated member.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising one of an introducing device, a percutaneous introducing device, and a trocar for positioning said elongated member at said tissue site.
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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) | 2007-08-03 | 2008-02-02 | 2008-08-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-08-03 | 2012-02-02 | 2012-08-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2015-08-03 | 2016-02-02 | 2016-08-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |