Devices and methods for remote temperature monitoring in fluid enhanced ablation therapy
Inventors
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-10548654-B2
Publication Date
2020-02-04
Expiration Date
Abstract
Devices and methods for monitoring the temperature of tissue at various locations in a treatment volume during fluid enhanced ablation therapy are provided. In one embodiment, an ablation device is provided having an elongate body, at least one ablation element, and at least one temperature sensor. The elongate body includes a proximal and distal end, an inner lumen, and at least one outlet port to allow fluid to be delivered to tissue surrounding the elongate body. The at least one ablation element is configured to heat tissue surrounding the at least one ablation element. The at least one temperature sensor can be positioned a distance away from the at least one ablation element and can be effective to output a measured temperature of tissue spaced a distance apart from the at least one ablation element such that the measured temperature indicates whether tissue is being heating to a therapeutic level.
Core Innovation
An ablation device includes an elongate body introduced into a tissue mass. The elongate body has an inner lumen configured to deliver fluid to tissue surrounding the elongate body through at least one outlet port formed in the elongate body, and at least one ablation element is configured to heat tissue within a treatment zone surrounding the elongate body.
The device further includes a plurality of temperature sensors coupled to the elongate body, with each sensor positioned axially along the elongate body at a distance from the at least one ablation element. Each of the plurality of temperature sensors outputs a measured temperature of tissue spaced a distance apart from tissue adjacent to the at least one ablation element, and the measured temperature indicates whether tissue is being heating to a therapeutic level.
An insulating tube extends through the inner lumen of the elongate body, and the insulating tube contains the fluid flowing through the inner lumen. The insulating tube prevents the fluid from contacting the sidewall of the elongate body, and a fluid heating assembly is disposed within the insulating tube.
The fluid heating assembly includes one or two wires configured to heat surrounding fluid, and the one or two wires extend through at least one spacer disposed within the insulating tube. A control unit obtains a temperature of the at least one ablation element and a plurality of temperatures measured by the plurality of temperature sensors.
Claims Coverage
The document includes two independent claims. The inventive features across the independent claims focus on an ablation device/system with remote, axially spaced temperature sensing; an insulating tube that contains fluid and prevents sidewall contact; and an internal fluid heating assembly with a control unit obtaining ablation-element and sensor temperatures.
Insulating tube preventing fluid contact with elongate body sidewall
An insulating tube extends through the inner lumen of the elongate body, contains the fluid flowing through the inner lumen, and prevents the fluid from contacting the sidewall of the elongate body.
Axially spaced temperature sensors for remote therapeutic-level indication
A plurality of temperature sensors coupled to the elongate body and positioned axially along the elongate body, with each sensor outputting or measuring a temperature of tissue spaced a distance apart from tissue adjacent to the at least one ablation element, wherein the measured temperatures indicate whether tissue is being heating to a therapeutic level.
Fluid heating assembly inside insulating tube using one or two heating wires
A fluid heating assembly disposed within the insulating tube, including one or two wires configured to heat surrounding fluid, the one or two wires extending through at least one spacer disposed within the insulating tube.
Control unit obtaining ablation element temperature and sensor temperatures
A control unit configured to obtain a temperature of the at least one ablation element and a plurality of temperatures measured by the plurality of temperature sensors, wherein the plurality of temperatures measured indicates whether tissue within a treatment zone is being heated to a therapeutic level.
Across the independent claims, the combination of axially positioned temperature sensors that measure tissue temperatures at distances from the ablation element with an insulating tube that prevents fluid contact with the elongate body sidewall, together with a fluid heating assembly disposed within the insulating tube, supports obtaining ablation-element and remote tissue temperature indications of heating to a therapeutic level.
Stated Advantages
Measured temperatures indicate whether tissue within a treatment zone is being heated to a therapeutic level.
Documented Applications
No documented applications found
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