Device for ablation of tissue surfaces and related systems and methods
Inventors
Sperling, Jason • Cameron, Benjamin • McCormick, John • Magari, Patrick • VanScoy, John • Hudgins, Robert • Dockter, John
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11771486-B2
Publication Date
2023-10-03
Expiration Date
Abstract
Provided herein are ablation systems having an ablation component with an ablation chamber and an insulation chamber, wherein the ablation chamber comprises a plurality of channels defined there. Other embodiments include ablation systems having a substrate source, a cooling component, and an ablation component. Certain systems are closed-loop systems that reuse the cooling substrate.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a system for ablating a generally planar surface of tissue using an ablation component that defines a first chamber with an intake port and an outlet port. A single predetermined unidirectional fluid pathway is defined by a channel or single conduit extending from the intake port to the outlet port through the first chamber, and channel walls are disposed along an external wall in fluid communication with the intake and outlet ports to guide continuous flow of an ablation fluid through the channel.
The ablation component further includes an inflatable second chamber that is a low thermal conductivity chamber. The inflatable second chamber is configured to protect tissue adjacent to the target tissue while the ablation fluid flows through the channel, and the channel walls are attached to an external wall and an internal wall such that the external wall is flat while the ablation fluid flows through the channel.
In the described embodiments, an ablation fluid is continuously flowable through the channel at a flow rate of at least about 80 liters per minute. The ablation fluid is disclosed as ultra-cold or warm cooling substrate, with helium gas described for cryoablation, including sufficiently cold helium to ablate target tissue, and the disclosure includes continuous flow through a plurality of channels for large generally planar tissue surfaces.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims cover a tissue ablation system built around a first chamber defining a single unidirectional fluid pathway and an inflatable low-thermal-conductivity second chamber, with continuous ablation-fluid flow at a minimum flow rate while maintaining a flat external wall. Across the independent claims, the inventive features are organized into structural fluid-path definitions, flatness or prevention of wall expansion during flow, and the inflatable insulation chamber.
Single predetermined unidirectional fluid pathway along external wall
A first chamber includes an intake port and an outlet port, and a single unidirectional fluid pathway defined by a channel disposed along an external wall in the first chamber and in fluid communication with the intake and outlet ports.
Channel walls attached to external wall and internal wall to maintain flat exterior wall during continuous flow
Channel walls attached to the external wall and an internal wall such that the external wall is flat while the ablation fluid is flowing through the channel at the flow rate.
Inflatable low thermal conductivity second chamber
An inflatable second chamber defined in the ablation component, wherein the second chamber is a low thermal conductivity chamber.
External wall flat maintained by preventing wall expansion relative to internal wall
Channel walls attached to an external wall and an internal wall such that the channel walls prevent expansion of the external wall in relation to the internal wall when a fluid is urged through the single conduit, wherein the external wall is flat while the ablation fluid is flowing.
Chamber body defining internal interior with channel walls disposed within to define channel
A chamber body comprising an external wall, an internal wall, sides attached to the external wall and the internal wall, and an interior defined by the external wall, the internal wall, and the side, with channel walls disposed within the interior and attached to the external wall and internal wall to define a channel comprising a single unidirectional fluid pathway disposed along the external wall.
Continuous ablation fluid flow at least about 80 liters per minute
An ablation fluid continuously flowable through the channel at a flow rate of at least about 80 liters per minute, wherein the external wall is flat while the ablation fluid flows through the channel at the flow rate.
Overall, the independent claims require a first chamber with an intake port, an outlet port, and a single unidirectional fluid pathway or channel, channel walls that maintain a flat external wall during continuous ablation-fluid flow, and an inflatable second low-thermal-conductivity chamber together with continuous flow of ablation fluid at a minimum flow rate.
Stated Advantages
Protects tissue adjacent to the target tissue during an ablation procedure via an inflatable second low-thermal-conductivity chamber.
Documented Applications
Ablating large generally planar tissue surfaces such as an epicardial atrial wall, including the left atrium posterior wall and right atrium free wall, using cryoablation.
Comparative cryoablation cooling performance testing indicating helium provides superior cooling versus argon under simulated counter-warming conditions.
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