Inferred maximum temperature monitoring for irrigated ablation therapy

Inventors

Curley, Michael G.

Assignees

Thermedical Inc

Abstract

Methods and systems utilizing inferred maximum temperature monitoring for irrigated ablation therapy are described herein. In one embodiment, a method for ablating tissue includes positioning an elongate body proximate to tissue, where the elongate body includes an ablation element and at least one temperature sensor coupled thereto. The method can include simultaneously delivering ablative energy to the tissue through the ablation element and liquid through the elongate body. The method can further include pausing delivery of ablative energy and liquid, as well as sensing a temperature of the ablation element while delivery of ablative energy and liquid is paused. The method can further include any of terminating delivery of ablative energy and liquid and resuming delivery of ablative energy and liquid based on a comparison of the sensed temperature to a reference temperature.

Core Innovation

The disclosure relates to irrigated ablation therapy using an elongate body positioned proximate to tissue. The elongate body includes an ablation element and at least one temperature sensor coupled thereto. During therapy, ablative energy is simultaneously delivered through the ablation element and a liquid flow is delivered to the tissue through the elongate body.

Delivery is momentarily paused for both the ablative energy and the liquid flow. While delivery is paused, the temperature of the ablation element is sensed and compared to a reference temperature. The comparison is used to infer whether tissue remote from the ablation element is hotter, cooler, or the same, and to control therapy accordingly.

In response to the comparison, the therapy includes terminating delivery or resuming delivery of the ablative energy and the liquid flow based on the sensed temperature relative to the reference temperature. The disclosure further discusses creating negative pressure in response to pausing delivery, including approaches using reversing a pump and/or drawing liquid back, to help ensure liquid actually stops during the pause. System and device configurations, including open-loop versus closed-loop liquid paths, and controller logic implementing the inferred-maximum monitoring are described.

Claims Coverage

The partial content provides one independent claim (clm-00001). The inventive features focus on pausing both energy and liquid, creating negative pressure during the pause, sensing the ablation-element temperature while paused, and using a sensed-to-reference temperature comparison to either terminate or resume delivery.

Claim coverage centers on controlling irrigated ablation by pausing both energy and irrigation, creating negative pressure during the pause, measuring the ablation-element temperature while paused, and using that measurement relative to a reference temperature to determine whether to terminate or resume delivery.

Stated Advantages

Documented Applications