Stabilized ablation systems and methods
Inventors
Ibrahim, Tamer • Morejohn, Dwight P. • Banchieri, Michael J. • Stephanian, Ara • Pavlidis, John D. • Swanson, David K.
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12369977-B2
Publication Date
2025-07-29
Expiration Date
Abstract
A surgical system for ablating a tissue, the system comprising: (a) an ablation mechanism comprising a first electrode and an opposed second electrode, wherein the ablation mechanism is configured to receive a tissue between the first electrode and the second electrode, and wherein at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode is movable to allow the first electrode and the second electrode to accommodate variable tissue thicknesses therebetween; and (b) a clamping mechanism configured to release and apply clamping pressure to the tissue between the first electrode and the second electrode, where the ablation mechanism is configured to automatically individually adjust at least one of an ablation energy output of the first electrode and an ablation energy output of the second electrode to accommodate variable tissue thicknesses between the first electrode and the second electrode.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a surgical ablation system and method for ablating tissue with a first electrode and an opposed second electrode that receive tissue between them. At least one of the first electrode and the second electrode is movable to accommodate variable tissue thicknesses while maintaining the tissue position for ablation.
The system includes a clamping mechanism configured to release and apply clamping pressure to the tissue between the first electrode and the second electrode. The clamping mechanism applies pressure to compress the tissue between the electrode assemblies, with configurations described to track along a suction stabilizer during compression.
The ablation mechanism is configured to automatically individually adjust at least one of an ablation energy output of the first electrode and an ablation energy output of the second electrode to accommodate variable tissue thicknesses. The disclosed configurations include suction stabilizer mechanisms that use suction to draw tissue toward the electrodes, and electrode spacing arrangements including flexible, variable-distance, and angled electrode configurations.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims comprise an apparatus claim and a method claim. Their common inventive features are opposed electrodes with at least one movable electrode to accommodate variable tissue thickness, a clamping mechanism to apply clamping pressure, and automatic individually adjusting ablation energy output for the first and second electrodes.
Opposed movable electrodes to accommodate variable tissue thickness
An ablation mechanism comprising a first electrode and an opposed second electrode configured to receive a tissue between the first electrode and the second electrode, wherein at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode is movable to allow the first electrode and the second electrode to accommodate variable tissue thicknesses therebetween.
Clamping mechanism applying clamping pressure between opposed electrodes
A clamping mechanism configured to release and apply clamping pressure to the tissue between the first electrode and the second electrode.
Automatic individually adjusting ablation energy output of first and second electrodes
The ablation mechanism is configured to automatically individually adjust at least one of an ablation energy output of the first electrode and an ablation energy output of the second electrode to accommodate variable tissue thicknesses between the first electrode and the second electrode.
Positioning tissue between opposed electrodes and ablating with electrode-delivered energy
Positioning an ablation mechanism so that a tissue is between a first electrode and an opposed second electrode, clamping the tissue between the first electrode and the second electrode by operating a clamping mechanism, and ablating the tissue between the first electrode and the second electrode by delivering ablation energy to the tissue via at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode.
Across the independent claims, the core claim coverage centers on tissue positioned between opposed electrodes with at least one movable electrode to accommodate variable tissue thickness, a clamping mechanism to apply clamping pressure, and automatic individually adjusting ablation energy output for the first and second electrodes.
Stated Advantages
Automatically individually adjusts ablation energy output of first and second electrodes to accommodate variable tissue thicknesses.
Accommodates variable tissue thicknesses between the first and second electrodes via movable electrode configuration.
Suction stabilization is described as drawing tissue toward the electrodes.
Clamping configurations are described to reduce clot formation by reducing valley or groove formation.
Documented Applications
A surgical system and method for ablating a tissue using an ablation mechanism having opposed electrodes and a clamping mechanism, including modalities and switching for bipolar and monopolar ablation.
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