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Publication Number
US-9861431-B2
Publication Date
2018-01-09
Expiration Date
Abstract
A device for performing a surgical procedure comprises an elongated shaft extending between a proximal end and a distal end and defines an outer surface and an inner surface. An expandable member is disposed at the distal end and is configured to receive inflation material. At least one electrode is disposed with the inflatable member. A cooling mechanism is configured to cool surrounding tissue that the device comes in contact.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a device for performing a surgical procedure that includes an elongated shaft extending between a proximal end and a distal end, with an expandable member disposed at the distal end in an unexpanded position and an expanded position. The expandable member includes a wall defining a thickness and an inner cavity configured to receive inflation material, and the shaft and expandable member define a central longitudinal axis. At least a first electrode is disposed on the inner surface of the expandable member, enabling RF-related functional association with the expandable member.
A cooling mechanism is integrated such that it includes a cooling tube within the thickness of the wall, configured to cool the inflation material and thereby cool surrounding tissue with which the device comes into contact. In addition, the device includes an expandable cage disposed around the expandable member, the cage including at least a first elongated member, a second elongated member, and a collar adjacent proximal ends. The first and second elongated members are spaced via a gap, and the central longitudinal axis is defined relative to first and second planes through the respective elongated members so that the expandable cage is configured to expand with the expandable member in a direction transverse to the central longitudinal axis when force is applied during expansion.
The invention further recites a use for destroying one of tissue and nerves at a surgical site by utilizing a device having a cannula and a balloon at the distal end with an inner cavity for inflation material, at least a first electrode configured for emitting RF signals, and a cooling tube disposed within the thickness of the wall and configured to circulate cooled liquid to cool the inflation material and the surrounding tissue. The procedure includes creating an access path, inserting the balloon and the cage, inflating the balloon and the cage in a direction transverse to the central longitudinal axis, and emitting RF signals through the electrode to destroy the tissue and/or nerves.
Claims Coverage
The provided portion includes two independent device claims and one independent method claim, all centered on an RF-capable inflatable distal member with cooling and an expandable cage structure.
RF inflatable device with cooled inflation material
A device for performing a surgical procedure including an elongated shaft with a distal expandable member having an inner cavity for receiving inflation material, an electrode disposed on the inner surface of the expandable member, a cooling mechanism including a cooling tube within the thickness of the wall configured to cool the inflation material thereby cooling surrounding tissue, and an expandable cage disposed around the expandable member.
Expandable balloon on a cannula with liquid-cooled cooling tube
A device for performing a surgical procedure including a cannula with a distal balloon having an unexpanded position and an expanded position configured to receive inflation material, an electrode disposed on the inner surface of the balloon, a cooling tube within the thickness of the wall configured to attach to a liquid pumping device and circulate cooled liquid within the cooling tube to cool the inflation material, and an expandable cage disposed around the balloon configured to expand with the balloon transversely during expansion.
RF method for destroying tissue and nerves using cooled inflatable balloon and expandable cage
A method for destroying one of tissue and nerves at a surgical site by utilizing a device with a cannula and distal balloon receiving inflation material, an RF-emitting electrode disposed on the inner surface of the balloon, a cooling tube within the thickness of the wall configured to circulate cooled liquid to cool the inflation material and surrounding tissue, and an expandable cage configured to expand transversely during balloon expansion, comprising creating an access path, inserting the balloon and the cage, inflating them transversely, and emitting RF signals through the electrode to destroy the one of the tissue and the nerves at the surgical site.
Across the independent claims, the core coverage combines a distal inflatable member (expandable member/balloon) with an RF electrode, a cooling tube integrated within the member wall to cool inflation material and surrounding tissue, and an expandable cage that expands transversely as the balloon expands.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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