Patent classifications
A61B2018/1823
System and method for ablation procedure monitoring using electrodes
A microwave ablation system includes an antenna assembly configured to deliver microwave energy from a power source to tissue. One or more electrodes are disposed on the antenna assembly and are configured to be positioned relative to tissue upon insertion of the antenna assembly into tissue. The one or more electrodes are configured to generate a feedback signal in response to an electrical signal supplied thereto from the power source. The feedback signal corresponds to the proximity of tissue relative to the at least one electrode and is configured to be compared to a predetermined parameter to determine a depth of the insertion of the antenna assembly into tissue. The power source is configured to control the delivery of microwave energy to the antenna assembly based on the comparison.
System and method for testing electrosurgical generators
A system is provided. The system includes an electrosurgical generator configured to measure, collect and record data pertaining to a characteristic of tissue as the tissue is being electrosurgically treated. A tuner configured to couple to the electrosurgical generator includes a tuning circuit providing a load having a variable complex impedance for the electrosurgical generator when the electrosurgical generator is connected thereto. A controller including stored data pertaining to impedance values is in operable communication with the electrosurgical generator for retrieving the recorded data pertaining to the characteristic of tissue. The controller is in operable communication with the tuner for varying a complex impedance of the load. The controller configured to compare the recorded data pertaining to the at least one characteristic of tissue with the stored data pertaining to the plurality of impedance values and to adjust the tuner to one of the plurality of impedance values.
METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR REDUCING SWEAT PRODUCTION
Methods and apparatuses are provided for reducing sweat production via, for example, the removal, disablement, and incapacitation of sweat glands in the epidermis, dermis and subdermal tissue regions of a patient. In one embodiment, a method of treating a patient is provided which involves identifying a patient having a condition of excessive sweating, positioning an energy delivery device proximate to a skin tissue of the patient and delivering energy to sweat glands to halt secretion of sweat. The energy delivery device may include microwave delivery devices, RF delivery devices, and cryogenic therapy devices. Some embodiments may include using a cooling element for avoiding destruction of non-target tissue and/or a suction device to localize treatment at specific portions of the skin fold.
Polarized electric field system for whole-body Covid-19 therapy
A non-invasive electrodynamic radiative electroporation system and method for safe in vivo delivery of specific radiant energy to physiologically inaccessible sites for selective destruction of biomolecular function of virions, particularly Covid-19 and its variants. The system and method applies a computer or like controller to generate, modulate, direct and deliver applied external electric fields from plural antennas to target tissues in the full respiratory tract, including lung microstructures, cardiovascular tissues and neuron networks. Electric fields exceeding a critical threshold-value interact with the virus lipid bilayer membranes, intra-membrane organelles, mRNA, and biomolecular scaffold assemblies, to destroy virion function through irreversible electroporation and electropermeabilization. Polarized electric fields are generated to provide force vectors in optimal dynamic angular distribution to the virion membrane surface and modulated within time-scales short compared to thermal transport characteristic times to effect the electroporation as an adiabatic process that preempts Joule heating of normal tissues.
ELECTROSURGICAL INSTRUMENT
An electrosurgical device having a radiating tip portion for delivering electromagnetic energy to biological tissue, where the electrosurgical device is disposed in a catheter. The electrosurgical device is movable relative to the catheter between a deployed position where the radiating tip portion is exposed and a retracted position where the radiating tip portion is contained within the catheter. In this manner, the radiating tip portion may be retracted until the moment when it is to be used. This may facilitate insertion of the device through an instrument channel of a surgical scoping device. In particular, this may prevent the radiating tip portion from catching on the instrument channel when the device is inserted into the instrument channel, which could cause damage to the instrument channel and/or radiating tip portion.
ELECTROSURGICAL SYSTEM
An electrosurgical system for treating biological tissue that comprises: an electrosurgical generator to supply microwave energy; a surgical scoping device having a steerable insertion cord for insertion to a treatment site; and an electrosurgical instrument dimensioned to fit within an instrument channel that is located within the insertion cord. The electrosurgical instrument comprises: a flexible coaxial cable arranged to convey the microwave energy; and a radiating tip portion connected at an end of the coaxial cable and configured to receive microwave energy. The radiating tip portion comprises: a coaxial transmission line for conveying the microwave energy; and a needle tip mounted at an end of the proximal coaxial transmission line, wherein the electrosurgical instrument is slidable within the instrument channel to extend the needle tip beyond an end of the instrument channel to puncture biological tissue; the needle tip is arranged to deliver the microwave energy into biological tissue.
Systems and methods for determining the status of a fluid-cooled microwave ablation system
A method of determining the status of a fluid cooled microwave ablation system is provided including providing an electrical current to a pump to pump fluid through an ablation system along a fluid path to cool the ablation system, measuring an electrical current drawn by the pump, and determining a status of the ablation system based on the measured electrical current. In another aspect of the disclosure, an ablation system is provided including an ablation probe defining a fluid path for circulation of fluid therethrough, a generator configured to supply energy to the ablation probe for treating tissue, a pump configured to pump fluid through the fluid path of the ablation probe to cool the ablation probe, a sensor configured to measure an electrical current drawn by the pump, and a computing device configured to determine a status of the ablation system based on the measured electrical current.
MICROWAVE SYSTEM AND METHOD
A filtering device for use in a medical microwave delivery system is disclosed. The filtering device comprises a DC block and a microwave absorbing element. The microwave absorbing element is disposed around the DC block and/or around one or more elements within the DC block. Also disclosed is a medical microwave delivery system comprising a microwave generator system and the filtering device, wherein the filtering device is coupled to an output of the microwave generator system.
Electrosurgical apparatus and electrosurgical instrument
An electrosurgical instrument capable of supporting resonance of microwave energy at multiple frequencies. The instrument comprises a coaxial cable and a radiating distal tip portion arranged to receive microwave energy from the coaxial cable. The radiating tip portion consists of a dielectric material having an electrical length selected in conjunction with its dielectric properties at three or more frequencies of microwave energy to support resonance at each frequency. By providing a single device that can effectively couple microwave energy into biological tissue at three or more frequencies, tissue ablation can be performed rapidly with accuracy. The instrument may be used in an apparatus that includes a generator arranged to supply microwave energy at three or more different frequencies.
MICROWAVE TREATMENT SYSTEM
A microwave system, comprises: a microwave generator; a microwave applicator for delivering microwave radiation generated by the microwave generator to a surface, wherein the microwave applicator is moveable relative to the surface; one or more sensors for sensing at least one of a position, an orientation, an acceleration, a speed and/or a velocity of the microwave applicator, and a controller configured to monitor sensor output from the one or more sensors and further configured to control one or more operational parameters of the microwave system based at least on the monitored sensor output.