Patent classifications
A61B2018/00821
DC BLOCK PATIENT ISOLATOR FOR A MICROWAVE GENERATOR
A patient isolator for a microwave generator includes a DC block grounded to a microwave module of the microwave generator, a proximal absorber wrapped around a proximal portion of the DC block, and a distal absorber wrapped around a distal portion of the DC block and separated from the proximal absorber by a gap.
COOLING FLUID FLOW RATE MONITORING FOR LASER INTERSTITIAL THERMAL THERAPY
Devices, systems, and methods to verify a magnetic field phase drift and to check for proper function of a laser fiber cooling system during laser ablation therapy are disclosed. The laser fiber cooling system includes a cooling catheter insertable into laser ablation target tissue, a coupling assembly to define fluid channels, inflow and outflow ports, a fluid pump to pump fluid through the laser fiber cooling system, a fluid source, a first sensor to measure an inflow fluid parameter, a second sensor to measure an outflow fluid parameter, and a processor. Methods of verifying and checking include measuring the fluid parameter, comparing the inflow and outflow parameter measurements to determine a comparison value, comparing the comparison value to a tolerance range, and signaling a user when the comparison value is outside of the tolerance range.
BALLOON CATHETER AND BALLOON CATHETER SYSTEM
It is possible to highly precisely determine a surface temperature of a balloon. A balloon catheter includes: a balloon; an outer cylinder shaft connected to a proximal end of the balloon; an inner cylinder shaft passing through the outer cylinder shaft to extend into the balloon to be connected to a distal end of the balloon; and a heating component disposed in the balloon for heating a liquid in the balloon. A liquid delivery path in communication with the balloon is formed between the outer cylinder shaft and the inner cylinder shaft. A temperature sensor is disposed in the liquid delivery path.
COOLED BIPOLAR RADIO-FREQUENCY ABLATION PROBE
A cooled radio-frequency (RF) ablation probe is provided. The RF ablation probe includes a first tubular portion defining at least part of an internal cavity for circulating coolant through the cooled RF ablation probe; a second tubular portion surrounding the first tubular portion along a first portion of the length of the cooled RF ablation probe; a third tubular portion surrounding the second tubular portion along a second portion of the length of the cooled RF ablation probe; and a fourth tubular portion surrounding the third tubular portion along a third portion of the length of the cooled RF ablation probe. A gap is defined between the third tubular portion and the fourth tubular portion that can be filled with air or a vacuum can be formed in the gap to insulate one or more thermocouples attached to the fourth tubular portion from the coolant in the internal cavity.
REINFORCEMENT AND STRESS RELIEF FOR AN IRRIGATED ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY BALLOON CATHETER WITH FLEXIBLE-CIRCUIT ELECTRODES
A catheter balloon includes a membrane having a proximal end and a distal end. A plurality of substrates are bonded about the membrane. The ability of a bond's ability to withstand repeated stresses during use may be improved by using a reinforcement or a stress relief, while also minimizing the overall thickness of the balloon proximate to its distal end. The reinforcement may comprise a portion of an unassembled membrane. Alternatively, the reinforcement may comprise an adhesive-margin tip. The stress relief may be a serpentine portion of a distal tail of a substrate.
Cryoprobe
Cryosurgical devices, such as cryosurgical probes (cryoprobes) are disclosed. Some example embodiments may include an elongated shaft at least partially housing or delineating a fluid supply conduit and a fluid exhaust conduit, the elongated shaft including a distal ablation section terminating at a closed distal end, a housing at least partially circumscribing at least a portion of a proximal end of the elongated shaft and receiving or delineating at least a portion of the fluid supply conduit and a portion of the fluid exhaust conduit; and/or a flow restricting element in fluid communication with the fluid exhaust conduit, the flow restricting element regulating the flow of fluid through at least a portion of the fluid exhaust conduit.
ELECTRODE APPARATUS FOR NERVE DENERVATION OR MODULATION IN BODY
An electrode apparatus for nerve denervation or modulation in body includes a main body including a shaft; an electrode unit formed to be drawn out from one end of the shaft and configured to denervate or modulate at least part of nerves on a tube in the body; and an electrode guide coupled to the electrode unit and deformed into a wound state to bring the electrode unit into contact with the tube in the body. The electrode guide includes a plurality of joint units disposed to enclose the circumference of the tube with the electrode unit interposed therebetween in the wound state.
Systems and methods for spherical ablations
A system including a catheter navigable to a location within a patient, a lumen extending through the catheter and ending at the distal end in an orifice, a fluid controller in fluid communication with the lumen of the catheter and capable of supplying a fluid to or removing a fluid from an area proximate the desired location. The control of the fluid in the area proximate the desired location affecting a dielectric constant of the area proximate the desired location. The system includes a microwave energy source, and a microwave ablation probe connected to the microwave energy source, the microwave ablation probe being navigable to a desired location within the patient. Application of energy from the microwave energy source to the microwave ablation probe in an area proximate the desired location having the affected dielectric constant results in a substantially spherical tissue effect in the area proximate the desired location.
Catheter distal end made of plastic tube and flexible printed circuit boards
A catheter includes an insertion tube, a flexible substrate and one or more electrical devices. The insertion tube is configured for insertion into a patient body. The flexible substrate is configured to wrap around a distal end of the insertion tube and includes electrical interconnections. The electrical devices are coupled to the flexible substrate and are connected to the electrical interconnections.
CRYOTHERAPY, THERMAL THERAPY, TEMPERATURE MODULATION THERAPY, AND PROBE APPARATUS THEREFOR
In one aspect, recording instruments, probes, probe sheaths, and probe sleeves may include one or more recording elements, such as one or more ECG wires, EEG wires, and/or SEEG wires. A recording element may be used for lesion localization and assessment at the time of cryotherapy, thermal therapy, or temperature modulation therapy. A recording element may be used to provide positioning and monitoring during functional neurosurgery; to apply local tissue stimulation responsive to detection of an abnormal event to regulate cellular behaviors during treatment; to effect deep brain stimulation during a neurosurgical operation; to monitor internal electrical signals and identify abnormalities. Recording instruments may be deployed in vivo for hours or days while monitoring and analyzing signals. For signal analysis, leads disposed between recording element contact surfaces and along a shaft of the recording instrument may deliver recorded signals to a controller external to the patient for analysis.