Patent · US Expired

Apparatus and method for RF lesioning

US6280441A · kind A · utility

496Cited by
29References
42Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateDec 15, 1997
Grant dateAug 28, 2001
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 15, 2017

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61B2018/1435
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

To ablate target tissue a handle with proximal and distal ends connect to an interior passageway and along an axis. A semi rigid and helical effector at the distal end is along the axis and has a sharpened distal tip and a mount at its handle attachment. A source of radio frequency current supplies the effector and is insulated from the handle for delivery to bipolar and monopolar circuits. A return electrode connects between tissue and the source of radio frequency current. A sensor is carried on the handle positioned to measure target tissue ablation. A control couples the source of radio frequency current and the sensor for loop regulation of ablation. The effector is a wire bent into the helical shape with an insulating sleeve to prevent passage of radio frequency current near its mount. The sensor has a calculator to find impedance or temperature changes and the control examines for a rise. The effector is in an alternate a hollow tube bent into the helical shape and closed at its distal tip; the handle has a passage for fluid circulation. A return located on the effector insulating sleeve has a larger surface area than the distal tip. A bipolar delivery effector carries at le…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.