Apparatus and method for creating, maintaining, and controlling a virtual electrode used for the ablation of tissue
US6537272B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 30, 2001 |
| Grant date | Mar 25, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 30, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B2018/1472
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The present invention provides an apparatus and a method for producing a virtual electrode within or upon a tissue to be treated with radio frequency alternating electric current, such tissues including but not limited to brain, liver, cardiac, prostate, breast, and vascular tissues and neoplasms. An apparatus in accordance with the present invention includes a source of super-cooled fluid for selectively providing super-cooled fluid to the target tissue to cause a temporary cessation of cellular or electrical activity, a supply of conductive or electrolytic fluid to be provided to the target tissue, and alternating current generator, and a processor for creating, maintaining, and controlling the ablation process by the interstitial or surficial delivery of the fluid to a tissue and the delivery of electric power to the tissue via the virtual electrode. A method in accord with the present invention includes delivering super-cooled fluid to the target tissue to cause a temporary cessation of cellular or electrical activity, evaluating whether the temporary cessation of cellular or electrical activity is the desired cessation of cellular or electrical activity, and if so, delivering …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.