Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for radiometrically measuring temperature and detecting tissue contact during ablation. An interface module includes a first input/output (I/O) port for receiving radiometer and thermocouple signals from an integrated catheter tip (ICT) that includes a radiometer; a second I/O port for receiving ablative energy from an electrosurgical generator; a temperature display; a patient relay; a computer-readable medium storing radiometer and thermocouple parameters and instructions for causing the processor to: calculate a temperature adjacent to the ICT based on the radiometer and thermocouple signals and the parameters; causing the temperature display to display the calculated temperature; closing the patient relay to pass ablative energy from the second to the first I/O port; determining whether the ICT is in contact with tissue based on the radiometer signal. An output device indicates whether the ICT is determined to be in contact with the tissue.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for temperature-controlled ablation using radiometric feedback. An interface module may include (a) a processor; (b) a first input/output (I/O) port to receive digital radiometer and digital thermocouple signals from an integrated catheter tip (ICT); (c) a second I/O port to receive ablative energy from a generator; (d) a temperature display; (e) a patient relay; (f) a computer-readable medium storing instructions for causing the processor to: (i) calculate a temperature adjacent to the ICT based on the digital radiometer and thermocouple signals and operation parameters; (ii) cause the temperature display to display the calculated temperature; and (iii) close the patient relay to pass ablative energy received on the second I/O port to the first I/O port; and (g) a temperature control subsystem to regulate the ablative power based on the calculated temperature.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for radiometrically measuring temperature during ablation. An interface module includes a processor; a first input/output (I/O) port configured to receive digital radiometer and thermocouple signals from an integrated catheter tip (ICT) that includes a radiometer; a second I/O port configured to receive ablative energy from an electrosurgical generator; a temperature display; a patient relay in communication with the first and second I/O ports and the processor; and a computer-readable medium storing radiometer and thermocouple operation parameters and instructions for causing the processor to: calculate a temperature adjacent to the ICT based on the radiometer and thermocouple signals and the operation parameters, causing the temperature display to display the calculated temperature, and closing the patient relay so as to pass ablative energy received on the second I/O port to the first I/O port.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for detecting tissue contact prior to and/or during energy delivery to tissue. For example, the methods may include calculating temperature and detecting tissue contact based on signal(s) received from a radiometer. The radiometer may provide information about whether a treatment device is in contact with the tissue, and thus provide feedback to assist a clinician in properly contacting and treating the tissue.

Abstract: Methods and systems for treating tissue that employ a radiometer for temperature measurements and use feedback from the radiometer to regulate energy being applied to the tissue are provided. For example, methods and systems are provided for calculating temperature based on signal(s) from a radiometer, which may provide useful information about tissue temperature at depth, and automatically regulating energy applied to the tissue based on the tissue temperature.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for radiometrically measuring temperature and detecting tissue contact during ablation. An interface module includes a first input/output (I/O) port for receiving radiometer and thermocouple signals from an integrated catheter tip (ICT) that includes a radiometer; a second I/O port for receiving ablative energy from an electrosurgical generator; a temperature display; a patient relay; a computer-readable medium storing radiometer and thermocouple parameters and instructions for causing the processor to: calculate a temperature adjacent to the ICT based on the radiometer and thermocouple signals and the parameters; causing the temperature display to display the calculated temperature; closing the patient relay to pass ablative energy from the second to the first I/O port; determining whether the ICT is in contact with tissue based on the radiometer signal. An output device indicates whether the ICT is determined to be in contact with the tissue.

Abstract: Methods and systems for treating tissue that employ a radiometer for measurement and/or control are provided. For example, methods and systems are provided for radiometrically measuring temperature, such as by calculating temperature based on signal(s) from a radiometer, thereby providing useful information about tissue temperature at depth, even during an optional irrigated procedure.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for radiometrically measuring temperature during ablation. An interface module includes a processor; a first input/output (I/O) port configured to receive digital radiometer and thermocouple signals from an integrated catheter tip (ICT) that includes a radiometer; a second I/O port configured to receive ablative energy from an electrosurgical generator; a temperature display; a patient relay in communication with the first and second I/O ports and the processor; and a computer-readable medium storing radiometer and thermocouple operation parameters and instructions for causing the processor to: calculate a temperature adjacent to the ICT based on the radiometer and thermocouple signals and the operation parameters, causing the temperature display to display the calculated temperature, and closing the patient relay so as to pass ablative energy received on the second I/O port to the first I/O port.

Abstract: Methods and systems for treating tissue that employ a radiometer for measurement and/or control are provided. For example, methods and systems are provided for radiometrically measuring temperature, such as by calculating temperature based on signal(s) from a radiometer, thereby providing useful information about tissue temperature at depth, even during an optional irrigated procedure.

Abstract: Methods and systems for treating tissue that employ a radiometer for temperature measurements and use feedback from the radiometer to regulate energy being applied to the tissue are provided. For example, methods and systems are provided for calculating temperature based on signal(s) from a radiometer, which may provide useful information about tissue temperature at depth, and automatically regulating energy applied to the tissue based on the tissue temperature.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for detecting tissue contact prior to and/or during energy delivery to tissue. For example, the methods may include calculating temperature and detecting tissue contact based on signal(s) received from a radiometer. The radiometer may provide information about whether a treatment device is in contact with the tissue, and thus provide feedback to assist a clinician in properly contacting and treating the tissue.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for radiometrically measuring temperature and detecting tissue contact during ablation. An interface module includes a first input/output (I/O) port for receiving radiometer and thermocouple signals from an integrated catheter tip (ICT) that includes a radiometer; a second I/O port for receiving ablative energy from an electrosurgical generator; a temperature display; a patient relay; a computer-readable medium storing radiometer and thermocouple parameters and instructions for causing the processor to: calculate a temperature adjacent to the ICT based on the radiometer and thermocouple signals and the parameters; causing the temperature display to display the calculated temperature; closing the patient relay to pass ablative energy from the second to the first I/O port; determining whether the ICT is in contact with tissue based on the radiometer signal. An output device indicates whether the ICT is determined to be in contact with the tissue.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for radiometrically measuring temperature during ablation. An interface module includes a processor; a first input/output (I/O) port configured to receive digital radiometer and thermocouple signals from an integrated catheter tip (ICT) that includes a radiometer; a second I/O port configured to receive ablative energy from an electrosurgical generator; a temperature display; a patient relay in communication with the first and second I/O ports and the processor; and a computer-readable medium storing radiometer and thermocouple operation parameters and instructions for causing the processor to: calculate a temperature adjacent to the ICT based on the radiometer and thermocouple signals and the operation parameters, causing the temperature display to display the calculated temperature, and closing the patient relay so as to pass ablative energy received on the second I/O port to the first I/O port.

Abstract: A method for measuring the contact force exerted on tissue by a probe for heating the tissue and containing an antenna which is connected to a radiometer whose output reading indicates the temperature at depth of the tissue contacted by the probe comprises displaying the output reading of the radiometer, applying sufficient power to the probe to heat the tissue to a selected first temperature that is not lethal to the tissue, moving the probe into contact with the tissue, observing the increase in the displayed temperature reading that occurs when the probe contacts the tissue, and advancing the probe toward the tissue until the displayed temperature reading reaches a value corresponding to a selected tissue contact force. After the probe position in the tissue has stabilized, the applied power to the probe may be increased to heat the tissue to a selected second temperature that is lethal to tissue for a sufficient time to ablate the tissue followed by lowering the tissue heating to a sub-lethal temperature.

Abstract: A method of minimizing thermal trauma during tissue ablation includes the steps of placing an ablation catheter at an ablation site on a first organ in a patient's body, providing energy to the ablation catheter to heat first organ tissue at the ablation site, providing microwave radiometry apparatus including a probe containing a microwave antenna and a radiometer responsive to the antenna output for producing a temperature signal corresponding to the thermal radiation picked up by the antenna and positioning the probe in a body passage of a second organ in the patient's body having a wall portion adjacent to the ablation site so that the microwave antenna is located at a measurement site opposite the ablation site.

Abstract: A method for measuring the contact force exerted on tissue by a probe for heating the tissue and containing an antenna which is connected to a radiometer whose output reading indicates the temperature at depth of the tissue contacted by the probe comprises displaying the output reading of the radiometer, applying sufficient power to the probe to heat the tissue to a selected first temperature that is not lethal to the tissue, moving the probe into contact with the tissue, observing the increase in the displayed temperature reading that occurs when the probe contacts the tissue, and advancing the probe toward the tissue until the displayed temperature reading reaches a value corresponding to a selected tissue contact force. After the probe position in the tissue has stabilized, the applied power to the probe may be increased to heat the tissue to a selected second temperature that is lethal to tissue for a sufficient time to ablate the tissue followed by lowering the tissue heating to a sub-lethal temperature.

Abstract: A kink-resistant steerable catheter assembly suitable for microwave ablation includes a handle, a catheter and a steering control. The catheter has (a) a flexible, torque-transmitting and axially incompressible proximal or body portion terminating in a proximal end attached to the handle, and (b) a flexible and axially compressible distal or tip portion terminating in a distal end. A coaxial cable is disposed in and extends through a large aperture in the catheter proximal portion, and a coaxial cable extension is generally centrally disposed in, substantially fills, and snugly extends through a large lumen in the catheter distal portion to reduce kinking. The control is disposed in and actuatable from the handle, for placing tension on one of a pair of steering wires while relaxing tension on the other of the pair of steering wires, thereby to bend the distal end of the coaxial cable extension toward the tensed one of the steering wires.

Abstract: A helical antenna, which is matched to the desired microwave frequency of 915 MHz, comprises a helix having a linear length which is in the range of 74 to 112 mm or a non-zero integer multiple thereof, and which delivers microwave energy in an optimal heating pattern with little reflected power.

Abstract: A kink-resistant steerable catheter assembly suitable for microwave ablation includes a handle, a catheter and a steering control. The catheter has (a) a flexible, torque-transmitting and axially incompressible proximal or body portion terminating in a proximal end attached to the handle, and (b) a flexible and axially compressible distal or tip portion terminating in a distal end. A coaxial cable is disposed in and extends through a large aperture in the catheter proximal portion, and a coaxial cable extension is generally centrally disposed in, substantially fills, and snugly extends through a large lumen in the catheter distal portion to reduce kinking. The control is disposed in and actuatable from the handle, for placing tension on one of a pair of steering wires while relaxing tension on the other of the pair of steering wires, thereby to bend the distal end of the coaxial cable extension toward the tensed one of the steering wires.