Over-the-wire high frequency electrode
A device for ablation of target tissue in the living body such as a tumor comprises an elongate member that can be guided over a guide element into the target tissue. The elongated element has an electrode at its distal portion. The electrode is configured to be energized with high frequency energy to ablate the target tissue. The elongate member has a guide hole through it and is configured to pass over a guide element that has perforated and penetrated the skin and tissue along a tract to the target volume. The elongate member can be made of a rigid metal tube or a flexible plastic tube. The elongate member can include a cooling channel within it so that cooling fluid can be circulated within the elongate member to cool the electrode, and thus to enlarge the ablation volume at the target tissue.
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/058,967, filed on Jan. 30, 2002, allowed, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/310,438, filed on Aug. 3, 2001, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELDThis invention relates generally to the advances in medical systems and procedures for prolonging and improving human life. More particularly, this invention relates to an improved method and system involving a high frequency electrode that is inserted into the human body over a guide wire for performing thermal high frequency ablation of target tissue such as cancerous tumors.
BACKGROUNDThe use of high frequency electrodes for heat ablation treatment of functional disease and in the destruction of tumors is well known. One example is the destruction of cancerous tumors of the kidney using radio frequency (RF) heat ablation. A paper by D. W. Gervais, et al., entitled “Radio-frequency Ablation of Renal Cell Carcinoma: Early Clinical Experience,” Radiology, vol. 217, no. 2, pp. 665-672 (2000) describes using a rigid tissue perforating and penetrating electrode that has a sharpened tip to self-penetrate the skin and tissue of the patient. This paper is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. The exposed conductive tip of the electrode is placed in the tumor within the kidney. The electrode has cooling fluid circulating within it to enable larger ablation volumes to be made. Such rigid, cooled, tissue-perforating radio frequency electrodes are available from Radionics, Inc., Burlington, Mass.
The theory behind and practice of RF heat ablation has been known for decades and a wide range of suitable RF generators and electrodes exists. For example, equipment for causing heat lesions is available from Radionics, Inc., located in Burlington, Mass.
A research paper by E. R. Cosman, et al., entitled “Theoretical Aspects of Radiofrequency Lesions in the Dorsal Root Entry Zone,” Neurosurgery, Vol. 15, No. 6, pp. 945-950 (1984) describes various techniques associated with radio frequency lesions and is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. Also, research papers by S. N. Goldberg, et al., entitled “Tissue Ablation with Radio Frequency: Effect of Probe Size, Gauge, Duration, and Temperature on Lesion Volume,” Acad. Radiol., Vol. 2, pp. 399-404 (1995), and “Thermal Ablation Therapy for Focal Malignancy,” AJR, Vol. 174, pp. 323-331 (1999) describe techniques and considerations relating to tissue ablation with radio frequency energy and are hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
SUMMARYIn one aspect, a device for ablating tissue in the living body includes an elongate member defining a longitudinal passage having a distal opening and a proximal opening dimensioned to pass a guide element. The elongate member includes an electrode disposed at a distal portion of the elongate member and configured to be energized with high frequency energy to ablate tissue.
In another aspect, a device for ablating tissue includes a rigid elongate tubular member defining a longitudinally extending lumen having a distal opening and a proximal opening. The lumen is dimensioned to pass along a guide element. A distal portion of the tubular member has a blunt distal tip. The device also includes an electrode disposed at a distal portion of the tubular member and configured to be energized with high frequency energy to thermally ablate tissue, and a fluid channel defined within the tubular member, the fluid channel in fluid communication with the fluid input port and the fluid output port and in thermal communication with the electrode.
In another aspect, a device for ablating tissue includes a flexible elongate tubular member defining a longitudinally extending lumen having a distal opening and a proximal opening. The lumen is dimensioned to pass along a guide element. A distal portion of the tubular member has a blunt distal tip. The device also includes an electrode disposed at a distal portion of the tubular member and configured to be energized with high frequency energy to thermally ablate tissue, and a fluid channel defined within the tubular member, the fluid channel in fluid communication with the fluid input port and the fluid output port and in thermal communication with the electrode.
In another aspect, a system for ablation of a tissue in the living body includes a guide element and an ablation system. The ablation system includes an elongate member defining a longitudinal channel having a distal opening and proximal opening, the elongate member being dimensioned to slide along the guide element. The ablation system also includes an electrode at a distal portion of the elongate member and configured to be energized with high frequency energy to ablate the tissue. The system can also include a needle element defining a longitudinal lumen dimensioned to pass the guide element. The needle can include a sharp distal tip configured to perforate the tissue. The elongate member can define a fluid channel in fluid communication with a fluid input and a fluid outlet and in thermal communication with the electrode. The ablation system can also include a high frequency generator, electrical conductors connecting the high frequency generator to the electrode, a fluid agent injector, or a coolant supply connected to a fluid input of the elongate member.
The elongate member can be rigid or flexible. The elongate member can include a blunt distal tip. The blunt distal tip can converge smoothly with the distal opening. The blunt distal tip can include a rounded contour surrounding the distal opening. The blunt distal tip can include a tapered contour converging with the distal opening. The blunt distal tip can include a fluid sealed junction between the metal tube and the inner metal tube.
The device can include a fluid inlet port and a fluid outlet port. The elongate member can further define a fluid channel in fluid communication with the fluid inlet port and the fluid outlet port. The fluid channel can be in thermal communication with the electrode.
The electrode can include an exposed portion of the external surface of the outer metal tube. The electrode can include a metal element. The electrode can be a ring. The electrode can include a tapered contour converging with the distal opening.
The tubular member can include a metal tube having an external surface and an electrical insulator configured to electrically insulate a portion of the external surface of the metal tube. The tubular member can include a plastic tube. The device can include an inner metal tube disposed within the metal tube and defining a portion of the lumen. The fluid channel can be located at least in part between the metal tube and the inner metal tube.
The guide element can include a flexible guide wire or a rigid stylet wire. The guide element comprises an anchor that extends laterally from a distal guide portion of the guide element. The anchor can be configured to anchor the distal guide portion near a target. The guide element can include a tube containing a movable member. The movable member can be a tube or an anchor.
In another aspect, a method for thermal ablation of a target volume includes perforating and penetrating a living body using a guide element to establish a tract through the body to the target volume, sliding an electrode along the guide element to position the electrode near the target volume, connecting the electrical connection to a high frequency generator, and supplying high frequency energy from the generator through the electrode to the target volume to thermally ablate the target volume. The electrode includes an elongate member defining a longitudinal passage dimensioned to pass along the guide wire, a conductive surface at a distal portion of the elongate member, and an electrical connection between the conductive surface and a proximal portion of the elongate member.
The method can also include cooling the electrode while supplying high frequency energy to change a spatial distribution of heat near the electrode. Cooling can include connecting a source of a coolant to a fluid input and causing a coolant to flow in a fluid channel in the elongate member. The fluid channel can be fluid communication with the fluid input and a fluid output and in thermal communication with the electrode. Perforating and penetrating can include passing a sharp needle through skin and tissue. Positioning can include passing the guide wire through the needle and removing the needle over the guide wire to leave the guide wire in the tract. Positioning can include deploying an anchor from the guide wire to anchor the guide wire in the tract. The method can also include dilating the tissue along the tract after positioning the guide wire by passing a dilating element over the guide wire to expand the tissue along the tract prior to sliding the electrode along the guide wire.
In certain circumstances, the method can include introducing a fluid agent through the guide element. For example, the method can include introducing a chemotherapeutic agent through the guide element prior to or while supplying high frequency energy. The chemotherapeutic agent can act in combination with the step of supplying high frequency energy to enlarge the volume of ablation.
Advantages of the device can include its use in minimally invasive ablation techniques with better guidance and with less trauma to tissue. A guide wire or stylet that punctures and perforates tissue can have a small diameter, producing less trauma and making device placement easier. Guide wire placements using needles are well known to radiologists and are well adapted to image-guided techniques. Guide wires can be placed in any deep organ or any tissue type without displacing the organ or losing target position. Guide wires can also be configured to anchor to target tissue and hold the device in position at the target despite body organ movement.
A guide wire-guided RF electrode need not itself perforate, cut, or puncture skin or tissue. A guide wire-guided RF electrode can include a blunt distal tip that gently expands and dilates tissue without cutting when the electrode slides over the guide wire. Gentle expansion and dilation of tissue reduces risk of bleeding, since tissue is laterally and frontally compressed during the process, which can be advantageous in vascular target sites such as the kidney where the risk of ripping critical blood vessels is reduced by a dull or rounded electrode tip.
An electrode with a guidance channel through it also allows agents, such as anesthetics, saline loaded fluids, gels, or chemotherapeutic agents, to be injected through the channel to the target site to ease device insertion or enlarge the ablation volume.
The invention can be used in numerous organs in the body, including the brain, spine, liver, lung, bone, kidney, abdominal structures, etc., and for the treatment of cancerous tumors, functional disorders, pain, tissue modifications, bone and cartilage fusions, and in cardiac ablation.
The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGSIn the drawings which constitute a part of the specification, embodiments exhibiting various forms and features hereof are set forth, specifically:
Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring to
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When inserted through skin S into bodily tissue B, probe 27 is guided along the tract established by guide element 12. As it moves through the bodily tissue B towards target tissue T or organ X, the tip 44 moves along the tract established by the entry of needle into bodily tissue B and of guide element 12. Guide element 12 occludes the distal opening 55 of probe 27 during the movement of distal tip end 44 through the bodily tissue B, preventing tissue from embedding and impacting in the channel lumen 37. The tip 44 can be shaped in a smooth and rounded form so that it does not cut or perforate the bodily tissue B as it slides along guide wire 12. As the probe 27 follows the tract made by the needle and guide element 12 and moves deeper into bodily tissue B, a taper at the distal tip end 44 can dilate the surrounding tissue. Alternatively, a separate dilator element can be used over guide element 12 prior to passage of probe 27, in which case probe 27 does not dilate the tissue at all but merely follows a preformed expanded tissue tract.
The exposed distal tip 32 is conductive and can be connected by electrical connections (not shown) in the elongate member 30 to a connection 77 at the hub 49. Connection 77 can be joined by connector 80 to a high frequency generator 84. Generator 84 is a source of high frequency electrical voltage or current applied through connector 80 and member 30 to the exposed tip 32. This induces electrical current to flow through the body tissue B. In the example shown in
Guide element 12 with curved tip 21, or multiple curved hooks or prongs (not shown), which anchor the tip to tissue, helps limit movement of the guide element tip 21 during manipulation, e.g., as the probe 27 slides over the guide element 12. Thus the tip 32, on approaching the curved tip 21, can be in the predetermined anchored position near target tissue T. Further, with clamp 67 in place, movement of the target tissue T, such as with respiration or with further manipulation, will also move the probe 27 and anchored guide element 12 along with the tissue T such that the tip 32 remains in proper position relative to target T. For example, where the organ X is the kidney and target tissue T is a renal cell carcinoma, the insertion of probe 27 can tend to displace the organ because the organ has a tough cortex. By anchoring the guide element 12 with an anchoring mechanism, such as curved tip 21, movement of the guide element relative to the target tissue T can be reduced and error in placement of the ablation volume can be diminished.
The generator 84 can have many control and readout functions associated with RF parameters of the ablation process, as illustrated by meters 85 and 86, which can display output power, current, voltage, impedance, or other parameters of the heating process. Controls 87 which are used to carry out the ablation process can be, for example, manual, automatic, or computer controlled to govern and monitor the process and display of the generator. Ablation time, duration, and set points can be displayed. The generator 84 can be, for example, a high frequency generator with various possible frequency ranges including: several tens of kilohertz to 100 kilohertz; 100 kilohertz to 1 megahertz; 1 megahertz to several megahertz; several hundred megahertz; or greater frequencies. Radio frequencies in the 100 kilohertz to 100 megahertz can be effective in tissue ablation. Connector 80 can have, for example, multiple connections, and can connect, for example, individually to tip 32 or, if further independent electrode surfaces are present on probe 27, connector 80 can connect to each electrode surface individually. In a bipolar configuration (not shown), where probe 27 has multiple conductive independently connected electrode surfaces, the return connector 94 can be connected through the hub 49 to one or more of the electrode surfaces, and the connector 80 can be connected to other of the electrode surfaces to produce a bipolar current pattern in the target tissue to create desired heating patterns. Generator 84 can have a supply power in the range from 0 to 10 watts, 0 to 50 watts, 0 to 200 watts, 0 to 400 watts, or more. If desired, probe 27 can include temperature sensors (not shown) such as one or more thermocouple sensors built into the tip 32. The temperature sensor can be connected by separate wires to the generator 84, and the measured temperature can be displayed on display 85. The time duration of heat ablation can vary with the circumstances of the procedure. For example, the time duration of heat ablation can be in the range of 0 to 1 minute, 0 to 3 minutes, 0 to 10 minutes, 0 to 60 minutes, or longer.
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Once needle 120 is introduced into the body, the obdurating stylet, if used, can be removed, and an ancillary needle 140 can be inserted to introduce fluid agents or to perform a biopsy. Ancillary needle 140 includes a distal tip 144, which can be beveled, as shown. Alternate tips, such as side-cutting devices, can be used for biopsy. Ancillary needle 140 also includes a hub 147 that can be shaped to fit with the luer 134 of needle 120 to perform aspirations or provide a fluid-tight seal. Agents such as saline, hypertonic saline, saline gel, alcohol, a chemotherapeutic agent, or other agents can be injected by connecting luer lock 150 on the hub 147 to a syringe to treat the target tissue, for example, so as to enhance the size of the ablation volume made with the RF electrode. For example, injection of hypertonic saline or hypertonic saline gel can produce an effectively larger conductive electrode region, thereby enabling larger heat lesion volumes to be made when the electrode is introduced and used to ablate tissue.
A guide element 159 can be introduced into guide needle 120 once after the stylet (not shown) or ancillary element 140 has been removed. The guide element 159 includes a distal end 170 and a proximal end 184. The guide element can be, for example, a flexible guide wire, such as a well-known Seldinger wire, which includes a helically wound wire structure and an inner concentric wire. The helical structure and concentric wire can be welded together at the distal end 170 and the proximal end 184. Such a helically wound guide wire can have excellent lateral flexibility and very little longitudinal stretch. Other types of guide elements can be similar to a Seldinger wire but can have a permanent curve or arc at the distal end, as indicated by the curved, dashed lines 174 or 177. The curved portions 174 or 177 can include a flexible wire element or multiple wire elements introduced into the guide needle 120 so that when distal end 124 emerges from the needle, the flexible wire element or elements assume an arced or curved path. The curve or arc can secure the guide element in target tissue, as described above. Alternatively, the guide element 159 can be a relatively stiff stylet such as a solid stainless steel wire or a bundle of multiple wire stylets or tubes, or the stylet can be formed from flexible metal, such as nitinol, where the curved ends 174 and 177 form from a memory of the metal and can be pushed into the tissue laterally once emerging from the guide needle 120 to provide a strong anchor. The guide wire can be rotated around its axis such that a single curved end, such as 174, can be rotated azimuthally and thus be directed in the direction as indicated by curve 177, depending on the target region encountered. The guide wire can have a blunt or sharp point to suit the toughness or the delicacy of tissues encountered. When encountering tough target tissue, such as cartilage, cortexes of organs such as the kidney, or bone, guide needle 120 can be firmly pushed into the target, the stylet can be removed, and a stiff guide element 159 can be pushed into place and anchored at the target. The guide element can be electrically insulated, for example, with a non-conductive coating, so that it will not influence the magnitude and direction of current flow during high frequency ablative heating when the electrode is introduced and used to ablate tissue.
Once guide element 159 is in place, needle 120 is removed from the patient's body, leaving the guide element 159 in place in the tissue. In some cases, further dilation of the body tissue along the guide element tract is desired. If so, dilation element 197 can be passed over guide element 159 to make a wider tract. Dilation element 197 has an elongated body 201 with a dilating tip 214. Dilation element 197 has a traversing longitudinal channel 207 which opens at its distal end with opening 220. At the proximal end, dilation element 197 has a hub 230 including proximal opening 237 to channel 207. Dilation element 197 can be made of a metal, a plastic, a hard silicone, or other appropriate material. Dilation element 197 can be rigid, semi-rigid, or flexible. If lateral dilation of the tissue tract along guide element 159 needs to be incremented in fractions of a millimeter or in millimeters, then more than one dilation element similar to dilation element 197 can be passed sequentially over guide element 159, or multiple dilation elements can telescope over each other to expand the tract diameter. The distal tip 214 can be smooth, conical, bullet-shaped, or septum-shaped. The distal tip 214 can be substantially free of sharp points or edges to gently expand tissue laterally as the shaft 201 is pushed inward without cutting or piercing the tissue along the tract. If desired, a sheath or cannula 239 can cover dilation element 197 when dilation element 197 is passed over guide element 159. The sheath includes an inner lumen 241 and tip 242, and a hub 240 that can abut or lock with hub 130 during dilation. Sheath 239 can be made of a metal or a plastic.
When dilation of the tract along guide element 159 is sufficient, dilation element 197 is removed from the body, and high frequency probe 244 is passed over the guide element 159 and into the body towards the target. Sheath 239 can remain in place when dilation element 197 is removed. If sheath 239 remains, its inner lumen 241 is large enough for probe 244 to pass through it. If dilation is not necessary, probe 244 can be passed directly over guide element 159.
Probe 244 has an elongate member or shaft 249. Member 249 can be electrically insulated or thermally insulated by insulation layer 255 over a portion of its length. At the distal portion of member 249, there is an exposed conductive electrode surface 267 from which high frequency current spreads to target tissue and causes heating. Inner channel 271 runs the length of the elongate member 249 and is connected to a surface opening 274 at the distal end of member 249 and proximal opening 277 at the proximal end of member 249. The proximal end has a hub structure 280. Electrical connections (not shown) within member 249 connect the exposed conductive electrode surface 267 to connector 301 at the hub, for connection to an external high frequency generator, as illustrated, for example, in FIG 1D. Referring to
If sheath 239 is left in the tract after dilation element 197 is removed, it acts to further guide probe 244. Sheath 239 can be electrically insulating and can act as the insulation layer for probe 244 in place of insulation layer 255. Hub 280 of probe 244 can connect and lock to hub 240 so that a desired exposed conductive surface such as conductive electrode surface 267 extends beyond tip end 242 of sheath 239. This distance can be pre-determined before probe insertion according to the size of ablation desired.
Inner channel 271 can be constructed from separate segments of metal tubing, or plastic tubing. Inner channel 271 can be an inner lumen in a solid annular tubular structure. Probe 244 can be, for example, a segment of plastic tubing with a lumen 271 and an attached conductive electrode surface 267. Insulation layer 255 can be a thin plastic coating or sheath having a thickness in the range of about 0.001 to 1 mm. A thinner insulation layer can produce less perturbation of the probe 244 surface during insertion and can be suited for coating or insulating rigid metal tubing. For flexible or semi-flexible probes 244, the insulation layer 255 can be the entire wall thickness or a plastic tube covering an inner channel 271, such as a flexible spiral wound or metal tubular number, and in that case, insulation thickness can be larger, for example 1 to 2 mm or greater.
A fluid injection element 320 can fluidly connect to the hub 280 of probe 244. Injection element 320 can be a syringe with plunger 330 for ejecting fluid or gel from its distal tip opening 332. The amount of injected fluid can be quantified by a scale 333. A luer taper 335 mates to a corresponding luer taper 314 of hub 280 of probe 244. If guide element 159 is removed from the high frequency probe 244 after placement of the electrode in the target tissue, fluid agents can be injected through the internal channel 271 and out of the distal hole 274 near the target tissue using fluid injection element 320. For example, hypertonic saline, hypertonic saline gel, toxic or ablative fluids, agents that coordinate with heat ablation to enlarge or modify the ablation volume, anesthetics, or other agents can be injected at the target site through channel 271. Internal channel 271, therefore, can serve both as a guide channel over a guide wire as well as an injection channel for desired fluid or gel agents. Alternatively, a separate injection channel (not shown) within member 249, an injection port at hub 280, and separate injection outflow holes (not shown) in tip 269 can provide a pathway for injection of agents without removing guide element 159.
All or some of the elements shown in
The items depicted in
Elongate member 249 of probe 244 can be, for example, a rigid metal tube or a flexible plastic tube. The length of the probe 244 can be in the range of about 10-1,000 mm, depending on clinical needs to reach a target site. The outer diameter of probe 244 can be in the range of about 0.5-10 mm, or greater to suit clinical needs. For example, when a conductive electrode surface 267 has a length in the range of 10 to 40 millimeters and a diameter of 1.0 to 10.0 millimeters and tissue ablation temperatures of up to 90 to 100° C. are achieved in the tissue adjacent to the electrode or at a distance from the electrode, then the ablation diameter can be in the range of about 1 to 10 centimeters, or greater.
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Member 380 is shown with a rounded or bullet-shaped distal end 398 and an inner channel 412, which extends from the proximal end near hub 440 to the distal end 398. The inner channel or through opening 412 opens to the external surface of the electrode at the distal opening 420 on the distal end and the proximal opening 430 on the proximal end. Proximal opening 430 includes a luer lock or sealing element 435 so that an injection system can be fluidly sealed to the electrode such that fluids, gels, or other media can be injected through channel 412 and emitted at the distal opening 420. The channel 412 is adapted to pass over a guide element as described above in connection with
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A further feature of the guide channel electrode design is that the internal channel, such as channel 616 in
The member 580 can be a metal tube with a curved, bullet-shaped distal tip 599. The inner chamber 616 can also be a metal tube that is sealed, soldered, welded, or otherwise connected to distal tip 599 on a margin 627 of the distal opening 628. The inner channels 707 and the exit channel corresponding to arrows 801 can be other tubes within the space between outer tube 580 and inner channel 616. At hub 644, the various channels can be fluid sealed by, for example, potting the hub 644 with epoxy, and the fluid channels can be appropriately connected to external channels 727 and 729 to prevent fluid leaking. The external, internal, and fluid channels can be made from metal or plastic and have other features of CT, MRI, X-ray, or ultrasound compatibility. In one embodiment, the outer tube can be made from plastic, such as polyurethane or polyethylene. Within the channels 707 conduits that carry the fluid toward the tip, along the direction of arrow 765, and outward, along the direction of arrow 801, can be formed.
The member 580 and the inner chamber 616 can have various dimensions, as for example the ranges described in connection with
The tip shape 599 can be smooth and non-cutting, non-perforating, or non-piercing. One advantage of the probe is that the electrode tip need not be self-tissue piercing, perforating, or penetrating, and it need not have a sharpened point, trocar, or conical point. Rather, the probe can rely on the piercing or perforating characteristics of the guide element such as a sharpened stylet to perforate, puncture, and penetrate the tissue ahead of it. The electrode can, for example, merely dilate the tissue once the tissue has been perforated by the guide element. Alternatively, the electrode may simply pass through the tissue that has already been dilated by a dilation element that has passed over the guide element.
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One of the advantages of a guide wire directed electrode is that the through opening in the electrode and the hole in the tip can enable passage of injectable agents such as hypertonic saline and gel, as described above. The through opening also allows the passage of markers, or marker dyes, that can be placed at the target tissue region following heat ablation. These markers can be visualized by imaging devices such as CT, MR, X-ray, or ultrasound for confirmation of position or re-targeting at a later time. The markers can be, for example, gold seeds, tantalum seeds, or radiopaque, MRI, or ultrasound visible fluids, gels, or media that can be detected and imaged. Advantageously, the guide wire and electrode system can be separate elements. The guide wire system and its penetration device such as a needle can provide the perforating and puncturing of the skin and tissue. The guide wire system and its penetration device can also be highly compatible to image guidance. For example, they can be MRI compatible so as to leave minimal artifact in an MRI scan, they can be CT compatible with minimal X-ray scattering to reduce artifact in CT or X-ray images, or they can be ultrasound ecogenic, and thus visible in ultrasound scanning. As a consequence, placement and targeting can be simplified for the surgeon using the guide wire and its introducer. Later, when the electrode is passed over the guide wire, the electrode placement need not be image guided. For example, the electrode can be made of a non-MRI-compatible material. Since the MRI was used during the guide wire introduction and placement phase, it may not be necessary to do further MRI scans when the electrode is in place. The same is true for CT, X-ray, and ultrasonic scanning, in each case the guide wire can be highly compatible with imaging. This can mean that the high frequency ablation process with the electrode in place can be done offline from the image scanning suite, which can save considerable time in the image scanning suite, and save considerable expense, time, manpower, and technician fees.
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The next step is to dilate the tract to the target by passing one or more dilation elements over the guide element to expand the diameter of the tract (step 1407). The dilation elements can be removed after expanding the diameter of the tract. Alternatively, the dilation elements can remain in place if the electrode is configured to pass over them. For example, a guide cannula can be over the dilation element and removed or left in the tract when the guide element is removed.
The next step is passing a high frequency electrode with its internal guide channel over the guide element or elements, or alternatively over the dilation elements, so that the exposed conductive tip of the electrode is at the appropriate position near the target tissue (step 1414).
The next step is to anchor the guide element to the target tissue or other tissue, or to anchor the electrode element to the guide element and/or bodily tissue (step 1416). This serves to immobilize the conductive tip to the desired position relative to the target tissue, reducing its movement to the respiration, manipulation, and other bodily movements.
The next step (1421), which can be optional, is the injection of conductive agents or other agents through either the guide element orifices or, if the guide element is removed or appropriately configured relative to the electrode, through the through opening of the electrode so that it passes out the hole in the tip of the electrode into the region of the target tissue. Saline, hypertonic saline solution, hypertonic saline gel, alcohol, chemotherapeutic agents, or RF ablation enhancing elements can be introduced in this manner. A marker element(s) or substance can be passed through the electrode through opening and left in or anchored to the tissue for future image guidance reference, for example, when following the progress of the ablation and tissue or tumor site.
The next step (1424), which is also optional, is to connect a cooling fluid source to the electrode, and begin flowing cooling fluid or gas through the electrode so as to cool the electrode tip.
The next step (1427) is to connect the high frequency electrode to a high frequency generator located outside the patient's body. The output of the generator can be increased, causing heating of the target tissue near the exposed electrode tip. The high frequency generator can be configured to monitor parameters such as electrode temperature, cooling fluid temperature, RF power, current, voltage, impedance, and time of power application. The generator system can be controlled in coordination with and including a cooling reservoir and fluid pumping system in the case that coolant channels are provided within the electrode to cool the electrode tip during ablation.
All or only some of these steps may be used in accordance with the invention. For example, each of step 1407, step 1416, step 1421, or step 1424, independently, can be eliminated to suit clinical needs.
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Elongated outer portion 1501 includes internal channel 1561 which carries cooling fluid that flows distally indicated by arrow 1564 to the chamber 1571 that is inside tip 1507. The cooling fluid cools tip 1507. Channel 1561 can be a metal or a plastic tube or can be molded into outer portion 1501. Return flow of coolant in another internal channel towards the proximal end of the electrode is indicated by arrow 1568. External tubes 1570 and 1569 carry the coolant between the probe and the coolant source 1573.
High frequency generator 1600 connects to the electrically exposed portion of tip 1507 by connection wires 1591 or 1594. Internal guide tube 1514 can be a metal tube, and high frequency connection wire 1591 can connect to guide tube 1514 at junction 1590. Temperature sensor 1577 is in contact with or in proximity to tip 1507 to measure the temperature of the tip 1507 or of the coolant that flows through tip 1507. Internal connector 1579 and external connection wire 1594 connect sensor 1577 and generator 1600, which can read out and display the temperature detected by sensor 1577.
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The guide element inside of channel 1637 includes element 1650, which can be a wire or tubing that extends through distal opening 1647 and has an off-axis distal portion 1660. Portion 1660 follows an off-axis path such as a curved arc and has different degrees of extension from port 1647 depending on the degree of penetration of element 1650 into channel 1637. The degree of penetration is indicated by the depth markers 1684 on element 1650, which can be viewed relative to opening 1644. As the degree of penetration increases, the tip 1680 of portion 1660 can pass the location 1667 at an angle and distance from tip 1627 indicated by arrow R3. At further penetration of element 1650, tip 1680 can pass point 1671 at lateral distance D3 from tip 1627. At still further penetration, tip 1680 can move to distance D4 away from tip 1627. Tip 1680 can carry a temperature sensor, impedance sensor, or other physical sensor to measure the corresponding physical valve of the tissue near tip 1627 during the ablation process. Information from the sensor at tip 1680 is carried by connection 1744 to apparatus 1770 which displays the temperature, impedance, or other physical parameters on readout 1771.
Another component of the guide element inside of channel 1637 is guide wire 1690 that also extends from distal opening 1647. The curved portion 1697 of wire 1690 follows an arcing path with positions: 1707 at vector R2, 1714 at vector R1, 1721 at distance D2, and 1727 at distance D1 from tip 1627. As element 1690 is pushed into channel 1637, the tip 1731 will pass from the hole 1647 along the path of the arc 1697. Tip 1731 will reach all the positions of points along that path, including, for example, the vector positions R2, R1, D1, and D1, according to the depth of position of element 1690 inside channel 1637. The depth of position can be measured by marks 1737 on element 1690 as they pass near opening 1644. A temperature sensor in tip 1731 can detect tissue temperature as the tip 1731 passes positions such as R2, R1, D2, and D1. Connection 1747 from element 1690 to apparatus 1770 enables readout 1772 to register the temperature of the tissue near tip 1731. Element 1690 enables a mapping of temperature in space around tip 1627 during heat ablation of tissue in proximity to tip 1627. Since tip 1627 explores a different path than tip 1680 of portion 1660, more detailed information on ablation temperature distribution and the size of ablation volume can be determined. One, two, or more spatial probes such as 1660 and 1697 can be deployed around tip 1627. The spatial probes can emerge either through opening 1647 or through other openings (not shown) along the shaft of elongated flexible portion 1620 or through tip 1627 to accommodate the extent of thermal mapping desired. Portions 1660 and 1697 can be electrically insulated to prevent unwanted perturbations of ablation fields around tip 1627. Alternatively, portions 1660 and 1697 can be uninsulated and can be raised to RF potential along with tip 1627 to enhance ablative heating volume along their paths.
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Probes including a flexible elongated shaft connected to a conductive electrode tip as illustrated in
Electrode shapes 1511, 1627, and 1846 as in
Referring to
Another tube 2167 can be passed inside guide element tube 2136 to enable the distal portion 2171 to emerge substantially straight out from electrode tip 2111. Another tube 2177 positioned inside of elongated member 2104 connects to an opening 2179 in tip 2111. A fluid agent can be pumped from source 2153 through 2177 and out of hole 2179 to fill space or infiltrate tissue near electrode tip 2111. Another tube 2184 passes within the elongated member 2104 and outside of tube 2136 and has a distal portion 2188 that emerges from the lateral portion of electrode tip 2111 through opening 2186. Distal portion 2188 has an arced shape and has an open end 2191 that is located at vector position R8 relative to tip 2111. The position R8 can be varied or selected by the degree of insertion of tube 2184 into member 2104. Injection of a fluid agent from pump 2153 out of open end 2191 will deposit the fluid agent at a desired position relative to tip 2111. A high frequency generator 2114 and electrode coolant supply 2121 can be connected to the electrode 2101 in a way similar to that described in connection with
Referring to
Fluid agents can be injected into the tissue or space around the electrode tip 2111 to affect the process of heating and of destruction of tissue around tip 2111. For example, source 2153 can be a source of conductive fluid or gel such as saline or saline loaded gel. Injection of such a conductive fluid agent from tip openings 2147, 2174, or 2191 will alter the electrical conductivity of the volume near electrode tip 2111. For example, injection of conductive saline or gel around tip 2111 by appropriate positioning of tube openings 2147, 2174, or 2191 can reduce the impedance of current near tip 2111 and cause more power deposition and heating in tissue farther away from tip 2111. As a result, higher power can be delivered to the tissue-surrounding tip 2111 which results in a larger thermal ablation volume to be made. This is effective for ablation of larger tumors.
In another example, source 2153 can be a source of chemotherapeutic agent which when injected into tissue that is exposed to elevated temperatures can cause preferential death of cancerous cells compared to non-cancerous cells. For heat ablation with a high frequency electrode and without adjuvant chemotherapeutic exposure, the ablation volume is determined by the spatial region where temperatures reach 50° C. or greater. However, if in addition the chemotherapy agent is injected into the tissue, an increased volume of cancerous tissue death will occur as determined by the added spatial volume where temperatures reach between about 45 to 50° C. If no chemotherapy agent is injected into tissue, all cells, cancerous or non-cancerous, can be killed when exposed to temperatures above about 50° C. For example, when cells are exposed to chemotherapy agents, such as DOXIL, Doxilupisome, or liposomal doxorubicin, and also exposed to elevated temperatures, there will be a preferential death of cancerous cells as compared to non-cancerous cells for temperatures in the range of 45 to 50° C. Since the falloff of temperature versus radius from tip 2111 in
Referring to
Hub 2214 is attached to element 2204 and can be used by the operator to grip the element 2204 to move it in and out of sleeve 2201. The outer diameter of hub 2214 can be approximately equal to or less than the diameter of tube 2201 so that the inner guide channel of an electrode can slide over the entire guide element in
Multiple extendable elements similar to element 2204 can be passed inside sleeve 2201 to anchor, heat ablate, or deliver fluid agents. A bundle of wire or tubular elements such as 2204, 2227, and 2241 can be clustered inside sleeve 2201, and they can move in and out of 2201 independently or in unison. The elements 2204, 2227, and 2241 have different shapes such as a circular arc or portion 2207, a curved off-axis extension such as portion 2247, or a straight projection such as portion 2232. Hub 2214 can be connected to all the elements 2204, 2227, and 2241 so that they can be extended in unison out of sleeve end 2205. Source 2257 can inject a fluid agent through all of the internal elements. Alternatively, elements 2204, 2227, and 2241 can move independently inside sleeve 2201. Individual hubs and fluid injection tubes from the supply 2257 (not shown) can connect to the individual internal elements so that independent anchoring of the elements to tissue and independent injection of fluid to target tissue can be achieved.
Referring to
The extendable element or multiple extendable elements are extendable out of the distal portion of the guide element into the tissue (step 2304). The extendable elements or probes can be curved or straight probes made from wire or tubing. The step 2304 can include selecting extendable probes of known or desired radii and angles from the electrode tip. The step 2304 can include extending the probes to appropriate distances from the tip and selecting the appropriate agents to inject into the tissue for the clinician to enhance, modify, or enlarge the ablation or kill volume of tissue appropriate to clinician needs. Off-axis probes will anchor the guide element to proximate tissue. Step 2304 can include injecting a fluid agent such as saline, conductive gel, heat adjuvant chemotherapeutic agents, or imaging detectable agents for the purpose of modifying the electrical environment of the tissue, infusing chemotherapy agent into the tissue for enhanced destruction of tumors or cancerous cells, or injecting graphic marker agents in the tissue for location or relocation of a target position.
The next step is to pass a high frequency electrode having a guidance lumen over the guide element so that the tip of the electrode is near the target tissue to be ablated (step 2307).
The next step can be to inject a fluid or gel agent through the guide element or through the guide lumen of the electrode, or through extendable element included in the electrode, or through ports in the electrode wall (step 2311). This step 2311 can be as an alternative to agent injection in step 2304, or be in addition to the injection step in step 2304, or be eliminated if the injection in step 2304 is adequate for the clinical goals.
The next step is to flow coolant into the electrode to cool the electrode tip and thus to cool tissue around the tip (step 2314). This step can be eliminated if an ablation is made with a non-cooled electrode tip.
The next step is to connect the electrode to a high frequency generator and to deliver high frequency energy through the electrode tip to surrounding tissue (step 2321). The extendable elements can have temperature sensors in them, and this step can include monitoring temperatures in the tissue near the electrode tip during the ablation process. For example, if an ablation radius of 30 millimeters is desired, one of the extendable probes can be positioned in step 2304 so that its temperature sensor is 30 millimeters radius from the electrode tip. In step 2321, the high frequency power is raised to a sufficiently high level that the sensor temperature continues to read 50° C. for a set time such as 5 minutes, or 10 minutes, or 20 minutes or more to be sure that all tissue within and up to the 30 millimeter radius is ablated. Multiple probes can be deployed and monitored simultaneously to control the profile and angular extent of the ablation volume.
A number of embodiments of the invention have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.
Claims
1. A device for ablating tissue in the living body comprising:
- a guide element; and
- an elongate member defining a longitudinal passage having a distal opening and a proximal opening dimensioned to pass along and over the guide element directed into the tissue, the elongated member including an electrode disposed at a distal portion of the elongate member and configured to be energized with high frequency energy to ablate tissue.
2. The device of claim 1 wherein the elongate member comprises a blunt distal tip.
3. The device of claim 2, wherein the blunt distal tip is a conical tip
4. The device of claim 1 wherein:
- the device further comprises a fluid inlet port and a fluid outlet port; and
- the elongate member further defines a fluid channel in fluid communication with the fluid inlet port and the fluid outlet port and in thermal communication with the electrode.
5. The device of claim 4, wherein the fluid output port is at a proximal portion of the elongate member.
6. The device of claim 2 wherein:
- the elongate member is rigid; and
- the blunt distal tip converges smoothly with the distal opening.
7. The device of claim 6 wherein:
- the blunt distal tip comprises a rounded contour surrounding the distal opening.
8. The device of claim 6 wherein the blunt distal tip comprises a tapered contour converging with the distal opening.
9. The device of claim 7 wherein the elongate member is flexible.
10. The device of claim 9 wherein the electrode includes a tapered contour converging with the distal opening.
11. The device of claim 2 wherein the elongate member is flexible.
12. The device of claim 11 wherein the electrode is a ring.
13. The device of claim 1 wherein
- the elongate tubular member is rigid, a lumen is dimensioned to pass along and over the guide element directed into the tissue and the distal portion of the tubular member has a blunt distal tip; and further comprising:
- a fluid channel within the tubular member, the fluid channel in fluid communication with a fluid input port and a fluid output port and in thermal communication with the electrode.
14. The device of claim 13, wherein the blunt distal tip is a conical tip.
15. The device of claim 13, wherein the blunt distal tip is fluidly sealed to the tubular member and an inner metal tube.
16. The device of claim 13, wherein:
- the tubular member comprises a plastic tube; and
- the electrode comprises a metal element.
17. The device of claim 13, wherein the fluid output port is at a proximal portion of the elongate member.
18. The device of claim 13, wherein the fluid output port is at a proximal portion of the elongate member.
19. The device of claim 1 wherein
- the elongate tubular member is flexible, a lumen is dimensioned to pass along and over the guide element directed into the tissue, and the distal portion of the tubular member has a blunt distal tip; and further comprising:
- a fluid channel within the tubular member, the fluid channel in fluid communication with a fluid input port and a fluid output port and in thermal communication with the electrode.
20. The device of claim 19, wherein the blunt distal tip is a conical tip.
21. The device of claim 19 wherein the electrode includes a tapered contour converging with the distal opening.
22. The device of claim 21 wherein the electrode is a ring.
23. A system for ablation of tissue in the living body comprising:
- a guide element; and
- an ablation system including:
- an elongate member defining a longitudinal channel having a distal opening and proximal opening, the elongate member being dimensioned to slide along and over the guide element directed into the tissue; and
- an electrode at a distal portion of the elongate member and configured to be energized with high frequency energy to ablate the tissue.
24. The system of claim 23 wherein the guide element comprises a flexible guide wire.
25. The system of claim 23 wherein the guide element comprises a rigid stylet wire.
26. The system of claim 23 wherein the guide element comprises an anchor that extends laterally from a distal guide portion of the guide element, the anchor configured to anchor the distal guide portion near a target.
27. The system of claim 23 wherein the guide element comprises a tube containing a movable member.
28. The system of claim 27 wherein the movable member is a tube.
29. The system of claim 27 wherein the movable member is an anchor.
30. The system of claim 23 wherein the ablation system further comprises:
- a high frequency generator; and
- electrical conductors connecting the high frequency generator to the electrode.
31. The system of claim 23 wherein:
- the elongate member defines a fluid channel in fluid communication with a fluid input and a fluid outlet and in thermal communication with the electrode; and
- the ablation system further comprises a coolant supply connected to the fluid input.
32. The system of claim 23 wherein the ablation system further comprises a fluid agent injector.
33. A method for thermal ablation of a target volume comprising:
- perforating and penetrating a living body using a guide element to establish a tract through the body to the target volume;
- sliding an electrode along and over the guide element directed into the body to position the electrode near the target volume, the electrode including an elongate member defining a longitudinal passage dimensioned to pass along the guide wire, a conductive surface at a distal portion of the elongate member, and an electrical connection between the conductive surface and a proximal portion of the elongate member;
- connecting the electrical connection to a high frequency generator;
- supplying high frequency energy from the generator through the electrode to the target volume to thermally ablate the target volume.
34. The method of claim 33 further comprising cooling the electrode while supplying high frequency energy to change a spatial distribution of heat near the electrode, cooling including connecting a source of a coolant to a fluid input and causing a coolant to flow in a fluid channel in the elongate member, the fluid channel being in fluid communication with the fluid input and a fluid output and in thermal communication with the electrode.
35. The method of claim 33 wherein positioning comprises deploying an anchor from the guide wire to anchor the guide wire in the tract.
36. The method of claim 33 further including dilating the tissue along the tract after positioning the guide wire by passing a dilating element over the guide wire to expand the tissue along the tract prior to sliding the electrode along the guide wire.
37. The method of claim 33 further comprising introducing a fluid agent through the guide element.
38. The method of claim 33 further comprising introducing a chemotherapeutic agent through the guide element prior to or while supplying high frequency energy.
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 5, 2006
Publication Date: Aug 10, 2006
Inventors: Eric Cosman (Belmont, MA), Eric Cosman (Belmont, MA)
Application Number: 11/325,337
International Classification: A61B 18/14 (20060101);